Harry Kane’s Future: Bayern Munich or Al-Hilal?

Harry Kane’s future has become a two-continent tug of war. The Bayern Munich striker, fresh from another prolific season and firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation, has seen his camp hold talks with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, with suggestions he is open to a move there later in his career.

For now, though, Kane is thought to want exactly what Bayern want: a new deal in Munich. Discussions over fresh terms have already started in Bavaria. If anything more dramatic is to happen, the clock is ticking hard. The Bundesliga window shuts on 31 August. Any late dash to Riyadh would have to be fast, decisive and very expensive.

Al-Hilal, though, are not content to chase just one England No 9.

Al-Hilal circle England’s strike force

While Kane weighs up his long-term path, Ollie Watkins has stepped into the Saudi spotlight. The Aston Villa forward is reported to have agreed personal terms with Al-Hilal, even though the club have yet to lodge an official bid with Villa for the 30-year-old.

The plan in Riyadh is less clear. Some reports insist Al-Hilal want only one marquee striker and have moved for Watkins after failing to land Kane. Others suggest a more aggressive approach, with more than one centre-forward on the shopping list. If the latter proves true, the idea of Watkins and Kane jostling for the same starting shirt in the Gulf suddenly doesn’t feel so far-fetched.

Gavi shuts the door on Manchester United

One player who definitely will not be arriving in England is Gavi. Manchester United sounded out the Barcelona midfielder about a move to Old Trafford, but the Spain World Cup winner has rejected the chance and is intent on staying at his boyhood club.

That refusal will sting a fanbase already restless. United supporters have watched this window unfold with growing irritation, not just at the lack of blockbuster arrivals but at the threat of losing the talent they do have.

Napoli have emerged as one of the most persistent suitors. The Italian champions are said to be keen on forward Joshua Zirkzee, who spent much of last season fighting for minutes off the bench under Michael Carrick. United’s attacking depth, already thin, could be tested again if the Dutchman is tempted to Serie A.

Napoli cast a wide net

Napoli are not limiting themselves to Old Trafford. The club have been busy testing the water across the Premier League’s forward lines, making contact with Chelsea over Nicolas Jackson and enquiring about Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal.

Any move for Jesus, though, comes with a clear condition: something has to give. Napoli would need to sell one of their current forwards before they could seriously move for the Brazilian. For a club juggling ambition with balance, the next sale could define their attacking shape for the season.

Loftus-Cheek blocked from Premier League return

Elsewhere in Serie A, Milan have shut down an attempt to bring Ruben Loftus-Cheek back to England. Newly promoted Coventry made an £8.5m bid for the 30-year-old midfielder, hoping to restore him to the Premier League for the first time since his Chelsea days in 2023.

Milan’s answer was blunt: no. Loftus-Cheek stays, at least for now, leaving Coventry to look elsewhere for the experience and composure they had hoped to import into a survival fight.

Manchester City count the cost of losing Rodri

Back in the Premier League, a seismic departure has forced Manchester City into a rethink. Rodri, the metronome of their midfield and one of the pillars of their recent dominance, has joined Barcelona, signing on Tuesday and leaving a hole no spreadsheet can fully quantify.

New manager Enzo Maresca now faces his first major test. City have already spent £116m on Elliot Anderson this window, and yet the squad suddenly looks light in the very area that defined their control of games.

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has moved near the top of Maresca’s list. The England international fits the profile, but the numbers around any deal remain murky. Palace know City are under pressure. City know they are already deep into their budget. The fee will decide whether Wharton becomes the next piece of Maresca’s rebuild or another name on a list that keeps growing as the window’s deadline creeps closer.