Barca make second bid for Rodri - Sunday's gossip

What the report says

Barcelona have reportedly returned to Manchester City with a higher offer for Spain midfielder Rodri, with the latest bid said to be £51.4m. The BBC Sport Football gossip round-up says talks between the clubs are continuing, but it does not indicate whether City are willing to sell the 30-year-old.

The same roundup highlights several other transfer links across Europe. Arsenal are said to be a preferred destination for Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, although Spurs are described as unwilling to strengthen a north London rival. Barcelona are also mentioned as a possible option for Romero, alongside reports that the Catalan club could let Uruguay centre-back Ronald Araujo leave on loan.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest are reported to be close to signing Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande for £34m. The roundup also notes that Ferran Torres has told Barcelona he wants to move to Paris Saint-Germain after agreeing personal terms, while Everton and Crystal Palace have discussed a possible swap involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson.

The gossip column is a snapshot of ongoing transfer speculation rather than confirmed deals, so the figures and destinations should be treated as reported claims. It provides a useful picture of late-summer market activity, with several Premier League clubs and leading European sides linked to defensive reinforcements, forward moves and player departures.