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’s the latest gossip and speculation.
TOP STORY: Liverpool look to steal Gavi from Barca
Barcelona are in danger of losing Gavi, with Liverpool prepared to activate his reported release clause of €50 million, according to El Nacional.
It is reported that a number of Barcelona players have decided to put contract talks on hold after their 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich caused a shock exit from the Champions League and, as the January transfer window edges closer, the Blaugrana could face a fight to keep hold of the 17-year-old prospect.
Jurgen Klopp has escalated Liverpool’s interest in Gavi after learning that club owners Fenway Sports Group would be prepared to sanction a move “without thinking” for the midfielder.
The Reds’ €40m signing of centre-back Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig was their only senior move in the summer and they need midfield depth after the exit of Georginio Wijnaldum to PSG. However Gavi also has Manchester United and PSG on his trail if he doesn’t pen new terms at Camp Nou.
– FC 100: Ranking the world’s best male players, by position
– ESPN+ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more (U.S.)
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
LIVE BLOG
09.14 GMT: Chelsea players and staff fear Cesar Azpilicueta will leave the club on a free transfer, with Barcelona leading the race for his signature, sources told ESPN’s James Olley.
The 32-year-old’s deal expires at the end of the season and, while the club were relaxed about the prospect of his deal running down given his longstanding loyalty to the club, talks have not progressed.
Sources claim one key issue outstanding is the length of contract Azpilicueta is seeking. He is free to negotiate directly with other clubs from next month; Barcelona have been tracking him, while Atletico Madrid are said to view him as a replacement for Kieran Trippier, who has been linked with a move back to the Premier League.
08.30 GMT: Ralf Rangnick identified Manchester United’s midfield as an area of weakness in his interview with club bosses and suggested players of interest before being offered the job as interim manager, sources told ESPN’s Rob Dawson.
Rangnick impressed during discussions with football director John Murtough, technical director Darren Fletcher and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward as United searched for a temporary boss to take over following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Sources told ESPN that he explained why the club should look to invest in midfield and suggested scouts take a closer look at RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara, also identifying Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips as potential midfield targets. Meanwhile, Bellingham’s Dortmund teammate Erling Haaland, a long term United target, was also mentioned by Rangnick ahead of what is likely to be a Europe-wide battle for the player’s signature in the summer.
Derek Rae and Herculez Gomez react to reports that Chris Armas will join Ralf Rangnick’s coaching staff at Manchester United.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
– Manchester United could be prepared to let Marcus Rashford leave Old Trafford amid interest from Barcelona. That’s according to El Nacional, which writes that club president Joan Laporta is keen on a move for the 24-year-old forward who has struggled for regular game time as a striker in a competition with Cristiano Ronaldo. And while the Blaugrana would like to do a deal, the Premier League club are looking for around €70m to part ways with him.
- Conor Gallagher expects to remain at Selhurst Park over January despite talk of a potential recall to Chelsea. Football London reveals that the 21-year-old midfielder will stay at Crystal Palace, with Patrick Vieira’s side currently dealing with an injury crisis in midfield. The on-loan star has been in impressive form this season, contributing to seven goals in 13 starts.
-
The Athletic reveals that Inter Miami’s Lewis Morgan is headed to the New York Red Bulls, with a $1.2m deal already agreed after the MLS Cup final which takes place on Saturday between Portland Timbers and New York City FC. The 25-year-old midfielder scored twice in 34 appearances for Inter this season.
-
Nicolo Schira writes that Samu Castillejo could leave the San Siro in January, with Genoa interested in his signature. The 26-year-old was linked with an exit back in the summer, but it now looks as though AC Milan are considering letting him go again after making just a single start in Serie A this season.
– Julian Alvarez has attracted plenty of suitors of late, and now Sport Italia TV reports that Barcelona have contacted his representatives over a potential deal. The 21-year-old River Plate striker’s goal scoring form has seen a queue emerge in Europe’s top leagues, with early interest in the Serie A now facing competition from Barca. And it’s not hard to see why, with Alvarez contributing to 23 goals in 17 starts.
