The 2022 January transfer window is closed, but there’s still plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Man United, Chelsea join chase for Isak
The race for Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak is heating up, with Manchester United and Chelsea monitoring his situation, according to The Mirror.
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The report says that United see Isak as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo as rumours emerge of the Portugal star potentially wanting to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season. However, as Arsenal found out last month, Sociedad are only willing to listen to offers close to Isak’s €90 million release clause.
Chelsea are also interested in the Sweden international’s signature, with Thomas Tuchel’s side ready to spark a pursuit if Romelu Lukaku is not able to find form before the end of the season, while it is suggested that the Gunners will need to qualify for the Champions League if they are to persuade Isak to come to north London.
The 22-year-old was linked with an exit throughout the January transfer window and drew attention when visiting London late in the month, but claimed he was focused on Sociedad when asked about his future.
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10.33 GMT: Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has a contract which ends in 2025 but that’s not long enough for his club.
Indeed, Football Insider claims Dortmund are keen to start negotiations over a new deal to ward off any interested parties.
Bellingham, 18, is one of the top young prospects in Europe and Liverpool have been linked with a £100m summer bid for the England international.
Dortmund are also reportedly looking to sign his younger brother Jobe, 16, who made his Birmingham City debut last month.
09.41 GMT: AC Milan director Paolo Maldini has confirmed that 40-year-old striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants to continue playing and potentially sign a new contract with the club.
“Zlatan knows what he wants, he doesn’t fake anything, he knows what the possible agreement with Milan could be,” Maldini told DAZN. “If he doesn’t feel like continuing, he’ll be the first to say so. His idea is to continue. Zlatan will never be a burden on this team, but only a resource.”
09.00 GMT: After deciding against adding to their squad in January because top targets were not available, Manchester United are focusing attention on signing a central midfielder in the summer, with work starting before a new permanent manager is appointed, sources told ESPN.
The Old Trafford recruitment department is working to whittle down a list of midfield targets, with West Ham’s Declan Rice, Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips and Amadou Haidara at RB Leipzig all being considered.
West Ham United are already quoting suitors — including Manchester City and Chelsea — more than £100m for Rice’s signature while there are doubts about whether Phillips would be willing to move to one of Leeds’ biggest rivals.
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Craig Burley analyses Jack Grealish’s performance in Manchester City’s win against Fulham in the FA Cup.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
– Manchester City are ready to challenge Manchester United for the signature of Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, reveals Ekrem Konur. Pep Guardiola’s side are reported to be preparing a bid of £30m, as they jostle with their local rivals for the 22-year-old. While Man United were reported to be leading the race on Friday, it looks as though the Premier League champions aren’t prepared to miss out on Araujo.
– AC Milan have joined the race for Fulham star Fabio Carvalho, according to Calciomercato. The Serie A club, whose recruitment team are led by Paolo Maldini, are making an attempt to beat Liverpool to the signature of the 19-year-old attacking midfielder, with plans to make him a big part of the project at San Siro. The report adds that the Rossoneri have already been in touch with his representatives after Liverpool failed to bring him to the Merseyside in the January window.
– Manchester City are preparing to offer Rodri a new contract that will see him extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium until 2027, writes Nicolo Schira. The 25-year-old holding midfielder has become a key part of Guardiola’s plans since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019, and the report adds that City are also in advanced talks over a new deal for forward Phil Foden.
– More teams are becoming aware of Boubacar Kamara‘s contract situation at Marseille, with multiple Premier League sides keen on a free transfer, according to Le10 Sport. Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all keeping tabs on his situation, with the 22-year-old midfielder set to become a free agent in the summer. Kamara, who has represented France at youth level, has also recently been linked with PSG, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
– Alejandro Martinez is set to make his move to Central Cordoba from Defensores de Belgrano permanent, after the club activated the option in a clause in his contract for $350,000, reports Cesar Luis Merlo. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has made 24 appearances for the Argentine Primera Division side, scoring three goals and assisting another two.
