The transfer windows in Europe’s top leagues are closed, but it’s never too late to look forward to January. Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.
Top 10 free agents in 2020 | European transfer review
Man United, Juve, Inter set to battle it out for Rakitic
Manchester United face a battle to land Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic, with top Italian sides Juventus and Inter Milan joining the race to sign the Croatian, according to Calciomercato.
United have lacked both depth and leadership in the ranks this season, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified Rakitic as the ideal man to lend some vital experience to his squad when the transfer window opens in January.
Barca are said to be keen to offload the World Cup finalist, who has started just once in La Liga this season, with reports suggesting that the Spanish side are willing to part with Rakitic for £50 million.
But United look set to be scuppered in their attempts to sign the midfielder, with reports in Italy suggesting that the Red Devils are set to miss out on the man who is believed to have topped their wish list for some time.
Man United preparing £80 million bid for Maddison?
Manchester United are ready to raid Leicester City again, this time for highly rated midfielder James Maddison, the Daily Mail reports.
The Red Devils have been repeatedly thwarted by a lack of creativity this season, and reports suggest that Solskjaer is ready to test Leicester with an £80 million bid for their star asset following his bright start to the season.
Maddison has strung together a series of impressive performance in Leicester’s midfield, while United have been left short on attacking options by injuries to Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
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Barcelona reignite their interest in Willian
La Liga champions Barcelona are ready to hijack a Juventus bid to sign Chelsea attacker Willian, according to Calciomercato.
Ernesto Valverde is believed to be keen to bolster his attacking options with his side fourth in La Liga following an underwhelming start to the season that has seen the Spanish giants lose twice in their opening seven games.
Willian has been heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou for the past two seasons, but Chelsea fought hard to keep hold of the Brazilian last season while also resisting interest from Bayern Munich for Callum Hudson-Odoi.
But the 31-year-old could be ready for a fresh challenge after joining the Blues from Anzi Makhackala six years ago. The bad news for Barcelona? Willian has undergone a recent resurgence at Chelsea, scoring in two consecutive games for the Blues.
Tap-ins
– Bayern Munich are eyeing up a move for Birmingham City’s teenage sensation Jude Bellingham, according to the Sun. The German Champions are keen to recruit more young English talent following the success of England striker Jadon Sancho in the Bundesliga and look set to turn their attention to Bellingham after failing to land Hudson-Odoi in the summer. The 16-year-old has already made six appearances in the Championship this season, scoring twice, and recently captained England’s under-17s to victory at the Syrenka Cup.
– Ajax’s Donny van de Beek all but ruled out a January move to Real Madrid after Ajax’s impressive 3-0 win over Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday. “I don’t want to leave during the winter break,” Van de Beek told VI. “I play here all season. I finish at Ajax this year. That gives me clarity and tranquility. I will see what happens next. Maybe someday in my career it will happen that I switch club during the winter break, but now I don’t like it.”