‘Next Kompany wants Liverpool move’
Anderlecht defender Marco Kana, dubbed ‘the next Vincent Kompany’, reportedly wants to move to Liverpool.
The 18-year-old, a Belgium U21 international, has played five times for Anderlecht under the management of Kompany, the former Manchester City defender, this season.
“I would like to play abroad in a top or sub-top club. And then in the best English teams, preferably in the English top five,” the defender told Walfoot. “Currently, I prefer Liverpool. They really dominate everything.
Arsenal target Aouar ‘refuses to train’
Premier League-linked Houssem Aouar is in trouble with Lyon after refusing to train last Sunday, according to L’Equipe.
The midfielder, heavily touted for a move to Arsenal in the summer, is said to have declined to warm-down with his team mates after the Ligue 1 clash with Angers, as he was unhappy with the state of the pitch.
L’Equipe report that Aouar will be left out of Lyon’s squad for this weekend as a result, and could reignite interest in his services from other clubs if he becomes an outcast from the first team picture.
‘Alaba to enter talks with Chelsea’
The Bayern Munich defender is out of contract next summer
Bayern Munich defender David Alaba is to start talks with Chelsea in January, according to Bild.
Alaba is out of contract next summer and can speak to clubs outside of Germany from January 1 onwards to agree a free transfer.
Bild report that PSG are also set for talks.
Spanish fourth tier side sign Lescott
Former Manchester City and England central defender Joleon Lescott has signed for Spanish fourth division side Racing Murcia.
Murcia, who play in Tercera Division and have previously announced attempts to sign Samuel Eto’o, have brought in Lescott ahead of a Copa del Rey meeting with La Liga side Levante on December 16.
Lescott, 38, last played professional football in 2017 with two league appearances for Sunderland.
Celtic summer signing suffering ‘lack of confidence’
Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has lamented the form of Celtic striker Albian Ajeti after he failed to score again on Thursday night.
Ajeti, a £4.5m summer acquisition from West Ham, has not netted since September and drew another blank as Celtic were hammered 4-1 by Sparta Prague to crash out of the Europa League.
McLeish told Football Insider: “Listen, this is not a playground, you know, we are talking top professionals and top demands and an expectation.
“I’ve seen Ajeti score goals right at the start and maybe he just lost his momentum or confidence. You know, we often forget that these guys are human beings and they do have emotions.”
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Lampard’s methods resemble Football Manager – that’s why Chelsea are title challengers
The Blues boss’ tactics are more reminiscent of the pre-Conte era
Chelsea are eclectic, curious, entertainingly flawed. They are also two points of the top of the table. Therefore, they are title contenders.
Welcome to Covid-19 football: a simpler game defined by broad tactical brushstrokes, by decision-making that resembles Football Manager more than it ought to.
Frank Lampard has spent big, plugged gaps with big names, and it seems to be working. Alex Keble takes a closer look.
Spurs set to sign Gray
Tottenham are ready to snap up Demarai Gray as a free agent in January, claims the Transfer Window Podcast.
Leicester are preparing to part with the 24-year-old winger and will let him leave for nothing over the winter as his contract runs down.
Saliba to return to St Etienne
William Saliba will head back to St Etienne in January, claims But Football Club.
The promising centre-half has failed to make an impact at Arsenal and could be allowed to rejoin his former club on loan once the next transfer window swings open.
Man Utd mulling over new deal for Fred
Fred’s fine form for Manchester United could land him a new contract, reports the Manchester Evening News.
With a 12-month option taken into account the Brazilian is already tied to the Red Devils until 2024, but he could be rewarded with fresh terms after proving his worth under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Chelsea monitoring sale talk at Napoli
Chelsea are, according to football.london, keeping a close eye on events at Napoli.
It has been suggested that the Serie A outfit may be forced to offload their top talents, with those at Stamford Bridge keen on Kalidou Koulibaly and Dries Mertens.
Benfica have new Lucas Verrisimo bid accepted
Benfica have made a new bid to sign Lucas Verrisimo from Santos, Esporte Interativo claims.
The Portuguese giants initially wanted to land the centre-back on loan an option to buy in December 2021, the Eagles are ready to pay €1 million up front followed by more than €5m in instalments.
Instead of waiting to bring him to the Primeira Liga in February, when the Brazilian season ends, Benfica want him next month.
Santos have already accepted the offer but the move is not yet guaranteed to go through.
Chelsea to move for Atletico defender Gimenez
Chelsea are considering a move for Atletico Madrid defender Gimenez, according to reports.
The Uruguayan is a top target for the Blues and a January bid could be on the cards as they look to strengthen at the back.
Sporting close in on Reis signing
Gladbach to enter talks with Ginter & Elvedi
Borussia Monchengladbach are ready to extend Matthias Ginter and Nico Elvedi’s contracts.
The pair have over 18 months left on their current deals, but the club hope to convince them to commit for a few more years.
Sporting director Max Eberl said: “These are players who have made a big contribution to our being in this position today. We are in contact with them and that means that we are interested in continuing to work with you in the long term.”
Villarreal have last word on Kubo departure
Takefusa Kubo will have to get approval from Villarreal before he can find move on in the January transfer window, Sport reports.
The Yellow Submarine signed him on loan from Real Madrid in August but he has not been able to secure a place in the starting XI.
Real Betis want to take him off their hands and Kubo is open to making the switch, but the final decision rests with Villarreal.
Juventus plot Van de Beek move
Serie A giants want midfielder on loan with option to buy
Juventus are monitoring Donny van de Beek’s situation at Manchester United.
The Netherlands international has had to wait for regular starting XI spot in the Premier League since his arrival from Ajax in the summer transfer window.
There is already talk of him leaving the Old Trafford side next year and CalcioMercato says Juve will try to reunite him with Matthijs de Ligt.
The Bianconeri are willing to take him on loan with an option to buy worth €35 million (£31m/$42m).
Thauvin agrees AC Milan move
Florian Thauvin looks set to join AC Milan next summer.
Marseille have been trying to tie him to a new contract before his current deal expires at the end of the season.
The France international has refused to accept their offer, however, and TodoFichajes says he has instead said yes to a deal with the Rossoneri.
Dybala contract talks on hold until next year
Talks between Juventus and Paulo Dybala over a new contract have frozen, La Stampa reports.
The Argentina international is demanding a €15 million (£13m/$18m) salary from the Italian giants and they are refusing to match that figure, going as high as €10m plus bonuses.
Juve do not want to lose him for free, but are willing to wait to tie him to a new deal and will try again in 2021.
Rangers in pole position to land Wilshere
Rangers are the favourites to sign ex-Arsenal and West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere.
Wilshere has been linked with a move to Aston Villa and says he is open to going abroad to continue his career, but joining Steven Gerrard’s side looks more likely, according to The Sun.
Cagliari terminate Birsa contract