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: Man United still interested in Dembele
Manchester United are keeping a close eye on contract negotiations between Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona, with the Premier League side keen ready to make a move should the two parties be unable to reach an agreement, according to journalist Ekrem Konur.
Extending the contract of the 24-year-old winger has remained a top priority for the Blaugrana since the season began, though he has only recently rejoined first team activities after showing a willingness to continue his career at Camp Nou.
After Pedri signed a new contract and there have been positive reports about an extension for Gavi, there has been less promise about the former Borussia Dortmund man Dembele. Cash-strapped Barca are desperate to avoid another asset walking away on a free transfer, and talks are ongoing over a deal which would see Dembele stay until 2027.
The France international has been linked with a number of other teams in recent months, and there was talk of a move to Man United before the summer window closed. If a deal isn’t reached by January, United can start precontract discussions with Dembele.
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11.09 GMT: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed he urged Alexandre Lacazette to remain professional in face-to-face talks with the striker as he prepares to enter the final six months of his contract.
The 30-year-old is free to negotiate with overseas clubs directly from Jan. 1 and has been linked with a number of sides including Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and AC Milan as well as Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
ESPN’s James Olley reported on Sept. 17 that the Gunners were yet to offer Lacazette a new deal and Arteta has subsequently confirmed the club wish to address the situation at the end of the season.
However, when asked on Thursday if he was concerned the Frenchman could agree terms with a foreign club in the meantime, Arteta said: “It is a situation we have. Whether you are concerned or not, things have happened in the last few seasons for different players where those possibilities are there.
“Sometimes the club has more control and sometimes the player has more control but the important thing is that the communication is clear and the intention of both parties, while they are together, are very clear.”
Pushed on what those intentions are, Arteta added: “That the demands don’t change, whether you have six months or six years contract. You are still employed at the club. You are here because you are willing to be here, you have to perform and there is nothing different to expect from anybody.
“That’s a position and situation that is happening more and more in football. He is not the only one. We have a few. And that’s something that we have to be dealing with, contracts that are coming from a few years ago with certain particularities. We knew that that was the case. I already spoke with him individually about how we have to handle those situations, the best possible way, and that’s it.”
10.14 GMT: Barcelona are negotiating the arrival of FC Basel striker Arthur Cabral, according to multiple reports.
According to both Sport and Mundo Deportivo, the Brazilian striker is considered the most viable option to strengthen Xavi Hernandez’s squad in the winter transfer window.
With Barca still without attacking trio Sergio Aguero, Ansu Fati and Martin Braithwaite, all out injured, the Catalan club are desperate to bring reinforcements.
Cabral, 23, joined Basel in the summer of 2020 from Palmeiras in a €6m. He has scored 23 goals in 24 games this season and has a contract with the Swiss giants until June 2023.
Cabral could arrive to the Camp Nou in January on a six-month loan, with Barca having an obligation to purchase the player in the summer. Barca are prepared to offer between €8m to €10m for the striker.
09.21 GMT: Manchester United have had an initial enquiry about the immediate availability of Mauricio Pochettino knocked back by Paris Saint-Germain, sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson.
United have made Pochettino their top target as their next permanent manager following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday. The club are open to appointing Pochettino now if a deal can be struck but intermediaries tasked with assessing the 49-year-old’s situation at PSG have reported back that the French side are, for now, unwilling to talk.
United believe it is likely Pochettino will only be available in the summer, unless the former Tottenham boss forces an exit. Sources have told ESPN that Pochettino would be keen on the vacancy at Old Trafford but is under contract in Paris until 2023 after signing an extension in the summer.
Sources told ESPN that PSG have made contact with former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane in the event Pochettino does return to the Premier League. Agreeing terms with Zidane would impact when, and if, Pochettino is allowed to leave PSG.
PSG side were in action on Wednesday, losing 2-1 at United’s rivals Manchester City in the Champions League. When asked about the United links following the game, Pochettino was coy about his future.
“The players know very well our situation,” he said. “They know their situation. We are living in a business where rumors are there.”
08.30 GMT: The Daily Telegraph reports that Mason Mount is happy at Chelsea and is in no rush to extend his contract, which expires in 2024.
The report says that talks with Mount could begin in the summer.
Mount, 22, has emerged as one of Chelsea’s most important players, but the Blues have more pressing matters with four key defenders out on contract in the summer. Deals for Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva are the priority for the club.
Christensen told the club’s official website recently that he is relaxed about his contract situation and hopes to sign a new deal soon. Rudiger, meanwhile, has been linked with moves to Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, who could all open talks with the Germany international from Jan. 1 as they are foreign clubs.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Adama Traore could be on the way out of Molineux, with Wolves prepared to listen to offers in January, writes Football Insider. It is reported that the club are prioritising a permanent move for Hwang Hee-chan who has impressed during his loan spell from RB Leipzig, but they need to raise around £13 million to get the deal done. Liverpool are one of the potential suitors, with the Reds still interested in the 25-year-old winger after tracking him in the summer.
– Chelsea look set to resolve Thiago Silva‘s contract situation, with reports from UOL in Brazil that a deal is imminent between the club and player. The 37-year-old centre-back has enjoyed his time at Stamford Bridge since he joined from Paris Saint-Germain, playing a leading role in the heart of the defence. He is set to extend his stay at the Blues by an extra year, which will see him contracted until the summer of 2023.
– Ekrem Konur reports that Rangers, as well as a host of English clubs, are monitoring Hearts defender John Souttar. The 25-year-old defender has captured the attention this season and was a standout performer when Scotland defeated Denmark 2-0 in the World Cup qualifiers earlier in November. It has been reported that Hearts are only looking for a transfer fee of £500,000.
– Inter Milan want Marcelo Brozovic‘s new contract signed by Christmas, writes Fabrizio Romano. The 29-year-old midfielder has been in contract discussions with the Serie A club for a number of weeks despite registered interest from PSG, and Inter’s CEO Giuseppe Marotta has claimed that he is “optimistic” of getting the deal over the line soon.
