Manchester City are weighing up a surprise move for free agent Paul Pogba, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United are all batting to sign West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus. Join us for the latest transfer news, gossip, and rumors from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Manchester City are considering a move for former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, according to The Independent. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is now a free agent after leaving Juventus in November despite the reduction of his doping ban. Pogba is set to return to football in March, with it now being suggested he is one of the options under consideration by City following their poor run of form. However, the report says that the 31-year-old is reluctant to negotiate with Pep Guardiola’s side due to his strong United connections.
– Arsenal could face competition from Newcastle in the race to sign West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus, The Sunday Mirror reports. The 24-year-old is also attracting interest from Liverpool, who could test the Hammers’ resolve with a January bid of their own. While Newcastle are “anxious” to add a top-quality right-sided forward to their attack, concerns over compliance with the Premier League‘s profitability and sustainability rules may require the club to raise funds in January before they launch a bid for Kudus. This could see River Plate-linked Miguel Almirón leave Newcastle next month after six years on Tyneside.
– Ronald Araújo is expected to be available for Barcelona‘s match against Leganés after being out injured for last five months, and Mundo Deportivo states that the club see renewing the defender’s contract as a priority. There has been interest from Bayern Munich with the 25-year-old’s deal running until 2026, but the Blaugrana are increasingly optimistic that he will renew.
– Napoli are very interested in Lecce wing-back Patrick Dorgu and could try to sign him in January, reports Gazzetta dello Sport, although Gli Azzurri have only gone as far as €30m while Lecce have stated that it will take at least €40m for the 20-year-old to move. Elsewhere, AC Milan and Atalanta like Warren Bondo but Monza won’t let the 21-year-old midfielder leave until the summer.
– AC Milan are planning on making a move for Feyenoord striker Santiago Giménez in the summer, reports Calciomercato, adding that the Rossoneri have had constant contact with his agent and father in recent weeks. They had tried to sign the 23-year-old last summer but time constraints and Feyenoord’s demands stopped any deal from materialising, while Nottingham Forest saw a €40m offer rejected as the Dutch club wanted €50m.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Rob Dawson explains why Paul Pogba is unlikely to join Manchester City:
Manchester City are looking to sign a new midfielder — possibly in January — but it won’t be Paul Pogba. The Frenchman is a free agent after leaving Juventus but City have been very strong in distancing themselves from a move.
Pep Guardiola has been an admirer of Pogba in the past and there were brief conversations when he left Manchester United in 2022. But City are looking elsewhere to bolster their midfield and focusing on players who are more defensively disciplined.
Still only 31, Pogba will feel he’s still in the prime of his career. That said, it’s debatable whether he’s going to get another opportunity in the Premier League or any of Europe’s top five leagues.
OTHER RUMORS
– Ben Godfrey‘s desire to return to the Premier League has put Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest on alert, as per . The former Everton defender joined Atalanta earlier this year but has so far struggled to make his mark, playing just four times for the club. (The Sun)
– Davide Calabria is attracting interest from Galatasaray and several Saudi Arabian clubs ahead of his anticipated departure from AC Milan in 2025. The 28-year-old’s Milan deal expires next summer. (Nicolo Schira)
– Fenerbahçe have made a breakthrough in their attempts to sign Al Nassr midfielder Anderson Talisca. Talisca, 30, has been in Saudi Arabia since 2021, scoring a remarkable 62 goals in 78 Saudi Pro League appearances. (Rudy Galetti)
– Chicago Fire are finalising a deal for free agent centre-back Jack Elliott, who had previously spent his entire professional career with Philadelphia Unioon. (Tom Bogert)
– Marco Pellegrino is no longer part of Independiente’s plans and the centre-back will return to AC Milan from his loan six months early before leaving again. (Nicolo Schira)
– Monza have agreed a deal in principle for Lazio midfielder Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro to join them in January on a contract that runs until the end of the season, which includes an automatic extension of another year if they stay in Serie A. (Nicolo Schira)
– Newcastle United could let 27-year-old winger Harvey Barnes leave in January to help them comply with profit and sustainability regulations. (Football Insider)
– Napoli have made enquiries about Parma striker Ange-Yoan Bonny while AC Milan and Lazio are the frontrunners for Reda Belahyane, but neither are likely to move in January. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)
