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.
United face fight to keep De Gea
The uncertainty swirling around Manchester United leaves them facing “a serious battle” to persuade David De Gea to stay, the Telegraph reports.
It says that although United are taking up an option to extend De Gea’s contract by 12 months, they risk losing the Spain keeper for nothing in 2020.
Talks about a new, long-term contract “have reached an impasse,” but United will continue to try to persuade him to commit his future to Old Trafford.
However, the Telegraph says the 27-year-old “wants to be competing for the top domestic and European honours, and United’s struggles have raised doubts about the team’s ability to challenge on both fronts.”
With the position of manager Jose Mourinho the subject of conjecture, De Gea “is reluctant to commit what are likely to be his peak years to United at a time when there is so much uncertainty on and off the pitch.”
The Telegraph adds that De Gea “would need to see a huge uplift in their competitiveness for his current thinking to change.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Ander Herrera, yet to agree to a new deal, could return to his old club, Athletic Bilbao, according to the Mail.
It reports that United’s offer to Herrera “has fallen short of what the 29-year-old had hoped for, and he is preparing to consider his options.”
Red Devils among clubs scouting at Porto clash
Meanwhile, a wealth of clubs including Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus sent scouts to watch Benfica beat Porto at the weekend, the Manchester Evening news reports.
It is unclear who United were watching, but the report says that, in addition to his desire to sign a central defender in the summer, Mourinho targeted a right winger and a striker.
Benfica defender Ruben Dias “was among those to catch the eye in the top-of-the-table clash.”
Palace keen on Kanon
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson wants to add Den Haag defender Wilfried Kanon to his squad, the Sun reports.
Ivory Coast international Kanon was linked with Everton in the summer, and Dutch cub Den Haag “are resigned to losing him if a bid matches their valuation.”
Hodgson is without injured defender Scott Dann and is keen to bring Kanon, with the Sun saying the player “wants to try his luck in one of Europe’s elite leagues if the opportunity arises.”
Tap-ins
— Teenage Sunderland goalkeeper Adam Richardson has emerged as a target for Manchester United, with the Chronicle reporting that the Black Cats would be “powerless to stop the youngster from going if he so chooses.”
Richardson, 15, is due to sign a Sunderland apprenticeship when he turns 16, but United could pay up to £500,000 to secure a move, with an arbitration process likely to settle a fee if the League One club turn that down.
— Aston Villa might be managerless, but the Birmingham Mail says that hasn’t stopped them being linked with a loan move for Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Villa, who have forward Tammy Abraham on loan from Stamford Bridge, could move for teenage attacker Hudson-Odoi, who can operate both as a wide player and in a central position.