Crystal Palace plans £50m move for Jarrod Bowen
The new week opens with Crystal Palace plotting one of the most ambitious moves of the window: a £50m bid to drag Jarrod Bowen back to the Premier League. The Sun reports Palace are ready to test West Ham’s resolve with a huge offer for the England forward, who left a lasting mark on the division before his move abroad.
If that lands, it would be a statement signing. A marquee name for a club trying to push beyond mid-table.
Al Hilal target Premier League duo
In Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal are not easing off. According to the Daily Mail, they are working on a double swoop from the Premier League, with Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins both on their radar.
Watkins’ situation is already under the microscope. The Guardian reports that Unai Emery did nothing to dispel claims that the England international refused to play in Villa’s bruising 4-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex on Sunday. It adds another layer of intrigue to any potential approach from abroad.
Balde left out, Keegan remembered
In Spain, a Manchester United target was conspicuous by his absence. The Daily Mirror says Alejandro Balde was left out of Barcelona’s squad for their LaLiga opener against Elche, a decision that will only fuel talk around his future and United’s interest.
Back in England, there was a moment of reflection amid the frenzy. Liverpool and Newcastle supporters united to pay tribute to Kevin Keegan before their meeting on the Premier League’s opening weekend, as reported by the Daily Star. A shared salute to a figure who shaped both clubs.
EFL: Osmajic bound for Serie A
Lower down the English pyramid, one of the EFL’s most talked-about characters is heading for a fresh start. The Daily Mail reports that Preston North End forward Milutin Osmajic, no stranger to bans and controversy, has agreed a move to Serie A side Genoa and is set to leave English football behind.
Europe: Pogba cuts price, Simeone explains Alvarez call
Off the pitch, Paul Pogba has taken a hefty financial hit. The Daily Mail says the former Manchester United midfielder has slashed £450,000 off the asking price of his five-bedroom Cheshire mansion, dropping it from £3.95m as he continues his exit from AS Monaco and struggles to find a buyer.
In Madrid, Diego Simeone moved to cool a different kind of speculation. The Daily Mirror reports the Atletico Madrid boss insisted it was planned that Arsenal target Julian Alvarez did not join his team-mates in applauding supporters after full-time on Sunday, a detail that had sparked questions about the forward’s mindset and future.
Over in Germany, Harry Kane’s dominance shows no sign of fading. The Guardian reveals 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. English captain, German accolade, same ruthless output.
Scotland: Rangers miss, Celtic move
North of the border, the transfer carousel is spinning again. Couhaib Driouech, whose proposed move to Rangers collapsed just nine days ago, now looks set to leave PSV after all, according to the Scottish Sun. The deal that slipped away from Ibrox may yet be completed elsewhere.
At Celtic’s end, there is movement in both directions. Former Parkhead winger Nicolas Kuhn has been placed on the transfer list after being left out of Como’s squad entirely, the Scottish Sun reports, opening the door to another change of scenery.
Celtic, meanwhile, are preparing to push on. They are expected to ramp up their interest in Gvidas Gineitis after Tuesday’s Champions League play-off, with the Scottish champions clearly intent on adding more depth if they make it through.
Big bids, uneasy stars, and clubs hedging their bets. If this is only Monday, what will the window look like by the time the final whistle blows on deadline day?
