The transfer window for all of Europe’s big five leagues is closed, but that doesn’t stop Transfer Talk from rummaging around about who will be moving where come January.
TOP STORY: Chelsea could thwart United, Spurs over Ake
Manchester United and Tottenham are interested in Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, according to the Telegraph, but his old club, Chelsea, could frustrate them.
United boss Jose Mourinho remains eager to add another central defender to his squad after failing to do so in the summer, and Spurs are also monitoring Netherlands international Ake.
But the Telegraph reports that Bournemouth — who signed the 23-year-old in a £20 million permanent deal after a loan spell — would have to inform Chelsea of any offer because the Blues hold first refusal to re-sign him for about £40m.
United and Spurs “are likely to keep tracking Ake until the end of the season, but any move would have to wait until Chelsea signalled their intentions.”
And although there is no indication of whether Maurizio Sarri would be interested in bringing Ake back to Stamford Bridge, a bid from Manchester or North London “would force Bournemouth to offer Chelsea the opportunity to make a move and leave the other two clubs sweating.”
The Telegraph says Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld is still expected to leave at the end of the season, while the long-term Old Trafford futures of both Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly appear to be in doubt.
Shaw poised to sign new deal
Last month, reports suggested United would have to bide their time before finding out whether defender Luke Shaw was willing to sign a new contract amid continuing interest from Spurs.
Left-back Shaw, who has reestablished himself in the Old Trafford first team, is out of contract at the end of the campaign, with United keen to avoid the possibility of losing him for nothing during the summer.
And according to the Guardian, they will get their wish, with the England international “in advanced talks and content to commit his long-term future to the club following his impressive start to the season.”
Ex-Southampton player Shaw is looking for “a sizeable pay rise,” but the report says negotiations have reached a stage at which, if an agreement is found on his salary, “the 23-year-old will sign on again in the immediate future.”
He was heavily criticised by Mourinho last season but is reported to have since been told that he is now a key part of the manager’s plans.
Tap-ins
– Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno is set to leave for nothing at the end of the season after talks over a new deal broke down, says the Mail.
Left-back Moreno, who has lost his place in Jurgen Klopp’s team to Andy Robertson, is out of contract in the summer and will be free to talk to overseas clubs about a move from January.
– Meanwhile, Everton winger Kevin Mirallas does not want to return to Merseyside and is targeting a permanent deal at Fiorentina, where he is on loan.
The 31-year-old has found himself out of the picture at Goodison Park following the summer arrivals of Richarlison and Bernard and hopes to stay in Italy, the Liverpool Echo reports.