With just a month remaining before the opening of the January transfer window, there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Juventus’ McKennie to move to Tottenham?
United States men’s national team midfielder Weston McKennie could leave Juventus, with Tottenham Hotspur interested in signing him, as has been reported by Calciomercato.
The 24-year-old was a part of manager Gregg Berhalter’s starting lineup for all four of the US’ World Cup matches in Qatar until defeat against Netherlands in the round of 16. With the US out of the tournament, McKennie will now return to Turin, where things haven’t always been as simple for the midfielder in a Bianconeri shirt.
At Juventus, McKennie faces competition from the likes of Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Fagioli and Fabio Miretti, while Leandro Paredes is also with the club on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. He has managed a total of 16 appearances for Juventus across Serie A and the Champions League this term, scoring three goals and providing the assist for one another.
I Bianconeri reportedly turned down a swap deal involving McKennie and Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek in the summer of 2021, but Premier League interest in the American has endured thanks to Spurs.
It is reported that the interest from the North London club could also translate into an offer, although Juve are currently in turmoil given the club’s board of directors, president Andrea Agnelli and vice president Pavel Nedved, resigned en masse recently following preliminary investigation by the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office into fraudulent accounting and alleged hidden payments to players.
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LIVE BLOG
09.11 GMT: ICYMI – The son of the Real Madrid legend Marcelo, Enzo Alves, has signed his first contract with the club.
Enzo, 13, has featured for Madrid’s academy teams since 2017. The teenager confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Saturday, saying “My first contract with the best club in the world. Very happy.”
Enzo is a highly rated centre forward who plays for Real Madrid’s under-14 side. He is represented by the agency founded by his father, Group Doze.
08.30 GMT: AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli expects striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic start training again later this month.
Ibrahimovic, 41, scored eight goals and set up three more in 23 league appearances last season to help Milan win its first Scudetto in 11 years. But the Swedish forward underwent ACL surgery in May.
“At the end of December, beginning of January he will work on the pitch,” Pioli said. “His example, his determination, his mentality and his capacity to prepare each training session has probably increased the level of the team. His teammates have done well to follow him and grow. We also (Simon) Kjaer, (Olivier) Giroud and (Mike) Maignan. We have four or five players that are leaders that helped me so much.”
PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)
– Manchester United are ready to make a January move for PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo in January, according to The Sun, which adds that the Red Devils are especially keen to bring in attacking reinforcements after Cristiano Ronaldo‘s departure. PSV want at least a €60m transfer fee to sign Gakpo, whose contract runs until 2026.
– Internazionale could capitalise on Denzel Dumfries‘ World Cup performances by offloading him in January due to the growth in his transfer value, according to Calciomercato. The right wing-back caught the eye as he recorded two assists and a goal as Netherlands beat the United States in the round of 16. Inter could let him leave as soon as January.
– Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus would consider offers from Premier League clubs as long as Champions League football is also on offer, claims The Sun. Barcelona are keen on the Ghana international while Tottenham Hotspur have previously been linked, with Ajax expected to ask for a fee in the region of €50m.
– With Yann Sommer‘s contract at Borussia Monchengladbach ending in the summer, Internazionale have already made the goalkeeper an offer, reports Tuttosport, which adds that Inter are also looking at Fenerbahce’s Altay Bayindir. The Serie A outfit are looking to bring in competition for Andre Onana but could even move on the Cameroon international to raise funds if they sign Sommer.
– Wolverhampton Wanderers are hoping to sign Atletico Madrid duo Felipe and Matheus Cunha, according to Fabrizio Romano. The hope is that the two Brazilians could be signed as a “package” deal.
– Brighton & Hove Albion and Sassuolo are among the clubs looking at Montpellier defender Maxime Esteve, as reported by L’Equipe. The 20-year-old has impressed in Ligue 1 this term, having already been the topic of approaches from German clubs in the summer, with it expected that there will be January offers for the Frenchman.
