The January transfer window may be closed around Europe, but teams are looking ahead to the summer and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Liverpool, Man Utd eye Nice’s Todibo
Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United are keeping close tabs on Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Scouts are reported to have been present as the 24-year-old starred in Nice’s 2-1 victory over Rennes in Ligue 1 on Saturday, with Todibo establishing himself as a key player in France’s top flight this season.
Having joined Barcelona in 2019, Todibo left two years later after failing to establish his place in the first team and had to rebuild his career on loan before moving to Nice permanently in 2021. Now clubs across Europe are interested in his signature and they could be able to land him for a transfer fee of €45 million.
Both Manchester United and Newcastle were linked with him last summer, while Liverpool could also compete for his services as a potential replacement for Joel Matip — who will enter the final year of his contract in June.
Todibo was called up to the France senior national team in March for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Netherlands and Republic of Ireland.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga & more (U.S.)
– When does the summer transfer window open and close?
LIVE BLOG
12.01 BST: Real Madrid plan to travel to Germany in the coming days to continue to negotiate the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, sources have told ESPN, although Manchester City still haven’t given up on signing the player.
ESPN reported earlier this month that Madrid were feeling optimistic about their chances of beating City to the signing of the England international after encouraging conversations with the midfielder’s entourage.
Some reports in Spain claimed that an initial agreement had been reached and that City had dropped out of the race, believing it was a lost cause.
However sources told ESPN that a deal had not yet been agreed, and the Premier League club remain in the hunt for the 19-year-old as the terms of a transfer, which would total well over €100m, are yet to be agreed with Dortmund.
11.20 BST: Chelsea have Napoli’s Victor Osimhen on their transfer shortlist, but are concerned his transfer fee is too high, says Football Insider.
Osimhen, 24, has starred for the Serie A winners with 28 goals in 35 games this season, but with Napoli looking for at least €150m from clubs looking to sign the Nigeria international, the report claims the Blues believe a deal is “too hard to do” in the summer.
With Mauricio Pochettino expected to take the vacant managerial job at Stamford Bridge, the club are reportedly looking to balance the books after spending over €600m in the previous two windows.
10.35 BST: Joao Felix wants to continue playing in the Premier League next season even if it’s not at Chelsea, according to Cope.
Felix, 23, joined Chelsea in January on loan from Atletico Madrid but has not started the last four games.
Chelsea don’t have an option to make his stay permanent but are negotiating with Atletico to keep Felix on loan for another season. The Portugal international’s priority is to play in the Champions League next season and that will not happen if he stays at 11th-placed Chelsea.
Under contract with Atletico until June 2027, Felix is aware that his future will not be resolved until the summer and is prepared to start preseason with the Rojiblancos.
09.56 BST: Inter Milan have warned potential suitors that they are not willing to transfer goalkeeper Andre Onana this summer.
Chelsea are looking to strengthen their defensive line and are among the clubs pushing to sign the Cameroon international this summer. However, Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta said his club “has not received any offers” to sign Onana, who has a €40m release clause.
“He [Onana] is happy to stay here, and we have no intention to place him on the market,” Marotta said.
Onana, 27, has made 37 appearances for Inter this season since joining last summer as a free agent after his contract with Ajax expired. He is under contract with the Nerazzurri until June 2027.
09.04 BST: Edin Dzeko has reached an agreement to continue at Inter Milan beyond this summer, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
Dzeko, 37, had offers from MLS clubs but has opted to continue playing in Europe.
The former Manchester City and Roma striker is in his second season at Inter and has scored 14 goals, including four in the Champions League, to help the Nerazzurri reach the semifinals of the competition.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina striker becomes a free agent this summer and will sign a one-year contract extension.
08.36 BST: LaLiga president Javier Tebas believes the departure of captain Sergio Busquets from Barcelona will pave the way for Lionel Messi‘s return.
However, Tebas insists there are still many other steps Barca must take to make Messi’s return happen.
“Busquets’ departure is the beginning of the road for Messi to return, but to get to the end they still have to walk many metres,” he said.
Tebas, meanwhile, believes Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior is on the path to greatness.
“He is among the best three or four in the world and I believe he will be Ballon d’Or,” he added.
08.00 BST: Angel Di Maria says he is open to continue playing at Juventus next season.
The Argentina winger joined Juve on a one-year deal last summer after his contract with PSG expired.
“We are talking,” Di Maria said when asked about his contract renewal talks ahead of the Europa League tie with Sevilla on Thursday. “I’m happy here. There’s so much talk about my future but my focus is on the game against Sevilla.
“Now we are thinking about Sevilla and then we will see what happens. I’ve only played in the Europa League with Benfica, it’s a trophy I’m missing, and I’m focused on that. For me all trophies are important. At the beginning of the season, it was tough due to injuries, I couldn’t give 100%. Now we have to win and we want to win the final for the fans too.”
A World Cup winner with Argentina, Di Maria, 35, has scored eight goals and set up seven more in 34 appearances for Juve.
0:47
Laurens: Man United should be worried about Liverpool in top 4 race
Gab & Juls react to Liverpool’s win over Brentford and discuss their top four hopes after Man United’s loss vs. West Ham.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
– Napoli are considering an approach to sign Mallorca winger Lee Kang-in, writes Calciomercato. Following a successful season in LaLiga, where he has contributed to 10 goals in 32 matches, many clubs across Europe are reported to be keen on the 22-year-old. Lee has been capped 12 times by the South Korea national team.
– Barcelona are interested in signing Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco, says Sport. The 29-year-old, who has a clause in his contract that allows him to move to Camp Nou for €20m, is reportedly a priority option for manager Xavi Hernandez, who is looking to acquire a wide player this summer as uncertainty continues to surround the futures of both Ansu Fati and Raphinha. He has contributed to eight goals in 31 LaLiga matches this season.
– Brentford are set to demand a £40m fee for goalkeeper David Raya, says Sky Sports. The Bees are braced to receive offers for the 27-year-old in the summer, and have already begun looking at a number of potential successors. Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is among them, with the 24-year-old keen to acquire regular first-team football.
– Everton are plotting a move to sign Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu, reveals Football Insider. The 24-year-old will enter the final year of his contract in the summer, and with the Saints on the brink of relegation from the Premier League, the Toffees will soon make a proposal worth £20m in an attempt to secure his signature.