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: Barca prepared to move De Jong, Ter Stegen
Barcelona no longer believe that goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and midfielder Frenkie de Jong are “untouchable” and could let the pair go, according to AS. The duo reportedly could make way due to the club’s financial circumstances (they are €1.4 billion in debt), with any funds received through their transfers potentially going towards rebuilding the Catalan squad.
The report suggests that both players have failed to live up to expectations of late, with the Blaugrana failing to make it out of their Champions League group and subsequently dropping into the Europa League for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
Ter Stegen, 29, has been a regular in goal for Barca since he joined in 2014 from Borussia Monchengladbach for roughly €12 million. The Germany international has made nearly 300 appearances for the club, but has failed to hit the heights of his previous seasons in Catalonia, making a string of errors in goal, most recently this week against Bayern Munich.
As for De Jong, 24, he was labelled a promising prospect, signing from Ajax in 2019 for €75m. The Netherlands international has been a regular since joining, but has struggled to reach the levels expected of him.
The pair could be set to leave as Xavi looks to invest into his squad and put his own stamp on Barcelona as the manager.
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11.05 GMT: Roma are keen on signing Norwich City right-back Max Aarons, says Gazzetta dello Sport.
Aarons, 21, has impressed in the Premier League and has been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham, Man United, Bayern, Barcelona and a host of other top clubs.
The England U21 international is now reportedly among Roma manager Jose Mourinho’s January transfer targets, with Norwich looking to get around €25m for him.
10.22 GMT: Manchester United forward Anthony Martial wants to leave in January, according to his agent.
Martial, 26, has been hampered by injuries so far this season but has not started a Premier League game since the 1-1 draw with Everton on Oct. 2. He is yet to feature for interim coach Ralf Rangnick because of a knee problem and the France striker’s agent, Philippe Lamboley, said his client wants to move next month after just four starts in all competitions since August.
“Anthony wishes to leave the club in January,” Lamboley told Sky Sports. “He just needs to play. He doesn’t want to stay in January and I will speak to the club soon.”
The Daily Mirror claims Newcastle United, Barcelona, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as the frontrunners to sign the France international.
09.50 GMT: Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Manchester United following Ralf Rangnick’s arrival at Old Trafford and Real Madrid are keen to re-sign him
Ronaldo, 36, may not gel with Rangnick’s style of play and Football Insider claims that Real Madrid are ready to make a move in January to bring the Portugal international back to the Bernabeu.
09.22 GMT: As part of the club’s efforts to strengthen the left-back position, sources told ESPN that Manchester City have watched Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares, who has impressed in his first season at the Emirates Stadium.
The Portugal under-21 international has emerged as a contender for Kieran Tierney‘s place since his £8m move to Arsenal from Benfica last summer, and while sources added City are unlikely to make a move in January, the 21-year-old remains a player of interest.
City have one recognised senior left-back at the club in Oleksandr Zinchenko, although former Juventus defender Joao Cancelo has performed that role with distinction in recent months. France international Benjamin Mendy has been suspended by the club.
09.00 GMT: Ralf Rangnick identified Manchester United’s midfield as an area of weakness in his interview with club bosses and suggested players of interest before being offered the job as interim manager, sources told ESPN.
Rangnick impressed during discussions with football director John Murtough, technical director Darren Fletcher and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward as United searched for a temporary boss to take over following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Sources told ESPN that he explained why the club should look to invest in midfield and suggested scouts take a closer look at RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara, also identifying Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips as potential midfield targets. Meanwhile, Bellingham’s Dortmund teammate Erling Haaland, a long term United target, was also mentioned by Rangnick ahead of what is likely to be a Europe-wide battle for the player’s signature in the summer.
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Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss Chelsea’s defensive issues with four central defenders out of contract in the summer.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Chelsea are interested in Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana as a replacement for pending free agent Antonio Rudiger, according to Goal. With Rudiger, 28, seemingly set to leave the Blues on a free transfer in the summer, they’re looking at reinforcements, including Fofana and summer target Jules Kounde of Sevilla.
– Newcastle United and Southampton are interested in Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak, according to the Mail. The 27-year-old’s contract with the MLS club expires in January, with the two Premier League sides alerted as they look to bolster their squads.
– Paris Saint-Germain are looking to move on three senior players in January, with Mauro Icardi one of those included, reports L’Equipe. The club hierarchy believe that the squad they have is too big and are hoping to trim it in January, with Rafinha and Abdou Diallo also said to be free to find new clubs.
– Newcastle are seriously interested in Manchester United playmaker Jesse Lingard, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 28-year-old has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford due to a lack of game time, with contact between the parties beginning but no agreement reached yet.
– Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has attracted interest from both the Premier League and Turkish league clubs, reports Ekrem Konur. The Egypt international is out of contract in the summer and playing in England again next year his priority, but he could be persuaded elsewhere.
– Ainsley Maitland-Niles is looking to force a move away from Arsenal in January, with the 24-year-old receiving a lack of minutes since the start of the season. The Mail reports that the England international is favouring a move away from the Gunners, making just two starts since his pleas for a transfer in the summer. Everton and Newcastle are two sides said to be monitoring his situation.
