/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F37%2Fwelcome-to-sports-mole-transparent-click-area.png "Welcome to Sports Mole")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F20%2F31%2Fsports-mole-favicon-32x32.png "Sports Mole FAVICON"){kind=small}
Triple threat: Chelsea to offer three players for Inter's Martinez?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F47%2Flautaro-martinez.jpg "Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez on November 10, 2024")
Chelsea would supposedly be prepared to offer Inter Milan as many as three players and a significant financial sum to sign Argentinian striker Lautaro Martinez next year.
Enzo Maresca's team have been one of the unexpected success stories of the Premier League season, forcing their way into the title conversation as they sit third in the top-flight standings.
However, Maresca and his players have repeatedly played down the Blues' chances of sealing their first crown since 2017, especially after Boxing Day's 2-1 home loss to Fulham left them seven points behind Liverpool having played a game more.
Nevertheless, Chelsea remain one of the most potent attacking forces in the league, as their tally of 38 goals is only bettered by Liverpool themselves (40) and London rivals Tottenham Hotspur (39).
McKenna's magic man? Ipswich, West Ham 'could open their doors' for CL winner
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F38%2Fkieran-mckenna.jpg "Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna on July 27, 2024")
West Ham United and Ipswich Town are reportedly interested in signing Galatasaray attacker Hakim Ziyech in January.
The 31-year-old made the high-profile switch from Chelsea to the Istanbul club over the summer of 2023 on a loan deal for the 2023-24 campaign.
Ziyech enjoyed a productive first season on the books of the Turkish giants, scoring eight goals across 23 competitive appearances for Okan Buruk's troops before joining permanently as a free agent.
However, the winger has fallen down the pecking order in forward areas for Galatasaray this season, earning just 147 minutes of Turkish Super Lig action.
Walker-Peters replacement? Southampton to 'fight' two clubs for Brazilian
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Fvanderlan.jpg "Vanderlan of Palmeiras on July 1, 2024")
Southampton are reportedly interested in signing Palmeiras defender Vanderlan during the January transfer window.
The Saints are on the lookout for New Year reinforcements as they fight for survival in the Premier League, a task that was made harder by a Boxing Day defeat to West Ham United.
Vanderlan has benefitted from injuries to other members of the Palmeiras backline this season, playing 35 matches across all competitions, including 25 top-flight contests.
The 22-year-old played a major part for the Brazilian giants in Serie A, with his side finishing second behind champions Botafogo, who also lifted the Copa Libertadores.
'Get rid at all costs' - Leicester eyeing January move for unwanted defender?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Fchancel-mbemba.jpg "Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba on May 9, 2024")
Leicester City are reportedly interested in signing Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba.
The 30-year-old was a key part of the plans for the South-coast club during the 2023-24 term, featuring in 40 contests across all competitions.
However, Mbemba has been frozen out of the current first-team scene at Marseille, failing to play a part in a competitive match for his side this season.
Regular watchers of the Premier League will remember the centre-back from his playing days at Newcastle United, for whom he was a fringe member of the squad during the club's Mike Ashley era.
Agent Ruud: Leicester eyeing ambitious moves for Man United stars?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fruud-van-nistelrooy_1.jpg "Manchester United interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy on November 10, 2024")
Leicester City are reportedly prepared to use their links to Manchester United during the January transfer window.
The Foxes are back in the Premier League at the first time of asking following promotion from the Championship as league winners during the 2023-24 term.
However, the East Midlands outfit have seen their fortunes plummet in recent times, struggling to keep pace at the top table of English football.
After a 3-1 defeat to pacesetters Liverpool on Boxing Day, the Foxes are currently occupying 18th spot in the Premier League standings, one point behind Wolverhampton Wanderers in the relative comfort of 17th.
Statement of intent: Barcelona 'win race' for in-demand centre-back
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Fdeco.jpg "Barcelona sporting director Deco on May 19, 2024")
Barcelona have reportedly won the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah on a free transfer, with the Germany international set to make the move to the Catalan outfit at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Bayern Munich were heavily linked with Tah during the recent transfer window, but the 28-year-old remained with Leverkusen, and he has made 25 appearances at club level this term, scoring twice in the process.
Tah will not be signing a new contract with Xabi Alonso's side and is set to leave next year, with a number of clubs believed to be interested in the German.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have won the race for the defender, with Tah deciding to join Hansi Flick's side on a free transfer despite having a host of other offers on the table.
'The perfect fit' - Real Madrid 'interested' in Tottenham star but 'his price is too high'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Ftotful.jpg "Tottenham Hotspur players Son Heung-min, Richarlison, Micky van de Ven and Dejan Kulusevski on October 23, 2023")
Real Madrid are reportedly huge admirers of Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven but would not be prepared to pay the North London club's valuation of the centre-back.
The 23-year-old made the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the summer of 2023, and he has made 40 appearances for Spurs in all competitions, scoring three goals and registering two assists in the process.
Injuries have restricted the Netherlands international to just 11 appearances this term, though, with the defender struggling to overcome a hamstring problem.
Van de Ven has only played once in the Premier League since the end of October, returning against Chelsea earlier this month, but he was unable to complete that contest and has been sidelined since.
Man United 'make Zirkzee decision' amid Juventus, Napoli 'interest'
/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 have reportedly agreed to let Joshua Zirkzee leave the club on loan in January, with Juventus and Napoli both believed to be keen to secure his signature.
The Netherlands international arrived at Old Trafford over the summer off the back of scoring 12 times in 37 appearances for Bologna during the 2023-24 campaign, including 11 Serie A goals in 34 outings.
However, the 23-year-old has found it difficult to make his mark this term, scoring just four times in 26 appearances, with three of those goals coming in 18 Premier League outings.
There has been a host of talk surrounding his future in recent weeks, with a number of clubs from Italy's top flight believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation with the 20-time English champions.
Conte 'sets his sights' on Man United star ahead of potential January move
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F34%2Fantonio-conte.jpg "Napoli head coach Antonio Conte on August 18, 2024")
Napoli are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United defender Luke Shaw during the January transfer window.
Shaw has only made three appearances for the Red Devils this season due to injury problems, with the England international missing the start of the campaign with a calf issue, while he is currently sidelined with a muscular problem.
The 29-year-old is not due to return to the field for another few weeks, but Man United head coach Ruben Amorim insisted after the left-back's recent setback that he still has full faith in the ex-Southampton youngster.
Amorim told Amazon Prime Video earlier this month: "What I said to him, as a coach is, that since I am here, I saw him in the medical department. I saw him in the gym. I saw him losing weight. I saw him training.
Ramos in the Premier League? Six defenders Spurs could sign to solve injury crisis
/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")
When Tottenham Hotspur take to the field against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon, the combined age of their two centre-backs may be younger than all of Lukasz Fabianski, Ashley Young and James Milner, the three oldest players to feature in this season's Premier League.
With Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies all working their way back from injuries, Radu Dragusin and emergency defender Archie Gray have been assured of weekly Premier League starts, but the former sustained an ankle problem in the 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.
Head coach Ange Postecoglou was non-committal when asked if Dragusin would be available for Spurs' final Premier League game of 2024, where the Lilywhites would have no fit senior centre-backs available if the Romanian fails a fitness test.
In that scenario, Postecoglou could drop Yves Bissouma into a deeper role alongside the 18-year-old Gray - who has held his own in that position - or take a punt on the latter's fellow teenager Alfie Dorrington, who made his debut against Southampton a couple of weeks ago.
Chelsea facing January decision over loan defender amid PL interest?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Falfie-gilchrist.jpg "Sheffield United defender Alfie Gilchrist in November 2024.")
Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist is allegedly attracting interest ahead of the January transfer window.
Having made his breakthrough with the Blues last season, the versatile academy graduate was loaned out to Sheffield United in the summer.
The 21-year-old has received the desired regular football at Bramall Lane, making a total of 20 starts and two substitute appearances in the Championship.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who was commenting on X, it has led to admirers emerging elsewhere.
Liverpool tempted by 'affordable release clause' for Inter star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F38%2Fmarcus-thuram.jpg "Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram celebrates scoring on August 30, 2024")
Liverpool are reportedly giving more thought to making a fresh move for Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram.
The Merseyside giants are currently enjoying an outstanding campaign in Arne Slot's first season in charge, sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
A total of 40 goals have been scored from 17 matches, the latest batch of strikes coming in the 3-1 victory over Leicester City on Boxing Day.
However, with the future of Mohamed Salah still up in the air, consideration needs to be given regarding potential replacements.
Man United to sign Onana alternative in January?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Fandre-onana.jpg "Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana in December 2024.")
Manchester United are allegedly open to signing an alternative to goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The 28-year-old has been a mainstay between the sticks for United since arriving from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023.
However, just 20 clean sheets have been kept from his 76 appearances in all competitions, accompanied by a number of high-profile mistakes.
On Boxing Day, and for the second time in the space of a week, United conceded directly from a corner kick during their 2-0 reverse to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Chelsea 'plotting Delap move' after Maresca heaps praise on Ipswich forward
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F33%2Fliam-delap.jpg "Ipswich Town's Liam Delap on July 27, 2024")
Chelsea are reportedly planning to make an approach for Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap during a future transfer window.
Since making a £15m move from Manchester City to Portman Road during the summer, Delap has proven to be a vital cog in the frontline of Kieran McKenna.
A total of six goals have come from his 17 Premier League appearances, with the 21-year-old putting himself on the radar of several top clubs in England's top flight.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea have since added Delap to a shortlist of five to 10 strikers ahead of 2025.
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