Advertisement

Manchester City pair Kyle Walker and João Cancelo on Al-Hilal’s shortlist

<span>Kyle Walker, in action against Fulham last season, was an unused substitute in Manchester City’s opening weekend victory over Chelsea.</span><span>Photograph: Manjit Narotra/ProSports/Shutterstock</span>
Kyle Walker, in action against Fulham last season, was an unused substitute in Manchester City’s opening weekend victory over Chelsea.Photograph: Manjit Narotra/ProSports/Shutterstock

Al-Hilal have the Manchester City defenders Kyle Walker and João Cancelo on a three-man shortlist to reinforce the Saudi Pro League side’s defence.

The third player of interest for the Saudi side is the City academy product and current Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong. Al-Hilal originally had Trent Alexander-Arnold as a target but the Liverpool full‑back expressed no interest in a move to Saudi Arabia.

The club are looking at right‑backs to replace Saud Abdulhamid, who has attracted interest from Reims and Roma. The Serie A club have tabled an offer for Abdulhamid.

Walker has been open to a move abroad before, attracting interest from Bayern Munich last summer before signing a new contract until 2026 and City are not interested in selling the England international.

Cancelo spent the past season and a half on loan at Bayern and Barcelona and was left out of the squad that won at Chelsea on Sunday. Guardiola has opened the door for him to play for the first team again but a departure would suit all parties.

“About what’s going to happen, it depends on his agents and the club,” Guardiola said. “In the end, if he has to stay we will treat him like all the other players, with respect, and try to take the best from the huge qualities he has.”

Nottingham Forest have had an opening €25m (£21m) bid for the Feyenoord striker Santiago Giménez rejected. The Dutch club are eager to keep the Mexican international, who has scored 40 goals in 64 Eredivisie appearances, for their Champions League campaign and would require a bid above €30m to consider parting ways with him.