The transfer windows in Europe’s top leagues are closed, but it’s never too early to look forward to January. Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.
TOP STORY: United target youthful trio in winter window
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will receive the necessary backing to make three big transfers during the January transfer window and beyond, the Daily Mail reports.
The report says Ed Woodward and club owners the Glazers are more than willing to get behind Solskjaer in the transfer market, to the point that he can really splash the cash to build on the club’s recent successes against Tottenham and Manchester City.
The three names that have been mentioned are Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez, FC Salzburg teen Erling Braut Haaland and Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, though the club will almost certainly face a lot of competition in attempting to get those deals over the finish line.
– Ogden: Inside story of how it all fell apart at Man United
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08.31 GMT: Real Madrid are seriously considering recalling goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and defender Javi Sanchez from their season-long loans early, AS reports.
The two players joined Real Valladolid for the 2019-20 campaign in the summer in search of playing time but have yet to make an appearance for the La Liga outfit, who are 51%-owned by former Madrid striker and Brazil great Ronaldo.
According to AS, although there is no clause in both contracts to allow Madrid to break the deal early, Valladolid don’t want to burn bridges with Madrid over future deals. Hence, they will not prevent the two players from leaving in January in order to find the playing time they are not getting at Valladolid.
Ukraine international Lunin spent last season on loan at Leganes. He won the 2019 U20 World Cup and was awarded the Golden Glove in the tournament.
08.00 GMT: FC Salzburg striker Erling Haaland insists he is focused on helping the Austrian club succeed amid interest from a host of Europe’s other big clubs.
Sources told ESPN last month that Manchester United are ready to bring forward a formal approach for the 19-year-old, who has scored in every Group E game for Salzburg this season. The Norwegian also netted a hat trick on his Champions League debut against Genk in September.
But despite his growing reputation, Haaland insists he is simply enjoying the challenge of playing against the biggest clubs in Europe.
“I’m just focused on my job: playing football,” Haaland told a news conference ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash against Liverpool. “I try to enjoy what I do every day, and go in with a clear mindset and enjoy the moment right now.
“My focus now is on Salzburg and me as a player. It is not hard at all. I am enjoying every day playing football.”
PAPER TALK (by Harry Kettle): Inter and Juventus go after Smalling
La Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that Juventus and Inter Milan are both interested in signing defender Chris Smalling.
Arsenal were also reportedly entering the race to try to bring the Englishman back to the Premier League after his successful loan spell with Roma. Now, however, the Manchester United centre-back has been attracting the interest of Serie A’s finest.
United are holding out for a fee of around £17 million for the sale of Smalling, and if this report is on point, the Gunners could struggle to get a foothold in this tussle.
Tap-ins
— Premier League champions Manchester City are interested in a January transfer window deal for Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, Sky Sports reports.
— Norwich City want £50 million to agree to the sale of young defender Ben Godfrey, the Daily Star reports. Although a series of top clubs around Europe are believed to be in the running for his signature, Arsenal and Tottenham are said to be at the forefront of the race as Godfrey’s stock continues to rise with each and every passing week.
— Celtic manager Neil Lennon will push for the club to do everything in its power to complete the signing of Fraser Forster, according to the Daily Record. The on-loan star has really been impressing the masses during his spell in Glasgow, to the point that Lennon wants to see them go all-in trying to sign him on a permanent deal from Southampton.
