Transfer Talk: Chelsea, Madrid, Man City circling as Leao stalls on new Milan deal
With just a few weeks 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: Leao stalls on new Milan deal
Rafael Leao is reluctant to agree to a new contract with AC Milan, writes Sky Sports Germany.
The 23-year-old Portugal international forward has been in talks with the Serie A champions since the beginning of the season, and with his deal set to expire in the summer of 2024, the latest indicates that he is planning to leave the San Siro if the Rossoneri do not improve their offer.
Chelsea were one of the first clubs interested in his signature, but they are also joined in the race by Real Madrid and Manchester City. The Blues previously had a proposal of €70 million rejected, with Milan looking for his release clause of €150m to be met — and a number of impressive displays at the World Cup could see future offers improved for his signature.
Leao has maintained his impressive form that helped Milan lift the Scudetto title last season, contributing 10 goals in 14 Serie A matches in the current campaign.
– World Cup 2022: News and features | Schedule
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga and more (US)
LIVE BLOG
10.55 GMT: Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has likened Marcus Rashford to Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe and said “there is almost no better player in the world” than the England forward.
Rashford has enjoyed a much-improved season for United, already equaling his goal tally from last season in 11 fewer appearances while also scoring three goals for England at the World Cup.
“From the first moment, I recognised huge potential,” Ten Hag told the club’s official website. “And now to get out the potential, I believe when Marcus’ positioning is on the back of the defending line, there is almost no better player in the world. There is Mbappe in this moment, a type like him, but when he [Rashford] is getting in that position, he’s great and you see he’s really improved also out of possession.”
Rashford has amassed 322 appearances for United after his breakthrough 2015-16 season, contributing 101 goals and 60 assists. The 25-year-old’s contract expires in the summer but United have an option to extend it by a year. Ten Hag said the club will trigger the clause and that a decision for a further contract lies solely with Rashford.
“He [Rashford] has to make a decision,” he said. “The only thing we can do is show him this is the best club to be in, which has to do with the culture of the club and also in the way we are working, in the way we play and the way we train and if we are offering the right environment to progress. It’s a financial issue as well. Then it is up to him to make the decision. But for one-and-a-half years, he will be here.”
10.07 GMT: Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha is on the verge of leaving Atletico Madrid to join Wolverhampton, according to Marca.
There were high expectations placed on Cunha after he helped Brazil win gold at the Olympics in August 2021. However, the 23-year-old has failed to score in 17 appearances for Atletico this season and the striker has been placed on the transfer list.
Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui confirmed last week that his club was interested in signing Atletico’s Brazilian players Cunha and Felipe. Veteran defender Felipe has only made three appearances for the Rojiblancos this season and is keen to leave in search of regular playing time.
However, the 33-year-old’s move to Wolves may not happen in the winter transfer market. Felipe reportedly wants to see out his contract with Atletico which expires in June before deciding his next club.
09.24 GMT: Australia coach Graham Arnold appears set to be offered a fresh contract as informal negotiations continue with Football Australia hierarchy.
Arnold’s previous deal expired after overseeing the Socceroos’ most successful World Cup at the tournament in Qatar and he said after their round-of-16 loss to Argentina that he “needed a break.”
The head coach is on holiday in the United Kingdom, with FA chief executive officer James Johnson keeping in contact ahead of Arnold’s return to Australia after Christmas. Johnson has pledged not to sound out any other potential coaching candidates before Arnold returns.
“We are in touch with Graham about what his involvement over the next four years will look like,” Johnson told AAP. “Sure, having some stability with this team, given the rise, is a good thing and we will talk to Arnie about that.
“We won’t talk to others until we have finished talking to Arnie. But we have got to be realistic, Arnie’s value has increased, but so has the Australian game, and the Socceroos. Let’s see where we land, but I must say I am very proud of Graham.”
– Lynch: Who will be in Socceroos squad in 2026?
08.47 GMT: Flamengo have reached an agreement with Spartak Moscow to sign Ayrton Lucas on a permanent transfer, according to Globo.
The Brazilian club will pay €7m to acquire Lucas’ sporting rights at the end of this month when the deal will be made official.
Lucas, 25, has made 41 appearances since joining Flamengo on loan from Spartak in March. The Brazilian left-back is expected to sign a four-year contract with Flamengo.
08.00 GMT: Luis Enrique said he wants to return to club football after losing his job as Spain manager and has “infinite possibilities” ahead despite a disappointing performance at the World Cup.
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced last week that they would not be renewing Luis Enrique’s contract after Spain were eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the round of 16, with former under-21 coach Luis de la Fuente presented as his replacement.
“It’s been intense,” Luis Enrique told Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos on Monday, in the only interview he has given since his departure. “My time with the national team is over, and infinite possibilities open up.
“I’m in a moment of my career where I feel excited and ready to take over a club. You can work in more detail and with more precision than you can with a national team. This period [of my career] is over. Unless anything very big or interesting comes up, I’ll wait until next season.”
– Lowe: Spain won’t be same without divisive Luis Enrique
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
– Arsenal are prioritising a move for Mykhailo Mudryk, reports the Athletic. The Gunners have been tracking the 21-year-old winger since the summer, and it is understood that Shakhtar Donetsk are expecting to receive enquiries for his signature when the transfer market opens. Mikel Arteta is currently looking for an alternative option after Gabriel Jesus suffered an injury while on international duty with Brazil.
– Austin FC are set to sign Gyasi Zardes, according to Tom Bogert. The 31-year-old forward was most recently a free agent, and he is reported to have signed a three-year deal with the Oaks. The United States international made 26 appearances for the Colorado Rapids in the MLS last season, contributing 11 goals in the process.
– Manchester City have joined the race for Josko Gvardiol, reveals Footmercato. Interest in the 20-year-old centre-back appears to be growing following a run of impressive performances at the World Cup for Croatia, and it looks as though Pep Guardiola’s side are keen to land him. Both Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked.
– Malo Gusto is the latest right-back to be added to Manchester United’s short list, according to Sky Sports Germany. Erik ten Hag is assessing potential options to acquire in the January transfer window, and while Denzel Dumfries and Jeremie Frimpong remain on his radar, the Red Devils could also make an approach for Gusto. The 19-year-old has made 14 appearances in Ligue 1 this season.
– While Paris Saint-Germain remain interested in Marcus Rashford, Manchester United are likely to exercise the option clause in his contract, writes Calciomercato. The 25-year-old England international forward is set to be out of contract in the summer, but the latest indicates that he will remain at Old Trafford until the summer of 2024.
