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"I hope so": Sporting star drops hint about potential Man City move
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fmaximiliano-araujo.jpg "Sporting Lisbon's Maximiliano Araujo on November 5, 2024")
Sporting Lisbon wing-back Maximiliano Araujo has hinted that he hopes to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the near future.
Araujo was part of the Sporting side that comprehensively beat Guardiola's Man City side 4-1 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the Champions League last week.
The 24-year-old scored the goal that put Sporting ahead early in the second half, in what was Ruben Amorim's penultimate game in charge, before now moving to City's rivals Manchester United.
Araujo has only been at the club for just over two months, after being a late signing in the summer transfer window, joining from Toluca in a deal worth €13.6m (£11.25m).
The next generation: Man United 'eyeing moves' for Premier League defensive duo
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fruben-amorim.jpg "New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim pictured in November 2024")
Manchester United could reportedly move for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez during next summer's transfer window.
Branthwaite was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford during the recent transfer window, but the Englishman was ultimately priced out of a switch to Old Trafford, with Everton wanting as much as £75m for his services.
Man United instead signed Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt to boost their centre-back options, but it is highly likely that there will be another addition in that area of the field during next summer's market.
Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans may all depart in 2025, which would open up space in the squad for another centre-back, and according to FootballTransfers, Man United still have a long-standing interest in Branthwaite.
Real Madrid 'identify' two top defensive targets for 2025
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Faymeric-laporte_1.jpg "Spain's Aymeric Laporte celebrates scoring on October 15, 2024")
Real Madrid have reportedly identified Al-Nassr centre-back Aymeric Laporte and Tottenham Hotspur right-back Pedro Porro as two of their top defensive targets for 2025.
Los Blancos are currently dealing with an injury crisis in their backline, with Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao set to miss the rest of the season.
Carvajal sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the closing stages of last month's 2-0 win over Villarreal.
Carlo Ancelotti was dealt another major blow when Militao sustained the same injury as Carvajal in Saturday's 4-0 victory against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Liverpool among PL clubs 'scouting' Swedish defender
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fdaniel-svensson.jpg "Sweden's Daniel Svensson meets the media on November 12, 2024")
Liverpool are reportedly among three Premier League clubs interested in FC Nordsjaelland full-back Daniel Svensson.
Reds boss Arne Slot can currently call upon Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas as the two main options for the left side of his defence.
Robertson has been Liverpool's first-choice left-back for a number of years, but some of his recent performances have drawn criticism from some quarters.
As a result, Robertson has seen his place come under threat from Tsimikas, who has started two of Liverpool's last three matches in all competitions.
"There's always that link": Welbeck comments on Man United return speculation
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F44%2Fdanny-welbeck.jpg "Brighton & Hove Albion's Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring on October 6, 2024")
Brighton & Hove Albion forward Danny Welbeck has claimed that speculation regarding a potential return to Manchester United is "irrelevant".
Despite being at the age of 33, Welbeck is currently enjoying one of his best campaigns as a Premier League player.
A total of six goals and two assists have been contributed from 11 appearances in the top flight, having a direct effect in the final third in as many as seven games.
Welbeck has already equalled his best return in terms of goals for more than a decade, with his nine strikes in 2013-14 representing his best effort.
Premier League giants lining up spectacular move for Man City winger Grealish?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F36%2Fjack-grealish.jpg "Manchester City's Jack Grealish pictured on August 24, 2024")
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified Manchester City winger Jack Grealish as a potential January transfer target.
While positives can be taken from some of the aspects of Spurs' play under Ange Postecoglou, they are ultimately under-performing.
A total of five defeats have been posted in 11 Premier League fixtures during 2024-25, leaving them down in 10th position in the table.
Reports are suggesting that acquiring at least one new centre-back will be the priority once the market reopens at the turn of the year.
Chelsea to face competition from PL rivals for Benfica star?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F35%2Ftomas-araujo.jpg "Benfica's Tomas Araujo celebrates after scoring on April 14, 2024")
Manchester United are reportedly interested in joining the race to sign a Benfica defender in 2025.
The Red Devils actively pursued a number of defenders during the summer transfer window and ultimately added three senior names to their ranks in that area of the pitch.
Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt were all brought to the club, yet United have since taken a change in direction with the appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach.
Amorim has already heavily suggested that he has plans to adopt a three-man backline at Old Trafford having enjoyed success using the system at Sporting Lisbon.
Zirkzee, Hojlund beware! Man United 'given boost' in pursuit of 'unsettled' forward
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fjoshua-zirkzee-rasmus-hojlund.jpg "Manchester United strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund on November 7, 2024")
Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is reportedly open to the idea of making the move to Manchester United in January.
The 26-year-old was restricted to just 14 appearances for the Blues during the 2023-24 campaign due to injuries, but he has scored 10 goals and registered one assist in 17 outings in all competitions this term.
Despite his impressive goal record, Nkunku is not currently a part of Enzo Maresca's first-choice XI in the Premier League, with Nicolas Jackson the starting striker for the London club.
Nkunku has only managed one goal in 10 Premier League appearances this term, while he has not started in England's top flight since the opening weekend of the season against Manchester City.
One in, one out? Amorim 'makes Zirkzee decision' ahead of January window
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F43%2Fjoshua-zirkzee.jpg "Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee in action on September 29, 2024")
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly willing to let Joshua Zirkzee leave the Red Devils on loan during the January transfer window.
Zirkzee, 23, made the move to Old Trafford from Bologna over the summer, and he netted on his debut for Man United against Fulham in the Premier League, with his goal securing all three points.
The Netherlands international has since gone 16 matches without scoring, though, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding his future in recent weeks due to his struggles since arriving in Manchester.
According to Tuttosport, Man United are giving serious consideration to allowing Zirkzee to leave on loan in January, with the club believing that a short period away from Old Trafford would be beneficial.
Lewandowski replacement: Barcelona 'considering move' for in-demand striker
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F39%2Frobert-lewandowski_2.jpg "Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates on September 25, 2024")
Porto forward Samu Omorodion is reportedly firmly on Barcelona's radar, with the Catalan giants keen to sign a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski during next summer's transfer window.
Lewandowski has been in outstanding form for Barcelona this season, scoring 19 goals and registering two assists in 17 appearances in all competitions, including five goals in four Champions League outings.
The 36-year-old has a contract at Camp Nou until June 2026, with the option of a further 12 months, and due to his form this season, it is highly likely that he will spend at least one more campaign with Hansi Flick's side.
However, according to El Nacional, the Poland international 'has not ruled anything out' at this stage and will consider a move away from Barcelona next summer if the right opportunity arrives.
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