Harry Kane's Future: Al-Hilal Talks and Bayern Munich Priorities

Harry Kane’s future, it seems, is being discussed in more places than 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 timing is awkward.

Because for now, Kane’s priority is Bayern. The 33-year-old wants to stay in Munich, where discussions over a new contract have already started. Any dramatic late twist would have to come fast: the Bundesliga transfer window shuts on 31 August, leaving little room for a drawn‑out saga.

Al-Hilal eye double England raid

Al-Hilal are not just circling Kane. They are going after another England forward as well.

Ollie Watkins is reported to have agreed personal terms with the Saudi club, though Aston Villa have yet to receive an official bid for the 30-year-old. The plan in Riyadh is less clear. Some reports suggest Watkins has become the primary target after a move for Kane stalled. Others insist Al-Hilal want more than one striker through the door.

If both deals somehow landed? Kane and Watkins could end up fighting for the same shirt in the Gulf heat.

Gavi snubs Old Trafford

One player who will not be pulling on a Manchester United jersey is Gavi.

The Spain World Cup winner has turned down the chance to join the Premier League side and intends to remain at Barcelona. For United supporters, already restless over a thin list of marquee arrivals, it is another reminder of how hard it has become to lure the very top tier.

And the concern at Old Trafford is not just about who is not coming in.

United face interest in Zirkzee

Napoli have emerged as suitors for Joshua Zirkzee, with the Italian club said to be interested in the Dutch forward.

Zirkzee spent much of last season coming off the bench under Michael Carrick, but that has not put off the Serie A champions, who are casting the net wide in their search for attacking reinforcements.

Their trawl does not stop at United.

Napoli have also made contact with Chelsea about Nicolas Jackson and have enquired about Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal. Any move for Jesus, though, would come with a condition: they would need to sell one of their current forwards before making room for the Brazilian.

Loftus-Cheek bid knocked back

Elsewhere in Serie A, Milan have rejected an £8.5m offer 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. Milan, however, were not tempted by the opening proposal and have made that clear.

City count the cost of losing Rodri

Back in the Premier League, Manchester City are dealing with a departure that will sting.

Rodri has left for Barcelona, completing his move on Tuesday and ripping a key piece out of Enzo Maresca’s midfield. The new City manager is now trawling the market for solutions.

High on his list is Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, the England international who has rapidly grown into one of the most coveted young midfielders in the division. The problem is the price. Palace’s valuation is unclear, and City have already poured £116m into the signing of Elliot Anderson this window.

Maresca knows he needs another anchor in the middle of the pitch. The question is whether City are prepared to pay whatever it takes, or whether this window has already pushed them to the edge.