The 2022 January transfer window is closed, but there’s still plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Dybala open to Barca’s interest
Juventus forward Paulo Dybala is open to signing for Barcelona in the summer, reports Sport.
Dybala, 28, is set to be a free agent at the end of the season as he has yet to agree new terms with the Bianconeri, despite reports earlier in the season that a contract was close to being signed.
The Argentina international has made 20 Serie A appearances this season to date, scoring seven goals and assisting five. But injury has seen him miss 13 games and, amid his contractual uncertainties, he is now willing to make the move to Spain.
Barcelona are interested, while Internazionale and Tottenham Hotspur are among the other clubs tracking Dybala’s situation, with Antonio Conte’s side already speaking to the player’s representatives over a potential move.
For Barcelona, it represents another potential free transfer to aid their rebuild from their financial crisis. The club have been linked with a number of free agents, having already signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Dani Alves under new boss Xavi Hernandez.
Whether Dybala moves to Camp Nou might depend on Ousmane Dembele, with the winger set to leave the club as a free agent himself in the summer and freeing up some much-needed wage space for the Blaugrana.
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LIVE BLOG
08.30 GMT: Tottenham Hotspur are expected to try and fend off interest in Harry Kane by opening fresh contract talks at the end of the season, sources have told ESPN.
Kane pushed to leave Spurs last summer after becoming frustrated at the club’s failure to win silverware — Tottenham’s last trophy remains the 2008 League Cup — but despite Manchester City, among others, expressing a desire to sign the England captain, no club was willing to meet the £150m asking price.
City are continuing to monitor Kane’s situation and will be in the market for a forward this summer but could turn their attention to Erling Haaland with Borussia Dortmund expected to allow the Norway international to leave.
Tottenham’s progress under new head coach Antonio Conte will be significant factor in determining Kane’s willingness to commit himself further.
Last weekend’s 3-2 win at Manchester City breathed fresh life into their hopes of a top-four finish, Spurs are eighth in the table and seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United but with three games in hand.
Champions League qualification would ensure Kane could play in Europe’s top tier competition once again and sources claim he has been impressed by Conte’s determination to aggressively overhaul the Spurs squad in a bid to turn them into title challengers.
However, Champions League qualification alone may not be enough to convince Kane he can be most successful at Spurs given he turns 29 in July and is desperate to add trophies to a career in which he has scored 173 Premier League goals in 268 games and 48 goals for England in 67 appearances.
The striker’s £200,000-a-week contract expires in 2024. Sources have told ESPN that Spurs are keen for Kane to stay, and seek to agree fresh terms, but it is unclear at this stage whether Kane will be willing to negotiate or push for a move instead.
2:04
ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop praises Harry Kane and Antonio Conte following Tottenham’s 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the Premier League.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Luke Thrower)
– Manchester City and Liverpool are seriously interested in a move for West Ham United winger Jarrod Bowen, according to Ekrem Konur. The 25-year-old has impressed for the Hammers this season, scoring eight and assisting 10 in the Premier League this season.
– Liverpool are eyeing a potential move for Internazionale striker Lautaro Martinez, says Calciomercato. Despite recently signing a contract until 2025, the 24-year-old is reportedly free to leave the club in the summer if a suitable offer comes in. The Nerazzurri are said to value the forward at €90m, while Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keen on a move for Martinez as a replacement for Roberto Firmino.
– Real Madrid view Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram as a potential replacement for Casemiro, according to Sport. The 20-year-old, brother of Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram and son of France legend Lilian, has impressed for the Ligue 1 side this season. Los Blancos are eyeing a potential move, with a view to bring through younger players into the squad.
– Aston Villa and Newcastle are interested in a move for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez if he leaves the club in the summer, reports the Athletic. The 24-year-old has struggled to break into the side this season, with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate all starting ahead of the England international. That has opened up the potential for a switch in the summer, with a decision over the player’s future expected to be made then.
– Lazio are looking to sign Clermont striker Mohamed Bayo, says Calciomercato. The 23-year-old has scored 10 goals in 20 Ligue 1 appearances this season, with the Azzurri viewing the forward as a potential replacement for Ciro Immobile.
