Transfer Talk: Real Madrid have eye on Tottenham's Son Heung-Min

The summer transfer window is closed for the major leagues in Europe. However, with an eye on January, 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: Real Madrid to move for Son?

Real Madrid are interested in Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-Min, according to Sport1.

The 30-year-old is reported to be looking to take the next step in his career despite signing a four-year contract with Spurs in 2021, and he is set to consider his future over the coming months.

Despite recent form that has seen Son fail to score in 11 of 12 Premier League matches this season, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly keeping an eye on him, and the LaLiga champions could make a move if the South Korea international decides he wants to finish the peak years of his career competing in the Champions League.

Son joined the north London club from Bayer Leverkusen for £22 million in 2015, and he has since gone on to score 96 times from 244 league appearances.

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09.50 BST: Brazil’s attacking midfielder Gerson is considering leaving Olympique Marseille in the January transfer window, according to his father and agent, Marcao.

Gerson, 25, joined Marseille from Flamengo in July 2021 and scored 11 goals and set up 10 more in 48 appearances in his first season in France. This season, with his playing time reduced, he has scored two goals in 11 appearances for Marseille.

“I will try to be balanced, but I cannot hide that we are angry,” Marcao told TNT. “This is a very problematic situation. How can a player who is in full possession of his skills be left out overnight, with no chance of showing his football? This is incomprehensible. We are very sad that this coach [Igor Tudor] prevents us from dreaming of a spot in the group for the World Cup with Brazil. There is so little time to appear [before the Brazil list is announced on Nov. 7.]

“We will arrange to leave as soon as the next transfer window opens. If Gerson is no longer important to Olympique, we will find a club that values ​​him.”

09.24 BST: Marco Asensio has opened the door for a new contract at Real Madrid, according to AS.

Asensio, 26, joined Madrid from Espanyol in the summer of 2015. The Spain international refused to sign a new deal in the summer and had been determined to leave Madrid as a free agent next June. However, Asensio, who has scored two goals in 11 appearances for Los Blancos this season, appears to have changed his mind.

AS reports that the talented forward is now eager to remain at the Bernabeu stadium and is in talks with Madrid to sign a new contract.

A reported Arsenal target, Asensio considered leaving Madrid in the summer in search of regular playing time.

Earlier this season, Ancelotti said of the player: “He had doubts this summer about whether to stay or go. But now he is here and we are all happy.”

Ancelotti recently said of Asensio: “He is making the most of the few minutes that I’m giving him. He is making a difference.”

08.42 BST: Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie says he is not getting carried away by reports linking him to big clubs.

The Ecuador centre-back played 33 games in all competitions in his maiden season at Leverkusen.

Hincapie, who joined Bayer from Argentinian side Talleres in the summer of 2021, had attracted the attention of Tottenham, AC Milan and Napoli in the last transfer window.

“When I listen and read about so many clubs wanting me it means that I’m doing a good job,” Hincapie said. “In any case, I’m focusing on doing the best I can for Bayer Leverkusen. I try to improve in the event that, if it happens, I take that leap to another team in the future.

“My dream was to come to Europ. Bayer Leverkusen is a great club, with a good project and has a good vision for the future. I didn’t expect to play as many games as I did in my first season here. I would love to lead one day a LaLiga club.”

Hincapie, 20, is under contract with Bayer until June 2026.

08.00 BST: Unai Emery has left Villarreal to become the new Aston Villa manager, replacing Steven Gerrard, it was announced on Monday.

Sources told ESPN that talks between Villa and the former Villarreal manager Emery began on Sunday, with the Premier League club looking for a replacement for Gerrard who was sacked after a 3-0 defeat at Fulham last Thursday.

Emery had been in charge of Villarreal since 2020, winning the Europa League — the LaLiga club’s first ever trophy — in his debut season and taking them to the Champions League semifinals a year later.

The 50-year-old was close to a move back to England in November 2021 when he was offered the manager’s job at Newcastle United, before opting to stay at Villarreal.

Emery was keen on returning to English football after spending an up-and-down 18 months at Arsenal from May 2018 to November 2019.

– Ogden: Gerrard couldn’t bridge gap between expectation and reality

PAPER GOSSIP (Adam Brown)

– Barcelona are already preparing future contract talks with Ousmane Dembele, says Fabrizio Romano. The 25-year-old winger has been in impressive form since signing a new deal with the club in the summer, contributing to eight goals in 11 LaLiga appearances, including one goal and three assists in a 4-0 win over Athletic Club on Sunday. His current contract sees him secured at Camp Nou until the summer of 2024.

– Arsenal are keen on a move for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, reports Calciomercato. The Gunners are reported to have moved the 27-year-old up their shortlist of targets, and they are willing to offer a player-exchange deal that would see Albert Sambi Lokonga head in the other direction as part of a proposal that includes an offer in the region of €50m. Milinkovic-Savic has made 11 league appearances for Lazio this season, contributing to 10 goals — form that has also seen him linked with Juventus.

– Midfielder Gerson is looking for an exit from Marseille, reports L’Equipe. It is understood that his representatives are already assessing possible options that would allow him to leave the Ligue 1 club when the January transfer window opens. The 25-year-old is currently unhappy with his situation after losing his position as a starter.

– Sergio Ramos could be offered a new one-year contract that includes the option of an additional year, writes Ekrem Konur. The 36-year-old centre-back has maintained a better injury record this season, having starred for Paris Saint-Germain in 15 games across all competitions, and it looks as though that has done enough to convince the Parc des Princes hierarchy to keep him at the club.

– Mexico international Edson Alvarez has been identified as a potential successor for Sergio Busquets at Barcelona, according to Sport. The Blaugrana are reported to have been keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old Ajax Amsterdam midfielder, as Xavi Hernandez continues to look for reinforcements in the January window. The Eredivisie club previously rejected an offer of around €50m for his services from Chelsea, but there is hope that they could be willing to part ways with him in January.