Transfer news & rumours LIVE: Barcelona hoping to sign Joao Cancelo permanently from Man City with ambitious Alejandro Balde swap deal

Posted Sunday, December 31, 2023 by Goal.com

Barca ready to offer Balde to sign Cancelo permanently

Barcelona are considering offering talented left full-back Alejandro Balde as part of a swap deal to sign Joao Cancelo permanently from Manchester City next summer, according to Fichajes.

The Catalan giants are confident of the Portuguese's abilities whom they signed on loan this summer. While they want to make his stay permanent, they may face complications due to their financial constraints.

Man Utd ready to sell Varane in January

Manchester United are ready to hear offers for star defender Raphael Varane in January, according to Football Insider.

Varane's current contract with the club expires next summer, although the club has an option to extend it by one more year. As of now, Varane will be eligible to speak to foreign clubs next month and the Red Devils are considering selling him in the January transfer window instead of letting another player leave for free.

Man Utd set to offer new contract to Evans

Manchester United are likely to offer veteran defender Jonny Evans a new contract and extend his stay by one more year at the club.

According to the Daily Star, Erik ten Hag is all set to recommend to the club to offer Evans a new one-year contract.

Arsenal unlikely to sell Patino to Juventus

Juventus are not in talks with Arsenal over the possible transfer of Charlie Patino, as per journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Arsenal will let the youngster leave in the January transfer window and the club will initiate talks with the player next season.

Spurs leading race to sign Genoa's Dragusin

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on signing Genoa defender Radu Dragusin in the January transfer window, according to The Mirror.

The north London side held talks with Nice over signing Jean-Clair Todibo but the Ligue 1 side are not keen on letting their star player leave in the middle of the season. Other than Spurs, Newcastle, AC Milan and Atalanta are also keen on signing Dragusin.

Man City to compete with Dortmund and West Ham to sign Chelsea star

Borussia Dortmund have already initiated talks to sign Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen in the January transfer window, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

Manchester City and West Ham United are also reportedly interested in signing the full-back in the upcoming window.

Pochettino hints lack of transfer activity for Chelsea in January

Mauricio Pochettino hinted that Chelsea are unlikely to make new signings in the January transfer window, although a final decision will be taken by the club owners and the sporting director.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the Luton clash, the Blues boss said, "It is a thing that we are going to discuss with the owner. At the moment the most important is to work with our squad and our team. Players need to step up and be part of the squad and be available. From the beginning of the season, we suffer many injuries. Personally, I am not thinking of going into the market but it is something we will discuss with the owners and the sporting director."

Man Utd set to extend Lindelof's stay until 2025

Manchester United have reportedly activated the one-year option in Victor Lindelof's contract to extend the Swedish defender's stay until 2025, according to The Athletic.

Erik ten Hag sees the 29-year-old as an important part of his defence at Old Trafford and retaining his services was deemed crucial.

Bayern eyeing move for West Ham defender

Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in signing West Ham defender Thilo Kehrer in the January transfer window, according to Fussball Transfers.

The German defender did not enjoy much game time with the Hammers and is prepared to move out of the club. Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel has held direct talks with the player and is hopeful that he will join the Bundesliga champions.

Frustrated Simeone wants to leave Napoli

Giovanni Simeone is eager to leave Napoli to secure more playing time, according to Sky Sports.

The 28-year-old, who has started only two league matches this season, intends to request a transfer if additional minutes are not guaranteed at the Stadio Diego Maradona.

With close to 24 months remaining years remaining on his contract, Simeone has caught the attention of several clubs across Europe's top leagues in the past. Premier League sides Newcastle United and West Ham United, La Liga clubs Real Betis, Sevilla, and Villarreal, as well as Bundesliga outfits Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt, have expressed interest in the Argentine forward.

Tottenham preparing Dragusin bid

Tottenham Hotspur are set to make the first verbal bid for Radu Dragusin after initiating talks with Genoa, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The player is ready to move to North London. However, the Jean-Claire Todibo deal might fall through due to sluggish negotiations with Nice. Tottenham are looking to secure a new centre-back as early as next week.

United's Mejbri in high demand

Manchester United's young midfielder Hannibal Mejbri is drawing interest from top European clubs. Bild reports that Freiburg, Sevilla, and Lyon are among the clubs keen on acquiring Mejbri in the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old, who has made 10 appearances for the first team this season and scored his debut goal in September, might be loaned out to secure more playing time. There are also plans to trigger the one-year contract extension clause in his contract, which would ensure his stay at Old Trafford until at least the end of the 2024-25 season.

Another centre-back?! Chelsea eye Torino's Buongiorno

Chelsea are monitoring Torino star Alessandro Buongiorno as they look to further strengthen at centre-back in the January transfer window, according to The Sun.

Inter, Juventus and Roma are all interested in getting his services.

Revealed: City's long-term plan set for Echeverri

Manchester City have reportedly set out a long-term plan for January transfer target Claudio Echeverri.

According to Ole, Echeverri might not arrive on English shores even in January 2025. Unlike the case of Julian Alvarez, who had more experience when joining City, Echeverri will make a stop-over at Girona.