The transfer window for all of Europe’s big five leagues is now closed, but that doesn’t stop Transfer Talk from rummaging through the remains of the summer window to scrounge up the earliest bit of gossip about who will be moving where come January.
Mourinho planning move for Inter’s Icardi
With all of the fuss over Marcus Rashford’s role at Manchester United and how he fits into a crowded frontline that already includes Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, you’d think the last thing Jose Mourinho would be after is another striker.
But according to AS, that’s just what the Portuguese manager wants and he’s already weighing up a January move for Inter Milan frontman Mauro Icardi. The outlet says United are ready to pay his €110 million release clause if Icardi is interested in the move.
The Argentina international, who was recalled to the national team for recent friendlies after missing out on the 2018 World Cup squad, was tied with Lazio’s Ciro Immobile on 29 goals at the top of the Serie A scoring charts last season.
Whether it’s Manchester United or somewhere else, AS says if Icardi “indicates a willingness to leave Inter, he will not be short of offers from Europe’s biggest clubs.”
Monaco’s cut stymies United’s Martial sale
More news out of Manchester here. Anthony Martial has played just 60 minutes of football this season, but Manchester United have no plans to sell him, according to the Sun.
The report states that while it may appear obvious the 22-year-old France international is not in Mourinho’s plans, the hierarchy inside Old Trafford are refusing to sanction his permanent departure because former club Monaco would be due “50 percent of the profits”. For a player who cost £44.5m initially – with further clauses that could push the fee £57m – any realistic purchase price would leave United with little to show for their three-plus years of investment.
The Premier League outfit thus don’t see any value in selling Martial, whose contract can be extended through next season. However, Ed Woodward & Co. are considering a January loan abroad in order to get the attacker some regular football this season.
Cardiff hope to take Chelsea starlet Ampadu on loan
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock missed out on a loan deal for emerging Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, and is still sour about it, but that hasn’t curbed his enthusiasm to try to tie up a short-term deal for another of the Blues’ talented crop of youths.
The Mirror writes that Warnock is hoping to convince Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri that Ethan Ampadu, who just turned 18, would benefit from a loan in his native Wales for the second half of the Premier League season.
“I think I could help him, and the Premier League would certainly help him,” Warnock reportedly said. “It would open his eyes. He doesn’t look out of place at this level and I think he should go on loan. We’d definitely have him.”
Tap-ins
– The Sun reports that Fulham are dying to get teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon tied down to a new contract, but suggest the club face an uphill battle to get a deal done. The 18-year-old’s profile is higher than ever after having helped the Cottagers back to the Premier League last season, but has started hit team’s last few matches on the bench.
– Jose Mourinho has admitted he is “in the dark” over Paul Pogba’s plans for the future but insists the France World Cup winner has never told him he wants to quit Manchester United.
Pogba has refused to shut down talk of a move away from Old Trafford, saying during the international break “who knows what will happen in the next few months.”
– Liverpool have completed the signing of Netherlands youth international Ki-Jana Hoever from Ajax after they had agreed a deal to sign the 16-year-old earlier in the summer.
Hoever was granted international clearance on Thursday and the right-back, who can also play at centre-back, is now free to play competitively for the club.
– The Chicago Fire has claimed former Real Salt Lake forward Yura Movsisyan off waivers. Movsisyan, 31, had spent the past six months on loan with Swedish club Djurgardens IF.