The summer transfer window was unlike any other; see all the major deals and check out how we graded the biggest signings. And just because the window is shut until January, that doesn’t mean the rumours won’t keep coming. Here’s the latest gossip and speculation.
TOP STORY: Xavi eyes Coman at Camp Nou
Barcelona‘s new manager Xavi Hernandez could begin his reign at Camp Nou by signing Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman, according to Sport.
It is reported that the Blaugrana have enquired to Bayern regarding the France international’s availability, and while the Bundesliga club are open to listening to offers regarding a transfer, they have ruled out the possibility of a loan deal.
This could be problematic for Barca who are limited in terms of how much they can offer with a fee and salary package, but the 25-year-old does want to move on from the Bundesliga despite Bayern offering him an extension on his contract that expires in the summer of 2023.
And if a deal can’t be agreed in January, the LaLiga club could wait until the end of the season to negotiate a cut-price move in the final year of his contract.
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LIVE BLOG
12.30 GMT: ICYMI – Barcelona are monitoring defender Cesar Azpilicueta‘s contract situation as he moves into the final six months of his deal with Chelsea, sources have told ESPN.
Barca signed Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia on free transfers last summer, and sources have said the club will continue to target out-of-contract players due to financial situation.
Azpilicueta, 32, has made 12 appearances for Chelsea this season and remains a regular under coach Thomas Tuchel after captaining the side to Champions League success last season.
However, with his deal up next summer, the Spain international is yet to commit to new terms at Stamford Bridge, which has alerted Barca, who have shown an interest in the defender in the past, too.
Sources have told ESPN that Chelsea remain in negotiations with Azpilicueta and are hopeful he will extend but there is not yet an agreement for him to prolong his stay in London.
If Azpilicueta chooses to run down his contract with Chelsea, though, new Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez would be especially keen on securing him.
11.21 GMT: Former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi tells ESPN’s Tom Hamilton about his journey to Union Berlin and how he found belonging in the Bundesliga.
Last summer was a crossroads for Awoniyi. With another loan move a possibility and unlikely to get much game time at Liverpool, he had offers on the table from Premier League clubs and abroad, but settled on a permanent switch to Union Berlin.
“I felt this was a place I’d been before — I know how much they love me, look after me, even when I wasn’t their player. I saw this as my best chance, at this point and age in my career.” He completed his £5.5M move on July 20, having never played a competitive match for Liverpool due to the work permit situation.
“It was still one of the greatest things in my life, signing for that club,” he says. Awoniyi talks fondly of the frequent contact he had with current assistant sporting director Julian Ward, and how head of fitness Andreas Kornmayer kept him up to date with tips and training programs. He was part of the setup during their preseason trip to Austria last summer, with Sadio Mane taking him under his wing.
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Union Berlin forward Taiwo Awoniyi explains why he chose to move to the Bundesliga over the Premier League.
10.48 GMT: The Daily Mail says that Tottenham lead Inter Milan and Juventus to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso.
Tolisso, 27, is available on a free transfer in the summer and does not look likely to sign new terms as he has struggled with injuries in Munich over the last four years.
The France international has much to prove and Tottenham sporting director Fabio Paratici was in talks with Bayern over signing him for Juventus a few years ago, so may reignite his interest.
10.16 GMT: Manchester United are ready to make another move to sign Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier, says Marca.
Trippier, 31, was linked with United in the summer but Atletico wouldn’t budge from their €40m asking price.
The England right-back is still on their agenda though, as they look to strengthen a struggling defence. Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot may move to Roma if United do manage to complete the deal.
09.44 GMT: Tottenham are reportedly ready to make a bold move to sign Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt, says Football Insider.
De Ligt, 22, has grown frustrated at Juve and is ready to move on, with a host of Europe’s elite monitoring the situation.
The Netherlands international has a reported release clause of €150m and only signed from Ajax for €75m in 2019 so it’s unlikely that Spurs’ recruitment chief Fabio Paratici will be able to persuade his former club to let him go for less.
New manager Antonio Conte wants a centre-back and more likely is a deal for Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij, who could be available for around €30m.
09.22 GMT: Calciomercato says that River Plate striker Julian Alvarez is being tracked by AC Milan and Juventus.
Alvarez, 21, has caught the eye of Europe’s top clubs but the Argentine club won’t let him leave for less than $20m.
However, a January move could happen as Alvarez is keen to test his skills in Europe.
09.00 GMT: Manchester United are facing the prospect of losing Jesse Lingard for nothing in the summer after the midfielder decided to shelve contract talks because of a continued lack of game time at Old Trafford, sources have told ESPN.
Lingard has already rejected one offer to extend his deal, which has seven months left to run, and has no plans to re-start negotiations after starting just one game so far this season in September’s Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham.
The 28-year-old is determined to find regular first team football in an effort to win back his place in the England squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He was left out by manager Gareth Southgate for the last two qualifiers against Albania and San Marino along with United teammate Jadon Sancho.
Sources have told ESPN that Lingard and his representatives have been left frustrated by some of their dealings with United. It is understood United’s initial contract offer was below the terms of his existing deal while promises made in the summer that he would be central to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans this season have not been followed through.
1:49
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens think Norwich have made the right choice in appointing Dean Smith.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
– Football Insider has revealed that Dean Smith will target a striker as one of his first signings as manager of Norwich City. It is reported that the Canaries will target a player with proven Premier League quality as they look to turn around what has been a difficult start to the season, taking just five points from the opening 11 games.
– Marseille are keen to acquire Alexis Sanchez‘s services next summer as he continues to be pushed towards the exit door at Internazionale. According to Le10 Sport, Marseille manager Jorge Sampaoli wants the chance to persuade the Chile man to make the switch to Ligue 1. The 32-year-old forward earns €7m-per-season, which could be a stumbling block for the French club if they cannot convince him to take a salary cut.
– AC Milan are monitoring the situation of Bordeaux‘s Jean Onana, according to Calciomercato. The Serie A club are considering a move for the 21-year-old midfielder, who could be a future successor for Franck Kessie. Cameroon international Onana has scored two goals and assisted one in Ligue 1 so far this season.
– Corinthians will demand $12m if they are to part ways with Joao Victor, writes Ekrem Konur. The 23-year-old centre-back is on the radar of a number of European teams after an impressive campaign saw him play a leading role in the Brazilian top flight, helping his side to a top-five finish while conceding less than one goal per game.
– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ruled out an exit for defender Neco Williams despite talks of a potential loan move in January. Speaking at a news conference ahead of the game against Arsenal, as quoted by the Mirror, he said: “We are really short of players. The last thing I’m thinking about is who could go on loan in the winter, so I think it makes absolute sense that Neco is here developing every day.”
