Chelsea’s striker Romelu Lukaku is on loan at Inter Milan but has failed to come close to the heights of his previous season, and is failing to maintain his fitness or his goalscoring record.
Newcastle United forward Miguel Almiron is set to be out for the next six weeks after suffering a thigh injury in training.
Bayern Munich‘s Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, 20, has sealed a move to Liverpool, according to former Reds player Jose Enrique, who made the disclosure on a live web stream.
Barcelona’s Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, a long-time target of Manchester United and Chelsea, said in an interview on Spanish television: “Barca has always been the club of my dreams… I hope to be able to continue there for many more years”.
Premier League clubs have told the Football Association that they are producing the highest quality players in Europe, even if the volume of game-time for England-qualified players [EQPs] has consistently fallen as the league has become more successful.
Real Madrid are monitoring developments with Tottenham’s England striker Harry Kane, 29, whose contract runs out in 2024 and has been linked with a possible move to Manchester United or Bayern Munich.
Barcelona would be willing to sell midfielders Ousmane Dembele, 25, of France, and Ferran Torres, 23, of Spain, to raise the money to fund the signing of Juventus’s Italian forward Federico Chiesa, 25.
Former Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets, 34, has been offered a one-year contract extension by Barcelona, with the option of a further year.
Manchester United are set to appoint Adidas executive Matt Hargreaves, who has a legal background and is a United fan, to lead their football transfer negotiations.
Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho has officially snubbed Spain to play for Argentina.
Gareth Southgate will stand by Kyle Walker for the forthcoming European Championship qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine after the England defender was involved in an alleged incident in a Cheshire bar.
FOOTBALL TRANSFER GOSSIP
Brighton are prepared to offer in-form Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma, 25, a record deal as Real Madrid, Manchester City and Arsenal register their interest.
Napoli’s Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 22, who has been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester City, could be tempted to join Newcastle if they qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Chelsea are “highly interested” in signing West Ham’s Declan Rice, 24, in the summer – the English defensive midfielder is contracted at the London Stadium until 2024.
Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi, 26, whose current deal at Everton runs until the summer of 2024, has been offered a new contract but is waiting to see how the season pans out before signing it.
Liverpool will allow former England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 29, and Guinea’s Naby Keita, 28, to leave as free agents in the summer, while Brazil’s Arthur Melo, 26, will return to Juventus at the end of his loan deal as Jurgen Klopp bids to rebuild his midfield.
Paris Saint-Germain ultras have announced they are planning a protest against Lionel Messi.
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has admitted the team are less defensively secure following the exit of Casemiro to Manchester United.
Leicester City and Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans, who has been heavily linked with Arsenal and Newcastle, is unlikely to be allowed to leave the Foxes in January despite the 25-year-old being able to depart on a free when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Chelsea right-back Reece James, 22, is confident he will be fit enough to be picked in England’s World Cup squad following a knee injury.
Barcelona plan to sign a new centre-back in January to replace the retiring Gerard Pique, with Spain and Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez, 31, at the top of their list.
Kurt Zouma has spoken out on his cat-kicking shame, admitting: “I have great remorse”.
James Milner says turning his back on football’s drinking culture has fuelled 20 years at the top of the game
Manchester City have opened talks with Chelsea’s academy striker Jude Soonsup-Bell, 18, with a view to signing the English teenager when his contract expires at the end of the season.
FOOTBALL TRANSFER GOSSIP
Liverpool are favourites to beat Chelsea,Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid to the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund after forging a close relationship with the 19-year-old England midfielder.
Manchester United have scouted Porto’s Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, 23, at least half a dozen times this season as manager Erikten Hag considers his long-term options in goal.
Ten Hag will not write off Netherlands midfielder Donny van de Beek, saying he knows the 25-year-old can do better.
Crystal Palacemanager Patrick Vieira says transfer speculation will not distract Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha. The 29-year-old’s contract runs out in the summer.
Wolves are set to appoint former Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui, 56, as their new head coach within the next 24-48 hours.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Southampton all showed interest in signing in-form Miguel Almiron before the 28-year-old Paraguayan midfielder opted to join Newcastle United in 2019.
Napoli’s 21-year-old Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool, is likely to cost around 100m euros (£87m) and will not be available in January.
Barcelona and Juventus have joined the race to sign Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, 23, says 35-year-old Uruguay team-mate Luis Suarez, who also played for the Reds, got in touch with him to offer advice on how to deal with playing in the Premier League.
Sporting Lisbon attacking midfielder Marcus Edwards, 23, says the move to Portugal has been good for him but he would like to return to play in his native England.
Shakhtar Donetsk sporting director Carlo Nicolini says Arsenal and Manchester City are among a number of club interested in 21-year-old Ukraine forward Mykhaylo Mudryk, who would cost more than the 100m euros Manchester United paid Ajax for Brazil forward Antony.
Residents of Qatar face the risk of persecution if they stand up for gay rights during the World Cup, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned.
Denmark midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is also in line to be offered an improved contract, with Tottenham indicating they want to start talks over fresh terms for the 27-year-old.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito says Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will not be sold and will be offered a contract renewal, with the 27-year-old’s current deal at the Serie A side running until 2024.
QPR boss Michael Beale turned down the chance to manage Wolverhampton Wanderers because of the “upheaval” that would have been associated with making the move.
Newcastle United are set to offer Paraguay international Miguel Almiron, 28, a new contract following his improvement under manager Eddie Howe.
Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham with the midfielder considering staying at Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, 52, insists he will not turn his back on the La Liga side, despite them being knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage.
Fulham have made a second bid for Brazilian midfielder Pablo Maia, 20, and are also taking note of Sao Paulo midfielders Rodrigo Nestor, 22, and Igor Gomes, 23, as well as centre-back Luizao, 20.
Nottingham Forest are also interested in Maia and are willing to pay the £9m price for the Brazilian youngster.
Manchester United are monitoring Porto’s Portugal keeper Diogo Costa, 23, and Athletic Bilbao and Spain stopper Unai Simon, 25, as they decide whether to trigger an extension in 31-year-old Spain international David de Gea’s contract.
Southampton and Leicester City are keeping close tabs on Toulouse and Morocco international Zakaria Aboukhlal, 22. The winger is expected to feature in the World Cup in Qatar.
New Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will be given extensive funds to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window.
