Arsenal hold further talks over Ezri Konsa

Top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers.

Premier League

• Arsenal have held further talks about signing Aston Villa centre‑back Ezri Konsa but remain some way off Villa’s valuation for the England international (Daily Mail).
• Tottenham insist they are not pursuing a deal for Monaco striker and former Arsenal youth product Folarin Balogun (Daily Mail).
• Reports say Arsenal are considering a £38m bid for Gabriel Martinelli from Galatasaray (The Times).
• Barcelona have made an improved offer to Manchester City of around €60m (£51m) for midfielder Rodri (The Guardian).

Transfer news

• Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is reportedly on Newcastle United’s list of targets (Daily Mail).
• Dusan Vlahovic has agreed to join Besiktas as a free agent after leaving 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).
• Media coverage also highlights claims that Chelsea have set Manchester City a deadline to bid £120m for Enzo Fernandez (reported commentary).

EFL

• Reading are in discussions about a potential groundshare that would see rugby union club Bath use their stadium (The Sun).
• A brochure sent to potential buyers values Leicester City at a level possibly a little higher than the fee Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak (The Sun).
• The EFL has tightened its regulations in response to the Southampton 'spygate' controversy (The Athletic).

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