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 confident in Sancho pursuit
Manchester United believe they are in pole position to secure a deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.
That’s from The Mirror, which also claims that the Red Devils are interested in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen. While the Denmark international would prefer a move to Spain, Spurs are keen to cash in on the former Ajax man in January, rather than lose him for nothing in the summer.
The 19-year-old Sancho, meanwhile, has endured a difficult second season at Dortmund after bursting onto the scene last year. The former Manchester City trainee has faced disciplinary action for returning late from international duty, and after being hauled off at half-time in his side’s defeat to Bayern Munich in November, Sancho is believed to be seriously considering leaving the club at the turn of the year.
Atletico go for Olmo
Atletico Madrid are planning to make a January move for Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Dani Olmo and are hoping the Croatians’ exit from the Champions League will accelerate negotiations over a deal, according to reports at AS.
The 21-year-old has impressed in Zagreb since joining from the Barcelona academy in 2014, and his showings against Manchester City on Europe’s biggest stage have convinced Atletico manager Diego Simeone that the Spaniard is ready to take the step up in to La Liga football.
Olmo is believed to be valued in the region of €40 million, but Los Rojiblancos are hoping to bring the price down to something between €30 million and €35 million.
A move for Olmo depends on the potential sale of wantaway winger Thomas Lemar, who is desperate to depart the Wanda Metropolitano to secure regular first-team football, as well as a place in France’s Euro 2020 squad.
– When does the transfer window reopen?
– All major completed transfer deals
Haaland headed for Old Trafford
The Telegraph claims Manchester United are leading the race to sign highly rated FC Salzburg striker Erling Haaland, despite the 19-year-old visiting the training grounds of RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund this week.
The Norway international, who scored eight goals in his side’s Champions League campaign, is believed to favour a move to United that would see him secure near-guaranteed first-team football, and the Leeds-born forward is also keen to follow in the footsteps of his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, and ply his trade in the Premier League.
The chase for Haaland Jr.’s signature has heated up in recent weeks after news emerged of a bargain £20 million release clause in the former Molde man’s contract at Salzburg. Of note, one of Haaland’s advisers is super-agent Mino Raiola, who brokered Paul Pogba‘s mega-money move to United from Juventus in 2016.
Tap-Ins
– Spanish publication Sport claims Manchester City are keen on securing the signature of Barcelona’s 15-year-old left-back Juan Larios. The youngster is already playing for the Barca B side, and City boss Pep Guardiola is now keen to bring the starlet to England.
– Real Madrid are believed to be exploring the possibility of shipping out misfiring striker Luka Jovic on loan in January, according to Calciomercato. The 21-year-old has scored just one La Liga goal since signing from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer for a fee of £54 million.
– Calciomercato claims Schalke midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is mulling over his options and could leave the Bundesliga side at the turn of the year. The former Tottenham midfielder has just 18 months remaining on his contract and isn’t believed to be interested in extending his stay in Gelsenkirchen.
