Transfer Talk: Saudis turn to Firmino after Ronaldo snub
With just a few weeks remaining before the opening of the January transfer window, there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Al-Nassr firm up Firmino interest
With Cristiano Ronaldo having denied reports of transfer talks with Al-Nassr, the Daily Mirror says that the Saudi Arabian club are turning their attentions to Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino.
Firmino is out of contract in the summer and, while Liverpool are keen to keep him beyond his current deal, Al-Nassr are hoping to land a coup by negotiating a pre-contract agreement in January.
The Brazil international has been a major player for Liverpool since arriving on Merseyside 7½ years ago, but the recent arrivals of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have impacted his playing time.
The 31-year-old has scored seven goals in 13 league appearances this season, as well as two goals in the Champions League and eight assists in all competitions. He may feel he has more to offer at the highest level, but a bumper payday could be tempting.
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21.41 GMT: Monaco want to keep hold of on-loan Bayern Munich star Alexander Nubel, reveals Sky Sports Germany.
It is reported that there has been no contact between the 26-year-old and Julian Nagelsmann’s side recently, with the Allianz Arena hierarchy assessing other back-up goalkeeper options. Talks over a deal between the Ligue 1 side and Bayern Munich over a permanent deal could take place in January.
21.23 GMT: Alvaro Odriozola is set to leave Real Madrid in January, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The 26-year-old right-back has failed to establish himself among Carlo Ancelotti’s team since returning from a loan spell with Fiorentina last season, and it looks as though his time at the Santiago Bernabeu is coming to an end.
He has recently been linked with Roma and Juventus.
21.10 GMT: Manchester United are keen to extend the contract of Alejandro Garnacho, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has been in impressive form since making his professional debut back in April, and Erik ten Hag appears to see him as a long-term part of his plans.
The Red Devils are also hopeful of signing Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot to new deals at Old Trafford.
20.56 GMT: Liverpool are keeping close tabs on Sofyan Amrabat, writes Gazzetta dello Sport.
It is understood that a number of stars from the Morocco international side could be targeted in January after their strong performances in the FIFA World Cup, with the 26-year-old Fiorentina midfielder catching the attention of Jurgen Klopp.
He has been a key player for the Viola this season, having made 18 appearances across all competitions.
20.07 GMT: Bayern Munich are interested in landing 27-year-old Croatia international goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, understands Mundo Deportivo.
Livakovic, who currently features for Dinamo Zagreb, has helped his nation qualify to the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup with important saves across the tournament, and the latest indicates that he has caught the attention of the Bundesliga champions. He could be seen as a future replacement for Manuel Neuer, who will turn 37-years-old next March.
19.26 GMT: An offer in excess of €20million would be required to land USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah, writes the Athletic.
The 20-year-old Valencia star was in impressive form for the United States during the FIFA World Cup, and it looks as though the LaLiga side are open to allowing him to leave the Estadio Mestalla if their valuation is met.
He has made 11 LaLiga appearances so far this season.
18.40 GMT: Brazil have identified Carlo Ancelotti as a candidate to be their next manager, according to UOL eSporte.
Following the departure of Tite after being knocked out of the FIFA World Cup in the quarter-finals to Croatia, the Selecao are prioritising a move for a reputable manager. Real Madrid boss Ancelotti appears to be the latest name on their shortlist, which has previously included Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.
17.51 GMT: Konrad Laimer is nearing a switch to Bayern Munich in the summer, reveals Fabrizio Romano.
He has been strongly linked with a free agent move to the Allianz Arena in recent weeks, and it is understood that a verbal agreement is now in the final stages. The 25-year-old midfielder is reported to have turned down interest from clubs in the Premier League.
17.13 GMT: While Barcelona are looking for a right-back in January, the club are also considering offering Sergi Roberto a new one-year contract extension, reports Sport.
The 30-year-old’s versatility is a factor that has seen him kept at the Camp Nou, with Roberto able to perform at wing-back or in midfield, and it is reported that he is open to remaining at the club that he made his professional debut with back in 2010.
16.00 GMT: Could Newcastle United sign Adrien Rabiot from Juventus in January? Calciomercato reports that the Magpies could make the France international a top target as they bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
The 27-year-old was linked to a move to Manchester United in the summer but the two clubs failed to agree a fee.
But with the midfielder out of contract at the end of the season, January presents the last opportunity for Juve to receive any kind of transfer fee.
Arsenal and Chelsea are also interested but are more likely to target the player if he becomes available on a free in the summer.
15.13 GMT: Record is reporting that Liverpool are ahead of Real Madrid in the race for Argentina forward Enzo Fernandez.
The Portuguese paper reports that Liverpool have already agreed terms with Benfica to take the player to Anfield … though Los Blancos are not out of the running yet as they could match terms and persuade the player to move to Spain.
The two clubs are also battling for the signature of Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham.
14.33 GMT: AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni has told Gazzetta dell Sport that the club are not concerned about Rafael Leao‘s contract situation.
Leao, 23, is one of the most in-demand players in Europe with a deal that expires in the summer of 2024. Milan know that they must persuade the Portugal international to sign a new deal before the end of the season, otherwise they will have to considered looking to get a transfer fee next summer.
“They tell me that in Milan and at Milan he is very well off, that he is motivated,” Scaroni said. “I know that [technical director, Paolo] Maldini is negotiating with him and as far as I just said if he negotiates, I’m calm.”
13.50 GMT: Roma will not pursue their interest in Memphis Depay because of the costs involved in signing the Barcelona forward, according to Marca.
Depay, 28, is out of contract in the summer and showed during the Netherlands’ run to the World Cup quarterfinals that he has fully recovered from an injury that kept him sidelined for two months before the tournament.
Barca are keen to move him on to create space on their wage bill and have received interest from teams in Italy and England.
Roma, coached by Jose Mourinho, were thought to be leading the race to land the Dutchman, but Marca says the Serie A side have been forced to drop their interest.
While Barca are open to letting him leave for nothing, having signed him as a free agent from Lyon 18 months ago, the player’s wage demands are out of Roma’s reach.
Depay, who has also been linked with a return to former club Manchester United, is also reluctant to join Roma and would prefer to wait for a Champions League club. He has made just three appearances for Barca this season in all competitions, scoring one goal.
13.03 GMT: Sevilla have placed Spanish winger Isco on the transfer list, according to AS.
Isco, 30, joined Sevilla in the summer after his contact with Real Madrid expired. He has made 19 appearances in all competitions but since the arrival of coach Jorge Sampaoli on Oct. 6 he has seen his playing time drastically reduced.
Isco is under contract with Sevilla until June 2024 and could leave in the winter transfer window.
12.18 GMT: United States midfielder Christian Pulisic is on Newcastle United’s list of transfer target, reports the Daily Mirror.
Pulisic, 24, has an uncertain future at Chelsea, with ESPN sources reporting that Manchester United are considering a January loan move. Arsenal are also said to be monitoring the situation.
Now Newcastle have entered the race and with Chelsea preferring a permanent transfer it could be the Magpies who get their man for a £40m fee. Leeds United’s Jack Harrison and Brighton’s Leandro Trossard are alternative options for Eddie Howe.
11.32 GMT: Benfica president Rui Costa has made it absolutely clear none of the club’s star players will be leaving for anything other than their market value when they return from the World Cup.
Portugal forward Goncalo Ramos is suddenly a transfer mark target for some big clubs, with Manchester United among the teams to be linked with a move for the player who came from nowhere to score at hat trick against Switzerland in the round of 16.
“We have the sole objective of having a winning season, no player will leave — unless it is due to the [release] clause [in their contract] — which at this moment is fundamental for the squad,” Costa told BTV, the club’s channel. “What I can promise our supporters is what I did at the beginning of the year. This is a sporting project, not a financial one. Fortunately, we are not experiencing financial problems and we have no need to sell players.”
Reports have claimed that Ramos’ release clause is €120m (£103m.)
10.51 GMT: Barcelona are monitoring Morocco international Azzedine Ounahi, El Mundo Deportivo reports.
Ounahi, 22, has featured in all of Morocco’s games at the World Cup in Qatar and has attracted the attention of several clubs. Barca president Joan Laporta said last month that the club may not be able to make any signings in the winter transfer window because of financial restrictions.
However, taking Ounahi to Camp Nou in January to strengthen Barca’s midfield would be a cheaper option than bringing in other candidates the club had considered. Ounahi is under contract with French club Angers until June 2026, having joined them from US Avranches in the summer of 2021.
10.05 GMT: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain remain the leading suitors for Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix, reports AS in Spain.
Last month, Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin admitted that Felix could leave, naming the player’s relationship with coach Diego Simeone among the factors that could lead to a departure.
When asked about his situation in Qatar, Felix said: “When the World Cup is over, it will be time to talk about Atleti.”
With Portugal knocked out by Morocco at the weekend, speculation about a January transfer will now intensify and the 23-year-old will not be short of offers.
09.19 GMT: Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have submitted offers defender Josko Gvardiol, reports Foot Mercato, while Bayern Munich could also enter the race.
Gvardiol, 20, is starring for Croatia at the World Cup and his performances in Qatar have led to huge interest from top clubs across Europe.
He joined RB Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb for €19m 18 months ago and his stock has quickly risen in the Bundesliga.
The report says that City’s offer is highest so far, upwards of €100m including bonuses and includes a percentage of any future transfer fee. Liverpool and PSG have so far shown no interest.
08.30 GMT: The Daily Mirror reports that Paris Saint-Germain are willing to offer Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford a package that could be worth up to £850,000 a week to persuade him to move to France.
Rashford has been a long-term target for PSG, and their interest has been reignited by the 25-year-old’s return to form this season.
“He is another player that is really amazing and for free, to have Rashford for free, every club would run after him, definitely,” PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said last week.
The England international is out of contract at the end of the season, though United have an option to extend by 12 months which they are almost certain to trigger. So while Rashford is able to enter precontract talks with foreign clubs as of Jan. 1, it’s more likely PSG would have to pay a fee after United put an extra year on his agreement.
Erik ten Hag this weekend confirmed United’s intention to activate the options on Rashford and defender Diogo Dalot, and also discuss fresh deals.
“We are talking to them to extend contracts, but we have control because we have an option on all the players and we will exercise those options,” Ten Hag said.
Bayern Munich are also said to be watching Rashford’s situation.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Bayern Munich are considering a move for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas now that Manuel Neuer has been ruled out for the season. That’s according to Footmercato, which believes Bayern aren’t prepared to place their faith for the remainder of the campaign in backup keepers Sven Ulreich (34) and youngster Johannes Schenk (19). Neuer fractured his leg skiing, and now Bayern are in panic mode trying to find a replacement.
– AC Milan and Internazionale are both tracking Fulham left-back and United States international Antonee Robinson, according to The Sun. Robinson, 25, impressed for USA at the World Cup, with his speed in particular suggesting he could be an exciting addition at both ends of the pitch. Inter are believed to have been in Qatar to watch Robinson while Milan, who tried to sign him three years ago, are back on the trail.
– Sport says Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez is putting pressure on club president Joan Laporta to bid for Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi. The Spanish outlet reports that while Barca are also committed to adding Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante (31) to their squad, Zubimendi is the preferred longer-term replacement for the ageing Sergio Busquets, which is why Xavi and sporting director Jordi Cruyff are so eager for Laporta to push for the 23-year-old.
– Erik ten Hag has admitted that Manchester United will do everything they can to replace Ronaldo in January, with the Daily Mail suggesting that the club are keen to swoop for Benfica star Goncalo Ramos as well as Netherlands flyer Cody Gakpo. United terminated Ronaldo’s contract last month, but that leaves a big hole in the attack. United’s interest in PSV Eindhoven’s in-form 23-year-old Gakpo is clear, but they’re also said to be monitoring 21-year-old Ramos, who shot to the forefront with Portugal after scoring a hat trick in their 6-1 win over Switzerland.