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 Utd join Vlahovic race
Manchester United are interested in highly sought-after striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to the Daily Mail.
The 21-year-old has turned down a new contract at Fiorentina and with his deal up in 2023, a number of clubs are said to be interested. Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Newcastle United, AC Milan and Juventus have all been linked, with United now said to be in the mix.
The Red Devils are said to be monitoring the striker, who has impressed with his 10 goals and three assists in 13 Serie A appearances so far this season.
The forward has been on a meteoric rise over the past year or so, scoring 21 goals in 37 appearances in the league last season and earning a senior Serbia international call-up.
Reports have suggested that teams could gear up to try and land the youngster for a lower valuation with his deal expiring, while Fiorentina know they have to do a deal by next summer to get the best transfer fee.
With Edinson Cavani‘s deal running out at the end of the season, there could be an opening in the forward line.
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11.31 GMT: Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial have put their January transfer plans on hold ahead of Ralf Rangnick’s imminent arrival, sources told ESPN.
Caretaker manager Carrick had been keen to stress to the squad that every member has a clean slate following Solskjaer’s departure and Van de Beek and Martial were encouraged by their selection for the 2-0 win over Villarreal, and will now re-asses their options ahead of Rangnick taking over.
Despite interest from a host of other clubs, their preference is to find regular games at Manchester United and the pair will see how they fit in over the next six weeks before deciding whether or not to push for a move.
10.44 GMT: Barcelona‘s efforts to convince Ousmane Dembele to extend his contract with the club have so far proven unsuccessful, with Newcastle United waiting in the wings, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Dembele, 24, is out of contract at the end of the season and will be free to speak to other clubs in January. Barca have been trying to persuade him to renew for months and have stepped up the charm offensive since the appointment of Xavi Hernandez, who has said Dembele could be one of the best players in the world.
However, per Mundo Deportivo, the France forward’s camp believes Barca’s financial offer to be insufficient. The report says that it currently seems unlikely he will stay at Camp Nou with Newcastle and Manchester United able to pay far more.
Newcastle, who have recently been taken over by a Saudi Arabian investment fund, are said to be prepared to offer Dembele €15m-per-year in addition to a €15m signing-on fee if he joins on a free transfer next summer.
10.00 GMT: Another transfer link for Manchester United now, with Spanish outlet Fichajes reporting that Lazio‘s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is their top target should Paul Pogba leave when his contract is due to expire at the end of the season.
Milinkovic-Savic, 26, has been linked with United in the past, and with Pogba’s future up in the air he could be targetted again.
09.18 GMT: Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko is on the list of players wanted by Newcastle United in the January window.
Zinchenko, 24, has played only 56 minutes in the Premier League this season, and the Daily Mail reports that Newcastle are hoping to tempt him into joining their relegation battle.
However, it appears unlikely City would allow him to leave in the winter window no back-up to Joao Cancelo.
08.30 GMT: The Daily Telegraph reports that Manchester City are to make a renewed bid to get Raheem Sterling to sign a new contract amid interest from Barcelona.
Sterling, 26, has a deal which runs until the summer of 2023 and so far there has been no sign of an extension. The England international has had a tough year at club level, though has returned to goal-scoring form this month by scoring in three consecutive games.
But the report says there is no chance that Sterling will be allowed to go out on loan in January, and, as Sterling will move into the final year of his contract in the summer, City have decided to act.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Several Premier League clubs are interested in Barcelona youngster Ronald Araujo, says Mundo Deportivo. The 22-year-old’s current deal expires in 2023, but it includes a €200 million release clause. Some English clubs are said to be monitoring the centre-back, with a potential deal on the table due to his dwindling contract.
– Manchester City are discussing a new contract for striker Gabriel Jesus, according to Calciomercato. The Brazil international’s deal expires in 2023, however Pep Guardiola is hoping he will stay past that date.
– Barcelona could move on summer signing Memphis Depay to land Erling Haaland, says El Nacional. The report claims that Juventus were interested in Depay during the transfer window, but he opted for a move to Spain instead. An offer close to €60m could be enough for the Netherlands international to leave, with Xavi said to be eyeing a move for Haaland.
– Newcastle and Juventus could battle it out to land the signature of midfielder Axel Witsel, reports Tuttosport. The 32-year-old’s contract with Borussia Dortmund expires in the summer and is unlikely to be renewed, despite being a regular for the Bundesliga club.
– Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin are eyeing a move for AC Milan winger Samu Castillejo, reports Calciomercato. The 26-year-old is out-of-favour in Milan, only making three appearances from the bench in Serie A this season.
