Transfer rumours: Folarin Balogun linked with Spurs; Pedro Neto proposed for Manchester City
On 5 August 2026, reports linked Monaco striker Folarin Balogun with a move to Tottenham Hotspur and suggested Pedro Neto could be targeted by Manchester City during a quiet summer of speculation.
Balogun, who began his career at Arsenal, is being offered to Tottenham by his agents, according to the reports, with the north London club described as needing a goalscorer to avoid finishing 17th again. Roberto De Zerbi’s side are said to have interest in Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson as a forward option, though no bid has been lodged for Jackson.
Manchester City-related rumours centre on Enzo Maresca wanting Pedro Neto as a replacement option if Savinho moves “down south”, a long-discussed possibility in the coverage; the reports note Maresca previously worked with Neto at Chelsea. The Neto link is presented as conditional on Savinho’s exit rather than a current completed negotiation.
Winger markets beyond the big two are active: Manor Solomon was reported to be close to leaving for West Ham before Hull entered the race, with that approach framed as part of Hull’s accelerated transfer activity and an aside questioning whether the Israeli is a Housemartins fan. Club movement for wide players is a recurring theme in the coverage.
Midfield and goalkeeping developments are also included. Tijjani Reijnders has struggled to settle at Manchester City and Nottingham Forest are said to have a plan for him amid talk of a fee of £55m. Manchester United regard Morgan Gibbs-White as a potential Bruno Fernandes replacement should Fernandes depart, though the reports say that process would take time. Separately, Manchester City are linked with signing goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli from Marseille as a replacement for James Trafford, who is reported to be moving to Leeds.
Crystal Palace activity features in the round-up: chairman Steve Parish is reportedly keen to sign teenage winger Zavier Gozo from Real Salt Lake. Jadon Sancho is described as having multiple offers across Europe and Saudi Arabia after leaving Manchester United on a free transfer. Club Brugge, having completed the signing of Freddie Potts from West Ham, are said to be monitoring Palace’s Romain Esse following his loan spell at Coventry.
Lower-league and international moves are mentioned as well. Swedish side Djurgårdens are reported to want Boreham Wood’s Abdul Abdulmalik; an initial bid of £1m has been rejected but the coverage suggests another approach could arrive. Romelu Lukaku is linked with a move to Atlanta United in MLS; the articles note the Napoli striker is 33, has had recent fitness problems and was still regarded as a handful at the World Cup.
A concrete next step reported in the pieces is that Boreham Wood rejected a £1m offer for Abdul Abdulmalik, with the possibility of a further bid described as likely to test the National League club’s resolve.