The winter transfer window is now open in Europe, and there are plenty of moves in the works and rumors floating around. Transfer Talk brings you the latest news on rumours, comings and goings and of course, closed deals!
TOP STORY: Barça asks Man United for 80 million euros to sign Araujo
Manchester United will need to spend 80 million euros to sign the Barcelona defender Ronald Araújoreports Sky Sport Deutschland Florian Plettenberg.
Araujo has made 20 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan giants this season, attracting attention from across Europe. As well as United, Bayern Munich are also reported to be interested in the Uruguayan international, who has had an impressive season in Spain.
The report suggests that Barcelona have told the Red Devils and Bayern that they will need €80m to part ways with the centre-back this winter.
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However, Araujo is reportedly not interested in leaving the Camp Nou in January, making it difficult to reach an agreement.
Despite this, Barcelona's financial problems are well documented, and the club needs to facilitate exits to balance the books and ensure compliance with LaLiga's Financial Fair Play rules, which could make the club receptive to an agreement.
United manager Erik ten Hag is looking for defensive reinforcements, with Rafael Varane's The future at Old Trafford is unclear. Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez They have had injury problems throughout the first half of the season, highlighting the need for defensive additions to the Premier League squad.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Juventus striker Moise Kean The Turin team could leave on loan in January, and Fiorentina has expressed interest, Calciomercato reports. The 23-year-old has appeared 12 times in Serie A this season, without registering a goal or an assist, and an injury has sidelined him in recent weeks. The report indicates that Fiorentina have expressed the greatest interest in agreeing a loan deal for Kean, who is low in the pecking order of the Italian giants.
– Jesse Lingard Agents have offered the midfielder to Portland Timbers, one of several MLS clubs that have shown interest, the Daily Mail reports. Lingard has been a free agent since June following his departure from Nottingham Forest and has since struggled to find a new club The report states that while the 31-year-old trained with West Ham and Al Ettifaq following his release, the clubs found it difficult to agree a deal for the midfielder. However, there is reportedly strong interest from MLS, which could materialize a deal for Lingard.
– Despite reports, Manchester United will not seek to reach a deal for the striker Karim Benzema, reveals the Daily Mirror. Benzema signed for Saudi side Al Ittihad in the summer, but after falling out with coach Marcelo Gallardo, it appears the Frenchman will leave the club. While Manchester United would be interested in strengthening the attack in January, the report indicates that the Red Devils are not considering the possibility of signing Benzema. It is reported that Benzema's age, coupled with his high wages, will not cause United to attempt a deal for the striker.
– Nottingham Forest will compete with Napoli and Roma for the Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, according to TeamTalk. The 24-year-old reportedly turned down Nottingham Forest in the summer, but the Premier League side remained interested in the defender. Chalobah is reported to be interested in staying in the Premier League, which could see Forest beat Napoli and Roma to his signature, with the player expected to leave in January.
– Manchester United have identified the Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee as a target for the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sport Deutschland Florian Plettenberg. The tweet suggests that United have already inquired about the forward, but Bologna are not willing to lose the 22-year-old in January. Zirkzee could reportedly leave in the summer, with the Dutchman having a €40m release clause.
