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: PSG eye Aubameyang
Paris Saint-Germain have began talks with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang regarding a potential move in the summer, says Footmercato.
The 33-year-old striker signed a two-year deal at Chelsea in the summer after departing Barcelona for around €12 million. However, the former Arsenal star may not be part of new Blues boss Graham Potter’s plans, which could see him leave London once more.
The report suggests that Chelsea will not stand in Aubameyang’s way should a club make a suitable bid to sign him in the summer, and it is thought that talks between PSG and the striker have already began, with an eye to next season.
Aubameyang is believed to have long been an admirer of the club, where he is no stranger to manager Christophe Galtier, who worked with him at Saint-Etienne a decade ago.
PSG spent much of the previous transfer window trying to sign a striker to supplement Kylian Mbappe and landed Stade de Reims striker Hugo Ekitike on loan. However, in Aubameyang, the French giants would be able to boast a proven goal scorer to form a partnership alongside Mbappe.
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14.15 BST: Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar is expected to leave the French club when his contract expires in the summer.
Aouar, 24, has been linked with Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Real Betis in the past, but Calciomercato claims that Roma, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are also interested in the France international.
13.33 BST: U.S. men’s national team striker Ricardo Pepi continued his hot start since joining FC Groningen on loan this summer, scoring twice in a 3-2 loss to RKC Waalwijk on Friday.
Pepi, 19, has now scored four goals in his last three games for the Dutch club. He is also the first player this century to be directly involved in five goals in his first four Eredivisie matches, according to Opta, having also registered one assist.
The FC Dallas academy product joined Groningen on loan from Bundesliga club Augsburg late in the summer transfer window having struggled in Germany since a $20m move from MLS in January 2022.
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Ricardo Pepi reflects on his strong start to life in the Eredivisie after scoring four goals in his past three games for Groningen.
12.50 BST: ICYMI – Romeo Beckham is training with Premier League side Brentford’s B team, sources have told ESPN’s James Olley.
The 20-year-old, son of former England captain, David, accepted an invitation to work at the west London club after the end of the Major League Soccer Next Pro season.
Beckham is one of the latest in a number of players to train with the B side, and sources have told ESPN he is not on a trial nor is there any suggestion of a permanent move to Brentford at this stage.
Beckham is contracted to Inter Miami II, the reserve team of MLS side founded by David in 2018, but is in London and has taken advantage of Brentford B’s flexible schedule given they do not play in a competitive league.
12.23 BST: A host of Liverpool scouts watched Galatasaray’s 2-1 Super Lig win over Konyaspor on Sept. 16, says The Sun, as the Reds look to raid the Turkish club.
France youth international right-back Sacha Boey, Denmark centre-back Victor Nelsson, and Turkey wingers Kerem Akturkoglu and Yunus Akgun, were reportedly of interest to Liverpool’s recruitment team. But it remains to be seen if the club are going to make a move to sign any of them.
11.04 BST: Barcelona’s search for a right-back has led them to Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot, according to SPORT.
Dalot, 23, has been linked with Barca on and off in recent years and the latest reports say the LaLiga leaders will take their interest to the next level at the end of the season, when the Portugal international’s contract is due to expire.
United do have an option to extend his deal for an additional year, but SPORT claims Barca would even be willing to pay a small fee for the player due to his age and potential.
Italian sides Juventus and AC Milan have also sounded out Dalot’s camp regarding a potential transfer, the report adds.
Dalot has become a regular in the United team under new coach Erik ten Hag. He has started all 10 of the English side’s matches in all competitions this season.
Barca are keen to strengthen at right-back. The only natural option for the position at the moment is Hector Bellerin, who is currently injured and out of contract next summer, while Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo have all been used there.
10.18 BST: Newcastle could make a move to sign Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw, says Football Insider.
Shaw, 27, has played just five times this season — twice in the Europa League — as summer signing Tyrell Malacia has become first choice.
Newcastle have recently upgraded their defence, but England international Shaw is regarded as an improvement on their current options of Matt Targett and the versatile Dan Burn.
Shaw’s contract is due to expire in the summer of 2023, though the club have an option to extend it by another year.
09.26 BST: Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi is on Manchester United’s radar, according to Calciomercato
Frattesi, 23, has also been tracked by West Ham and Tottenham after scoring four goals in 36 Serie A games last season — he has two goals in nine games this season.
The Italy international has caught the eye with some fine performances this season, but Sassuolo value his services at around €25m.
09.00 BST: Chelsea are set to appoint Christopher Vivell as the club’s new technical director after his departure from RB Leipzig, sources have told ESPN.
Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, represented by Behdad Eghbali, are believed to have met with a series of candidates in the past fortnight including Vivell, who was sacked by Leipzig on Thursday.
“Christopher Vivell was released from his position as technical director yesterday, with immediate effect due to differing views,” the Bundesliga club said in a statement.
Sources have suggested Leipzig took a dim view of Vivell discussing another position. It is thought he met with officials from Stamford Bridge earlier this week.
Vivell’s arrival would mark a notable step forward for Chelsea’s new owners, who are also keen to appoint a sporting director alongside a new technical director.
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Janusz Michallik reacts to Manchester United’s narrow Europa League win over Omonia Nicosia.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Nick Judd)
– Liverpool are prepared to exchange defender Joe Gomez for Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to Calciomercato. The Reds have long been admirers of Milinkovic-Savic and with the exchange of Gomez, alongside a fee, feel they could satisfy the £70m price tag. This could spell the end of Juventus‘ interest in Milinkovic-Savic, who were reportedly planning to move for the 27-year-old.
– Barcelona will not go for Inigo Martinez in January, instead opting to sign him next summer, according to Sport. The Athletic Club defender has long been sought-after by Barcelona, but with the 31-year-old available as a free agent in the summer, it makes sense financially for the Spanish giants to wait. Martinez came close to joining Barcelona previously under Ernesto Valverde, but a move never materialised.
– Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Leicester City midfielder James Maddison will likely attract attention in the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail. The Foxes rejected two bids from Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the summer, and look set to receive further offers in January, following the 25-year-old’s superb start to the season. Rodgers said: “I would think [there would be],” regarding interest for the Englishman, before admitting that: “He’s never a player you would want to lose.”
– N’Golo Kante is in negotiations over a new contract at Chelsea, but PSG’s interest still remains in the Frenchman, alongside Tottenham Hotspur, per L’Equipe. Kante is demanding a long-term contract at his current club, but there have been strong rumours linking the midfielder away from Stamford Bridge. The 31-year-old is not short of options, with PSG an admirer of the much-loved midfielder.