Manchester City have entered the race to sign Roma midfielder Manu Koné, setting up a direct rivalry with neighbours Manchester United for the France international's signature. Elsewhere on Thursday, Aston Villa were reported to be weighing up a move for Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo, while Tottenham Hotspur held talks with Manchester City over a possible double deal for Savinho and Omar Marmoush.
The 25-year-old Koné has emerged as one of the more contested midfield targets of the window, with City now said to be assessing whether to move for him despite United's earlier interest. This adds a fresh twist to a pursuit that has been building for weeks; United and Arsenal were previously reported to be competing for the same player, as detailed in our earlier coverage of the battle for Koné, which also touched on Roma's interest in West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville and Aston Villa's own look at that deal.
Why are Manchester City and United competing for Manu Koné?
Both clubs are understood to view Koné as a means of strengthening their midfield options, though as things stand he is described only as a potential target rather than a player either side has moved to sign. According to CaughtOffside, City's entry into the race directly complicates United's pursuit of the France international, who had already been the subject of interest from Old Trafford earlier in the summer. Whether Roma are willing to negotiate late in the window remains unclear, and a national broadcaster's report stopped short of suggesting talks were advanced.
What is driving Aston Villa's interest in Tosin Adarabioyo?
Villa's move for the 28-year-old England defender appears to be linked to Ezri Konsa's expected departure to Arsenal, with the club looking for a replacement at the back. Portuguese side Benfica have also made contact with Chelsea over a possible deal for Adarabioyo, according to reporting cited on Thursday. Separately, TeamTalk and a national broadcaster both note that several other clubs are also monitoring the defender, meaning Villa's approach forms part of a wider scramble rather than a straightforward pursuit.
How advanced are Tottenham's talks over Savinho and Marmoush?
Spurs are in discussions with Manchester City about signing both the Brazil winger, 22, and the Egypt forward, 27, as they continue searching for attacking reinforcements. Reports suggest Savinho is prepared to make the move, though according to Sky Sports, no agreement has yet been reached for either player. The same outlet also reports that Tottenham are weighing a broader forward-line rebuild that could include Cody Gakpo and a new centre-forward, while City would first need to bring in replacements before letting Marmoush leave, according to a separate Sky Sports report. Notably, Spurs have already committed more than £200m to six first-team signings this summer, a factor that could shape how much further business they are able to do before the window shuts.
What else is happening across the top flight?
Barcelona are keeping an eye on Harry Kane's contract discussions with Bayern Munich, with the 33-year-old England striker having entered the final year of his current terms. Sunderland could break their transfer record by activating the 60m euro (£51m) release clause for Sporting's Mozambique winger Geny Catamo, 25, while Everton have been linked with Como's Senegal winger Assane Diao, 20, in a deal that could cost between £50m and £60m.
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus is reported to have no desire to leave for Napoli, despite the Italian club's interest in the 29-year-old Brazil forward. Juventus have joined Napoli in exploring a move for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, 25, though both Italian clubs would need to sell players first before completing any deal for the Netherlands international.
Elsewhere, Hull City are closing in on a deal with Real Betis for 20-year-old Spanish winger Pablo Garcia, while Hull, Ipswich Town and Saudi club Al-Ittihad are all pushing to sign Girona's Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, 26. Arsenal, meanwhile, are working on deals to bring in Gibraltar winger James Scanlon, 19, and English right-back Habeeb Ogunneye, 20, both from Manchester United.
Barcelona have paused their pursuit of Atletico Madrid's Argentina forward Julian Alvarez, 26, and are said to be exploring alternative options. Atletico, in turn, are looking to beat Manchester United to Spanish defender Jorge Salinas, 19, of Racing Santander.
What is moving in the EFL?
West Ham United are interested in Sunderland winger Jocelin Ta Bi, the 21-year-old Ivorian who joined the Black Cats from Maccabi Netanya in January but has made just two appearances so far. Wrexham have been linked with Leeds United striker Lukas Nmecha, the 27-year-old German international who has scored seven goals in 37 appearances for Leeds.
Burnley are targeting Feyenoord defender Anel Ahmedhodzic, with the 27-year-old Bosnian also drawing interest from his former club Sheffield United and from Southampton. The Clarets could meanwhile lose forward Zian Flemming, with French side Lille interested in the 28-year-old Dutch striker, who has already scored three goals this season. Wycombe Wanderers have had a bid rejected by Exeter City for striker Jayden Wareham, the 23-year-old Englishman who scored 22 goals last season despite the Grecians being relegated from League One.
What happens next?
Talks between Tottenham and Manchester City over Savinho and Marmoush are continuing, though no deal has been finalised for either player. Any further movement on Manchester City's interest in Manu Koné is likely to depend on whether Roma are prepared to sanction a sale this late in the transfer window, with the latest reports still describing him only as a possible target rather than an active negotiation.
- Manchester City have been named as a potential suitor for Roma's Manu Koné, joining Manchester United in the race for the France midfielder.
- Aston Villa's interest in Chelsea's Tosin Adarabioyo is tied to Ezri Konsa's expected exit to Arsenal, with Benfica also making contact.
- Tottenham are in talks with Manchester City over Savinho and Omar Marmoush, though no agreement is yet in place.
- Spurs have already spent more than £200m on six players this summer, which may limit further spending.
- Sunderland could break their transfer record to sign Sporting winger Geny Catamo via a 60m euro release clause.
