Transfer Talk: Man Utd, Chelsea want Osimhem but Napoli eye €150m fee

The January transfer window may be closed around Europe, but teams are looking ahead to the summer and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Napoli seek €150m for Osimhen move

Manchester United and Chelsea are both interested in striker Victor Osimhen with Napoli looking for a €150 million transfer fee, as per FootMercato. The report reveals that while the Nigeria international is under contract until 2025, he could be on his way out of Italy this summer.

United are in the market for a high-profile striker, while Chelsea are also keen to add to their forward options. However, the report states the Blues are not in a strong financial position after spending over £600m in recent windows. Paris Saint-German are also in the running for Osimhen, though the forward has his heart set on a Premier League move.

Despite the hefty fee, the report states that United are prepared to meet the Serie A club’s demands, with Erik ten Hag’s side looking to mount a serious title charge next season.

Osimhen has emerged as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe after netting 25 goals this season for Napoli, helping Luciano Spalletti’s side to a 19-point lead at the top of Serie A and into the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

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17.48 GMT: Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to remain at the club for another season, according to Calciomercato. As interest in the 22-year-old Georgia international grows from Real Madrid, the Serie A leaders are prepared to hand Kvaratskhelia a substantial pay rise that would see him earn €3m per season, and would only consider his departure if they receive an offer including a transfer fee of more than €100m.

17.04 GMT: Minnesota United have signed Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jeong Sang-Bin, the MLS club announced on Wednesday. The 20-year-old South Korea international spent the first half of the season on loan with Swiss club Grasshoppers, where he saw just 228 minutes of first-team action, and joins the Loons as part of the league’s U22 initiative on a three-year contract with an option for 2026 season.

🚨 NEWS 🚨

The club has signed South Korean international Sang Bin Jeong via transfer from @Wolves. He joins #MNUFC as a U22 initiative signing on a 3-year contract, with a club option. pic.twitter.com/vmDfrVl5ta

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) March 22, 2023

16.17 GMT: Austin FC have signed KV Kortrijk centre-back Aleksandar Radovanovic on a season-long loan, the MLS club announced on Wednesday. The 29-year-old has spent the past two years in the Belgian Jupiler League, where he made 44 appearances.

Aleksandar Radovanović is VERDE. 🌳

Welcome to Austin! pic.twitter.com/L6YhqxmNY2

— Austin FC (@AustinFC) March 22, 2023

15.30 GMT: Tottenham’s Richarlison, Man United’s Antony or Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk? Which signing has disappointed most?

14.20 GMT: Real Madrid defender Nacho has been speaking about his contract expiring in June.

Nacho, 33, has been with the club his entire career, and in the first team since 2009 where he has won everything there is to win domestically. But he could depart for nothing in the summer.

“I’m trying to live in the present, to enjoy it. I think I’m in the best form of my career,” he said while on international duty with Spain. “The start of the season was very difficult for me, I didn’t feel important for the team in the first four or five months. But obviously everything has changed, I’m playing every game, I’m here with the national team, it’s a complete turnaround.

“If you have a contract or not with Real Madrid doesn’t mean anything, mine is up in the summer but if I had two years left on my contract I’d be in the same situation. Every year in the summer I talk to the club, the summer, my family and we take a decision. Having a contract or not doesn’t make me sleep more or less, I’m calm, I’ll live in the present, and of course I’m happy now at the club … Right now I’m happy. But having a contract or not won’t affect the decision. The decision will come when I talk to the club and between us we take the decision. Obviously if things go like they are at the moment, it will be as easy as it has been in the last few years.”

“It’s difficult because I don’t know what it is to play at another club, I haven’t had that other experience, but here I have everything, I’m sure I won’t be better off anywhere than here. It isn’t about more years, more money, but I want to feel as important as I have in recent years, earlier this season was difficult, I didn’t have the confidence of the coach … I haven’t taken the decision. It’s a decision I have to take every year. I’m calm, honestly, I’m happy with how things are going.”

13.44 GMT: Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot has revealed he was a fan of Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool as a child.

Rabiot, 27, is a free agent in the summer and has yet to agree terms over a new contract with Juve. The France international has been linked with plenty of top clubs, including Liverpool, and a spell in the Premier League could be forthcoming.

“I followed Liverpool as a kid because I was a fan of Steven Gerrard,” he told Tuttosport. “He made me dream, so I used to follow the Reds. The other idol of mine was Zizou Zidane.”

On his conversations about a new contract, Rabiot added: “At the moment there are no updates, but surely we’ll speak soon because the season will finish in two months. I am calm. There’s a chance I leave, but I could also sign a new contract with Juventus. I am happy in Turin, I am doing a good job and on good terms with the directors, the teammates and the coach. He [Max Allegri] has helped me over the last two years, trusting me a lot. This is important to feel well and make the right decision for my future.”

13.03 GMT: Reported Barcelona target Vitor Roque says he’s not thinking about his next move.

The Athletico Paranaense forward, 18, is rated as one of Brazil’s top young prospects and was part of the Brazil under-20 side which won the South American U20 championship last month.

“I try to focus more on the present,” he told AS, when asked about his future plans. “My future is in God’s hands … I don’t have a club which I prefer. The present with Paranaense is most important for me right now.”

12.25 GMT: Dani Ceballos has said he still hasn’t spoken to Real Madrid about a new contract, and only wants to extend at the Bernabeu beyond this summer if he’s going to be an important part of the team.

Ceballos, 26, was speaking to Marca from the Spain squad, after some impressive performances for Madrid in recent months led him to be called up for the first time in three years by new coach Luis de la Fuente.

“I haven’t spoken with Real Madrid [about an extension],” Ceballos said. “I’ve had contact with some teams, but focusing on that would be a lack of respect to my club, my teammates and my coach. We have to focus on the 15-20 games we have left.

“The club and my teammates know I’d like to carry on, but I want a renewal if I deserve it, to be happy and play, not like in the last few years. If not, thanks very much, and I’ll carry on.”

11.50 GMT: Barcelona have reignited their interest in Monaco defender Vanderson, according to a report in Sport.

Barca are keen to sign a right-back before next season, with central defenders Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde playing out of position.

The Catalan club were apparently keen on Vanderson last summer when he left Gremio and they have followed his development closely in Ligue 1. Sport reports that director of football Mateu Alemany has relayed Barca’s interest to Monaco, who are said to value the Brazilian’s services at around €60m.

A meeting with Vanderson’s representatives, including the former Barca player Deco, could help to thrash out a strategy in the next few days.

Vanderson, 22, is one of several right-backs Barca are considering. Villarreal’s Juan Foyth, Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard and Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier are also on the shortlist.

Barca have been without a recognised right-back since letting Sergino Dest (on loan to Milan) and Hector Bellerin (on a free transfer) leave in August and January respectively. They signed Julian Araujo from LA Galaxy earlier this year but missed the deadline to register him, so he is currently only able to train, not play.

11.14 GMT: Former Arsenal and Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil has retired at the age of 34.

Thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Aqr4pB5SI2

— Mesut Özil (@M10) March 22, 2023

11.02 GMT: Gabri Veiga is “on Real Madrid’s radar” Diario AS reports, with the LaLiga giants impressed by the Celta Vigo midfielder’s potential and tempted by his affordable €40m release clause.

Veiga, 20, has been one of LaLiga’s breakout stars this season, scoring nine goals in 25 appearances for Celta. According to AS, Madrid’s decision on making a move for Veiga will depend on whether Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Dani Ceballos are still at the club next season.

Meanwhile, Cadena SER reports that Veiga is taking meetings with a number of top agents ahead of a possible big move.

The radio station’s El Larguero show claimed on Tuesday that Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Madrid are all keen, with the player likely to leave Celta this summer — and his advisors favouring a switch to the Premier League.

10.13 GMT: Man United are up for sale, but who could buy them?

09.37 GMT: Barcelona could mutually terminate Jordi Alba‘s contract in the summer, according to Sport.

Alba, 34, has been one of the club’s key players in recent years but has dropped down the pecking order now. The left-back earns around €38m per season, which could mean he is targeted in a bid to lower the wage bill at Camp Nou.

Barcelona’s financial issues means they need to reduce player wages across the squad, though Alba told Marca last month: “I have a year left on my contract, and if necessary, I’m willing to reduce my salary. It’s the club’s decision, and I’ve always helped when they’ve asked me to do so.”

09.19 GMT: In other Liverpool news, Football Insider claims the club want to sign 15-year-old striker Mason Melia.

This season Melia has become the youngest-ever player and goal scorer (aged 15 years and 132 days) for Irish club St Patrick’s Athletic.

The Republic of Ireland U17 international is also being tracked by other Premier League sides, but Liverpool could make their move this summer.

09.05 GMT: Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has been linked with a move to Liverpool.

Gravenberch, 20, signed from Ajax for around €18m in the summer but hasn’t settled in Germany and could move on.

Liverpool were mooted as a destination by ex-Reds player Jose Enrique on YouTube and The Athletic claims “Gravenberch will be one of many [midfielders] under consideration” with Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham the priority.

08.36 GMT: Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani has been linked with Manchester United and he says he will make a decision on his future in the summer.

Kolo Muani, 24, has 16 goals and 14 assists from 35 games in all competitions and impressed for France at the 2022 World Cup.

Eintracht hold all the cards as he has a contract until 2027 and they want a fee of over €100m, having signed him for free from Nantes in the summer.

But he told L’Equipe: “We talk about it a lot already, but I try to be focused on my club. We continue our performances and we will see this summer. Afterwards, I always dreamed of playing in big clubs.”

08.15 GMT: A consortium led by Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani will make an improved bid on Wednesday to buy Manchester United, sources have told ESPN.

The offer, which follows a 10-hour meeting held with the club last Thursday, will be submitted to Raine Group before the 9 p.m. UK deadline.

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also expected to submit a bid on Friday after similar meetings held at Old Trafford and United’s Carrington’s training base.

Sources have told ESPN that Raine Group expect other bids — not yet made public — to be submitted while parties interested in minority investment rather than a full takeover, including U.S.-based hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, will also make offers.

Sources said that consortiums bidding for control of the club were given priority during the second round of the process, handled by Raine, but that existing owners the Glazer family are keeping their options open.

PAPER TALK (by Rajan Hothi)

– Liverpool are actively working on a deal to bring Borussia Dortmund‘s Jude Bellingham to Anfield, according to Football Insider. The report reveals that despite stiff competition from Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, the Merseyside club are eager to sign the 19-year-old ahead of a midfield transformation in the summer. Whilst recent reports have suggested Liverpool have been put off by Dortmund’s insistence on a club-record fee of €150m, the Reds are still targeting the England international in the next transfer window. With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita expected to depart Anfield at the end of the season, Liverpool are eager to bolster their midfield as they eye a title challenge.

– Arsenal are set to hold contract renewal talks with midfield star Martin Odegaard, reports Ekrem Konur. The Gunners’ captain has registered 10 goals and seven assists this season which has seen the Norway international attract attention from LaLiga and other Premier League sides. The report reveals that Arsenal want to extend Odegaard’s deal until 2028.

– Moussa Dembele is set to leave Lyon on a free transfer with interest emerging from clubs in England, Germany and Italy, as per Florian Plettenberg. The report states that the Bundesliga appeals greatly to the 26-year-old striker. Dembele has only managed three goals this season and has struggled to justify the £20m price tag he commanded when moving from Celtic in 2018.

– Newcastle United are admirers of Wolverhampton Wanderers‘ Ruben Neves and could be tempted into a summer bid for the Portugal midfielder, according to the Telegraph. The report states that coach Eddie Howe & Co. are eager to bolster their midfield in the upcoming transfer window, with Neves a particular interest. However, Liverpool have also been linked with a move for the 26-year-old, who could depart Molineux in the summer if Wolves are relegated from the Premier League.

– Paris Saint-German have identified Bernardo Silva as a priority signing for the summer, with the midfielder keen to leave Manchester City, says Relevo. The report claims that the Portugal international forward is eager to leave England for a new experience, with PSG named as a potential suitor. The French giants have earmarked Silva as a priority, however they face competition from Barcelona — although the Catalan side’s financial troubles make any deal unlikely.