The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers…

Premier League

Arsenal have held further talks over a deal for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa but remain short of Villa’s valuation for the England defender – Daily Mail

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We take a look at the best of Ezri Konsa’s during the 2025-2026 Premier League campaign with the England defender being linked with a move to Arsenal

Tottenham insist they are not pursuing a deal for Monaco’s former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun – Daily Mail

Arsenal are weighing up a £38m bid for Gabriel Martinelli from Galatasaray – The Times

Barcelona have made an improved bid to Manchester City of around €60m (£51m) for Rodri – The Guardian

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Good Morning Transfers looks at what impact Rodri leaving Manchester City would have on the club and whether Ayyoub Bouaddi would be a suitable replacement

Transfer news

Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is on Newcastle’s list of transfer targets – Daily Mail

Dusan Vlahovic has agreed to join Besiktas as a free agent following his exit from Juventus earlier this summer – The Athletic

Crystal Palace have held further talks with Monaco over 22-year-old midfielder Lamine Camara – Daily Mail

Cercle Brugge are working on a six-figure deal to sign Tayo Adaramola from Crystal Palace – Daily Mail

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‘It’s smoke and mirrors’ | Chelsea have set Manchester City a Friday deadline to bid £120m for Enzo Fernandez

EFL

Reading are in talks to host rugby union team Bath as part of a groundshare – The Sun

A brochure sent to potential buyers of Leicester City values the club at potentially a little more than what Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak – The Sun

The EFL has tightened its regulations following the Southampton ‘spygate’ controversy – The Athletic