Football gossip: Alexander-Arnold, Williams, Wirtz, Salah, Wharton, Gittens

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to be courted by Real Madrid, Manchester City remain keen on Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz and Arsenal are in pole position to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.

Real Madrid are ready to step up their pursuit of Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Los Blancos confident of signing the 26-year-old England international. (Telegraph – subscription required)

Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus wants to sign Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah this summer, with the 32-year-old Egyptian out of contract at the end of the season. (Daily Mirror)

But hopes of signing Salah from Liverpool are fading among clubs in Saudi Arabia, who feel they are being used as leverage in contract negotiations. (The I)

Liverpool insist Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, 25, is not for sale despite interest from the Saudi Pro-League. (Mail – subscription required)

Arsenal are the most likely candidate to sign Athletic Bilbao and Spain forward Nico Williams, 22. (Fichajes)

Arsenal made an enquiry for Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon on transfer deadline day and are continuing to monitor the 17-year-old England youth player. (Football Insider)

Manchester City are monitoring Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton following the 21-year-old England international’s return from injury. (Football Insider)

Pep Guardiola remains determined to bring Germany attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz to Manchester City – even though the 21-year-old is set to sign a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen. (Bild – in German)

Former Manchester United boss, Dutchman Erik ten Hag, 55, has been linked with the vacant Feyenoord manager job. (Daily Mirror)

Everton would like to bring in former player David Weir as their director of football, a position the 54-year-old Scot currently occupies at Brighton. (Telegraph – subscription required)

Manchester United have received a huge boost in their pursuit of 17-year-old Sporting wing-back Geovany Quenda, with the versatile Portugal Under-21 international keen on a move to Old Trafford. (Teamtalk)

Sheffield United are keen on signing defender Owen Beck, 22, and forward Lewis Koumas, 19, from Liverpool if they win promotion to the Premier League from the Championship. The Welsh duo are currently on loan at Blackburn and Stoke respectively. (Mail – subscription required)

Borussia Dortmund expect to sell Jamie Gittens, 20, this summer and have valued the winger at £66m-£83m (80m-100m euros), with the England Under-21 international attracting interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich. (Bild)

Crystal Palace’s French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27, is a target for Lyon and Atletico Madrid. (Caughtoffside)