Chelsea look set for another busy transfer window, with Declan Rice linked again as West Ham reportedly accept the midfielder will soon be leaving the club. The Blues are also eyeing French defender Benoit Badiashile as a possible alternative to Josko Gvardiol, while deals are pretty much done for David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos and Christopher Nkunku.
Arsenal are likely to be big players when the January transfer window opens in just over a week’s time. The long-running talks to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk continue with reports suggesting a £50million starting price has been set by the Gunners. Joao Felix has also been offered on loan for just £8m, while Rafael Leao appears open to a potential move.
Elsewhere, Enzo Fernandez is another player liked by Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and pretty much every big club in Europe. Tottenham are reportedly keen on Pedro Porro, while Lionel Messi is set to stay at PSG after agreeing to sign a new contract with the Ligue 1 side and Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be off to Saudi Arabia. Follow all of the latest news, gossip and rumours below!
Live updates
DONE DEAL! Wolves sign Cunha
A present for Wolves and their fans – a Christmas coup!
Spurs on the market?
Spurs will make January transfer moves if it suits their club “politics”, according to Antonio Conte.
“If there is the opportunity to strengthen the squad, we’ll do something,” Conte told reporters.
“You know what is our politics and we try to follow these politics and to improve the team.”
Gabriel Martinelli is expected to sign a new Arsenal contract soon with negotiations going well.
Brazil want Zidane
It looks like Didier Deschamps may be sticking with the France job, meaning Zinedine Zidane’s wait will continue.
Brazil, therefore, are sensing an opportunity and reportedly want the former Real Madrid and Juventus star to take the top job, according to L’Equipe.
With Tite leaving after their World Cup quarter-final exit, Brazil have Zidane on a shortlist along with the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola.
Man United lead Fernandez race
Manchester United are ready to gazump Arsenal and Chelsea to sign Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentine World Cup winner is set for a big-money exit from Benfica, who want £105m and have reportedly rejected an £86m bid from an unnamed club.
UOL Esporte say United want to meet Fernandez’s price tag and potentially pay even more to guarantee his signature.
ICYMI: Chelsea double deal
Chelsea are close to signing Brazilian starlet Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama.
The teenage midfielder has yet to complete a medical or sign a contract but broad agreements over the transfer fee – an initial £13million plus a further £7m in add-ons – and a five-year deal are now in place.
Chelsea are poised to beat Premier League rivals Newcastle in the race to sign Santos, one of the most highly-rated young players in Brazil.
It follows the Blues already agreeing a January deal for Ivorian striker David Datro Fofana, who completed his medical in the week after an £8.6million fee was agreed with Norwegian club Molde.
Read the full story from Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella!
Arsenal in advanced Felix talks
Arsenal are in ‘advanced’ talks to sign Joao Felix.
According to the Daily Record, Atletico have made the striker available in January for both permanent sale and loan.
Atleti are looking for an £8million loan fee, while an option to buy is not a necessity. The Gunners want a replacement for Gabriel Jesus and Felxis is an option.
Talks between both clubs are now reportedly accelerating, while Manchester United are also in the hunt.
Conte confirms Tottenham transfer stance amid Porro links
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has confirmed the club will be active in the January transfer window.
Spurs, who resume their Premier League campaign against Brentford on Monday, went into the World Cup break fourth in the standings but Conte has earlier said there is still a gap between them and their rivals when it comes to squad depth.
Sporting right-back Pedro Porro has been linked with a move to north London, as well as Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who was close to a switch earlier this year.
Read the full story here!
A message from a new Chelsea signing
David Datro Fofana is widely expected to complete a move to Chelsea at the start of the January transfer window.
The Molde forward could then be loaned out, although there is reportedly a chance Armando Broja’s injury could open up a first-team place.
Arsenal and Chelsea told they CAN sign World Cup winner Mac Allister
Graeme Souness has backed Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for a move to one of the Premier League’s leading teams amid reported interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
The 24-year-old played a starring role in Argentina’s famous World Cup win, scoring against Poland and assisting Angel Di Maria in the dramatic final win over France.
Even prior to the tournament in Qatar, the midfielder had been in excellent form for Brighton, scoring five times in 14 Premier League appearances before the break.
Read the full story here!
