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Can United compete in the transfer market? Real 'shortlist' Amorim target
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Fruben-amorim.jpg "Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim pictured on December 26, 2024")
Manchester United have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba, with Real Madrid set to enter the race for his signature.
The Red Devils managed to come back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon, but the draw highlighted the weaknesses within the squad despite their fightback.
Ruben Amorim's side are currently 15th in the Premier League table with just 30 points after 23 matchweeks, and the Portuguese boss has struggled to implement his playing style.
United's only signing in the January transfer window was wing-back Patrick Dorgu, but it would be surprising if the defender made a transformative impact on the XI.
Star 'alerted' to Real interest as Reds face prospect of losing duo in summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F01%2Farne-slot.jpg "Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured on January 5, 2025")
Real Madrid have reportedly decided to target both Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool emerged as 2-0 victors against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon at the Etihad, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai enough to comfortably see past Pep Guardiola's side.
The win put Arne Slot's team 11 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, and with just 11 Premier League games remaining for the Reds, it would be a remarkable twist if they were to lose the title to the Gunners.
However, with Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold all out of contract at the end of the season, fans are worried that they could be seeing the last of the trio in Liverpool shirts.
Record-breaker: West Ham, Leicester submit offers for Champions League hero?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fchemsdine-talbi.jpg "Club Brugge attacker Chemsdine Talbi on February 18, 2025")
West Ham United and Leicester City are reportedly interested in signing Club Brugge attacker Chemsdine Talbi.
The Foxes are in desperate need of inspiration from within their current crop of players after losing 4-0 at home to Brentford in the Premier League on Friday night.
Leicester have now lost six straight matches at home in the top flight without scoring a goal, setting an unwanted English football record in the process.
After a title-winning campaign in the Championship last term, it appears that Ruud van Nistelrooy's side will be returning to that level next season.
Needs must: Man United, Chelsea receive double boost in Delap hunt?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F01%2Fliam-delap.jpg "Ipswich Town's Liam Delap on January 5, 2025")
Manchester United and Chelsea have reportedly received a double boost in the chase for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
The 22-year-old is currently navigating his first campaign in the top flight of English football following a loan spell at Hull City in the Championship during 2023-24.
Delap and Ipswich were unable to strengthen their survival chances on Saturday afternoon, when the Tractor Boys lost 4-1 at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite an average display against the Lilywhites, the striker has enjoyed a productive season to date, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists from 25 top-flight battles.
Villarreal in England? Liverpool 'fall enamoured' by possible Nunez replacement
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F05%2Fliverpool.jpg "Darwin Nunez of Liverpool on January 31, 2025")
Liverpool reportedly intend to make an approach for Colombian starlet Neyser Villarreal as they prepare for the likely exit of Darwin Nunez this summer.
The Reds agreed to make Nunez possibly their record signing of all time in 2022, forking out an initial £64m to Benfica potentially rising to a staggering £85m through performance-related add-ons.
However, the Uruguay international has blown hot and cold during his time at Anfield and has failed to play his way into Arne Slot's good books, being openly criticised by his manager earlier this week.
Nunez added to his collection of horror misses in the Reds' 2-2 Premier League draw with Aston Villa, after which Slot slammed the South American for his lack of effort, and he was unsurprisingly omitted from the starting lineup for Sunday's clash with Manchester City.
Osimhen's options: Which three clubs are 'prepared' to pay striker's release clause?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Fvictor-osimhen.jpg "Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring on September 28, 2024")
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly among three clubs prepared to fork out the €75m (£62.1m) release clause in the contract of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer.
The Nigeria international was strongly linked with a Premier League switch last summer following the breakdown of his relationship with the Napoli hierarchy, as well as new head coach Antonio Conte.
The Partenopei boss froze Osimhen out of his squad as he secured a reunion with Romelu Lukaku, leaving the ex-Lille man at risk of no football for half a season without a transfer elsewhere.
Osimhen eventually found himself at the heart of a spectacular deadline-day transfer saga in the summer, where he appeared to be bound for Al-Ahli before the Saudi giants also agreed a fee with Brentford for Ivan Toney.
Forest 'among Premier League clubs' chasing Brazilian winger
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F48%2Fluis-henrique.jpeg "Marseille forward Luis Henrique celebrates a goal on November 23, 2024")
Nottingham Forest have reportedly identified a Brazilian winger as a potential summer transfer target.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side remain one of the surprise packages of European football albeit going off the boil in recent weeks.
Despite Sunday's 4-3 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon being their third in four games, Forest remain in third position in the Premier League table.
Club officials will be formulating several different transfer plans, dependent on whether Forest achieve Champions League qualification, European football in other competition or miss out altogether.
First Vinicius, who next? Real Madrid midfielder 'on radar' of Saudi giants
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fdanfed.jpg "Real Madrid's Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde pictured on November 24, 2024")
Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos is the latest Blancos player to attract interest from the Saudi Pro League, according to a report.
Carlo Ancelotti's European champions have seen star winger Vinicius Junior repeatedly linked with a switch to the Middle East, whose financial powerhouses could try to tempt him away from Madrid with a mammoth financial package.
A recent report claimed that the Brazil international could be in line for an astronomical £830m five-year contract in Saudi Arabia, although the player himself is keen to remain at the Bernabeu.
While Vinicius is one of Real Madrid's 'Galacticos' and is one of the first names on the teamsheet when fully fit, the same cannot be said of Ceballos, whose time in the Spanish capital may be nearing an end.
North London transfer derby: Arsenal, Spurs 'to make offers' for 20-year-old phenom
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Fbreno-bidon.jpeg "Corinthians midfielder Breno Bidon on January 25, 2024")
Corinthians wonderkid Breno Bidon will reportedly be the subject of offers from both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the upcoming transfer window.
Back in December, it was claimed that the Gunners were one of the first teams to show a serious interest in the 20-year-old, who had a €100m (£82.8m) release clause in his previous contract.
Bidon has since penned a new deal until the summer of 2029, although it is unclear whether his renewal also includes a release clause and if so how much that option would be worth.
Following apparent checks from Arsenal and Fulham, Real Madrid and Barcelona were also rumoured to have joined the chase over the winter as Bidon's stock grew further.
Deja vu for Man City as reported target to sign new deal 'in coming days'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fkimsan.jpg "Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane and Joshua Kimmich pictured on January 15, 2025")
Joshua Kimmich has reportedly entered advanced talks with Bayern Munich over a new contract as he prepares to snub the advances of Manchester United and Manchester City.
The long-serving Reds right-back is currently free to speak to foreign teams, having entered the last six months of his existing deal at the Allianz Arena during the January transfer window.
Man United and Manchester City are believed to have shown the strongest interest in the Germany international, although club chiefs have repeatedly reaffirmed their confidence that a positive contract solution would be reached.
Now, journalist Florian Plettenberg claims that talks between Kimmich and Bayern have now reached an advanced stage, and there is an expectation that his renewal will be sealed imminently.
Man United 'making moves' as out-of-contract duo are 'wanted by Amorim'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F48%2Fruben-amorim_1.jpg "Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim on November 28, 2024")
Manchester United are reportedly keen to sign Lille duo Jonathan David and Angel Gomes on free transfers this summer.
Both players are out of contract at the end of June, and David has confirmed that he will be leaving the French side in search of pastures new, with the Canada international seeking a fresh challenge at a crucial stage of his career.
"Yes, I will be free at the end of the season. And as for my future, I hope to grow, to become a better player, and to play for the biggest clubs in the world, if I can," David recently told Onze Mondial.
"But first of all, I just want to have fun, never forget that football is fun. I started playing football because I had fun. And even though it has now become my job, you have to remember that I wake up every morning for football, for the pleasure of playing.
Chelsea 'lining up summer move' for Arsenal-linked Barca forward
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fraphinha-ferran-torres.jpg "Barcelona duo Raphinha and Ferran Torres on January 26, 2025")
Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona forward Ferran Torres during this summer's transfer window.
The 24-year-old has been in strong form for Barcelona during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 11 goals and registering three assists in 27 appearances in all competitions, including five goals and two assists in 18 La Liga outings.
Torres's route into the first XI is blocked by Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, though, so he will continue to find it difficult to break into the side on a regular basis.
The Spain international scored a hat trick against Valencia in the Copa del Rey in the quarter-finals of the competition, but he then found himself back on the bench against Sevilla in the team's next league fixture.
Lille ace Gomes drops major hint over future amid Man United, Arsenal, Spurs talk
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F37%2Fangel-gomes.jpg "England's Angel Gomes on September 10, 2024")
Angel Gomes has dropped a hint over his summer plans by changing his agent, with the in-demand Lille attacker now being represented by ROOF.
The 24-year-old had previously been represented by Gol International, but ROOF have taken to Instagram to reveal that the England international has been welcomed on board ahead of the summer market.
Gomes' contract with Lille is due to expire at the end of the campaign, and he is expected to seek pastures new.
Manchester United are believed to be keen to bring him back to Old Trafford, while Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been heavily linked with the playmaker, who could return to the Premier League.
Chelsea ready to join race for in-demand La Liga defender?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F37%2Floic-bade.jpg "Sevilla's Loic Bade on September 1, 2024")
Chelsea have reportedly identified an in-demand La Liga defender as a potential summer transfer target.
The Blues are currently going through a dismal run of form under Enzo Maresca, prevailing in just three of their last 12 matches in all competitions.
On Saturday evening, Chelsea let slip a half-time lead to lose 2-1 at Aston Villa, leaving the club within six points of 11th-placed Brentford.
In terms of defensive numbers, Chelsea now possess just the 10th-best record in the division having conceded 36 goals in 26 top-flight fixtures during 2024-25.
MLS or Saudi? Where is De Bruyne heading this summer?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F43%2Fkevin-de-bruyne.jpg "Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne on September 18, 2024")
San Diego FC are reportedly firmly at the head of the queue to sign Manchester City attacker Kevin De Bruyne this summer.
The 33-year-old's contract at the Etihad Stadium is due to expire at the end of June, and he is set to leave the reigning Premier League champions after 10 years of excellent service.
De Bruyne has made 26 appearances for Man City this season, but he has only managed three goals and six assists, and head coach Pep Guardiola admitted at the end of last week that the attacker no longer has the physicality to be a consistent starter.
The Belgian was an unused substitute against Newcastle United in the Premier League last weekend ahead of the Champions League knockout round playoff second leg against Real Madrid, but he was again not used against the European champions.
From London to Manchester? Man United 'lining up move' for Tottenham star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fson-heung-min-micky-van-de-ven.jpg "Tottenham Hotspur duo Son Heung-min and Micky van de Ven on October 27, 2023")
Manchester United are reportedly preparing to make 'a significant offer' for Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min in a bid to bring the South Korean to Old Trafford at the end of the campaign.
Son has been short of his best for Spurs this season, but he has still managed 10 goals and 10 assists in 35 appearances in all competitions, including six goals and nine assists in 23 Premier League outings.
The 32-year-old signed a one-year contract extension in January, with his deal now running until June 2026, but according to Fichajes, Man United are confident that they can sign him during this summer's transfer window.
The report claims that the Red Devils view Son as a player capable of providing 'goals, leadership and versatility' in the final third of the field, and the club are prepared to make 'a significant offer'.
Major Garnacho decision: Will Argentine leave Man United this summer?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Falejandro-garnacho.jpg "Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho on February 22, 2025")
Manchester United will reportedly once again be open to selling Alejandro Garnacho during this summer's transfer window.
The 20-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford during the winter market, with both Napoli and Chelsea believed to have been interested in securing his signature.
Napoli are thought to have had a £40m offer rejected, with Man United looking for at least £55m, while Chelsea did not submit an official bid despite having a firm interest in the Argentina international.
Any sale of Garnacho would count as pure profit under the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules, with Man United needing to make some difficult decisions this summer to ensure that they comply with the financial regulations.
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