The January transfer window is fast approaching, with the World Cup providing the perfect shop window for stars such as Jude Bellingham, Cody Gakpo and Cristiano Ronaldo...CONTINUE READING
The January transfer window is almost upon us and it will undoubtedly be be a busy one for Premier League clubs.
Jude Bellingham could be one of the stories of the window as he stars for England at the World Cup, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid all chasing him. Cody Gakpo is another who is impressing in Qatar, with Manchester United keen to sign him from PSV Eindhoven.
The Red Devils are seeking a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo following his acrimonious exit from Old Trafford. His next move is at the centre of the global attention, with the superstar receiving two offers from Saudi Arabia and Chelsea still in the running.
While they are flying high at the top of the Premier League, Arsenal may also need to dip into the market after Gabriel Jesus was injured on Brazil duty. Mikel Arteta will be keen to boost his squad to continue the Gunners’ title challenge.
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Kante ‘wants to stay in London’
N’Golo Kante may be open to joining Arsenal or Tottenham, because he wants to stay put in London if he leaves Chelsea.
Foot Mercato reports that both Spurs and Arsenal are considered genuine options for the Frenchman, whose contract will expire in June.
And Fabrizio Romano says there is no agreement to extend his Chelsea contract, following a slew of injuries, meaning a free transfer to a rival is on the table.
Dumfries interest
Inter Milan wingback Denzel Dumfries has been linked with a move to the Premier League following strong performances for the Netherlands at the World Cup.
Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea are all interested, as well as Real Madrid, according to reports from Spain.
However, his performances have reportedly seen his £30million price tag sky-rocket, perhaps pushing him out of budget for some of the aforementioned sides.
Giroud set for a new contract
Olivier Giroud scored his 52nd goal for France today to become his country’s record goalscorer – and he’s going to be rewarded with a new AC Milan contract.
Gazzetta dello Sport says that Milan want to protect themselves from clubs in MLS and UAE, who can offer huge wages.
Bellingham assists Henderson
Liverpool have long been interested in signing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
The sight of Bellingham setting up Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson to make it 1-0 to England vs Senegal in the last 16 of the World Cup will come as a welcome one to Reds fans.
Tielemans ‘not jumping’ at Barca option
Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans is reportedly not keen to move to Barcelona.
Barca are in the market for a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets, but Marca report that Tielemans ‘isn’t jumping at the prospect of a move to the Camp Nou’ and that Barca ‘suspect he may already have given his word to another team.’
Tielemans, whose contract expires in June, has been strongly linked with Arsenal.
Watford to sign World Cup star
Man Utd identify Leao as Gakpo alterative
We brought you the news ealier (see 1.08pm post) that Manchester United would have to shell out £50million to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven.
Gakpo has lit up the World Cup for the Netherlands and will therefore not come cheap.
United have therefore identified AC Milan star Rafael Leao as a possible transfer alternative. The pacey forward has impressed for Portugal at the World Cup and has six goals and four assists in Serie A this season. At 23 years old, he fits the bill nicely.
Kessie attracting interest
Barcelona only signed Franck Kessie in the summer, but the midfielder is already been linked with a move away from the Spanish side.
Kessie has not made a mark since joining on a free transfer from AC Milan and, with Barca needing to trim their budget, he could be jetisonned.
Mundo Deportivo report that Aston Villa, Fulham, Inter Milan and Tottenham are all interested in signing him.
Tottenham are considered the most likely destination due to the fact they came close to signing him as a free agent in the summer.
Nkunku to Chelsea all but done
Christopher Nkunku may be missing France’s World Cup campaign after injury, but he does have something to look forward to.
According to reports in France, his move to Chelsea has now been agreed. The Blues will pay RB Leipzig €70m (£60m) and they will tie him down to a long-term contract, which will run until the end of the 2027/28 season.
The 25-year-old forward contributed a staggering 35 goals and 20 assists in 52 games for Leipzig last season and has 17 goals and four assists in 23 matches this campaign.
Hammers rekindle Milenkovic interest
West Ham are set to rekindle their interest in Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, according to a new report.
Firenzeviola.it, via Football Italia, are claiming that the Londoners are set to launch another swoop for Milenkovic after failing to sign him in the summer.
The 25-year-old could be brought in as a temporary replacement for Kurt Zouma, who is set for a significant spell on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury.
Caicedo price tag revealed
Brighton ace Moises Caicedo will not be allowed to leave the Seagulls for less than £70million – and that could deter any of the 21-year-old’s big-name suitors from making a move for him in the New Year.
The Sun claim that the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle are all keen on the midfielder, who starred at the World Cup for Ecuador.
But Brighton are standing firm with their mega-money valuation of the youngster and are determined to keep hold of him.
Malacia speaks on Gakpo transfer
Manchester United left-back Tyrell Malacia has broken his silence on talk linking compatriot Cody Gakpo with a move to the club.
United are avid admirers of the Netherlands forward, who is the joint-top scorer at the World Cup after plundering three goals in four games for Louis van Gaal’s side.
United pulled the plug on a move for Gakpo in the summer but have been tipped to rekindle their interest in January – and Malacia has insisted that Gakpo is good enough to play for any of the top clubs around Europe.
When asked about Gakpo by The Athletic, Malacia replied: “He’s good enough for the top, there’s no doubt.”
Wolves line up Cunha
Remember Matheus Cunha? The Brazilian forward was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer, but a move a failed to materialise.
The 23-year-old could still be on his way to the Premier League, though, with Wolves believed to be in discussions with Atletico Madrid over a deal.
Wolverhampton are discussing details of the official proposal to sign Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid. Talks are already ongoing.
Thuram on Newcastle radar
Newcastle are continuing to keep tabs on long-term target Marcus Thuram, a new report has revealed.
The Magpies are flying high under Eddie Howe and headed into the mid-season break sitting third in the Premier League table.
The Athletic has outlined that Howe has already spoken about his New Year transfer plans with the St. James’ Park hierarchy, with Thuram still of interest.
Man Utd identify Gakpo alternative
Manchester United will have to pay £50million for Cody Gakpo next month – after the Holland star’s goalscoring heroics at the World Cup.
PSV Eindhoven wanted £25m for Gakpo in the summer, but his three goals for Holland in Qatar, which have helped them reach the quarter-finals, have seen his transfer value double.
PSV, who are in the thick of the Dutch title race, do not want to lose Gakpo when the transfer window reopens in January, but will demand £50m if United come back in for him.
After losing Cristiano Ronaldo, United have identified several forward targets, with 23-year-old Gakpo top of the list and AC Milan and Portugal striker Rafael Leao also on their radar.
Canada star ‘wants’ to play in England
Jonathan David has placed his Premier League suitors on red alert after admitting “every player” wants to play in England.
The Canada striker has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United this season and is likely to attract attention in January despite the fact he failed to score at the World Cup.
And the Lille ace appears to have opened the door for a future move following Canada’s exit from the tournament.
David is quoted by Caughtoffside as saying: “I am aware of nothing. When I am at the World Cup I am just focused on trying to enjoy the World Cup and enjoying the moment.
What happens after I do not know, we will have to see. The Premier League is the best league in the world and I think every player would want to play there someday.”
Dumfries speaks on future
Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries admitted he was flattered by links to the Premier League – but his focus is solely on performing at the World Cup.
The Inter Milan full-back, who has been linked with both Manchester United and Tottenham in recent months, played a starring role in Netherlands’ 3-1 win over USMNT.
Dumfries bagged a goal and two assists to nudge his nation into the World Cup quarter-finals before talking down transfer speculation.
“Of course it’s a compliment,” Dumfries said when quizzed on links with other clubs. “But when you put the Nerazzurri shirt on that is also a big compliment.
“I’m focused on the national team and I play for a very, very beautiful club in Italy. I’m very proud that I can play for Inter so I am focused on nothing else but the national team and Inter.”
Kudus ‘wants’ Premier League move
Ghana World Cup star Mohammed Kudus is ready to consider a move to the Premier League – but any interested parties will have to fend off interest from Barcelona.
Kudus has caught the eye for Ghana after netting twice in three group games in Qatar and a host of clubs are believed to be keeping tabs on the Ajax ace.
The Sun claim that Barcelona are interested in the £40million-rated star, but Kudus is also open to moving to England – if Champions League is on offer.
DONE DEAL: Nottingham Forest sign Scarpa
After signing up a whopping 22 players in the summer, Nottingham Forest are back at it – before the January transfer window has even reopened!
Gakpo refuses to discuss future
Cody Gakpo has rebuffed talk regarding his future as he looks to remain solely focused on the World Cup.
The Netherlands forward has been one of the stars of the tournament so far which has seen interest in him mount. Gakpo excelled last term at PSV and opted to remain with the Dutch outfit in the summer despite interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Gakpo has scored three times in Qatar, which has seen talk intensify over his future with his reputation on the rise. Some clubs may look to act in January and pursue the 23-year-old in the New Year but the forward sees no need to discuss it whilst on international duty.
Man Utd eye Meunier
Manchester United and two other Premier League sides are reportedly courting Thomas Meunier.
That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who claim that the Borussia Dortmund right-back has a host of clubs ready to make a move for him.
The Belgian full-back, 31, has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in recent months. However, Meunier is now ready to consider proposals from elsewhere.
As well as United, two London-based Premier League clubs and AC Milan are also keen on acquiring Meunier in the New Year.
No homecoming for Coutinho
Brazilian champions Flamengo have abandoned their bid to sign the Aston Villa midfielder Philippe Coutinho.
Flamengo had been keen to lure Coutinho back to his homeland on-loan. But Villa insisted on a permanent switch which prompted the deal to collapse.
Coutinho, 30, is currently sidelined by a thigh problem that forced him to miss the World Cup. He has has not started a game for Villa since early October.
Gvaridol in demand
Tottenham and Chelsea’s interest in RB Leipzig’s Croatia centre-back Josko Gvardiol is growing before the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old has been one of the stars of the World Cup with his displays for his country.
And now the Premier League pair want to move quickly, reports Corriere dello Sport, before his value rises further than it already has done.
PSG join Bellingham race too
On the subject of Jude Bellingham, Le10Sport say PSG are keen.
Sporting director Luis Campos has been on a major recruitment drive in the past 12 months since joining the French giants and he’s now pushing for a big money splurge to land Bellingham.
That would be to the tune of potentially €150million.
They’ll have to go big amid so much Premier League interest. But could Bellingham be persuaded to play with Mbappe, Neymar and Messi et al?
Bellingham in, Grealish out?
Could Manchester City cash in on Jack Grealish to land Jude Bellingham?
The Premier League champions are keen on Bellingham – like the rest of Europe’s big guns.
And Football Insider claims they’ll get rid of the ex-Aston Villa man to fund a move for the Borussia Dortmund star.
Hmmmm….
Man Utd want South Korea star
As Erik ten Hag continues his Manchester United rebuild, it’s claimed in Italy that Kim Min Jae has moved to the top of his wishlist.
CalcioMercato claims the defender – who only moved to Napoli in the summer to replace Kalidou Koulibaly – is already in demand, with his agent fielding calls over his signature.
And that’s got Napoli worried because of a release clause in his contract, which stands at just €45million.
That’s cheap by most standards given how good he’s proven to be in recent months. And United may look to take advantage.
Napoli are hoping to give him a new deal and get rid of that release fee.
Ronaldo’s decision
Cristiano Ronaldo is still open to offers.
Sunday Mirror Sport understands that the Portuguese superstar still hasn’t decided whether to accept a £173 million-a-year offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr – and that he will only determine his future after the World Cup.
Ronaldo, 37, was so desperate to cut his ties to Manchester United that he was happy for his contract to be torn up without any compensation package on his £500,000-a-week wages. And even though he has been looking to leave Old Trafford since the summer, he did so without already knowing his next destination.
Sources close to the former Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid and Juventus striker have confirmed that Ronaldo is focussed on trying to help his country become world champions for the first time and wanted no distractions during the tournament.
Right then, we’re back.
