The January transfer window is yet to get motoring, but there are so many rumours and links flying around, so we’ve picked out some of the most notable ones on January 2.
Liverpool fans go to sleep at night dreaming of their club signing Kylian Mbappe, arguably the best player on Earth at this moment. Real Madrid, however, appear to be clear frontrunners in the race for his signature and Florentino Perez is determined to make the Frenchman his marquee signing of a new era at the Spanish giants.
But recent reports suggest the Reds are still very much in the race for the 25-year-old, who is free to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs as his PSG contract expires this summer. Now French outlet La Parisien are reporting that the Premier League club are a possible destination for the 2018 World Cup winner, adding weight to prior rumours.
The chances of Liverpool signing Mbappe still feel remote, though. The forward will command gigantic wages, and there’s still the possibility he remains in Paris beyond this season. The only likely route to getting their man involves selling their current king, Mo Salah, who was the subject of a £150m transfer bid from the Saudi Pro League last summer.
The Merseyside outfit are also rumoured to be interested in another player whose contract runs out at the end of the season. According to AS, they and Manchester United want to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich.
The Red Devils do seem very focused on the German market this January. As per The Athletic, they are one of several teams linked with Stuttgart dynamo Serhou Guirassy, although their FFP situation may prevent them from spending any money this winter, unless they shift a few bodies. That’s why they are considering a ‘low-cost’ option like Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who plays second fiddle to Harry Kane at Bayern.
It’s clear that Man United are very keen on signing an attacker, with the same report claiming they have contacted RB Leipzig over the potential cost of a move for ex-Chelsea man Timo Werner, who scored just ten goals in 56 Premier League appearances before heading back to his former club.
Speaking of Chelsea flops, Hakim Ziyech could find himself back at Stamford Bridge before the month is out. Galatasaray are contemplating terminating the 30-year-old’s loan spell, according to NTV Spor, after not performing as well as expected.
Elsewhere, Tottenham appear to be making quick progress with their move for Romanian centre-back Radu Dragusin. According to Fabrizio Romano, Spurs are negotiating with Genoa after agreeing personal terms with the player. Ange Postecoglou wants to get deals done as early as possible this month, and this is one that could be completed before the end of the week if the Italian club are amenable to a quick sale.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United are in desperate need of fresh legs as their squad has been blighted by injury and suspension in recent months. Eddie Howe has been eyeing up a move for Kalvin Phillips, who is out of favour at Manchester City. The Magpies, though, will have to battle PSG for the 27-year-old, according to The Telegraph.
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