Arsenal are sensationally reported to have made contact over a blockbuster move for Erling Haaland following the Manchester City verdict, while Manchester United are said to be lining up a fresh bid for Alejandro Balde and Chelsea could be eyeing a swoop for Tyrick Mitchell at Crystal Palace.
The future of several Manchester City stars - Erling Haaland in particular - has become a hot topic since reports first emerged on Friday that the club had been found guilty by an independent commission on all but one of their 114 Premier League charges for alleged breaches of financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
City - who strongly deny all the charges against them - are understood to be set to appeal the decision and this process could continue to go on for some time to come.
Arsenal 'make shock Erling Haaland move'
According to Football Insider, title rivals Arsenal have already made contact with Haaland's representatives in case he becomes available, with City facing a range of potentially severe sanctions if their appeal is unsuccessful, including possible relegation or expulsion from the Premier League. Real Madrid are also reported to be eyeing a move for the Norwegian striker.
Arsenal have also been linked with the likes of Eli Junior Kroupi, Dani Olmo and Ibrahim Maza as they continue to target Julian Alvarez. Tottenham could fight rivals Arsenal for Maza, amid new claims that Manchester United and Liverpool are both keeping a close eye on Spurs captain Micky van de Ven.
Man Utd plot Balde move and more
Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Alejandro Balde as they consider moving for a left-back in January. According to Mundo Deportivo, Balde might leave Barcelona in the new year after falling down the pecking order at the start of the new season.
Manchester United are set to join Arsenal and Liverpool in the race for Brentford winger Kevin Schade. The 24-year-old has attracted attention after impressive performances, starting the season with three goals in seven appearances across all competitions for the Bees. According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal and Liverpool are firmly in the race for his signature, though Man United could emerge as serious contenders in the coming months.
Manchester United have announced the signing of teenage midfielder David Eze. The 16-year-old has penned initial scholarship terms at Old Trafford after leaving rivals Manchester City this summer and reportedly agreed on a long-term professional deal for when he turns 17. Eze - who was born in Dublin but has played for England at Under-16 and Under-17 level - follows the same path as fellow midfielder Karim Cassim, whose own switch to Man Utd after departing City was confirmed earlier this week.
Liverpool and Chelsea updates
Liverpool have announced that Julian Ward has been appointed the club's sporting director. Ward said: "I am incredibly excited to take on this role and it goes without saying that I am hugely grateful for the trust that has been placed in me by ownership. Having been part of Liverpool's football operation for more than a decade, I have a full appreciation and first-hand knowledge of the challenge that comes with the position, as well as a clear understanding of the demands and ambitions of this great club. This is an exciting period for Liverpool – on and off the pitch – in which change and opportunity go hand in hand, but at the same time the culture, values and principles that have underpinned the club for so long remain as strong as ever."
AC Milan do not intend to review the contracts of Fikayo Tomori or Ruben Loftus-Cheek when they expire at the end of this season. Tomori is yet to feature for the Rossoneri this season after being transfer-listed in the summer and subsequently reintegrated into Ruben Amorim's squad. Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, has made five Serie A appearances. Neither man seems to be in the club's long-term plans, though, and are set to depart come the end of the summer.
Viktor Gyokeres has admitted frustration at a lack of game time at Arsenal this season, while also addressing transfer speculation. Despite only arriving from Sporting CP last summer and going on to score 21 goals across all competitions in his debut season, including 14 in the Premier League, Gyokeres was heavily linked with exit from Arsenal during the recent transfer window. "Of course, there was a lot of speculation," Gyokeres told Swedish news outlet SVT Sport. "But I had a full pre-season, and it felt good. I was fully focused on Arsenal. For me, staying was a given. I'm extremely happy at the club."
Former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta is predicting Haaland to make the move to LaLiga if Man City are punished for breaking the all but one of the 115 Premier League charges levelled against them.
