January 19 – Manchester United are targeting a summer swoop for 24-year old Bayern Munich and Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt. The move would require a defensive clear out for the Red Devils, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof slated for the shop window come June.
Erik Ten Hag has made a trend out of buying his former players from his time at Ajax, as de Ligt could join Onana, Antony and Lisandro Martinez.
Fulham have agreed terms with 22-year-old Fluminense midfielder Andre having made a bid of £30 million plus £5 million in add-ons for the Brazilian. The player was strongly linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer but rejected approaches in order to see out the season with Fluminense, where he also played a large role in his side reaching the club World Cup final. Known for being an energetic and physical presence in midfield, Andre could be a valuable winter pickup for the Cottagers.
Sporting Lisbon manager Rúben Amorim has warned Chelsea that signing Viktor Gyokeres (pictured) will not be easy, reminding the club that the player’s €100 million release clause is the only way that the Swede will be leaving Lisbon this winter.
Chelsea are publicly in the hunt for a top-class number nine at Stamford Bridge in an effort to put their season back on track, with the club set to miss out on European football for the second straight season.
Gyokeres, who was signed from Coventry City in the summer for a €20 million fee, has tallied 11 goals and seven assists in the Liga Portugal since the start of the season, alongside a tidy four goal involvements in five games in the Europa League.
Saudi Pro League clubs are reportedly poised to revive their interest in 32-year-old Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah. After a month-long saga of trying to tempt the player into the Saudi project back in the summer, the SPL are determined to land the world’s most influential Arab footballer to help regain some credibility after Jordan Henderson’s move to Ajax was confirmed, and with high-profile asset Karim Benzema also eyeing a move away.
The Frenchman revealed he is open to leaving Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad and eyes a move to England as his preferred destination, with Arsenal and Chelsea front of the queue. The striker’s future at Al-Ittihad was labelled as ‘uncertain’ after the 36-year-old missed training and was subsequently excluded from the club’s winter training camp in Dubai.
His considerable wages may prove to be a stumbling block to any potential move to London, with the Frenchman currently one of the highest-paid players in world football.
Manchester City have a strong interest in bringing Tottenham and Spain right-back Pedro Porro, 24, and Aston Villa and Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 25, back to the club in deals that could cost them £200 million.
Newcastle may sell Brazil midfielder Joelinton this summer if they fail to agree an extension to the 27-year-old’s current contract, which expires in 18 months.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1715053078labto1715053078ofdlr1715053078owedi1715053078sni@g1715053078niwe.1715053078yrrah1715053078