Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal are reportedly exploring a double raid on English striking talent, with both Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins said to be on their radar as the transfer window edges toward its close.
According to reports, representatives for Bayern Munich's Harry Kane have held discussions with Al-Hilal, and the England captain is understood to be open to the idea of a future switch to Saudi Arabia. That said, the 33-year-old is also believed to favour staying in Bavaria, where talks over a new contract have reportedly begun. Any potential exit would need to be finalised swiftly, given the Bundesliga's transfer deadline falls on 31 August.
Al-Hilal's interest does not appear to stop with Kane. Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins is said to have already agreed personal terms with the Saudi club, although no formal bid has yet been submitted to Villa for the 30-year-old. There is some uncertainty over whether Al-Hilal intend to sign just one frontman or bring in multiple attackers, with suggestions that interest in Watkins may have intensified only after a deal for Kane stalled. Regardless of how it unfolds, the prospect of the two England internationals vying for a starting berth in Riyadh remains a tantalising subplot.
Elsewhere, Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Barcelona's Gavi, with the World Cup-winning midfielder said to have rejected the chance to move to Old Trafford in favour of remaining with the Catalan club.
United are also facing interest from Napoli in forward Joshua Zirkzee, who found first-team opportunities limited under Michael Carrick last season. The Serie A side appear active on multiple fronts, having also made contact with Chelsea over Nicolas Jackson and expressed interest in Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus. Any move for Jesus would likely require Napoli to offload one of their existing attacking options first.
In Italy, AC Milan have knocked back an £8.5 million offer from newly promoted Coventry City for midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The 30-year-old, who last featured in the Premier League for Chelsea in 2023, would have represented a marquee return to English football's top tier for the Sky Blues.
Back in the Premier League, Manchester City are assessing their midfield options following the departure of Rodri, who completed a move to Barcelona this week. New manager Enzo Maresca is reportedly considering a move for Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, though the England international's valuation remains unclear. Any pursuit could be complicated by City's spending, having already committed £116 million to sign Elliot Anderson this window.
Finally, speculation briefly swirled around Jack Grealish after he was spotted at Cardiff's 1-1 draw with Wrexham in the Championship on Monday, fuelling talk of a possible move to Wales. However, that theory has cooled following reports that Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear retains interest in bringing Grealish back to Hill Dickinson Stadium following his loan spell there last season. A stay at Manchester City also remains a possibility for the 30-year-old winger.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.