January is just around the corner. Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.
TOP STORY: United target Dembele in lieu of Haaland
No sooner had Erling Haaland held up the yellow shirt following his move to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday than Manchester United were reportedly looking into plans “B and C” ahead of what could be a crucial January for Ed Woodward and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, says the Daily Mail.
United had thrown their eggs into one basket with Haaland, and losing out on him will hurt Solskjaer, who had jetted to Austria in an effort to secure the signing of one of Europe’s hottest strikers.
Yet the Norwegian will now turn his attentions to other strikers, and Lyon’s Moussa Dembele could top the list, suggest the Mail. The Frenchman has scored 10 goals in 18 games this season, which means he’s well on course to make it 15 goals or more in a season for the fifth time in his career.
The Mail also reports Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard as another potential signing. The former PSG youngster has scored 12 goals and added eight assists this season.
Inter drop Giroud interest
Inter Milan are interested in signing Fernando Llorente, reports Gazzetta dello Sport, which could spell bad news for Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud.
The Serie A league leaders are contemplating adding Llorente to their attacking armoury alongside the returning Alexis Sanchez and Sebastiano Esposito and, of course, Romelu Lukaku. Llorente is out of favour at Napoli following the arrival of Gennaro Gattuso and could fancy reuniting with Roberto Mancini, whom he worked with at Juventus.
Such a move would spell the end of Inter’s interest in Giroud, who is seeking a move away from Stamford Bridge in January. The former Arsenal striker has filled these column inches ever since the transfer window closed in the summer, and Frank Lampard‘s reliance on Tammy Abraham has exacerbated his desire to find a new club.
Juventus are reportedly keen on signing him, with Maurizio Sarri keen on working with Giroud again and adding more options to his own firepower in the race for the Serie A title.
– When does the transfer window reopen?
– All major completed transfer deals
Tap-ins
– Atletico Madrid are looking to take advantage of Borussia Dortmund’s signing of Haaland by taking Paco Alcacer to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. The striker has reportedly told the club he wants to leave, while Marca believes Atletico have already spoken to Dortmund with a view to signing the striker in January.
– Watford are set to battle it out with Napoli for the signature of AC Milan left-back Ricardo Rodriguez, according to Italian title Il Mattino. The Hornets are keen on the Switzerland international, who has fallen out of favour at the San Siro following the arrival of new Rossoneri boss Stefano Pioli.
– Brighton & Hove Albion are planning some January spending in an effort to avoid the drop, reports the Mail. One target is Amiens striker Moussa Konate, who missed out on a move to England last summer but is hoping to qualify for a work permit this time around. Konate has scored 50 goals in 115 games.
– Napoli and Celta Vigo are close to an agreement over the signing of Slovak midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, according to Calciomercato. The two clubs are set to meet tomorrow in London, where a deal is expected to be agreed that could reach €25 million. Napoli are keen to offer closer to €18m with bonuses.
