Transfer Talk: Man United move ahead of Atleti, Barca in Rabiot pursuit

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: Man United favorites to sign Rabiot

Manchester United will reportedly battle it out with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona for the signature of France midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

The Mirror says that while there’s strong interest from Atletico and Barca in Spain, the 27-year-old’s desire to play in the Premier League could give United the advantage over their rivals.

Rabiot played in Sunday’s thrilling World Cup final and is set to be one of the most sought-after players in the aftermath of the competition, particularly with his contract at Juventus coming to an end next June.

His availability on a free transfer is perfect for Barca. However, while Rabiot is unlikely to agree to a contract extension in Turin, the Mirror believes that quotes made by the Frenchman earlier in the World Cup suggest he may prefer a return to Manchester.

Rabiot spent time at Manchester City‘s academy earlier in his career, and while in Qatar the World Cup runner-up said: “I have always said that I would like to play in England in my career. I still have that desire. I’d like to evolve in the Premier League.”

United reportedly came close to signing Rabiot last transfer window, but were put off by his wage demands.

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21.59 GMT: The Sun reports that Manchester United are plotting a remarkable £200m double swoop for midfielders Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund and Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona. United boss Erik Ten Haag is determined to be part of the conversation about 19-year-old Bellingham, despite reports that Liverpool lead Real Madrid and Chelsea in the race for his signature. The De Jong move seems more likely, though, with the 25-year-old Netherlands international increasingly open to a switch to the Premier League.

21.32 GMT: Brighton & Hove Albion are confident they can fend off any advances for World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, reports the Mail. Mac Allister helped inspire Argentina to World Cup glory and emerged as one of the stars of the tournament, but in October he signed a contract extension to 202, and the Seagulls also have an option to extend the contract for another year.

21.05 GMT: Adrien Rabiot‘s expected exit from Juventus in January could be hindered by teammate Paul Pogba’s slow return to action, according to Calciomercato. A number of clubs have been linked with the France international, including Manchester United and Arsenal, and the Bianconeri would be open to his departure should they receive a transfer fee of between €10m and €15m, but they won’t sanction the 27-year-old midfielder’s exit if Pogba is still not medically cleared to take his place in the Juve engine room.

20.38 GMT: Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is in advanced talks with Barcelona over a pre-contract agreement that would see him move to the Catalan capital on a free transfer at the end of the season, according to Sport. The 31-year-old France international has been linked with Barca for much of the season, with talks over a new deal at Stamford Bridge having stalled.

20.11 GMT: Toronto FC have announced that they have signed free-agent centre-back Matt Hedges on a two-year contract using Targeted Allocation Money, with options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The 32-year-old had spent the entirety of his 11-year career with FC Dallas, who selected him 11th overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, and made five appearances for the United States between 2015 and 2017.

Bolstering the backline 💪

Welcome to Toronto, @Matt_Hedges #TFCLive

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) December 19, 2022

19.44 GMT: The agent of World Cup Golden Glove winner Emiliano Martinez agent has revealed that the Aston Villa goalkeeper could be tempted by a move to Italy in pursuit of Champions League football. The 30-year-old Argentina No. 1 has a contract that runs for another four years, but his performances in Qatar have generated interest from a number of clubs.

“Serie A? Well, why not,” Martinez’s agent Gustavo Goni reportedly told Tuttomercatoweb. “Clearly aiming high, for the Champions League.”

19.11 GMT: Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United are in the hunt to sign Atletico Madrid forward Matheus Cunha, according to Goal. Wolves are said to be leading the race thanks to the involvement of agent Jorge Mendes, but Leeds — who are in desperate need of a new striker after failing to land their top targets in the summer — are hoping director of football Victor Orta’s links to LaLiga can help them in their pursuit of the 23-year-old Brazil international who could command a transfer fee of €30m.

18.38 GMT: Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to land World Cup breakout star with Morocco Sofyan Amrabat, according to Foot Mercato. Fiorentina are keen to keep hold of the 26-year-old midfielder, but a transfer fee of around €40m would be enough for the Serie A side to enter into discussions.

18.05 GMT: Arsenal and Manchester United have enquired about the availability of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to Calciomercato, with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain monitoring the situation. The Bianconeri are reluctant to entertain any discussions about the future of the 22-year-old Serbia international at least until the end of the season, although it’s said they would entertain offers including a transfer fee of €80m.

17.32 GMT: Standard Liege midfielder Nicolas Raskin is being tracked by a number of clubs in the UK, France, Italy and Germany, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 21-year-old Belgium youth international has recently been sent to the reserves after talks over a new deal stalled, with his existing contract expiring in the summer, paving the way for a potential January move.

16.59 GMT: Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe could announce his departure from the club when he returns from the World Cup, according to Sport. The report suggests that the World Cup’s Golden Boot winner is determined for a change of scenery, and that he could communicate his decision to leave next summer soon.

Mbappe is said to be unhappy with PSG’s inconsistency and recruitment policy. The 23-year-old France international reportedly believes he may perform better if he joins a new project, and he’s willing to lower his salary in order to help facilitate a move.

16.26 GMT: Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez caught the eye in Qatar and the Aston Villa star is on the radar of Bayern Munich, according to Media Foot.

Martinez, 31, won the Golden Glove award as Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy. The former Arsenal keeper has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid and Juventus, but Bayern want him to replace Manuel Neuer who has been ruled for the season after breaking his leg while skiing.

15.37 GMT: Juventus winger Samuel Iling-Junior has renewed his contract until June 2025.

Iling-Junior, 19, was a youth product of Chelsea and made his Serie A debut against Empoli in October 2022. He has played twice for the senior team this season.

15.20 GMT: Lionel Messi is the GOAT now, right?

14.39 GMT: Barcelona forward Memphis Depay could move to Galatasaray in January, according to AS.

Depay, 28, is surplus to requirements at Camp Nou and Barca reportedly now want a €2m fee from interested clubs, or they’ll let him go next summer as a free agent.

PSG loanee Mauro Icardi, Dries Mertens and Bafetimbi Gomis play for the Turkish giants up front already, but Depay could be an excellent option if they can work out a deal.

13.42 GMT: Celtic defender Josip Juranovic has caught the eye of Barcelona, according to Sky Sports.

Juranovic, 27, impressed in helping Croatia finished third in the World Cup and already had two unnamed Premier League clubs looking at him.

But now Barcelona are keen to get involved and could make an offer to the Scottish club in January.

13.04 GMT: Argentina breakout star Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a host of clubs after a fine performance at the World Cup.

Fernandez, 21, won the FIFA Young Player of the Tournament award on the way to lifting the trophy, and has Liverpool and Newcastle reportedly on his trail.

His club Benfica signed him for €12m from River Plate over the summer, but could now ask upwards of €80m from any interested clubs. And Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has told reporters: “I’m aware of him [Fernandez,] and I know him. But I think the transfer fee might be quite lumpy.”

12.30 GMT: Qatar 2022 has seen some incredible performances on the pitch, not least from shock semifinal side Morocco, and players young and old have risen to the challenge of performing on football’s biggest stage. But which players have boosted their transfer value with their efforts at the World Cup? Tor-Kristian Karlsen highlights a few, including:

– Sofyan Amrabat, 26, defensive midfielder, Morocco/Fiorentina

– Azzedine Ounahi, 22, central midfielder, Morocco/Angers

– Goncalo Ramos, 21, centre-forward, Portugal/Benfica

11.40 GMT: Bild says that any club wanting to sign Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram will have to pay a transfer fee of €12m.

Thuram, 25, impressed off the bench for France in the World Cup final but his club future is unclear as he wants to leave, possibly on a free transfer in the summer.

Arsenal are looking for a replacement for the injured Gabriel Jesus, which could see them make a move for Thuram

10.51 GMT: Arsenal have long been linked with a move for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans and TEAMtalk claims they will make a move for him in January.

Tielemans, 25, has a contract which expires in the summer and Leicester are reportedly lining up Morocco World Cup star Azzedine Ounahi as his direct replacement.

Arsenal could strengthen their title challenge with a £30m bid.

09.35 GMT: Manchester United are looking to sign Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus in January, according to The Telegraph.

Kudus, 22, played under new United boss Erik ten Hag at Ajax and has impressed for Ghana at the World Cup in Qatar.

The forward, who plays for Ajax as a false No. 9, has scored 10 goals in all competitions so far. He also netted two goals from Ghana’s three World Cup group-stage games.

08.44 GMT: Gremio have rekindled their interest in Uruguay forward Luis Suarez, according to Globo.

Suarez, 35, is a free agent after leaving Uruguayan champions Nacional last month. The former Liverpool and Barcelona player had turned down an offer from Gremio before the start of the World Cup with his intention to play in MLS.

But the Brazilian club have resumed talks with Suarez after an offer from LA Galaxy fell through.

“We know that the deal with Galaxy may have dropped and a possibility to resume conversations,” Gremio president Alberto Guerra said. “We know he has been offered to other clubs. We are analysing it internally.”

08.00 GMT: Christian Pulisic has said he is focused on Chelsea — amid speculation about his future at the club — but didn’t rule out a transfer, adding that “things change quickly.”

ESPN reported last month that Manchester United would consider United States international Pulisic as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

United, Newcastle and Arsenal have all been made aware of Pulisic’s likely availability when the transfer window opens, and sources told ESPN the player’s representatives are keen to find him a new club four years after he signed for Chelsea in a £58m transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking to “Indirect,” a podcast hosted by Steve Schlanger and USMNT teammate Tim Ream, Pulisic said: “Right now I’m absolutely back at Chelsea, focused and ready to finish the season. But you know how things work in football… things change quickly and anything can happen.

“At the moment, I am just pushing myself in training and working at Chelsea, because that’s where I am right now.”

PAPER GOSSIP (by Nick Judd)

– Chelsea‘s interest in Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol has been well documented in recent days and now they’re set to test the waters with a bid of €50m, according to the Evening Standard. Gvardiol was one of the stars of the World Cup and his value has subsequently risen, with RB Leipzig likely to demand a high fee. Chelsea are keen to get around the negotiating table as soon as possible, with Real Madrid admitting they’re also keen to chat to the 20-year-old at the end of the season. Leipzig would rather keep the star until the end of the campaign, but could be tempted to talk to the Blues if the figure is right.

– Sofyan Amrabat is also a coveted player post-World Cup, and Footmercato reports that Atletico Madrid are interested in the Morocco midfielder. The 26-year-old helped his country reach the semifinals and a fourth-place finish in Qatar, and is now in high demand. As well as a number of Premier League sides, Atletico are now also said to be interested. Amrabat’s contract with Fiorentina comes to an end next summer, and the Florence-based side will likely attempt to recoup around €60m for him in January.

– Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton have entered the race to sign Birmingham City midfielder George Hall, according to the Daily Mail. The 18-year-old is on the radar of a number of top clubs, and his performance in his side’s 3-2 win against Reading, his 18th appearance of the season already, only served to enhance his reputation. Liverpool are prioritising the €150m signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, but Hall is considered an excellent prospect. Leeds United attempted to sign Hall last summer but were put off by Birmingham’s valuation.

– Stefan de Vrij‘s agent Federico Pastorello has revealed that the Internazionale defender could be tempted by a move to Tottenham Hotspur in January, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb. Pastorello revealed in an exclusive interview that though De Vrij has plenty of options at his disposal, the prospect of being reunited with Spurs boss Antonio Conte is the most tempting. The 30-year-old defender is out of contract at the end of the season and so Inter Milan, who have so far failed to tempt De Vrij into extending his deal with a further offer of two years, may look to try and move him on when the transfer window reopens in the new year.

– Manchester United had previously been touted as favourites to land Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer, but Calciomercato believes that Inter Milan are also interested. They report that Sommer has been considered by the Nerazzurri, though there’s a strong feeling the 34-year-old stopper may prefer to stay in Germany. Earlier in the week, Sky Sports Germany had also revealed Bayern Munich‘s interest. Sommer’s contract at Borussia Monchengladbach is coming to an end next summer and Bayern believe the 34-year-old is the ideal replacement for the injured Manuel Neuer. Bayern may look to steal a march on both Inter and United by making a move in January.