The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs may be closed but they are still working tirelessly behind the scenes to line up the arrival of their next star. Transfer Talk has been scouring the world’s media to see who could be heading to your club when Jan. 1 arrives.
TOP STORY: Jose Mourinho given green light to sign Alderweireld
It is not often one of the best centre-backs in Europe becomes available on the relative cheap but that is the case with Toby Alderweireld and Jose Mourinho has reportedly been given the go-ahead to sign the Spurs defender in January, according to the Sun.
Alderweireld’s contract is due to expire next year but while Tottenham are able to trigger a one-year extension, it would in turn activate a £25 million release clause for the final two weeks of the summer transfer window. So there is a chance Spurs may be open to letting the Belgium international leave in January if they receive an enticing offer.
Man United’s first choice centre-back target is Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly but, at £90m, he would prove very expensive. At 29, Alderweireld is two years older but the paper claims that Mourinho believes he could get him for around £40m and was reportedly given the green light during a meeting with his agent Jorge Mendes and United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward last week.
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09.54 GMT: The world is waiting for Frenkie de Jong to decide where he wants to play and for a club to actually put up the €75m that Ajax require for his sale. PSG are reportedly his top choice, but Barcelona are also keen. Though nothing is happening yet.
“The only thing that I will say is that there is no agreement yet,” the midfielder said. “No official decision has been taken. All of my attention is on Ajax. I will finish the season here with Ajax and I certainly will not be leaving during the winter break.”
09.15 GMT: Manchester City may have been beaten for the first time this season by Chelsea this weekend, but they are set for some good news as the Daily Telegraph report that Phil Foden is about to sign a new six-year deal at the club.
The England Under-21 midfielder is one of the best young midfielders around and the new deal will tie him to City until 2024.
08. 55 GMT: Zlatan Ibrahimovic will remain at the Los Angeles Galaxy after the Major League Soccer club agreed with his requests, according to AC Milan sporting director Leonardo.
“He gave his word to Galaxy that he would stay if they satisfied his conditions, and they did so,” Leonardo said. “It would have been a really lovely story because it would have given a significant weight to the team. We can’t deny that both parties thought of it, but it will not be possible.”
08.30 GMT: Manchester United will reject any attempts to prise Paul Pogba away from Old Trafford in January, sources have told ESPN FC, despite growing interest from Juventus in re-signing the France midfielder.
Pogba, who cost United a then-world record £89.3m when he arrived from Juventus in August 2016, has been dropped to the substitutes’ bench by manager Jose Mourinho for the club’s last two games, against Arsenal and Fulham in the Premier League. But although the United hierarchy are aware of Pogba’s struggles with Mourinho this season, sources have told ESPN FC that the club has no intention to sell the player.
PAPER TALK (by Frank Smith, Football Whispers)
Club policy could see Chelsea lose David Luiz
Chelsea have a long-standing policy of only offering players over the age of 30 one-year extensions and that could be set to force David Luiz out of Stamford Bridge — despite the player and manager both wanting the Brazil international to remain, reports the Guardian.
Luiz will be out of contract next summer which means he is able to negotiate with clubs from abroad in January.
The 31-year-old and manager Maurizio Sarri have both stated publicly they want him to stay beyond this season but Chelsea’s hierarchy have reaffirmed their position when it comes to only offering one-year deals to players over 30, leaving the door open for clubs to lure the ex-PSG and Benfica man away by offering a longer contract.
United and Arsenal want the ‘new Toni Kroos’
Manchester United and Arsenal have set their sights on Hertha Berlin wonderkid Arne Maier, if the Sun’s report is to be believed.
The midfielder is 19 years old and has already been labelled as the next Toni Kroos — the Germany and Real Madrid star.
Maier is a Germany Under-21 international and has been tipped for senior honours in the near future after impressing for Hertha in the last 12 months. He is a defensive midfielder who is good at finding space between the lines and dictates the play despite his young age, with a good eye for through balls.
Maier is valued at around £15m although the Bundesliga side are likely to push for a fair bit more considering his talent.
Real, Barca, City transfer target discusses potential move
Tanguy Ndombele is one of the most sought-after players in Europe and he has today spoken to Canal Football Club about his proposed move to some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Ndombele is just 21 years old but earned his first senior France call-up in October after starring for Lyon. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are among the clubs hoping to sign the £40m-rated midfielder.
“I don’t imagine how my career will go, I live it instead,” he added. “When I was young I didn’t dream of being in this or that club [like PSG], whether it is Real Madrid, Barcelona, City, I have never dreamed of being in a specific club like that.
“Of course they are big clubs, I don’t close the door to anyone. They [PSG] remain one of the biggest clubs in France, I am from a Paris banlieue [suburb].”
Man City are said to have lodged a £45m bid in the summer but Ndombele added remaining at Lyon proved to be the right decision.
Football Whispers’ top five emerging whispers
Football Whispers’ transfer algorithm gives the likelihood of rumours happening a score out of five.
Harry Kane to Barcelona — 1.8
The most talked about transfer story of the last 24 hours has been Harry Kane being a £200m transfer target for Barcelona. The 25-year-old has scored 13 goals in 21 appearances for his club this season but with five and a half years left on the England captain’s contract and a move into their new stadium on the horizon, Spurs would be reluctant sellers.
Kylian Mbappe to Juventus — 1.5
It has been reported that PSG will be looking to sell one of their star names due to concerns around FFP — something the Ligue 1 champions have denied — and that has led to claims Juventus are set to make a move for the France star. Kylian Mbappe cost PSG £165.7m earlier this year after the loan was made permanent and he is likely to cost close to or more than the current £200m world record fee paid for Neymar.
Cengiz Under to Manchester City — 2.4
Premier League champions Man City are said to have joined Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for Roma star Cengiz Under. It is claimed Pep Guardiola is ready to spend £50m on the 21-year-old Turkish winger, who joined the Serie A side for just £11.9m in the summer of 2017.
Denis Suarez to Chelsea — 3.6
Any hopes the likes of Chelsea have to sign Denis Suarez were boosted this week after the former Manchester City midfielder admitted he may leave Barcelona to secure regular first team football. It is reported the 24-year-old could cost as much as £40m and is wanted by a host of European clubs, including Arsenal.
Victor Moses to Crystal Palace — 2.7
Victor Moses has been integral to Chelsea’s success in recent years but he has become the “forgotten man” since Maurizio Sarri’s arrival and has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge in January, as long as the Blues receive £12m. Former club Crystal Palace are reportedly keen to bring him back to Selhurst Park.
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