Crystal Palace prepares £50m bid for Jarrod Bowen as transfer market heats up

Crystal Palace are ready to test the market’s nerve. The club are preparing what would be a headline-grabbing £50m bid to bring Jarrod Bowen back to the Premier League, according to reports in The Sun. It would be a huge statement from Palace and a major tug-of-war for one of English football’s most effective wide forwards.

While Palace line up their shot, the Saudi Pro League is loading up for another raid.

Al Hilal eye Premier League double swoop

Al Hilal are working on an ambitious double deal, targeting Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, say the Daily Mail. Two core players, two clubs who can hardly afford to lose them – and one of the few teams in world football with the financial muscle to ask the question.

Watkins’ situation at Villa is already under a harsh spotlight. Unai Emery offered no real denial when asked about claims that the England international had refused to play in Villa’s bruising 4-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex on Sunday, as reported by The Guardian. The result hurt. The fallout around Watkins could sting even more if the stand-off deepens.

Manchester United watch on as Balde sits out

At Barcelona, one omission did not go unnoticed in England. Alejandro Balde, on Manchester United’s radar, was left out of Barça’s squad for their LaLiga opener against Elche, according to the Daily Mirror. No minutes, no place in the matchday group – and plenty of fuel for speculation over his future as United continue to assess their options at full-back.

Keegan honoured on emotional Anfield afternoon

On Merseyside, the noise was different. Liverpool and Newcastle supporters came together to pay tribute to Kevin Keegan before their clash on the Premier League’s opening weekend, the Daily Star reports. A shared icon, two sets of fans, one ovation that cut through the rivalry for a moment and reached back to another era.

EFL: Osmajic bound for Serie A

Lower down the English pyramid, one of the EFL’s most talked-about figures is heading for the exit.

Preston North End forward Milutin Osmajic, who has picked up several bans during his time in England, is set to join Genoa after agreeing a move to Serie A, according to the Daily Mail. A combustible spell in English football looks to be closing with a fresh start on the Italian coast.

Europe: Pogba slashes price, Simeone explains Alvarez call, Kane crowned

Off the pitch, Paul Pogba has taken a sizeable financial step in an effort to finally draw a line under his Premier League past. The former Manchester United midfielder has knocked £450,000 off the asking price of his five-bedroom Cheshire mansion, dropping it from £3.95m as he struggles to secure a buyer during his stint with AS Monaco, says the Daily Mail.

On the touchline in Spain, Diego Simeone moved to cool one of the weekend’s more eye-catching talking points. Arsenal target Julian Alvarez did not join his Atletico Madrid team-mates in acknowledging the home fans after full-time on Sunday, but Simeone insisted the decision was planned, according to the Daily Mirror. No snub, no drama, if the Atlético coach is to be believed – just a pre-arranged call.

In Germany, Harry Kane’s dominance shows no sign of easing. The Bayern Munich striker has been voted 2026 player of the year in Germany by an association of sports journalists, finishing ahead of team-mate Michael Olise, reports The Guardian. Another accolade, another reminder of how completely he has taken command of the Bundesliga stage.

Scotland: Rangers miss out, Celtic reshuffle looms

North of the border, the market is shifting again.

Couhaib Driouech appears set to leave PSV after all, just nine days after his proposed move to Rangers collapsed, according to the Scottish Sun. Rangers’ loss could quickly become someone else’s gain.

At Celtic, change is brewing on two fronts. Former Parkhead winger Nicolas Kuhn has been placed on the transfer list after being left out of Como’s squad entirely, says the Scottish Sun, opening the door to a potential move away from Italy.

Celtic, for their part, are preparing to step up their pursuit of Gvidas Gineitis once Tuesday’s Champions League play-off is out of the way, also per the Scottish Sun. One eye on Europe, one eye on the market – and the window still has time left to twist the narrative again.