Here is the latest in premier league transfers news, including done deals, big money moves and free transfers. Plus, rumours and breaking news.
Manchester United have signed Christian Eriksen, while Liverpool is set to pursue Mason Mount, and Real Madrid wants to sign Ivan Fresneda. Chelsea is rebuffed AC Milan target Rafael Leao, and Manchester City has identified Aleksandar Gvardiol as a replacement for Aymeric Laporte.
Chelsea rebuffed AC Milan target Rafael Leao.
The January transfer window is fast approaching, and Chelsea are reportedly still looking to add a striker. They are tasked with reshaping the squad after losing several key members in the summer and are expected to spend large amounts of money to do so.
The Blues were keen on signing Leao at the end of last summer but failed to complete the deal. He had been identified as one of Europe’s top attackers and was thought to be a prime target for the Blues. However, the Portuguese forward opted to stay with AC Milan, and he has shown his worth during the season so far.
He scored twice for Portugal in the World Cup and has continued to impress in Serie A this season, as Milan has won six of their seven games this term. He has also helped the Rossoneri into the Champions League, and he is expected to be a crucial member of the team next season.
With Chelsea’s focus on the upcoming transfer window, reports have suggested they could reignite their bid for Leao this time. They submitted a request for the 23-year-old in the closing hours of this summer’s window but were rebuffed by the Italian side.
But it’s rumoured that the Blues will meet with Milan this week to discuss a potential move for Leao. The Portuguese winger is currently on the verge of a significant contract extension with Milan, and he will be hoping to stay at the club long-term, as Milan are not under any pressure to sell him this season.
That’s why it’s unsurprising that Manchester United has cooled their interest in the 23-year-old. The Red Devils are also interested in a deal for RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku, and it’s believed that the two will likely be in discussions with the German side this month.
It would be great if the Blues could sign both players, but, likely, they won’t, as they can’t afford them. They will also likely be under financial fair play rules and will have to reduce their squad next summer.
Manchester City have identified Aleksandar Gvardiol as a replacement for Aymeric Laporte.
According to reports, Manchester City are keen to sign RB Leipzig defender Aleksandar Gvardiol as a replacement for Aymeric Laporte. The 21-year-old Croatian international has been linked with a move to the Premier League since last summer and is a firm favourite of Pep Guardiola.
The City boss has already scouted the 21-year-old in Germany and is tipped to make a bid for him. He has also been linked with several clubs, including Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Aymeric Laporte has had a mixed time at Man City this season, falling down the pecking order in the middle of the defence and leaving the team at times as his health and fitness deteriorated. He has also met with several agents to try and secure a move to Barcelona, but the reports suggest that his time at the club may be over unless he can find a permanent home elsewhere.
It is feared that City will need to replace the Spain centre-back in January with another new signing. Still, they have identified Gvardiol as the best option available. The former Croatia international has impressed for RB Leipzig in his short career. It is set to be heavily sought after by the German outfit, with Real Madrid also interested.
With Gvardiol only 21, he will likely be allowed to leave a few years later, but Manchester City hopes he will be ready for first-team football before then. A deal could be reached before the end of the transfer window, as he is expected to cost around PS75 million.
Meanwhile, City is also tipped to move for Sevilla winger Jules Kounde to provide cover at centre-back. The French defender has been highly rated by Sevilla and kept 15 clean sheets in La Liga last season, but vital football claim City will have to pay around PS65 million for him.
City has made a lot of money in the transfer window, selling Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus to Liverpool, but they are unlikely to be able to add another top talent to the squad. Several midfielders are tipped to arrive in January. With Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and John Stones battling for the two central defender spots, there is plenty of competition.
Aston Villa are set to offer Emile Smith-Rowe a route out.
Aston Villa is ready to relaunch their interest in Arsenal star Emile Smith-Rowe, with reports suggesting that the Midlands club will submit a third bid to get him away from the Gunners. According to talkSPORT, the ambitious club will try and reunite Smith Rowe with Unai Emery, who handed him his Gunners debut last season.
It is understood that Smith Rowe wants to move to a club with higher wages and an established first-team place. Aston Villa has an appetite for quality players this summer, including Norwich playmaker Emi Buendia. Returning to the Championship would allow them to sign a player who could be a big hit with Jack Grealish.
As for the England international, he is said to have fallen behind Gabriel Martinelli as Mikel Arteta’s preferred left-sided option at the Emirates. He scored just twice this season, despite making a breakthrough campaign in 2021-22 with ten goals. However, he has recovered from a groin injury and will hope to have a regular role at the club next season.
In the meantime, he is in the process of extending his contract at the club. This will see him remain at the Emirates Stadium until 2026.
During his time at the club, he has also helped the team to win the League Cup and FA Cup.
The midfielder is an excellent ball-playing option, and he has the potential to be an adequate number 10. Villa could use him in that position between Jack Grealish and Emi Buendia, giving them an excellent passing presence in a more possession-focused team.
He is also expected to help the club regain their status as a top-four side. Having started only four Premier League games this season, he is likely to be used less, but he has the talent to become an essential player for the side.
It is believed that Smith Rowe’s current contract at the Emirates runs until 2026, and he would like to move on to a higher-paid club where he can be a crucial member of a strong team. With the Gunners set to lose money again this year, he reportedly wants a new deal reflecting his future worth at the club.
Leeds United are set to sign Barcelona winger Ilias Akhomach.
Akhomach has been a star of Barcelona’s youth team, but his involvement in the first team is currently low. His contract is set to expire in the summer, and he has not been afforded any chance of regular game time this season.
A report from Sport suggests that Leeds United are closing in on a deal to sign the youngster from the Catalan club. The Spanish outlet claim that Leeds has beaten rivals Arsenal, Sevilla and AC Milan in the race for the young Moroccan, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
The report claims that Leeds is in advanced talks to sign the winger permanently, and the move could be completed before the end of the month. Akhomach is a highly-rated talent who has started for the club’s B side this season, but his lack of game-time has left him tempted to join a club that will offer more chances.
Leeds has a reputation for bringing young players through at Elland Road, and Akhomach would be another addition to their ranks as they continue to bolster their youthful squad. The Whites have several young players already at the club, including Willy Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville and Mateo Joseph, all of whom have enjoyed some success in recent years.
There is a big market for young talents at Leeds, so the signing of Akhomach could be an ideal fit for them. The club is in a challenging situation, with Leeds sitting 16th in the Premier League table, two points above the relegation zone.
It’s possible that Akhomach will make an immediate impact at Leeds and could even push for a senior role within the club quickly, considering his previous experiences with the Catalan giants.
Akhomach is currently out of contract at Barcelona, but Leeds is negotiating a four-year deal with the player. The 18-year-old is a proven goal scorer and is known to take risks in attack, which may help him progress at Leeds.
