The January transfer window opens in a few days Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are expected to be busy. Mykhaylo Mudryk is a man in demand, and the Gunners are now chasing the signing of the Ukraine forward as a priority after Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
Elsewhere, Chelsea have now all but completed the double-signing of Davide Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos as the first new players arrive under Graham Potter. Both young players, Chelsea, are also expected to be busy on the front of the first team, with plenty of names being linked as always.
Meanwhile, the Spurs are believed to be trailing Pedro Porro as Antonio Conte looks set to strengthen at right-back. Elsewhere, free agent Cristiano Ronaldo are now close to a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, likely to sign a huge seven-year contract if the country hosts a World Cup in 2030.
Live updates
Chelsea close to Andrey Santos deal after David Datro Fofana had medical and both players could go on loan
Chelsea are about to sign Brazilian star Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama.
The teenage midfielder has yet to undergo a medical or sign a contract, but there are now broad agreements on the transfer fee – £13 million initially plus a further £7 million in add-ons – and a five-year deal.
Chelsea are poised to beat Premier League rivals Newcastle in the race to sign Santos, one of Brazil’s highest-rated young players.
Manchester United plotting contract talks with Marcus Rashford
While Marcus Rashford has seen an option to extend his contract for a further 12 months, his long-term future is in question.
Back in form, PSG have made it clear they would be happy to move for the England international, who could talk to foreign clubs in January, as things stand.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, United want him to stay.
The transfer insider claims that Erik ten Hag is on his way to meet Rashford in an attempt to get him to stay.
Arsenal and Man United love Joao Felix
Joao Felix is a man in demand,
Offered to Chelsea, Atletico Madrid could try to sell their striker this month despite his obvious potential.
According to the Daily Record, Atlético would even like to loan him in January due to interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
Antonio Conte confirms Tottenham Hotspur transfer policy in January amid ties to Pedro Porro
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has confirmed the club will be active in the January transfer window.
Spurs, who resume their Premier League campaign against Brentford on Monday, entered the World Cup break fourth in the standings, but Conte has previously said there is still a gap between them and their rivals when it comes to team depth.
Sporting right-back Pedro Porro has been linked with a move to north London, as has Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who was close to a move earlier this year.
Potter offers hope to Ziyech about Chelsea’s future after World Cup heroics
Graham Potter insists Chelsea are “over the moon” with Hakim Ziyech and urged patience for The Blues’ expanded senior squad.
Ziyech starred in Morocco’s fourth-place finish at the World Cup and showcased his full creative repertoire on the world stage in Qatar.
The 29-year-old has struggled to impose himself similarly at Stamford Bridge, leading AC Milan to keep a close eye on his situation to lure the former Ajax playmaker into Serie A.
Ziyech has made just nine appearances for Chelsea this season, but boss Potter still sees a crucial role for the talented attacker.
ICYMI: Chelsea intends to finalize deals with David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos
Chelsea are closing in on deals to sign both David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos.
Ivory Coast hit man Fofana turned 20 on Thursday and is now set to make the formal move from Molde to Chelsea in January.
Meanwhile, Brazilian teenager Santos is heavily followed by Newcastle United and Manchester City, but it appears he has settled for a move to Chelsea.
Mykhaylo Mudryk to Arsenal last
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has shared the latest on Arsenal’s hunt for Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The club, which sits at the top of the Premier League table, is in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over a transfer for the form winger, but hopes to lower the £85m asking price.
Speaking to Hayters TV, Ornstein said: “Mudryk is the player they want to sign. They followed him for a long time, he was on their list of potential candidates during the summer transfer window. They saw Pedro Neto as a priority then, but now they have their focus on Mudryk directed.”
Frank Lampard hopes Everton can keep Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford has been linked with transfers to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, among others.
England’s established number 1, the former Sunderland stopper, is certainly too high profile to languish in the bottom half of the Premier League for much longer, especially with clubs reportedly eager to play in the Champions League.
Everton boss Frank Lampard, however, hopes to keep Pickford.
“Yes, I feel we can [match his ambitions] because I don’t think it’s straight forward to look at an individual and see what their aspirations are,” he said.
World Cup the ultimate goal if Saudi Arabia is rich in Ronaldo
Imagine for a moment entering the twilight of your career and discovering that none of the most prestigious employers in your chosen field have much interest in your services, and instead you have to reluctantly settle for a performance worth of about £175 million a year.
According to a report in the Spanish press on Friday, that is the fate that awaits Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. Marca says the Portuguese striker, who has failed to find willing (or financially viable) suitors at Europe’s biggest clubs, is ready to join Al Nassr, initially on a two-and-a-half year player contract, with a view to an ambassador role. beyond that.
The amounts quoted are not only eye-watering, but unprecedented – according to Forbes, Kylian Mbappé was football’s top earner last year with a pre-tax salary of $110 million at Paris Saint-Germain – and while reported earnings are often worth interpret it with a pinch of salt, the bottom line is that Ronaldo, at 37 years old and well past the peak of his abilities, will become the highest-paid footballer of all time by an astronomical margin.
PSG plot shocking move for Fred
Manchester United midfielder Fred has often been criticized during his time in England, but he remains an important part of Erik ten Hag’s side.
While not always convincing, a number of United managers have called on him, as has the Brazil national side.
Sure, the 29-year-old has his admirers.
One is according to the Sun Paris Saint-Germain. They claim the Ligue 1 giants are plotting a move for Fred, despite United only recently activating a 12-month contract extension.