Paris Saint-Germain have signalled their interest in Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, while Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu is firming as an option for Manchester United. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu is working his way up Manchester United’s left-back shortlist, says Fabrizio Romano. The Denmark international has been scouted by United in recent months, while Napoli are also said to be keeping tabs on him. Dorgu, 20, has impressed for club and country, contributing three goals in Serie A this season. While the likes of Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez and PSG’s Nuno Mendes are higher on United’s shortlist, Dorgu’s comparatively small transfer fee could make him more of an attractive option.
– PSG hold a “genuine interest” in Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, according to transfer insider Ben Jacobs. The 27-year-old has largely been utilized as a substitute in the Premier League this season, sparking speculation in recent months that he’d be open to a transfer. However, as things stand, no official approach has been made by Les Parisiens, as the player himself would first need to force a move. According to the report, Chelsea don’t want Nkunku to leave the club in January, despite his lack of playing time under head coach Enzo Maresca.
– Chelsea are “exploring” the possibility of re-signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi in a bid to ease their defensive woes, The Daily Mail reports. The Blues are ready to bring in a new centre-back after Wesley Fofana was once again ruled out with a long-term injury. Guéhi, who swapped Stamford Bridge for Selhurst Park back in 2021, is towards the top of Chelsea’s wishlist. He wouldn’t be easy to prize away from Palace, however, who would likely demand a fee of at least £70m to let their star defender leave this month.
– Barcelona sporting director Deco met with Jhon Durán‘s representatives several weeks ago regarding a potential transfer, SPORT asserts. While no official negotiations took place for the Aston Villa striker, he is said to be “excited” by the prospect of one day playing for the Spanish giants. Durán is under contract at Villa until 2030 and would likely cost any potential suitors over £60m.
– Two Premier League clubs want to sign Douglas Luiz from Juventus this month, Sky Sports News reports. The former Aston Villa midfielder is said to be “very open” to the idea of returning to England, having struggled with form and fitness since joining Juve last summer. The Serie A giants are reportedly considering loan-plus-obligation-to-sign-permanently offers for Luiz, who is a Brazil international with 19 caps to his name. The two Premier League clubs in question have not been named, although Man United have been linked with a move for Luiz in the past.
CONFIRMED TRANSERS
– Brazilian striker John Kennedy has joined Mexican club Pachuca on loan from Fluminense. Pachuca will have an option to make Kennedy’s move permanent at the end of the year for a $6m fee.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen looks at Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu.
The versatile 20-year-old has attracted plenty of attention in recent months after a string of promising displays in Serie A. He is left footed, but Dorgu isn’t just a left-back and has actually featured most as right midfielder/winger for Lecce. Though his defensive abilities (6.7 duels won per 90 minutes) also make him a valid transfer target for clubs looking to strengthen the left flank too, such as Man United.
While he needs to refine some technical details — occasional sloppy passes, hurried decision-making, over-reliance on his left foot — his physical attributes are extraordinary for one so young. The Denmark international is hard to knock off balance — he draws three fouls per 90 minutes — and a combination of impressive upper-body strength and above average height (6-foot-2) for a wide player, render him highly useful in defensive 1v1s and at clearing aerial danger at the back post. His general defensive application, especially at tracking attacking runs, is also of a high standard.
Dorgu’s attacking game is still at a stage where enthusiasm shows more than consistent quality. Yet he’s scored three goals this season, with the majority of his goal-scoring opportunities born from getting on the end of crosses from the left or through diagonal runs centrally starting from wide right.
OTHER RUMORS
– Feyenoord winger Anis Hadj Moussa, 22, is on the radar of Liverpool as a potential back-up for Mohamed Salah. (Football Insider)
– Real Madrid have rejected the chance to sign 33-year-old Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk on a free transfer in the summer. (Relevo)
– Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, 32, will be the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League this month and could earn double his current salary. (Telegraph)
– United winger Antony, 24, is set to leave the club on loan and Real Betis are one of several clubs hoping to sign him. (Independent)
– One of those other clubs is Greek side Olympiakos. (Sun)
– PSV Eindhoven are set to offer a new contract to 21-year-old USMNT forward Ricardo Pepi. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Juventus have joined the race to sign PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani this month alongside the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United. (The Athletic)
– Crystal Palace want to land 19-year-old Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham for a fee of around £20m. (TalkSPORT)
– Bayern Munich continue to closely monitor Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz ahead of a potential €100m move in the summer. Honorary Bayern president Uli Hoeness is said to be directly involved in talks with the Wirtz camp, partially due to his close relationship with the 21-year-old’s father. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Switzerland international Ruben Vargas could join Sevilla on a free transfer from FC Augsburg this summer. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Boca Juniors are in advanced talks to sign former Man United midfielder Ander Herrera. (César Luis Merlo)
– Former Real Madrid and Everton midfielder James Rodriguez is in negotiations to terminate his contract with Rayo Vallecano. The 33-year-old Colombia international has made just seven appearances since joining Rayo in the summer on a one-year contract. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao revealed he turned down offers from Brazilian and Saudi clubs before accepting to guide AC Milan. (Record)
