Newcastle step up Pedro interest – Saturday’s gossip

Newcastle step up their interest in Joao Pedro, Bayer Leverkusen target Manchester City’s James McAtee, and Napoli compete with Saudi Arabian clubs for Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez.

Newcastle have stepped up their interest in Brighton and Brazil forward Joao Pedro after learning the 23-year-old would be interested in signing for Eddie Howe’s side. (Telegraph – subscription required)

Arsenal have made an opening bid of £46.8 million, with a possible £8.5m in add-ons, to Sporting for Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, 27. (Record – in Portuguese)

Bayer Leverkusen are poised to make a bid for Manchester City’s English attacking midfielder James McAtee, 22, when the transfer window reopens. (Sky Sports)

Napoli are competing with clubs from Saudi Arabia for the signing of Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez, 25, from Liverpool. (Fabrizio Romano)

Everton are interested in Brazilian former Manchester United midfielder Fred, 32, who is currently at Fenerbahce. (Sozcu – in Turkish)

Aston Villa have made an approach to sign 19-year-old Spanish winger Jesus Rodriguez from Real Betis. (The Athletic)

Crystal Palace are interested in signing Millwall’s 26-year-old English centre-back Japhet Tanganga, who is said to have a £1.2million release clause available to all Premier League clubs this summer. Sunderland, Leeds United and Burnley are also keen. (Express)

New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is plotting a move to bring 25-year-old Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo and DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa, 28, to Spurs from his former club Brentford. (Guardian)

Rangers are set to let 30-year-old Cyriel Dessers join AEK Athens, with the Nigeria striker agreeing a £30,000-a-week deal with the Greek side. (Daily Record)

Roma have opened talks with Brighton to sign Denmark midfielder Matt O’Riley, 24. (Gazzetta – in Italian)

Wolves are interested in Celta Vigo‘s Spanish midfielder Fer Lopez, 21. (Sky Sports)

After signing Leroy Sane on a free transfer, Galatasaray have met with representatives of Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, 34, to bring the former Germany international to Turkey. (Fanatik – in Turkish)

Manchester City are set to sign French striker Mahamadou Sangare, 18, from PSG on a five-year deal. (RMC Sport – in French)

Lazio are interested in signing Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 29, from AC Milan – reuniting the English midfielder with his former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri. (Daily Mail)