Transfer news LIVE: Real Madrid 'prioritising' Bellingham, Chelsea set to complete THIRD January signing – latest | The Sun
REAL MADRID are prioritising the signing of Jude Bellingham in 2023, it's been reported.
The England star has also been linked with Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to complete the signing of centre-back Benoit Badiashile from Monaco.
Elsewhere, it has been reported that Benfica director Rui Costa has urged Chelsea target Enzo Fernandez to reject the Blues' offer and remain in Portugal until the end of the season.
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- Emillia Hawkins
Stuck in the Mud
Arsenal want Shakhtar Donetsk to set a more realistic asking price for transfer target Mykhailo Mudryk.
And they are pointing to Cody Gakpo’s move to Liverpool — for £37million rising to £45m — as a guideline.
Shakhtar have already rejected the Gunners’ offer of £35m, plus a further £17.5m in easily achievable add-ons.
The Ukrainian club have shown little sign of budging from their hefty £85m valuation of Mudryk.
But Arsenal believe that is an unreasonable price for a 21-year-old winger with little more than 18 months of Ukrainian league football under his belt.
Credit: Getty - Emillia Hawkins
En-d game
Chelsea are 'in direct talks' with Benfica over the potential transfer of World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues "want to offer a huge transfer fee" rather than pay his £106million release clause, but Benfica have previously stated that they will not sell the midfielder for less.
Fernandez is understood to have already said yes to Chelsea.
Liverpool and Man Utd are also known to be interested, but neither club has placed an offer.
Credit: Getty - Emillia Hawkins
Cai Spy
Brighton have rejected a transfer bid from Liverpool for midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to Teradeportes.
The Ecuadorean outlet has reported that the initial offer fell below Brighton's £62million asking price.
However, the Reds are understood to be preparing another bid.
Credit: Getty
- Matt Penn
Good Morning Footy Fans
Chelsea are continuing their aggressive early moves in the transfer window as they look to get their business done early.
The Blues have endured a difficult season on the pitch but they are proving to be effective operators off it.
They sealed the signing of striker David Datro Fofana earlier this week and are now looking to get two more over the line.
Brazilian wonderkid Andrey Santos was reportedly set to fly into London yesterday to do his Chelsea medical, while reports suggest Graham Potter's side are also inching closer to defender Benoit Badiashile.
Meanwhile, Benfica have attempted to fend the Blues off their World Cup star Enzo Fernandez.
New Liverpool signing Cody Gakpo has revealed how chats with fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk contributed to his choice of club.
The striker was long sought by Manchester United but opted for their rivals in a huge blow to the Red Devils.
And Gakpo said: "Van Dijk called me in the past days, while talks were on. He told me the club is really big, I think that also the family side is very important for me because I'm a family guy.
"Virgil said only good things about Liverpool, he wanted me to join the club."
And Tottenham and Arsenal have faced a blow in the pursuit of Alexis Mac Allister.
The Brighton star has attracted major interest after a series of fantastic World Cup performances.
But reports have emerged that the Argentina star would prefer a move to Juventus.
- Kiro Evans
City on the Move
Manchester City are set to trigger the release clause of Velez star Máximo Perrone.
The 19-year-old has a release clause of £7m which the Premier League champions will reach, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Midfielder Perrone is seen as a potential star of the future.
- Kiro Evans
Man Alive
Jude Bellingham snubbed a move to Manchester United, even though they offered TWICE as much as other suitors AND introduced him to Sir Alex Ferguson and Eric Cantona.
According to ex-Birmingham CEO Dong Ren, United's now-former chief Ed Woodward went all out to land Bellingham in 2020 from St Andrew's.
The Red Devils offered the prodigious talent, then just 17, a salary around two times larger than other bidders, who included Chelsea, Leicester, Wolves, Bayern Munich.
But the England international opted for Borussia Dortmund where he has flourished in the last two years, with a 112 appearances already under his belt.
- Kiro Evans
Mac Track
Arsenal and Tottenham have been dealt a transfer blow as Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister prefers a move to Juventus, reports suggest.
Mac Allister has attracted a lot of interest after a stunning World Cup campaign as he starred alongside Lionel Messi and helped Argentina win their first world title in 36 years.
The Gunners and Spurs have been among the suitors keeping tabs on the midfielder along with Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and of course Juve.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, however, the Bianconeri are in pole position with the the 24-year-old fascinated by the prospect of moving to Turin and a deal may be imminent.
- Kiro Evans
No Go on Jorginho
Newcastle will not be making a news for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, according to reports.
The Magpies had been strongly linked to the Italian in recent days with his contract running out at the end of the season.
But sources have told Football Insider that no deal will materialise.
They report that Newcastle judge Jorginho to be "too old" as they are targeting younger players for their project.
- Kiro Evans
More to come at Liverpool?
Liverpool have got their first major signing over the line in the form of Cody Gakpo.
But Jurgen Klopp has been coy as to whether the club will dive into the window again.
Asked whether the Reds will do more January deals, he said: "That’s the discussions we have in the board room. We know what we want to do, we’ll see if we can do it."
- Kiro Evans
Pele dies at 82
Pele, the greatest footballer of all time, has died at the age of 82.
The world of football is in mourning after it was announced the Brazilian icon has passed away in his homeland.
Pele had been receiving treatment for a tumour in his colon but stopped responding care.
It has now been confirmed that he has passed away. Nicknamed The King, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970, the only player in football history to achieve the feat.
His amazing haul of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
- Kiro Evans
He's Ours
Benfica have insisted they intend on keeping Enzo Fernandez until the end of the season.
There appears to be big money on the table as Chelsea try and land the breakout World Cup star while Man United also circle.
But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports: "Benfica’s official statement on Enzo Fernández: 'We insist saying that our intention is to keep Enzo here until the end of the season.
"'Benfica clarify that our president Rui Costs never spoke to DAZN about the situation of Enzo Fernández.'"
- Kiro Evans
Don’t Go Enzo
Benfica have tried to convince Enzo Fernandez to snub a record-breaking move to Chelsea and stay with them.
The Blues have made the Argentina World Cup star one of their transfer priorities ahead of the January window.
Chelsea are willing to pay Fernandez’s £105million release clause with Manchester United and Liverpool also keen.
But Benfica are determined to keep the midfielder and club president Rui Costa met with Fernandez upon his return to Portugal on Wednesday.
According to The Times, Costa tried to convince the 21-year-old that staying at the club for the remainder of the season would be beneficial for his career.
- Kiro Evans
The Man for the Gunners?
Arsenal have reportedly leapfrogged Man United in the race for their long-running target Sergej Malinkovic-Savic.
SunSport has had a look at how the 27-year-old is performing this season.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is a crucial player for Lazio - Kiro Evans
No Pressure
David Moyes has insisted he is not under pressure at West Ham.
The Hammers sit only one point above the relegation zone and some fans have grown weary with the ex-Everton manager.
But Moyes said: "Am I under pressure at the moment? No, not at all. I've got great support from [owner] David Sullivan.
"I'm not daft, you are always under pressure as a football manager. Nobody can get over that. Most managers, if you lose a few games, you are always going to be under a bit of pressure.
"You've got to come in and try to raise expectations wherever you go, I think we've done that. We've had some really good seasons in the last two years, probably done a lot better."
- Kiro Evans
'Badiashile wants Chelsea'
Chelsea are close to a third potential signing before the January window even opens.
With Datro David Fofana officially signing yesterday and Andrey Santos reportedly flying in for his medical, Fabrizio Romano has reported that there is more to come.
The transfer journalist tweeted this evening: "Chelsea are close to complete their third 2023 signing after Fofana and Andrey Santos: deal at final stages for Benoît Badiashile, all parties feel it will be done soon.
"‘Final bits’ now and then here we go expected. Personal terms in place, Badiashile wants Chelsea."
- Kiro Evans
Power Serg
Arsenal are reportedly “leading the race for long-term Manchester United transfer target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic” with Lazio allegedly set to “finally sell” their star.
The 39-capped Serbian international has been linked with a move to the Premier League for years.
And Corriere dello Sport are claiming that Lazio do not want to risk losing Milinkovic-Savic for nothing, which could lead to them cashing in come January.
- Kiro Evans
Big Mac Deal
Huge clubs from across Europe are believed to be in for Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister.
The 24-year-old elevated his status at the World Cup after a series of stunning performances for eventual winners Argentina.
Now Liverpool, Juventus, Benfica and Borussia Dortmund are all interested in the attacker, according to La Repubblica.
Brighton bought Mac Allister in 2019.
- Henry Tomlinson
Coutinho rejects exit talk
Aston Villa star Philippe Coutinho has denied rumours that he is set to leave the club in January.
He wrote on Instagram: "In the last few days I've seen a lot of news with my name but so far, okay, the problem is now that some lies have started and I'm here to clarify.
"NEVER and at any moment had any kind of conversation of mine asking to leave the club, because I'm happy here and my family too.
"My only focus now that I'm recovered from the injury is to work at the maximum every day, to play in a high level and help the club and my team-mates to achieve our goals."
Credit: AFP - Henry Tomlinson
Grealish swap deal considered
Manchester City are weighing up a swap deal for AC Milan star Rafael Leao, in a move that would see Jack Grealish move to Italy.
Calciomercato has reported that the Citizens may offer Grealish to the Serie A side as part of a swap deal for the Portuguese star.
The winger picked up two assists for City in their in against Leeds last night but did miss a handful of chances to score himself.
Although the England international’s wages could prove to be a stumbling block as he is believed to be on £300,000 per week.
- Henry Tomlinson
Giroud in line for new contract
AC Milan are planning on offering veteran striker Olivier Giroud a new deal to keep him at the club.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 36-year-old will be rewarded for his stellar performances for the club and at the World Cup with a deal running until 2024.
However, the one-year extension would still see the striker earn the same yearly salary of £2.8m.
Credit: PA - Henry Tomlinson
Liverpool in talks with Firmino
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that talks are underway with Robert Firmino over a new contract.
The Brazilian's contract expires at the end of the season, but Klopp wants him to stay at the club.
When asked if the arrival of Cody Gakpo would have an impact on Firmino's future, Klopp said: "We're in talks with Bobby, and I want him to stay. No impact."
- Henry Tomlinson
Moyes shuts down Rice exit talk
West Ham manager David Moyes has played down rumours that Declan Rice could leave the club in the January transfer window.
The England international has been linked with an exit from the club with Chelsea heavily interested in signing their former youth player.
However, Moyes has remained defiant in his response when being asked about his captain potentially leaving the club.
He said: "There will be no chance Declan Rice leaves in this window."
Credit: Reuters - Henry Tomlinson
Klopp opens transfer door
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has opened the door to potentially doing more business in the January transfer window.
The Reds have already signed Cody Gakpo, but Klopp has admitted that the club will "see" if they can do what "they want to do".
He said: "The money you spend impacts on the money you can spend [in the future]. Same for anyone.
"That is part of what we discuss in the boardroom and not in the press room.
"We know what we want to do and we will see if we can do it. It is about money but it is also about the right players."
Credit: AP - Henry Tomlinson
Fulham 'insterested' in Cedric
Arsenal defender Cedric Soares is reportedly attracting interest from Fulham.
The Cottagers' manager Marco Silva has been a long-term admirer of the full-back, having worked with him during their time at Sporting.
Fulham are considering making an offer for Cedric and are considering all options in order to bring him in, according to the Evening Standard.
The report also suggested that the Premier League side will have to beat competition from both Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen in order to sign him.
- Henry Tomlinson
Madrid closed for the winter
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that the La Liga side will not be doing any more business during the winter transfer window.
Although he did suggest that some players could leave the club.
He said: “We don’t need signings in January, our market is closed — then for departures, we will see with some players.
“We signed Endrick, top talent. I saw him last year and we talked a bit, he’ll join in 2024. We are happy and excited at the club”.
Credit: EPA
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