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Could Chelsea sell 43-minute man to PL rival in January?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fkiernan-dewsbury-hall.jpg "Chelsea's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall pictured on November 7, 2024")
Chelsea have reportedly made a decision on whether they are willing to sell Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Aston Villa in January.
The former Leicester City man has only been a bit-part player under Enzo Maresca, who has settled on Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer as his preferred central trio.
Dewsbury-Hall has made 10 appearances for the Blues this term - scoring once in a 4-2 Conference League win over Gent - but he has often been overlooked for Premier League minutes.
In fact, the midfielder has been left out of the squad entirely for five of Chelsea's last six Premier League games, last appearing in the top flight in September's win over West Ham United.
Stealing from the Seagulls: Brighton 'motivated' to sell injury-hit star to Spurs?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Ftareva.jpg "Brighton & Hove Albion's Tariq Lamptey and Evan Ferguson pictured on February 11, 2023")
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly showing interest in signing Brighton & Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey in the January transfer window.
The Lilywhites have often been left short in defence this season due to injuries, with Cristian Romero the latest to suffer a scare on international duty with Argentina this week.
Ange Postecoglou is also missing Micky van de Ven due to his latest hamstring concern, while Djed Spence has spent a few weeks out with a groin problem over the autumn months.
A lack of central cover barring Radu Dragusin could force Postecoglou into deploying Ben Davies or Archie Gray in the heart of defence in an emergency, which would then leave Spurs short in the full-back areas.
Linking up with Messi? Back to the Prem? Pogba's options as Juventus exit confirmed
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F41%2Fpaul-pogba_1.jpg "Pogba Provisionally Suspended For Anti-Doping Offence on October 5, 2024")
Juventus have confirmed that Paul Pogba's contract has been terminated by mutual consent following the reduction of his doping suspension.
The former Manchester United man was initially banned for four years after tests in late 2023 returned abnormal levels of testosterone, a suspension that could have easily ended his playing career.
However, Pogba was successful with an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who slashed his ban to 18 months in October - backdated from when his original punishment began in September 2023 - as the supplement responsible for the non-endogenous testosterone levels had little effect on males.
The 2018 World Cup winner will therefore be free to return to competitive action in March and is allowed to train again from January onwards, but a Juventus comeback was never thought to be on the cards.
Lyon provisionally relegated! Which Gones stars could move to the Premier League?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Frayan-cherki.jpg "Lyon's Rayan Cherki pictured on November 10, 2024")
Twenty odd years ago, Lyon were the unwavering, dominant force of Ligue 1 football, winning seven straight titles from 2002 to 2008 under the watchful eye of Jean-Michel Aulas.
However, having lost their status as France's top dogs while being plunged into financial oblivion - reportedly saddled with debts of over €500m (£417.8m) - France's Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion (DNCG) has announced an astonishing provisional demotion to Ligue 2 for Les Gones.
Should Lyon - who currently lie in a respectable fifth place in the Ligue 1 table - not drastically improve their economic situation in the coming months, Pierre Sage's side will unbelievably be competing in the second tier for the 2025-26 season.
A transfer ban has rubbed salt into the wounds for Les Gones, but the club can still sell some of their prized assets to balance the books, and a January firesale is now inevitable as the club desperately try to retain their top-tier status.
Arsenal, Liverpool 'learn financial demands' for PL attacker
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fwest-ham-united.jpg "West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen on October 5, 2024")
Arsenal and Liverpool have reportedly been informed that they will need to meet Mohammed Kudus's £85m release clause if they want to sign the West Ham United attacker.
The Gunners were previously linked with Kudus in the summer after the Ghanian impressed during his first season at the London Stadium.
Kudus made 45 competitive appearances for West Ham in the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists.
The 24-year-old has been unable to reach those same heights in the first three months of the current season, having registered two goals and one assist in 10 matches in all competitions.
Walker replacement? Man City 'to rival' two PL clubs for La Liga star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fomar-el-hilali.jpg "Espanyol's Omar El Hilali on October 19, 2024")
Manchester City are reportedly prepared to rival two Premier League clubs for Espanyol full-back Omar El Hilali.
Hugo Viana will be tasked with strengthening the Man City squad when he replaces Txiki Begiristain as the club's director of football in the summer of 2025.
Viana, who will leave Sporting Lisbon for Man City, will hope to get the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, who is seemingly poised to extend his contract until 2026.
If Guardiola does sign a new deal, he and Viana will likely look at bolstering a number of areas of the squad, including the right side of defence.
Audacious Arsenal swap deal in tatters due to 29-year-old contract talks?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F43%2Farsjes.jpg "Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard pictured on July 27, 2024")
Arsenal are reportedly working to tie experienced attacker Leandro Trossard down to a new contract in North London.
The 29-year-old was believed to have been the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League late in the summer transfer window, but Arsenal rejected a £29m offer from Al-Ittihad due to his importance to Mikel Arteta's system.
Trossard joined the Gunners midway through the 2022-23 season from Brighton & Hove Albion after Arsenal lost out to Chelsea in the race for Mykhaylo Mudryk, paying £20.1m to bring him to North London.
The Belgium international hit the ground running under Arteta and has had a direct hand in 33 goals in 83 matches in red and white, 20 of his own and 13 assists across all competitions.
Record-breaking Brazilian wonderkid 'could join Man United in January'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Florren.jpg "Flamengo attacker Lorran on June 20, 2024")
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly pushing for the Red Devils to sign Flamengo youngster Lorran during the January transfer window.
The 18-year-old has scored twice and registered three assists in 31 appearances for Flamengo, and it is understood that he is on the radar of a number of major European clubs.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester City are all believed to be tracking the teenager, but according to journalist Ekrem Konur, he is also a leading target for Man United.
Konur claims that Amorim is desperate for the Red Devils to sign the Brazilian in January, and there is hope that Flamengo will let him depart for less than his release clause in the winter market.
Kuhn replacement found? Celtic handed £8.5m January transfer boost
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fnicolas-kuhn.jpg "Celtic's Nicolas Kuhn celebrates scoring on November 5, 2024")
Celtic have been handed a boost in their pursuit of long-term target Mathias Kvistgaarden amidst uncertainty over the future of Nicolas Kuhn.
One of the Hoops' standout performers this season has been German winger Kuhn, who has already scored 10 goals and registered 11 assists in 17 appearances for Brendan Rodgers's side in all competitions.
Kuhn scored twice in Celtic's impressive 3-1 comeback victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League, shortly before scoring and assisting in the Hoops' 2-0 win against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership last weekend.
The 24-year-old's strong start to the campaign has subsequently caught the eye of several European clubs, with Sky Deutschland reporter Florian Plettenberg claiming that Premier League duo Fulham and Brentford have made enquiries for the winger and continue to monitor his situation.
Man City, Liverpool, Spurs 'learn asking price' for in-demand midfielder
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Ftijjani-reijnders.jpg "AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders celebrates after scoring on November 5, 2024")
Premier League trio Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have all seemingly discovered the asking price of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
After six years at AZ Alkmaar, Reijnders joined Milan in the summer of 2023 for around £17m and he has since established himself as a first-team regular for the Rossoneri.
The 26-year-old all-action midfielder chipped in with four goals and four assists in 50 appearances for Milan across all competitions last season, helping the Italian giants finish second in Serie A.
Reijnders has since made a bright start to the new campaign and has already recorded four goals and three assists in 14 matches, including three goals across two Champions League wins over Club Brugge and Real Madrid.
"You never know" - Ibrahimovic talks-up Milan move for Man United centre-back
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fharry-maguire-victor-lindelof.jpg "Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof on August 6, 2023")
AC Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic has suggested that it is possible Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof could make the move to the Italian giants next year.
Lindelof only has a contract with Man United until next June, and it is highly unlikely that he will be offered an extension, with the Sweden international therefore set to depart on a free transfer.
The centre-back was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford over the summer, but a toe injury which he picked up on the club's pre-season tour of the United States ended his chances of securing an exit.
Lindelof has made seven appearances for Man United this season, although he has only played 58 minutes of Premier League football, featuring off the bench against Aston Villa, Brentford, West Ham United and Chelsea.
Zubimendi sends clear message to Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool amid transfer rumours
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fmartin-zubimendi.jpg "Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi celebrates after scoring on August 18, 2024")
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has provided a fresh update on his future ahead of the January transfer window amid reported interest from clubs in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best deep-lying midfielders in La Liga and has spent his entire career with Real Sociedad, where he has made a total of 204 appearances in all competitions.
Zubimendi played in 31 La Liga matches for Imanol Alguacil's side as they finished sixth in the Spanish top flight last season, while he also made four appearances in Spain's triumphant Euro 2024 campaign.
The midfielder, who has since played in all 13 La Liga games for the San Sebastian-based club this term, was strongly linked with a big-money transfer to Liverpool in the summer at a time when Reds head coach Arne Slot was targeting the addition of a new defensive midfielder.
Does talented teenager Roque have a future at Barcelona?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F30%2Fvitor-roque.jpg "Barcelona's Vitor Roque in action on May 19, 2024")
Barcelona sporting director Deco has refused to reveal whether Vitor Roque is in the club's long-term plans.
The 19-year-old moved to Camp Nou from Athletico Paranaense in January 2024, and the forward made 16 appearances for Barcelona in the second half of the 2023-24 campaign, scoring two goals in the process.
There was criticism of his overall performance level, though, and he was allowed to join Real Betis on loan during the summer transfer window, with the Seville outfit beating a number of clubs to his signature.
Roque has made a strong start to his Real Betis career, scoring five times in 14 appearances, including three goals in 10 La Liga outings.
Is Havertz still Arsenal's best option? Three "standout" striker targets assessed
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fgyokeres-mikel-arteta.jpg "Critics have suggested Arsenal still need to buy a world class striker on November 12, 2024")
Arsenal do not need to go all out to sign a new first-choice striker in the summer transfer window, but Mikel Arteta is in need of another option in the centre-forward role.
That is the view of Arsenal expert and esteemed journalist Charles Watts, who spoke exclusively to Sports Mole about the Gunners' attacking situation and expressed his belief that Arteta is in need of a better alternative to Kai Havertz than Gabriel Jesus, who has failed to hit his previous heights since a knee injury at the 2022 World Cup.
"I think they definitely need another striker," Watts said. "I don't necessarily think for certain that they need a new starting striker. I just think they need a better option than they've got at the moment because Gabriel Jesus, since his injury at the World Cup, he's just not the same player that changed Arsenal's world before that.
"He came in and made such a huge impact, but we've just not seen that Gabriel Jesus for a long, long time now. So they need another option to play. I think Kai Havertz is fantastic and what he did in the second half last season was superb after making that move to being a central striker. I think he started this season really well.
"An honour" - Ex-Atletico defender opens door to Real Madrid switch
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F37%2Fcarlo-ancelotti.jpg "Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti pictured on August 25, 2024")
Former Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso has refused to close the door on a switch to Real Madrid.
The 29-year-old was unable to come to an agreement with Atletico regarding a new contract and left on a free transfer when his deal expired at the end of June.
Hermoso was linked with a number of clubs, including Manchester United, before it was confirmed that Roma had agreed to sign him on a three-year contract.
The Spaniard has made nine appearances for Roma this season, including six outings in Serie A, but he has missed their last three matches in Italy's top flight due to a mixture of suspension and injury.
'Would be delighted to join' - Barcelona planning move for two Serie A wingers
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fhansi-flick.jpg "Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick on November 10, 2024")
Barcelona are reportedly interested in the signing of two wingers from Serie A in January.
The Catalan club have enjoyed a productive start to the 2024-25 campaign, winning 11 and losing just two of their opening 13 matches in La Liga.
As a result, Barca are currently occupying top spot in the La Liga standings, already six points ahead of arch rivals and European champions Real Madrid.
Speaking of the continental scene, Hansi Flick's troops have also made a promising start to their Champions League adventure, winning three of their opening four matches.
Ancelotti's son 'pushing really hard' to sign PL defender for Real Madrid
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Fcarlo-ancelotti.jpg "Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti on October 5, 2024")
Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Everton midfielder Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 22-year-old was selected for England's November internationals and could have featured in the 3-0 success over Greece in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday night.
However, after training individually at the Three Lions' base earlier this week, Branthwaite did not travel to Athens with the rest of his compatriots.
The centre-back has now returned to club side Everton as he continues to recover from a knock sustained during the goalless draw with West Ham United last weekend.
Final orders: Amorim tells Man United midfielder to 'move on' in January
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F44%2Fruben-amorim_5.jpg "Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim before the match on November 1, 2024")
Manchester United are reportedly prepared to offload Casemiro during the January transfer window.
The 32-year-old has been a regular fixture for the Red Devils so far this season, with the 20-time English champions sitting 13th in the Premier League standings.
Casemiro has featured on 10 occasions in the top flight for Man United this term, starting seven of those matches and finding the net in the defeat to West Ham United.
The former Real Madrid man has also played a prominent role in the Red Devils reaching the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup, bagging a brace in the 5-2 smashing of Leicester City on October 30.
Chelsea join Liverpool in race for 'Serbian Messi'?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fandrija-maksimovic.jpg "Red Star Belgrade midfielder Andrija Maksimovic in October 2024.")
Chelsea have allegedly identified Red Star Belgrade prospect Andrija Maksimovic as a potential transfer target.
Ever since the Blues were taken over by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, there has been a clear focus on acquiring some of world football's best young talent.
Such has been the emphasis on attracting that profile of player to Stamford Bridge in the long term is highlighted by the €57m deal that was struck for Palmeiras teenager Estevao Willian earlier in the year.
Estevao - as well as Kendry Paez - will link up with Chelsea next summer, further reducing the average age of what is a squad that is already the youngest in the Premier League.
Chelsea's Mudryk offered surprise Premier League escape route?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fmykhaylo-mudryk.jpg "Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk in November 2024.")
Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk may reportedly be handed an opportunity to join another Premier League club in January.
The Ukraine international is close to completing two years at Stamford Bridge after his transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk that could eventually cost the Blues a fee of £89m.
Although Mudryk has not come close to justify that price-tag, he has contributed nine goals and nine assists from his 72 appearances in all competitions.
However, the 23-year-old has been provided with just 146 minutes in the Premier League this season, with that game time spread across seven outings.
From Molineux to Camp Nou? Barca 'interested in Wolves defender'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fhugo-bueno.jpg "Hugo Bueno in action for Feyenoord on November 06, 2024")
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Hugo Bueno is reportedly on Barcelona's radar, with the Catalan giants determined to sign a new left-back during next summer's transfer window.
Bueno, 22, is currently on loan from Wolves at Feyenoord, and he has been a vital player for the Dutch outfit during the 2024-25 campaign, making 10 appearances in all competitions, providing three assists in the process.
The Spaniard made the move to Wolves in 2019, progressing through the academy system at Molineux before making his first-team debut in 2022, and he has represented his parent club on 49 occasions, scoring once and providing one assist.
According to SPORT, Barcelona want to sign a back-up for Alejandro Balde next year, and the club have identified Bueno as the ideal acquisition, considering that he is likely to be available for an affordable fee.
Could Ramos secure sensational return to Real Madrid?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fsergio-ramos.jpg "Sergio Ramos in action for Sevilla on February 27, 2024")
Real Madrid have reportedly rejected the chance to re-sign Sergio Ramos on a free transfer.
The 38-year-old famously turned out for Los Blancos between 2005 and 2021, making 671 appearances for the capital giants, scoring 101 goals and registering 40 assists in the process.
Ramos won five La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies and four Champions Leagues during his time at Bernabeu, and he has since represented Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla following his exit from the capital giants in 2021.
The Spaniard is currently a free agent, and there has been speculation surrounding a possible return to Real Madrid, with the La Liga champions losing Eder Militao for the remainder of the campaign due to a serious knee injury.
Prem battle: Man United, Liverpool 'in competition' for in-form left-back
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F44%2Fruben-amorim_2.jpg "Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon, October 2024")
Former Manchester United scout Mick Brown has claimed that the Red Devils "are tracking" Fulham's Antonee Robinson, while Liverpool are also said to be in the mix for the left-back's signature.
Robinson made the move to Fulham from Wigan Athletic in 2020, and he has been a star performer for the London club, making 162 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and registering 15 assists in the process.
The 27-year-old has three assists in 11 Premier League appearances this season, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding a possible move away from Craven Cottage next year.
Fulham are in a strong position when it comes to the defender's future, though, as he signed a new contract in July 2023, with his terms due to run until the end of the 2027-28 campaign.
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