The 2022 January transfer window is closed, but there’s still plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Lukaku back to Inter Milan on loan?
Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku could be headed back to Inter Milan, with the Serie A club weighing up ways to bring him back to the San Siro, according to Calciomercato.
Lukaku, 28, has failed to find top form since re-joining Chelsea for €115 million in the summer, scoring just five goals in 19 Premier League appearances.
And while Inter aren’t sure whether they could afford the transfer fee required to take the Belgium international back on a permanent basis, Calciomercato suggests that they are now looking at a potential loan deal in the summer.
Lukaku is reportedly unhappy at Stamford Bridge and he would be open to a return to Inter, having expressed his desire to rejoin the club in an explosive interview in December. He was a standout player for the Nerazzurri last season, scoring 24 goals in 36 league appearances, as they won the Scudetto.
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LIVE BLOG
13.05 BST: RB Leipzig are set for contract talks with star midfielder Christopher Nkunku this summer in the hope of keeping him at the club, but will listen to offers in excess of €75m, sources have told ESPN.
Nkunku signed for Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 but has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign this season, contributing 15 goals and 11 assists in 27 Bundesliga games.
According to sources, Nkunku’s form has attracted the attention of Europe’s top teams with Manchester United, Liverpool, PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Arsenal all monitoring his situation. Bayern Munich are also interested in him but will struggle to meet the asking price of €75m.
12.42 BST: Manchester City are optimistic they can see off competition from Real Madrid to sign striker Erling Haaland this summer, sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson and Rodrigo Faez.
City are in the market for a striker and are confident they can put together a financial package to cover the €75m release clause in Haaland’s contract with Borussia Dortmund (which comes into effect this year), the Norwegian’s wages and other associated fees including payments to agents.
They also believe the lure of working with Pep Guardiola and a track record of success which has seen the club win three of the last four Premier League titles can convince Haaland to spend the next stage of his career at the Etihad Stadium.
Sources have told ESPN that Madrid remain interested in the 21-year-old but that signing Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer this summer is their priority.
12.00 BST: What does the future hold for Cristiano Ronaldo in club football?
Mark Ogden weighs in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with Manchester United following Ronaldo’s statement about the future of his football career.
11.04 BST: Benfica striker Darwin Nunez wants to move to the Premier League, but Manchester United’s interest hinges on them making the Champions League next season, says the Daily Telegraph.
Nunez, 22, is rated at around €80m, but it’s likely that Benfica would accept a bit less than that if the Uruguay international pushes for an exit.
He has 26 goals in 33 games this season and is considered one of the top young strikers in Europe, with Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, Aston Villa and Newcastle also interested.
10.19 BST: Everton have been struggling in the Premier League this season and could be forced to let Richarlison or Dominic Calvert-Lewin leave, says The Sun.
The Toffees need to balance the books after losses of £121m and have had a poor season that could yet end in relegation if things don’t improve.
Brazil forward Richarlison, 24, has been linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Man United, while 25-year-old striker Calvert-Lewin has attracted interest from Arsenal.
09.42 BST: At 23, Sevilla’s Jules Kounde is already one of the most highly rated young centre-backs around. Sevilla only parted with around €25m to sign the Frenchman from Bordeaux in 2019 but have since turned him into a top player — and almost every elite club in Europe has scouted him.
Chelsea looked the closest to landing him before talks broke down at the end of August and were not opened again in January. Now that the Blues are hamstrung by financial issues after Russian owner Roman Abramovich’s assets were frozen, will one of the top clubs in Europe manage to sign him in the coming window?
Tor Karlsen looks at what they would get and which club he could join.
09.00 BST: ICYMI, Manchester United are exploring the possibility of including Anthony Martial to facilitate a move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson.
United are in the market to sign a striker ahead of the summer transfer window, with Kane one of the options being monitored. Tottenham’s valuation of the England captain — more than £100m for a player who will turn 29 in July — is considered problematic, but there is hope that Martial moving the other way, either in a separate deal or as part of the same agreement, would offset some of the cost.
Gab Marcotti explains why it’s foolish to think Manchester United have made a move for Spurs’ Harry Kane.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Paris Saint-Germain are keen to secure a deal for Ajax winger Antony, reports Le10 Sport. The 22-year-old has captured the attention of top clubs around Europe with his performances, and Bayern Munich are also interested in his services. It is reported that PSG have already made contact with Antony’s representatives over a potential deal that would see him make the switch to the Parc des Princes in the summer.
- AS Roma have no intention of allowing Tammy Abraham to leave the club this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. Chelsea have the option to re-sign the player via a buyback clause through to July 2023 for an €80m transfer fee, but Roma boss Jose Mourinho insists he will keep the 24-year-old striker as a key part of his team going forward. Abraham has scored 15 goals in 29 Serie A appearances this season, while Chelsea are currently unable to sign players due to U.K. government sanctions.
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PSG are interested in Saint-Etienne striker Jibril Othman, according to Foot Mercato. It is reported that talks have moved forward with the PSG hierarchy in recent weeks, with the Ligue 1 leaders looking to complete a deal ahead of the summer transfer window. The 17-year-old forward has represented France at youth level and would be able to leave for a compensation fee.
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Speculation surrounding the future of Neymar suggests he could be set to leave PSG, but Goal reports that he is happy at the club and wants to stay. The Brazil international’s deal isn’t set to expire until 2025 and, with other teams finding it difficult to match his current salary, he could see out the rest of his contract.
– Real Madrid have been beaten to the signature of Fabio Carvalho by Liverpool, reveals Sport. The LaLiga side have been linked with the 19-year-old Fulham attacking midfielder throughout this season, but it looks as though the Reds have won the race for the player.
