Man Utd’s Diogo Dalot eyed by Juventus, AC Milan, Barcelona

The summer transfer window is closed for the major leagues in Europe. However, with an eye on January, there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Juve, AC Milan, Barca eye Man United’s Dalot

There is plenty of interest in Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot, and Calciomercato reports that Juventus, AC Milan, and Barcelona are keen on signing him.

Part of the appeal will be that the Portugal international — who has started every game this season for United — has entered the final year of his contract, meaning there is the possibility that he could leave Old Trafford as a free agent in the summer.

However, the Red Devils have the option to extend Dalot’s contract by another year, with it previously being reported by various outlets that United are likely to take up that option.

Nevertheless, AC Milan are hoping that they will be able to permanently bring in the 23-year-old after he spent the 2020-21 season on loan with the Rossoneri.

Juventus are another club looking at him, states the report, with Dalot likely being seen as a replacement for Juan Cuadrado, whose own contract expires in the summer and is deemed unlikely to be renewed.

Finally, Barcelona are also interested in Dalot, although the situation of United States full-back Sergino Dest — on loan at AC Milan — could also play into the thinking of the Blaugrana.

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21.30 BST: Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a blow to their hopes of landing Piero Hincapie, who has agreed to a new deal in principle with Bayer Leverkusen, according to Football Insider.

The 20-year-old defender is understood to be on the radars of both Premier League clubs, with Spurs director Fabio Paratici making contact with him over a potential move to Antonio Conte’s side. He has made seven appearances in the Bundesliga this season, and can be deployed centrally as well as at left-back.

21.00 BST: Hugo Guillamon is set to extend his stay at Valencia after impressing with his performances in La Liga this season, according to Fabrizio Romano.

It is reported that the 22-year-old Spain international defender will sign a new four-year deal at the Estadio Mestalla, and Los Che are also looking to secure the future of Jose Luis Gaya.

20.30 BST: AC Milan are considering a move for Riccardo Orsolini, writes Calciomercato.

The Rossoneri are weighing up potential January targets after Alexis Saelemakers suffered an injury during the 3-1 Serie A win over Empoli on Saturday, and it is reported that they see the 25-year-old Bologna star as a potential short-term option in midfield.

20.00 BST: Gonzalo Higuain has announced that he will retire from football at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old Inter Miami striker has scored 14 goals in 18 appearances in the MLS this season, while a recent rich vein of form has seen him contribute to nine goals in nine consecutive games.

He will play his final two MLS regular season games this week when Phil Neville’s side take on Orlando City on Thursday before they come up against Montreal on Sunday.

19.30 BST: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has informed the club hierarchy to suspend contract talks for all players, reveals the Telegraph.

Cristiano Ronaldo, David De Gea, and Marcus Rashford are among eight stars who are into or nearing the final 18 months of their deals at Old Trafford, but it looks as though the club’s manager will soon make decisions over who he wants to keep as part of his project.

19.00 BST: The final details regarding a new contract for Phil Foden at Manchester CIty are being discussed, according to Fabrizio Romano.

City are reported to have already reached an agreement in principle with the 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who scored a hat-trick against Manchester United on Sunday, and the latest suggests that he is closing in on a new five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

18.30 BST: Martin Zubimendi looks to have closed the door on a potential switch from Real Sociedad to Barcelona.

Speaking about his future to Cadena SER, he said: “My renewal with Real Sociedad is a matter of time.”

The 23-year-old midfielder has recently been linked with a move to the Camp Nou as Xavi Hernandez’s side continue to assess the market in search of a future replacement for Sergio Busquets.

18.00 BST: Former Argentina international team manager Jorge Sampaoli has set some conditions for him to be persuaded to join Sevilla as head coach, reveals Marca.

It is understood that the 62-year-old former Marseille manager would be looking for a two-year contract with the promise of time to stabilise the team before pursuing greater objectives with the LaLiga side.

Sampaoli is believed to be the primary candidate if the La Liga club parts ways with Julen Lopetegui.

17.30 BST: Juventus are keen on acquiring Borussia Monchengladbach winger Ramy Bensebaini, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Bianconeri are looking to add reinforcements in January, and it looks as though they have identified the 27-year-old as one of their first targets after his bright start to the season.

Bensebaini scored in Gladbach’s recent 3-0 win over RB Leipzig on September 17, but he was also a standout performer for Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations last season.

17.00 BST: Multiple Premier League clubs are interested in signing Rhys Norrington-Davies, understands Football Insider.

The 23-year-old Sheffield United left-back has been a key performer for the Blades this season, and it is reported that Crystal Palace, Leicester City, and Bournemouth are all keeping a close watch on his progress.

16.32 BST: What does the future hold at Liverpool for full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold?

15.45 BST: ICYMI – Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong remains on Manchester United’s transfer wish list, sources told ESPN, while Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham will also be central to United’s transfer plans next summer.

Despite strong interest from United, De Jong remained at Barcelona during the transfer window, saying he never wanted to leave the Spanish giants. But sources told ESPN that United manager Erik ten Hag isn’t put off by the 25-year-old’s public stance and won’t rule out the possibility of making another bid next summer.

There is still a feeling at Old Trafford that De Jong could leave Barcelona in the future and he could be convinced to move to Manchester where he’d reunite with his former Ajax manager Ten Hag.

United agreed the framework of an €85m deal with Barcelona in the summer but negotiations stalled over United’s reluctance to cover deferred wages owed to De Jong.

14.30 BST: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has likened his side’s confidence crisis to the struggles of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Liverpool have won only three games this season and sit ninth in the Premier League table after drawing 3-3 with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

“Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo at the moment is at the top of his confidence? It happens to all of us. Lionel Messi last season [at Paris Saint-Germain] — pretty much the same,” Klopp said in a news conference on Monday. “You have to take a step in the right direction and when you’re ready, it’s back… We have to be patient again to do the right thing and then we will be fine again.”

Klopp added that Liverpool have been conceding too many similar goals this season and that they need to get “back to basics.”

14.02 BST: Liverpool, Juventus and Real Madrid are ready to make an approach to sign Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans in January, according to Calciomercato.

Tielemans, 25, is a free agent in the summer and is unlikely to stay at Leicester given their poor form this season.

The Belgium international, who has also been linked with Arsenal, could be available for around £20m when the winter window opens, or could choose to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs from Jan. 1 to join in the summer.

13.23 BST: The Daily Mail says Arsenal are looking to sign Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli to new contracts.

The young trio have impressed this season as the Gunners have jumped to the top of the table, but they only have a few years left on their current deals.

Man City have been linked with Saka, while Chelsea are reportedly following Martinelli.

12.28 BST: Chelsea have been linked with a move for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao and, with two clubs facing each other in the Champions League on Wednesday, the story is back.

Corriere della Sera reports that the Serie A side “received several informal offers” to sign the Leao over the summer, with Chelsea one of them.

The 23-year-old Portugal international has been in superb form and the report claims that Milan won’t accept less than €100m, even with his contract expiring in 2024.

11.44 BST: Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has a host of top clubs interested in signing him, reports Il Bianconero.

Vlahovic, 22, only joined Juve for €70m in January 2022 and has scored 14 goals in 30 games for the club since.

Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in his services, while Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also in the market for a No. 9 after the exit of Robert Lewandowski.

11.00 BST: Can Steven Gerrard get Aston Villa back on track?

09.47 BST: Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli snubbed interest from Manchester United during the summer, claims Sportmediaset.

Locatelli, 24, helped Italy to Euro 2020 success and had been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal after impressing over recent years.

However, United reportedly made a move and the midfielder turned down the chance to move to Old Trafford as he wanted to prove himself at Juve.

09.24 BST: Valencia coach Gennaro Gattuso is confident that captain Jose Luis Gaya will remain at the club beyond next summer.

Gaya, 27, who becomes a free agent in June 2023, has been offered a new five-year contract.

“I think that Jose, our captain, is happy and I look forward to his renewal because the club has made a great effort,” Gattuso said. “We have spoken and I think he is going to sign the renewal. I hope he does because in the proposal the club has made a great effort according to his value.”

The Spain international gained promotion to Valencia’s first team in 2014.

08.53 BST: Former Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez is among the candidates Sevilla are considering should Julen Lopetegui be dismissed, says Mundo Deportivo.

Sevilla have won one and lost five of their nine games this season and Lopetegui is under fire heading into Wednesday’s Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund.

Benitez, 62, has been out of a job since being sacked by Everton in January. The former Valencia and Real Madrid boss has not coached in LaLiga since his departure from Madrid in 2016.

Ex-Valencia coaches Jose Bordalas and Javi Gracia are also reportedly in the running while Jorge Sampaoli, who guided Sevilla in the 2016-17 campaign, is also being considered.

08.25 BST: The Athletic reports that RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku has signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea to move next summer.

Nkunku, 24, has been tracked by the top clubs in Europe — including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. And sources told ESPN last week that the France international underwent private medical tests Frankfurt, with a Chelsea orthopaedist present, ahead of a proposed transfer next year.

The Athletic report claims that Chelsea will pay a transfer fee in excess of Nkunku’s €60m release clause in order to land their man ahead of rivals.

08.00 BST: Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench during the side’s 6-3 defeat to Manchester City out of “respect” for the striker, he said.

Ronaldo was an unused substitute at the Etihad Stadium despite United finding themselves 4-0 down at half-time.

Victor Lindelof, Anthony Martial, Fred, Casemiro and Luke Shaw all came off the bench ahead of Ronaldo, with Ten Hag insisting afterward the 37-year-old did not deserve to be subjected to humiliation at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s champions.

“I wouldn’t bring him in out of respect for Cristiano, for his big career,” Ten Hag said. “The other thing was the advantage that I could bring on Anthony Martial. He needs the minutes, but I don’t want to point it out like that.”

PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)

– Romelu Lukaku is already looking towards the summer and has decided that he doesn’t want to go back to Chelsea when his loan deal with Internazionale comes to an end, as reported by Calciomercato. The Belgium international left Stamford Bridge in the offseason and will aim to find a way of persuading Todd Boehly and the club’s executives to let him leave again. The hope is that another loan spell could be an option considering the amount of money Chelsea spent to sign him.

– Fabrizio Romano has reported that discussions between RB Leipzig and Chelsea are taking place about a fee and payment terms over striker Christopher Nkunku‘s transfer. Chelsea aim to trigger the Frenchman’s €60m clause in 2023.

– AC Milan and Juventus are looking at Spezia‘s Jakub Kiwior and Eintracht Frankfurt‘s Evan N’Dicka, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The former has impressed for his club as well as the Poland national team and has a contract that runs until 2025, while the latter’s current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2023, meaning he would be available as a free agent.

– Lazio signed Luis Maximiano from Granada in the summer, but Calciomercato has suggested that he could already leave in the summer after failing to impress Maurizio Sarri. The 23-year-old was sent off six minutes into his debut against Bologna on the opening day and has not played since.