Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are all pushing hard in the transfer market after the closure of the summer window as the January window approaches. Arsenal are said to be preparing a move for Inter Milan youngster Pio Esposito amid fresh interest in Antonio Nusa and Kenan Yildiz, though Erling Haaland is believed to prefer a switch to LaLiga if he ends up leaving Manchester City.
Chelsea lead races for Alex Scott and Jules Kounde
Chelsea are understood to be leading the race for Alex Scott but could face competition from Real Madrid, while they may have been handed a boost for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde. According to reports in Spain, the Gunners along with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City are keen to sign the 27-year-old France international. In a boost for all five clubs is that Barcelona are said to be willing to listen to significant offers for Kounde.
Man Utd and Liverpool transfer twists
Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel is now eligible to sign a scholarship but reportedly still wants to leave the club. Standard Sport reported last month that the 15-year-old wonderkid Gabriel, nicknamed Kid Messi, had made a shock request to be deregistered by United, a move which would allow him to leave the club as a free agent. It is said his family are disappointed by his lack of first-team opportunities, despite the fact he had been set to appear in the matchday squad for United’s Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton the same week. A number of clubs are said to be keen to take him on, but further confusion has been thrown on his future after United released its official team photo for the season. Gabriel features prominently in the photo as he stands near the middle of the image, between Harry Amass and Tom Heaton in the second row and directly behind Michael Carrick and Harry Maguire.
Liverpool are also rumoured to be plotting a shock swoop for long-time United target Alejandro Balde and Mexico wonderkid Gilberto Mora. Manchester United have reportedly been given the go ahead over a potential move for David Raum. The experienced Germany international is said to be a priority transfer target at Old Trafford amid the search for a left-back successor to Luke Shaw, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract. According to TEAMtalk, RB Leipzig captain Raum has given the green light to a switch to United with less than a year to run on his own deal in the Bundesliga.
Kane closes in on new Bayern deal, no Spurs return for Parrott
A breakthrough has been made in talks over Harry Kane’s new Bayern Munich contract. Talks over the 33-year-old’s deal are down to the final details after he reportedly came to an agreement over a new salary package. The length of the new deal is yet to be confirmed.
A return to Tottenham for Troy Parrott looks tricky, with Spurs potentially looking at Julian Alvarez and Endrick instead as Roberto De Zerbi targets a potential reunion with Kaoru Mitoma. Real Betis have no interest in already cashing in on Troy Parrott. The Republic of Ireland striker continues to go from strength to strength for both club and country as his remarkable scoring run continues with a truly glittering array of goals. Parrott’s latest heroics have led to suggestions that Tottenham could seek to bring him back to the club in 2027. However, Mundo Deportivo report that Betis will reject any advances for a player who is said to have an £85m release clause written into his contract at the Estadio de La Cartuja. Parrott only joined Betis from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar for £17.1m in the summer, signing a five-year deal.
Madueke exit rumours and Guler new deal
Noni Madueke is of interest to a number of European clubs amid his struggles to crack the starting lineup at Arsenal this season. The Englishman is yet to start in the Premier League this season. Per the Daily Telegraph, Juventus and Atletico Madrid have both taken note of his situation and could attempt to take him on loan in January. Madueke signed for Arsenal from Chelsea in a £48.5m deal just last summer.
Arda Guler has agreed a new contract at Real Madrid. Los Blancos have been trying to settle on terms for an extension with the 21-year-old Turkish forward for a few weeks now. According to Fabrizio Romano, Guler will extend his stay at the Bernabeu until the summer of 2031, with an official contract signing to come soon.
Chelsea could battle Liverpool for the signing of Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. The fight for the Brazilian centre-back appears to be heating up before the January transfer window. According to Football Insider, Chelsea and Liverpool have both now joined the race for Murillo. However, they may have to wait until next summer with Forest understood to be unwilling to entertain any offers for the player in January.
