The transfer windows in Europe’s top leagues are closed, but it’s never too early to look forward to January. Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.
TOP STORY: Man United to target Southgate or Pochettino?
Manchester United may be looking for a new manager by the end of their next two fixtures. With former boss Jose Mourinho bringing Tottenham to Old Trafford on Wednesday and then Pep Guardiola‘s champions the next test, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s future has been the talk of the town.
The Sun reports that United could turn to England manager Gareth Southgate, though he may still harbour a grudge over Sir Alex Ferguson trying to block his chance to take the Middlesbrough job in 2006.
Having been sacked by Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino is also available and the MEN says he’s “enchanted” by the prospect of taking over at United, claiming he first wanted the role following Mourinho’s dismissal last December.
United have taken 26 points from the 22 league games since Solskjaer was appointed permanent manager in March, so things need to turn around quickly. But there are also reports that United will back the Norwegian until things become as “untenable” as they did for Unai Emery at Arsenal.
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09.31 GMT: We know that Christian Eriksen is unlikely to sign a new contract at Tottenham, and now the Evening Standard are reporting that chairman Daniel Levy is pushing for the sale of the midfielder in January.
Eriksen’s deal expires in the summer but, while he reportedly has a £200,000-a-week offer on the table to stay, he’s looking for a new challenge.
Sources have told ESPN that he wants a move to Real Madrid, Barcelona or Juventus. And if one of those clubs want to steal a march on the others in January then the report states: “Levy was prepared to sell Eriksen to Tuesday’s opponents Manchester United in August for £80m and he would be willing to consider offers of less than £40m in January.”
08.52 GMT: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says he would like to see Leandro Paredes have more regular playing time at PSG.
The Argentinian midfielder has made eight league appearances for the French giants, but just four as a starter.
“It’s a player that we obviously like,” Scaloni told TyC Sports. “Right now it’s complicated because he is not playing for his club and we would like him to have more continuity at his club. He has our trust. He is an interesting player. We are talking about a player that can still be better than he is. When he has the ball, he is one of the best in the world.”
08.29 GMT: Everton forward Richarlison has signed a contract extension until 2024.
The 22-year-old joined from Watford for a fee of £40m as manager Marco Silva’s first Everton recruit in July 2018 and has scored 20 goals for the club in all competitions.
“I intend to be here a long time,” Richarlison, who has earned 19 caps for Brazil, told the club’s official website. “This was the club which gave me the opportunity to show my football. It was here I managed to get a place in the Brazil national team and it was here I have scored lots of goals in the Premier League… now it’s time to continue the focus and to make the fans happy.”
🗣 | “I love you all.. Come on, Blues!” ✊
A message from our boy from Brazil. 😍 @richarlison97 #EFC pic.twitter.com/plLK7rMuF3
— Everton (@Everton) December 3, 2019
08.00 GMT: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has moved to assure fans that “we do have a plan” when it comes to the club’s transfer business.
Solskjaer was handed a three-year contract when he was named permanent manger in March. He spent nearly £150m on Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James in the summer and he expects to be in charge to lead another overhaul at the end of the season.
“Players are playing for their place in the long term,” he said. “We have a situation at the moment where we’ve had injuries, so players have played.
“We do have a clear picture of what the squad is going to look like in June and July. Hopefully, you get as much done as soon as possible. With Harry [Maguire] coming in, Romelu [Lukaku] going out, it was late. We do have a plan now.”
PAPER TALK (by Tom Fenton)
Man City join race for Inter’s Martinez
Barcelona have been exploring options to replace Luis Suarez for some time, and one name that has routinely been mentioned in the same sentence in recent months has been Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez.
But now Manchester City have registered their interest, according to Sky Sport Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
The 22-year-old Argentina international — who reportedly has an admirer in Lionel Messi — has a buyout clause of €111m, but the report suggests that the Nerazzurri are in discussions with his representatives to negotiate a new contract that would see that buyout clause rise significantly.
Cavani headlines Atletico’s striker shortlist
Last summer, Atletico Madrid failed in their attempts to get a deal done for Valencia forward Rodrigo. As the winter window approaches, No. 9 is still a position of need for the Spanish capital club.
AS reports that Rodrigo remains Diego Simeone’s preferred choice to fill the role, but that a deal is highly unlikely. However, the story states that there are three other forwards Los Rojiblancos are considering: Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani, AC Milan’s Krzysztof Piatek and Torino captain Andrea Belotti.
Before they bring in a new forward, however, Atleti will need to sell. The report suggests that Thomas Lemar would be the ideal candidate, but considering the €70m the club paid for him and the 24-year-old’s average form since joining, it will be challenging to get fair value for the France international.
Juve, Barca battle for ‘the new De Ligt’
If 20-year-old Matthijs de Ligt represents the present and the future of Juventus, then the distant future of the club could be 16-year-old Lenny Lacroix, according to Calciomercato.
In addition to Juve, the France U16 international has also attracted the interest of Barcelona. Both clubs reportedly have made an approach to the player, but he remains with Metz’s U17s.
Lacroix has yet to sign a professional contract, and could move this summer should the French club receive an offer they deem suitable.
Tap-ins
– According to Brazilian publication O Dia, Flamengo are keen to keep hold of Gabriel Barbosa, who is set to return to parent club Inter in January. “He wants to stay and Flamengo wants to buy him,” club vice-president Marco Braz is quoted as saying.
– The Mail writes that Dalian Yifang manager Rafa Benitez has admirers at both West Ham and Arsenal, but that if either London club want to bring the former Liverpool boss back to the Premier League, they’ll have to pay his £20m buyout clause.