January is just around the corner. Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.
TOP STORY: Kante may force Chelsea exit for La Liga giants
Chelsea star N’Golo Kante has told the club he wants to leave Stamford Bridge with La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid already tipped as the frontrunners to land the France midfielder, according to Spanish publication Eldesmarque.
Kante’s strong relationship with compatriot Zinedine Zidane could play a role in any deal, although the Madrid boss may have to win over club president Florentino Perez, who doesn’t see the Chelsea man as a necessary purchase as he believes the club already possess the best defensive midfielder in the world in Casemiro.
That may leave the door open for Barcelona to hijack any deal, although they are expected to face further competition from Juventus — managed by former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri — and Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.
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08.31 GMT: Arsenal’s interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg said the club needed to hurry up and appoint a new permanent manager after a crushing 3-0 home loss to Manchester City on Sunday, regardless of who that hire might be.
As well as calling for a swift resolution to the managerial situation, Ljungberg flagged up how he is operating with a skeleton staff behind the scenes, with Per Mertesacker acting as his assistant as well running the club’s academy.
“It’s a great honour to do this, but Per is doing two jobs,” Ljungberg told reporters after the match. “I’ve said it [the managerial situation] needs to be cleared up, and it would be good to make a decision regardless of what it is.”
Arsenal have been without a permanent first-team boss since they sacked Unai Emery at the end of November. The club sit ninth in the league on 22 points, seven points adrift of the top four and showing little sign of improvement since Ljungberg took over.
08.00 GMT: Europe’s most coveted young player, Salzburg’s Erling Haaland “knows what he wants to do” about his future, according to Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norway international lit up this season’s Champions League group stage, scoring eight goals in six appearances as Salzburg narrowly missed out on reaching the knockout phase.
Sources have told ESPN that Manchester United are ready to make a formal offer for the 19-year-old in January. Meanwhile, Julien Nagelsmann, the coach of Salzburg’s sister club RB Leipzig, has said his side have a “good feeling” about Haaland after meeting with the striker and his representatives on Wednesday.
Asked after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Everton about a potential move for Haaland next month, Solskjaer told a news conference: “I don’t comment on them speculations so that’s it. He knows what he wants to do and what he’s gonna do.”
PAPER TALK (by Liam Wheeler): Arsenal, Everton suffer blow in Zaha pursuit
Premier League rivals Arsenal and Everton have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, after the Ivorian told the Sunday Express he’s happy at Selhurst Park.
Both clubs have previously expressed an interest in the 27-year-old and were expected to make a fresh approach in January, but after submitting a transfer request in the summer, Zaha has had a change of heart and now insists he’s enjoying his football in South London.
The tricky winger has rediscovered his best form in recent weeks, finding the net twice in his last four outings to fire Palace into unanticipated contention for a European spot, with the Eagles currently just four points behind fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand on the sides above them.
Swansea City keen on Liverpool youngster Brewster
Swansea City are the frontrunners to sign Liverpool prospect Rhian Brewster on-loan, as the youngster looks to gain more first team experience at senior level, the Telegraph has reported.
The Swans face competition from a host of other Championships sides for the 19-year old, with Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield, Preston and Leeds linked with the forward who has made two appearances for Liverpool this season, with both of those coming in the EFL Cup.
However, Brewster’s relationship with Steve Cooper — who managed the player during England’s under-17s to World Cup glory in 2017 — is believed to have put the South Wales club in pole position to land the teenager’s signature.
Brewster found the net eight times in that tournament — including a goal in the final against Spain — to fire England to glory, but he is yet to score at senior level.
Napoli lead race for Spurs target Amrabat
Napoli are keen on signing Tottenham Hotspur target Sofyan Amrabat, according to Calcio Mercato.
The midfielder — who is currently on loan at the Napoli’s Serie A rivals Hellas Verona from Belgian side Club Brugge — has caught the eye with a series of impressive performances this season.
That has attracted the attention of Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, but they now face competition from the Partenopei who are ready to test Brugge with a €15m bid in January and are now believed to be the favourites to secure the player’s services.
Inter Milan are also believed to be interested in the Moroccan, but could miss out as they would prefer to delay any deal until the summer.
Tap-ins
– High-flying Leicester City have joined the pack of clubs chasing the signature of Hull City hot-shot Jarrod Bowen, according to the Leicester Mercury. The 22-year striker has provided more attacking returns than any other Championship player this season with 15 goals and 4 assists to his name, with his blistering form believed to have caught the eye of Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers.
- Despite reports linking Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a move to third division side Monza, AC Milan are still believed to be the player’s preferred destination. However, wage demands could be a snag with the towering Swede believed to be demanding an 18-month contract worth a staggering €10m.