The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs might be closed, but they are still working tirelessly behind the scenes to line up the arrival of their next star. Transfer Talk has been scouring the world’s media to see who could be heading to your club when Jan. 1 arrives.
Pogba being shown the door at Manchester United
Manchester United will try to sell Paul Pogba once the January transfer window opens, according to a report in the Mirror.
It has long been thought that the club would let go of either Mourinho or Pogba, with the two apparently not able to coexist at Old Trafford.
Pogba’s exit could upset other players in the dressing room as Mourinho tries to assert his authority.
The Frenchman won’t come cheap with United having paid £89 million for him in 2016, but the report states that Juventus are interested in bringing the World Cup winner back to Italy, and could offer Miralem Pjanic or Alex Sandro in exchange to help lower the fee.
Mourinho also on his way?
The Express are suggesting that Mourinho could also be on his way out of Man United and is set for a return to former side Inter.
They are currently managed by Luciano Spalletti and sit third in Serie A, but are set to offer the Portuguese the chance to return next summer.
Mourinho will have fond memories of the Italian club where he won a treble in 2010, and they will hope that he can get them back to winning ways in Europe after they exited the Champions League last week.
Juventus will take some toppling in the league though, but this could be the new challenge Mourinho needs.
Chelsea pounce for Pulisic
Chelsea are ready to pay £60m for Dortmund attacker Christian Pulisic, and could confirm the deal next month according to the Mail.
The American has been linked with a host of English sides since emerging as a teenage star in the Bundesliga, and the winger, now 20, has indicated that Chelsea are his club of choice according to the report.
Pulisic is the great hope for the United States going forward into a new era under Gregg Berhalter, and he could be eased into a similarly important role at Chelsea. In order to beat other clubs to his signature they will have had to give him assurances along these lines.
Playing mostly from the right, he would be seen as a long term replacement for Willian and Pedro who are now in their 30s.
Barca want Christensen for Christmas
Barcelona have made an offer for Chelsea centre-back Andreas Christensen according to Sport, amid fears that Samuel Umtiti will require surgery on a knee injury.
The Liga champions have enquired about a loan move, but are some way from an agreement as per the report from Spain.
Ernesto Valverde has moved to quash these rumours more or less instantly.
“We’ll see what happens but I’m happy to manage with what I have,” he said in a press conference ahead of his side’s game against Levante.
So he’s telling us there’s a chance?
This one could rumble on, but with first team football proving difficult to come by at Chelsea, the highly rated Dane could move sooner rather than later.
Arsenal or Tottenham for Grillitsch
Hoffenheim midfielder Florian Grillitsch paid a visit to England this week when his side faced Manchester City in the Champions League but, according to Bild, he may be looking for a more permanent move to U.K. shores.
According to the German outlet the player’s agent, Thomas Boehm, joined his client on the trip and this fuelled rumours that he will join one of Arsenal or Tottenham.
The Austrian would add a defensive midfield presence to whichever club he joins, but with Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka looking better alongside new signing Lucas Torreira, Tottenham may need the him more at this moment in time.
“Flo is the focus of top clubs,” said his agent, and the 23-year-old would not be cup-tied in Europe due to UEFA’s rule changes for this season.
Football Whispers’ Emerging Whispers
The possibility that transfer rumours happen is given a score out of five, based on Football Whispers’ transfer algorithm.
Cesc Fabregas to AC Milan — 4.0
Having been relegated to a backup role at Chelsea due to the arrival of Maurizio Sarri favourite Jorginho, it seems certain that Fabregas will leave the club next year, and AC Milan are eyeing the Spaniard on a free transfer according to the Mirror.
Gary Cahill to Fulham — 3.5
Another Chelsea player who has dropped down the pecking order under Sarri is English centre-back Cahill, and he could be set to stay in London with Fulham his most likely destination on loan according to Sky Sports.
Callum Wilson to Chelsea — 2.7
It could be a busy 2019 for Chelsea as their new manager looks to fine tune his squad, and the Italian is looking for firepower up front and the Express believe Bournemouth hotshot Wilson is a £30m target.
Denis Suarez to Arsenal — 2.7
Barcelona midfielder Suarez is looking for a way out of the club and the Independent report that Arsenal could be interested in the £14m rated Spaniard as a replacement for Aaron Ramsey who will leave at the end of the season.
Matthijs de Ligt to Juventus — 2.2
The highly sought after Ajax centre-back is now a target for Juventus according to Spanish outlet Sport, and they could beat Barcelona to his signature. Ajax value him at £72m and he and fellow Dutchman Frenkie de Jong have also been linked with the Catalan club in recent weeks.