The 2022 January transfer window is open (find out when it closes here), and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Chelsea step up chase for Tchouameni
Chelsea are leading Manchester United in the race to sign Monaco wonderkid Aurelien Tchouameni, according to The Sun.
The 21-year-old is being linked with a €50 million move to west London and is seen by many not only as the long-term replacement for compatriot N’Golo Kante, but also as the potential future fulcrum of the whole Blues midfield.
Tchouameni is also wanted by Barcelona and Man United, though there are reports that the Red Devils have cooled their interest as they look to pursue other targets.
The France international can play in front of the defence, like Kante, but he can also offer more of an attacking threat too. He has continued his fine form from last season into 2022, and he is a regular at the heart of Philippe Clement’s side. However, Monaco run the risk of failing to qualify for European football next season, which could mean he decides to cut his losses and make a move this month to join a club with guaranteed action on Europe’s biggest stage.
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LIVE BLOG
09.40 GMT: Dani Alves says he would like to see Lionel Messi return to Barcelona to end his playing career.
Alves, 38, returned to Barca this month on a free transfer after he left the club in 2016 for Juventus and admits it’s difficult not to see Messi at the club. Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent last summer after Barca were unable to register his new contract due to financial difficulties.
“He is not only the best player in the club, but in history, and it is strange to be here and not have him,” Alves told Catalunya Radio. “But many times things don’t happen as we dream. Have we ever told each other? Where will you be better than here? I think it would be very nice if he also finished his career here. Finishing here could be a great gift for him and for the club to take care of that.”
Alves also spoke about his decision to return to Barca, where he won 23 titles in eight seasons at the club during his first stint.
“Being here again is a gift that I am opening every day,” the veteran right-back said. “I always fight for what I want. I wanted to come back because I hadn’t been able to say goodbye. I was left with the thorn of being able to return for that. Go out with joy and not with doubts, that they see me as a person who loves this club.”
09.13 GMT: Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui remains hopeful his club will sign more reinforcements before the January transfer window closes.
The LaLiga outfit have signed Mexico winger Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona from FC Porto and want to sign a striker and strengthen their defensive line. More so considering that Brazilian defender Diego Carlos has reportedly informed Sevilla of his wish to join Newcastle this month.
“Jesus Corona has arrived and and Oscar Rodriguez has left — on loan to Getafe until the end of the season — and before the January market closes we hope to have a stronger team than when it opened,” Lopetegui said. “There is still a lot of market left, but I am sure that we will have a bigger and better team because we have many demands, needs, difficulties ahead of us. I am convinced that this is going to be the case.”
Regarding the arrival of ‘Tecatito,’ Lopetegui, who coached the Mexico international at FC Porto said: “Jesus has a maturity that will allow him to adapt to the team faster that it would take for other players. He can also play in different positions on the pitch and he will help us a lot.”
08.44 GMT: FC Salzburg are set to resist any January bids for USMNT midfielder Brenden Aaronson, sources have told ESPN’s Tom Hamilton.
Leeds are one of the teams seriously interested in signing Aaronson, according to sources, but the 21-year-old is also being watched by teams in Serie A.
However, with Salzburg through to the Champions League round of 16, and 2022 being a World Cup year, Aaronson is likely to favour staying at the Austrian Bundesliga champions until the summer and then re-evaluate his options.
08.30 GMT: Paris Saint-Germain are growing confident that they can convince Kylian Mbappe to extend his contract at the club, sources have told ESPN’s Julien Laurens.
Mbappe’s existing deal runs out in June, but sources have told ESPN that his family has been in talks with the Ligue 1 leaders over a short-term extension, and the latest meetings have been positive. PSG are more hopeful of the striker signing an extension because Mbappe, 23, is more receptive than ever towards the possibility of staying in the French capital a bit longer.
However, Real Madrid are still confident that they can sign the France international this summer. The LaLiga leaders were close to recruiting him last summer, but sources told ESPN that PSG rejected a €200m offer from Madrid in August.
In December, Mbappe ruled out the possibility of leaving PSG in January, but Madrid president Florentino Perez is convinced he can secure a deal for the striker on a free transfer this summer.
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Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens say Ralf Rangnick has handled Manchester United’s Anthony Martial poorly.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Nick Judd)
– Manchester United are one of several Premier League clubs monitoring Aberdeen wonderkid Calvin Ramsay, according to the Mirror. United are reported to have sent scouts to watch the young star play against Rangers in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Pittodrie. The 18-year-old right-back has been a shining light for Aberdeen this season, providing four assists in 12 appearances from the flank. The other clubs interested in Ramsay’s talents include Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, Southampton and Leeds United.
– Barcelona are looking to fend off interest in Gavi from Liverpool and Manchester City, according to Sport. The Spaniards have begun contract negotiations with the 17-year-old’s representatives later than planned, having been delayed by the arrival of Ferran Torres earlier in the month, but it’s hoped they can convince the talented youngster — Barcelona’s third youngest goal scorer in their history — to agree to an extension and increased release clause.
– Leeds are preparing a second bid for United States forward Brenden Aaronson after FC Salzburg rebuffed their original offer of £15m, reports the Mirror. Salzburg are keen to hold on to the forward who has scored three goals and added seven assists for the reigning Austrian champions. However, Leeds refuse to give up on him and believe the 21-year-old, who has also scored twice for the U.S. national team during World Cup qualifying, has huge potential.
– Lille‘s talented youngster Rocco Ascone is attracting interest from top clubs in both Italy and France, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 18-year-old midfielder has been in and out of Lille’s first team since he was 17 but he believes he might be able to get more game time by leaving the club. Lille aren’t prepared to let him go permanently, though, and if he is to depart in January, expect it to be on loan.
– AC Milan‘s search for a centre-back continues, and Fabrizio Romano says that the Italians are only interested in a loan move. With that in mind, he believes the Rossoneri are targeting Manchester United’s Eric Bailly and Paris Saint-Germain‘s Abdou Diallo, though no fresh contact has been made. Tottenham Hotspur’s Japhet Tanganga is also at the top of their wanted list, but Spurs are said to be unwilling to let the 22-year-old leave before next week.
