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 is the latest gossip and speculation.
TOP STORY: Man United eye Sevilla defender Kounde
Manchester United are keen to sign Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde despite the LaLiga club holding out for €80 million, as has been reported by ABC.
It is even suggested that the Red Devils could move to sign the France international during the January transfer window to address their defensive issues.
Clubs from across Europe are showing interest in the 22-year-old, but the Premier League seems his most likely destination due to the league’s financial strength. This comes after Chelsea had an offer of €50m knocked back during the summer transfer window.
Recent losses to derby rivals Liverpool and Manchester City have made Man United look into signing another centre-back despite bringing in Raphael Varane from Real Madrid in the summer.
However, Sevilla will also assess how they feel about losing Kounde halfway through the season. The Andalusians are one point behind LaLiga leaders Real Sociedad with a game in hand. They sit at the bottom of their Champions League group, but still have a chance to progress to the knockout stage.
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LIVE BLOG
09.20 GMT: The Daily Star claims Manchester United are ready to listen to decent offers to sign Paul Pogba.
Pogba, 28, could be out for two months with a thigh injury suffered while on international duty with France, sources have told ESPN.
With his contract expiring in the summer, that leaves the midfielder’s future up in the air and United could make efforts to move him on in January so they don’t lose out on a fee.
Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG are all keen to land Pogba.
08.49 GMT: Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are all on the trail of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, but The Sun claims the club won’t let him leave.
Rice, 22, is considered one of the best young players in Europe but West Ham are fighting for a top four spot in the Premier League this season and aren’t keen to let one of their star players depart, even for over £100m.
The report says: “No bid has ever been submitted. And even if one came in for as much as £100m, the Hammers board have no intention of doing business, believing they can satisfy the player’s ambitions themselves.”
08.30 GMT: ICYMI – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects to survive the international break and remain in charge for Manchester United’s next game against Watford, sources told ESPN’s Rob Dawson.
The Norwegian has spoken to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward since the demoralising 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday but has so far been given no indication he is set for the sack.
Sources close to Solskjaer, 48, accept that he is vulnerable after a run of six defeats in 12 games but insist he has been told to begin preparations for the trip to Vicarage Road on Nov. 20 and that he remains confident of turning the situation around.
Jugen Klopp believes Aaron Cresswell deserved to be sent off and says that the referee relied on VAR too much.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)
– Liverpool could be set to sign a winger during the January transfer window to make up for the loss of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane during the African Cup of Nations, as reported by Fabrizio Romano on the Here We Go Podcast. Arnaut Danjuma, who signed for Villarreal from Bournemouth during the summer, is said to be a player of interest.
– Juventus could look into signing one of several candidates if they are unable to bring in AS Monaco midfielder and long-term target Aurelien Tchouameni. According to Calciomercato, among the names are Borussia Dortmund’s Axel Witsel, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria and Bayern Munich’s Corentin Tolisso. But their top option is Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara, who also has a deal coming to an end in the summer.
– West Ham United are considering making a third attempt to sign Giovanni Simeone as they look to add a striker to their squad, according to The Daily Express. However, with the Argentine on loan at Hellas Verona from Cagliari, and the former set to trigger a clause that would make that move permanent, it could be difficult to land him.
– Internazionale are still in control when it comes to signing Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana despite interest from Barcelona among others, as reported by Fabrizio Romano. He states that Inter have had a verbal agreement with the Cameroon international for months and that a deal will be officially agreed when the rules allow.
– Napoli are hoping to sign defender Federico Gatti from Serie B side Frosinone, as has been reported by Calciomercato. The 23-year-old is rated at around €6m, but this doesn’t seem to be a problem, as there is also interest from Juventus, Atalanta and clubs abroad. In fact, a move could even be made during the January transfer window.
– Seattle Sounders star Raul Ruidiaz is drawing interest from Liga MX side Cruz Azul, according to Telemundo Sports’ Diego Montalvan. The report adds that a return to Mexico’s top flight seems unlikely for the 31-year-old Peru striker at this time. Other reports out of Seattle indicate that the Sounders have already exercised their 2022 club option for Ruidiaz.
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