Chelsea close on Enzo Fernandez signing

With the opening of the January switch window coming nearer, there’s loads of gossip swirling about who’s transferring the place. Transfer Talk brings you all the most recent buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, in fact, executed offers!

TOP STORY: Chelsea close in on Argentina star Fernandez

Chelsea are hoping to finish the deal for Benfica ahead Enzo Fernandez early within the January switch window and are ready to pay the £105 million launch clause in his contract, reports the Evening Standard.

Fernandez, 21, suffered an inauspicious return to membership soccer on Friday evening as Benfica slumped to a shock 3-0 defeat at Braga. The Argentina worldwide, recent from successful the World Cup and being named the match’s greatest younger participant, performed 89 minutes earlier than being substituted.

However, it may very well be his final sport for the Portuguese membership with Chelsea now able to set off the clause. The solely sticking level seems to be whether or not Chelsea pay the charge up entrance or in installments, reports the Daily Mail.

Chelsea have met Benfica membership president Rui Costa and super-agent Jorge Mendes, wanting to get in forward of Liverpool and Manchester United

“I don’t know if that was the last match of Enzo,” Benfica head coach Roger Schmidt stated after the loss to Braga. “I think Enzo is a great player. Since he arrived at Benfica, he’s played fantastic football. Also, as a person, he’s completely identified with the club. Sometimes things in football happen and then players have to make decisions. We will see what happens.”

Liverpool are unlikely to be contenders having signed Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven, however Man United are nonetheless attempting to make a deal occur. Erik ten Hag has already misplaced out on Gakpo as a key goal, and will now see one other of the World Cup’s thrilling younger gamers head to a Premier League rival.

Benfica are reported to have provided Fernandez a brand new contract however can be powerless to cease him leaving in January ought to his launch clause be met and he select to maneuver on.

The Times reports that Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, one other Argentina World Cup winner, is on a listing of attainable choices ought to the Fernandez deal fall by way of.

Chelsea have already agreed a cope with Norwegian membership Molde FK for the switch of 20-year-old striker David Datro Fofana.

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22.15 GMT: Danish ahead Kasper Dolberg may reduce his mortgage at Sevilla quick to rejoin father or mother membership Nice subsequent month forward of transferring on to Hoffenheim in 2023, in accordance with Mundo Deportivo.

Dolberg opted to affix Sevilla as a part of a season lengthy mortgage regardless of enjoying a daily position for the Ligue 1 aspect within the earlier marketing campaign. However, he has struggled in Spain because the Andalusian membership at present finds itself in a relegation struggle.

22.00 GMT: Napoli right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo is ready for a contract extension with the present Serie A leaders, in accordance with Calciomercato.

Following the departures of Lorenzo Insigne and Kalidou Koulibaly in the summertime, Di Lorenzo was named captain and has thrived underneath Luciano Spalletti this season.

21.30 GMT: Premier League backside aspect Southampton are eyeing some January signings to attempt to salvage their season, according to the Sun.

Lorient striker Terem Moffi, who has 10 Ligue 1 objectives this time period, is being thought-about. But the Saints are additionally looking for assist on the defensive aspect. The report states that two new centre-back signings are being mulled. In addition, Jan Bednarek (on mortgage at Aston Villa) and Jack Stephens (on mortgage at Bournemouth) may very well be recalled.

21.00 GMT: The Telegraph stories that Leeds United are eyeing FC Salzburg defender Max Wober, which might reunite the Austria man together with his former supervisor Jesse Marsch at Elland Road.

Wober, 24, gained the Austrian title with Marsch after becoming a member of from Sevilla three years in the past, with Salzburg nowing looking for a switch charge of £14 million.

Leeds’ precedence within the January market is in attacking positions however the report states that Salzburg may settle for staggered funds.

20.30 GMT: Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram is eager to stay with the membership for the remainder of season except any of his 4 “dream clubs — Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Manchester United and PSG — make an offer in the January window.

According to Bild, Thuram was to have help Gladbach qualify for the Europa League next season and compete for the Bundesliga’s top scorer prize. He has 10 goals so far this season, tied with Niclas Fullkrug for second behind Christopher Nkunku (12).

The France man is set to become a free agent at the end of season and seems to be on the verge of a big move.

19.45 GMT: Newcastle United are looking at shoring up their defensive line and have turned their attention to Ferland Mendy, according to FootMercato.

The Real Madrid and France left-back is under contract with the LaLiga outfit until 2027, but Newcastle — who are in third place in the Premier League — could make a move for a Champions League-calibre player such as Mendy.

PSG have also been linked with the ex-Lyon man in the past, but are instead hoping that Juan Bernat and Nuno Mendes return from nagging injuries over trying to sign someone else.

18.45 GMT: Dejan Lovren is on the verge of returning to Ligue 1 side Lyon, according to L’Equipe. The Croatian centre-back has six months left on his contract with Zenit St. Petersburg.

Lovren made 72 appearances for Lyon from 2010-13 before heading to the Premier League, playing for Southampton for the 2013-14 season and then Liverpool until 2020.

17.55 GMT: Luis Suarez has officially joined Gremio, the Brazilian club announced on Saturday. The ex-Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid striker had joined boyhood club Nacional prior to the World Cup.

The 35-year-old Uruguay star reportedly had offers from MLS, Liga MX, and Saudi Arabian sides but will instead will continue in South America with his deal at Gremio going through 2024.

É DO GRÊMIO! 🇪🇪🇺🇾 Um dos maiores da história do Uruguai, @LuisSuarez9 chega ao Tricolor para seguir sua trajetória vitoriosa, agora vestindo a nossa camisa! Artilheiro, multicampeão, copero y peleador! Seja bem-vindo, Luisito! pic.twitter.com/eOW9LXQ6fA

— Grêmio FBPA (@Gremio) December 31, 2022

17.00 GMT: ESPN’s Taylor Twellman says that Cristiano Ronaldo held extensive talks over a move to Major League Soccer with Sporting Kansas City.

Ronaldo, who on Friday signed for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, is said to have held multiple meetings with the club.

Multiple @MLS teams inquired about Ronaldo and his future but 1 team was already at the table: @SportingKC
Their offer was so compelling that Ronaldo’s team had multiple meetings w/SKC before taking the Saudi deal. The package (wages/commercial) was said to be “very close”. #MLS

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) December 31, 2022

16.18 GMT: Memphis Depay will reject any transfer offers in January and leave Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer, reports Todofichajes.

Depay, 28, has been linked with a cut-priced move in the window as Barca look to get his salary off the wage bill.

15.33 GMT: L’Equipe reports that Leicester City have submitted a bid for Morocco World Cup star Azzedine Ounahi.

The Angers midfielder is sure to be in demand in January after commanding displays as Morocco produced a huge surprise to finish fourth in Qatar.

The French paper says that Leicester are the first club to lodge a firm offer, said to be €20m plus an additional €10m if the Foxes qualify for the Champions League.

14.50 GMT: AS Monaco head coach Philippe Clement has insisted that Chelsea have competition for the signature of central defender Benoit Badiashile.

Badiashile, 21, is reported to have agreed terms over a move to Stamford Bridge in January as boss Graham Potter begins to reshape his squad.

But Clement has insisted it’s not a done deal, after he left Badiashile as an unused substitute for Wednesday’s 3-2 win at Auxerre.

“I believe that there’s not just one membership that has contacted Benoit Badiashile. There isn’t just Chelsea,” Clement told a news conference. “There are a number of pursuits for a number of of our gamers over the past six months. That can be the case with Benoit.

“The most important thing, remains AS Monaco and the players. That’s my role. I see that he is good with the squad, during training sessions. He celebrated the win vs. Auxerre, he was giving them pointers.

“I additionally need to look to the long run, it’s regular to play with Malang Sarr [vs. Auxerre], he is proving on the pitch that I combine him greater than in the previous couple of months.”

14.04 GMT: Canada international Jonathan David says he expects to be playing in the Premier League sooner rather than later.

The 22-year-old, who plays in France for Lille, has been linked with a move to England for some time.

“I do not know, I believe it is attainable, very attainable,” the striker told La Voix du Nord about his subsequent transfer. “I do not know if I can see myself wherever aside from the Premier League. It may effectively be the Premier League.”

13.19 GMT: Salernitana are reported to be considering giving a contract to Isco after he was offered to the Serie A club on Friday.

Isco, 30, is a free agent after Valencia ripped up his contract earlier this month unhappy with his performances after signing on a free transfer from Real Madrid in the summer.

Fiorentina and Hellas Verona have already reportedly rejected the proposal to sign the midfielder, but Salernitana are yet to give an answer.

Journalist Alfredo Pedulla reports that Isco’s team is looking for a salary of €1.5-1.8m through to the end of the season.

12.33 GMT: Manchester City are hoping to secure the signing of another Argentina star of the future, Maximo Perrone of Velez Sarsfield.

With the 22-year-old Julian Alvarez having been signed from River Plate in the summer, and winning the World Cup with Argentina earlier this month, coach Pep Guardiola now wants to add defensive midfielder Perrone, who has been capped to under-20 level.

Perrone, who turns 20 next week, has also been tracked by Benfica, Newcastle and Wolves, but it seems City are now favourites to complete a deal and have triggered his release clause — set at just £8m.

The Daily Mail reports that Perrone will play for Argentina at the South American Under-20 Championship, which kicks off next month, and could head to the Etihad afterwards.

11.52 GMT: Real Madrid are ready to spend over €100 million to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham and are confident they will be able to speed up transfer talks in January, sources told ESPN.

The LaLiga giants view the England international, 19, as a priority signing for next season but are aware of competition from Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and, above all, Liverpool.

Madrid would view a €100m fee as a sensible figure and hope that the good relationship between club president Florentino Perez and Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke could help clinch the deal.

11.06 GMT: Arsenal have told Atletico Madrid they are prepared to take Joao Felix on loan in January — but they aren’t interested in a clause that would commit the Gunners to a permanent deal in the summer.

Felix, 23, appears to have no long-term future at Atletico after failing to impress coach Diego Simeone. He scored the opening goal in Atletico’s 2-0 win at home to Elche on Thursday, but the club are open to offers in the January window.

Todofichajes reports that Atletico are insisting that any club that takes Felix on loan must agree to the permanent transfer.

Shakhtar Donetsk forward Mykhailo Mudryk remains Arsenal’s No. 1 target, but their opening €65 million offer was rejected, sources have told ESPN.

10.21 GMT: Erik ten Hag has said Manchester United will have to be “artistic” if they want to sign a striker in January.

A lack of available funds meant United missed out on Cody Gakpo, who has joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven, and the club are looking at short-term options instead, including signing a forward on loan until the end of the season.

“It’s all the time troublesome, strikers are costly, particularly within the winter,” Ten Hag said. “But you must set the bounds excessive.

“We’re looking for it, we need to be creative and do everything we have in our power to get the right players in, who are fitting in the balance.”

09.43 GMT: In case you managed to overlook it on Friday, Cristiano Ronaldo has joined membership Al-Nassr after leaving Manchester United, the Saudi Arabian membership introduced Friday.

Ronaldo signed a contract by way of to the summer season of 2025 and, in accordance with stories, will obtain $75 million per 12 months to make him the best paid participant in historical past. Sources didn’t dispute that determine to ESPN.

“I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country,” Ronaldo stated in Al-Nassr’s assertion saying the deal.

– Ogden: What Ronaldo can anticipate within the Saudi Pro League
– Ronaldo’s transfer joins listing of shock transfers out of Europe

09.00 GMT: RB Leipzig have made contact with Spezia for defender Jakub Kiwior as a future substitute for breakout star Josko Gvardiol, in accordance with FootMercato. Leipzig are eager to bolster their defensive reinforcements as they put together for all times with out Gvardiol who has attracted curiosity from throughout Europe. Manchester City are simply considered one of quite a few golf equipment linked with Gvardiol, who endured a stellar World Cup as he helped Croatia to a third-place end in Qatar. Foot Mercato additionally reported earlier within the week that the Premier League aspect provided over £85 million for the Leipzig defender earlier in December.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Aston Villa have enquired about Gerard Deulofeu, in accordance with FootMercato. Villa need to strengthen their choices up entrance, having netted simply 18 objectives in 16 Premier League video games this season, and the Udinese star is one goal recognized for January. The report states that AC Milan and Napoli have been within the Spaniard final summer season, however couldn’t agree a cope with Udinese on the lookout for €20m.

– Marley Ake is ready to depart Juventus in January for Genoa, in accordance with journalist Gianluca di Marzio. The 21-year-old winger has made simply six appearances underneath Massimiliano Allegri and will depart the membership within the winter, with Genoa trying to strengthen their promotion bid again to Serie A. Ake joined Juventus in January 2021 from Marseille for €8m, however has struggled to interrupt by way of with the Italian giants.

– Matias Soule has determined towards leaving Juventus on mortgage this winter, in accordance with TuttoSport. Soule has struggled for constant game-time this season, making eight first-team appearances, however the report states that he’s wanting to proceed his improvement with the Bianconeri. The 19-year-old joined Juventus in January 2020 and has been considered as a participant with immense potential after progressing by way of the youth ranks.

– Arsenal have activated the choice to increase William Saliba‘s contract till June 2024, in accordance with The Athletic. Saliba’s deal was set to run out in June 2023, with the Gunners having a Dec. 31 deadline to set off the choice. The report additionally states that talks are persevering with over a recent contract for the defender.

– Raul Jimenez may depart Wolverhampton Wanderers this January, in accordance with the Daily Mail. Following the arrival of Matheus Cunha, Jimenez has slipped additional down the pecking order at Molineux, and may very well be allowed to depart this winter. The report states that Wolves have been open to gives for the Mexico worldwide because the summer season, and with new coach Julen Lopetgui enthusiastic about including one other striker in January, it may spell the tip to Jimenez’s keep at Wolves.