Transfer gossip round-up: Bayern target Barcelona's Olmo - Sunday's gossip

The latest BBC gossip digest has the transfer market buzzing with a mix of big‑money pursuits and contract ticking clocks. From Bayern’s continental appetite to a flurry of English talent on the move, clubs are circling, but none of these stories have turned into signed deals yet.

Bayern Munich are reportedly preparing a £69m bid for Barcelona and Spain forward Dani Olmo, according to Sport, while the German side also have their sights set on Benfica’s 24‑year‑old Portuguese defender Tomas Araujo, as cited by Bild. Both bids underline Bayern’s dual approach of adding creativity up front and shoring up the back line.

In England, Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander‑Arnold, 27, is said not to be considering a move away from the club despite reported interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, per TeamTalk. Meanwhile, the Spanish defender Raul Asencio, 23, apparently attracted three big‑money offers this summer – including from Chelsea and Liverpool – yet chose to stay at Real, according to Marca.

Across the Premier League, Liverpool and Manchester United have both been linked with Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven, though Caught Offside notes it would take a large fee to pry the 25‑year‑old from Tottenham. Manchester United are also keeping a close eye on 22‑year‑old Spain left‑back Alejandro Balde, who might leave Barcelona in January, reported by Mundo Deportivo.

In Italy, AC Milan face the prospect of losing two England players next year: defender Fikayo Tomori, 28, and midfielder Ruben Loftus‑Cheek, 30, are set to leave as their contracts expire in June, according to Gazzetta. Meanwhile, Spanish full‑back Alex Jimenez’s loan from Bournemouth to Fiorentina includes an option for the Italian club to buy the 21‑year‑old for £17m, as detailed by Tuttomercatoweb.

AS Roma are expected to double their asking price for Chelsea target Manu Kone, 25, to £86m in January after the Blues reportedly rejected a chance to sign the French midfielder for £43m in the summer, per La Gazzeta dello Sport. Finally, Barcelona continue to closely monitor Norway striker Erling Haaland, hoping the 26‑year‑old could become a more realistic transfer target in the summer after Manchester City were found guilty of breaking the Premier League’s financial rules, according to El Nacional.

All told, the market is humming with interest, but the only certainty is that none of these moves have been sealed yet.