Harry Kane's Future: Al-Hilal Interest and Bayern Contract Talks

Harry Kane’s future, it seems, is being discussed in more places than just Ballon d’Or debates.

The England captain’s camp have held talks with Al-Hilal over a potential move to the Saudi Pro League, with the Bayern Munich striker understood to be open to the idea somewhere down the line. The interest is real, the conversations have happened.

But there is a twist. Kane, 33, is also keen to stay exactly where he is. Bayern have opened discussions over a new contract in Munich, and with the Bundesliga window shutting on 31 August, any dramatic switch to Saudi Arabia would need to be fast, ruthless and very, very late in the day.

Al-Hilal eye double England raid

Al-Hilal are not stopping at one England international. They are pushing for two.

Ollie Watkins is reported to have agreed personal terms with the Riyadh club, even though no formal bid has yet landed on Aston Villa’s desk for the 30-year-old. The plan in Saudi is less clear. Some reports say Watkins is the alternative, the man they turned to after a move for Kane stalled. Others suggest the club are prepared to bring in more than one striker.

The scenario is tantalising: Kane and Watkins in the same squad, flown in for the same project, fighting for the same No 9 shirt.

Gavi says no to Old Trafford

One player who will not be heading to the Premier League is Gavi.

Manchester United made their move but the Spain World Cup winner has rejected the chance to join the club, opting instead to remain at Barcelona. For United supporters already irritated by a quiet window at the top end of the market, it is another high-profile name slipping away.

And the problem at Old Trafford is not just who they cannot get in. It is who might be leaving.

Napoli circle Zirkzee and more

Napoli are said to be interested in Joshua Zirkzee, who spent much of last season battling for minutes off the bench under Michael Carrick. The Dutch forward could yet be tempted away, with the Italian champions-elect casting a wide net in their search for attacking reinforcements.

Their shortlist is busy. Napoli have contacted Chelsea about Nicolas Jackson and have also asked Arsenal about Gabriel Jesus. Any deal for Jesus, though, comes with a clear condition: they would need to move on one of their existing forwards before bringing the Brazilian in.

Loftus-Cheek bid knocked back

Stay in Serie A and the traffic runs the other way.

Milan have rejected a bid from Coventry for Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The newly promoted Premier League side wanted to bring the 30-year-old midfielder back to England’s top flight for the first time since 2023, when he was at Chelsea. An £8.5m offer went in. Milan turned it down.

Coventry now know the starting price. Milan have made it obvious he will not be leaving on the cheap.

City lose Rodri and turn to Wharton

Back in the Premier League, Manchester City have taken a hit in the most important area of their pitch.

Rodri, the heartbeat of their midfield, signed for Barcelona on Tuesday. His departure leaves new manager Enzo Maresca scrambling for solutions in the centre of the park, trying to rebuild the structure that underpinned City’s dominance.

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has emerged as one of the names on Maresca’s list. The England international will not come without a fight, and his price tag remains unclear. That uncertainty matters. City have already spent £116m on Elliot Anderson this window.

The champions are not short of ambition. The question now is whether their budget, and the market, will let Maresca reshape his midfield in time.