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LIVE Transfer Talk: Man United ready to pay Dortmund £100m for Jadon Sancho

The transfer windows in Europe's top leagues are closed, but it's never too early to look forward to January. Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.

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TOP STORY: Man United ready to go for Sancho

Manchester United are ready and willing to match Borussia Dortmund's demands for Jadon Sancho, the Mirror reports.

The young Englishman is reportedly valued at around £100 million if not more, with Dortmund being eager to keep hold of him for as long as they possibly can. United, on the other hand, aren't afraid to dive into their pocket in order to get a deal done.

Sancho has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford as far back as the recent summer transfer window, as his star continues to rise.

The 19-year-old left Manchester City two years ago in search of first-team opportunities at one of Europe's major clubs, and has since scored 18 goals for Dortmund and netted his first senior internationals goals earlier this season with a brace against Kosovo.

LIVE BLOG

22.00 GMT: That will do it for the latest edition of our LIVE Transfer Talk blog. We hoped you enjoyed following along with us and remind you to check back shortly for the latest transfer rumours, reports and rumblings. Goodnight!

21.53 GMT: Brescia president Massimo Cellino claims that Pep Guardiola and Man City want to sign 19-year-old phenom Sandro Tonali.

The Brescia and Italy midfielder is among the most highly-rated youngsters in world football and is firmly in the sights of some of Europe's biggest clubs. However, Gazzetta quote Cellino as saying he values Tonali at £260 million (€300m) and warned the player of the risks of leaving his club too soon in his career.

"All the big Italian clubs, and abroad Atletico Madrid, PSG and Manchester City," Cellino said as he named the interested parties in Tonali. Manchester United have also been linked.

An all-round midfielder that has been compared to Andrea Pirlo, Tonali debuted for Italy back in October and is currently enjoying his first steps in Serie A with Brescia.

21:03 GMT: Sticking with Man United for a moment, the Red Devils have identified French duo Moussa Dembele (Lyon) and Boubakary Soumare (Lille) as transfer targets, sources have told ESPN FC.

United have been linked with Lyon striker Dembele for some time now but Soumare is a relatively fresh name when it comes to Old Trafford. The France Under-21 international, 20, is seen as a potential heir to Paul Pogba and is rated around €35-40 million. That said, if he doesn't re-up his expiring contract he could be bought for free from the French side from January on. 

Meanwhile, Dembele, 23, has scored 21 goals in 41 games for Lyon since his €22 million move from Celtic in August 2018. Man United desperately need a new striker and creative midfielder and Dembele and Soumare both check the boxes of United's new buy young and build for the long-term transfer policy. We'll see what Ole Gunnard Solskjaer and Co. have up their sleeve in the winter window.

20.10 GMT: Napoli once considered themselves contenders for Red Bull Salzburg star Erling Braut Haaland but do so no more claim Corriere dello Sport.

According to the report, the Italian side have pulled out of the race for the 19-year-old striker, as they do not think they have the financial might to contend with Manchester United among others.

When asked, Napoli scout Loris Boni told Corriere dello Sport

"Definitely in a great club. Salzburg, an excellent team, can only be a springboard for someone like him.

"If, then, his compatriot Solskjaer remains as coach at Manchester United, I think he can go there.

"Solskjaer was also the one who made him debut at Molde, as he coached the club at the time."

Haaland has scored 21 goals in 14 games this season for Salzburg and has been linked with many of Europe's biggest clubs.

19.21 GMT: More bad news for Loris Karius...

Besiktas have run out of patience and reportedly want to end the German's two-year loan deal early and return him to Liverpool in January, according to Turkish publication Takvim. Karius, who infamously struggled in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid, has never regained his confidence since that fateful night in Ukraine and now looks to be on the move again. Still just 26, Karius likely will need to find a new spot to try and re-launch his once very promising career.

18.29 GMT: LAFC's Carlos Vela is in the midst of maybe the greatest individual season in MLS history, having broken the league's single-season scoring record with 38 goals in 35 games. But now could Europe come calling for the Mexican?

The 30-year-old, who previously played 12 seasons in Europe (most notably with Arsenal and Real Sociedad), has been linked with a return to La Liga, specifically with Barcelona. Vela recently told the New York Times he would not turn down a loan move to Barca if the opportunity arose saying: "Who could say no to play with Messi for four months and then return to Los Angeles? Enjoy, learn and then go back home."

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde has weighed in on the links, telling ESPN's Jordi Blanco: "I remember that last year was an option that emerged and there was talk about it ... Now we are not in the transfer market but we have the players we have."

It sounds as if Vela will not be heading to the Camp Nou after all. 

17.56 GMT: Celtic winger James Forrest, 28, has been in splendid form this season (nine goals, 11 assists in 21 appearances) and is set to be rewarded for his efforts with a new contract.

Manager Neil Lennon had earmarked a new deal for Forrest at the start of the season and the winger said: "It's near enough done, everything is basically agreed. I'll be delighted to get that done really soon and just keep focusing on playing.''

"I've always stated from the start of pre-season that I want to stay at Celtic and the club have done the same thing. The talks have been really positive and it's maybe near the end."

Forrest, who made his first-team debut in 2010 after graduating from the club's Academy, has made over 350 appearances for the Hoops, scoring 82 goals and adding 81 assists.

17.13 GMT: With Tammy Abraham scoring at will (eight goals), Olivier Giroud has faded even more into the background at Stamford Bridge.

The 33-year-old has played just 120 minutes for Chelsea in the Premier League so far this season, increasing speculation that the Frenchman could leave the club in January in search of more playing time ahead of Euro 2020. Soccer Link states that Lyon have "made contact" with Chelsea regarding Giroud and are considering him as a replacement for Moussa Dembele, if the latter is sold in the winter window. Giroud's contract with the Blues expires at the end of the season and there is no shortage of interest in France for the World Cup winner.

Stay tuned...

16.20 GMT: Barcelona will make a decision in December on whether to loan out Riqui Puig for the remainder of the season or keep the midfielder with their B team, according to AS.

The 20-year-old, who is under contract at the Catalan club until 2021 with the option of a two-year extension, will reportedly sit down with Eric Abidal and Ramon Planes over the coming weeks to discuss his immediate future.

If Puig is to leave on loan, second-tier Spanish side Real Zaragoza represent a possible destination, given the club expressed interest in the young Spaniard last summer.

15.35 GMT: Rafael van der Vaart has called for his former side Tottenham to sign Hakim Ziyech from Ajax.

Morocco international Ziyech, 26, scored against Spurs in the second leg of his team's Champions League semifinal defeat earlier this year.

Van der Vaart, who made 63 appearances for the north London club between 2010 and 2012, said Ziyech "can become a sensation" in the Premier League with Tottenham.

14.35 GMT: Napoli have denied that they passed up the chance to sign Norway prodigy Erling Haaland for just €5 million in 2018.

In an interview in Italian paper Il Mattino, scout Loris Boni reportedly said the 19-year-old was offered to Napoli and Juventus before moving to Red Bull Salzburg last summer.

But in a statement on Napoli's Twitter, the club said: "We have read that Il Mattino has interviewed a talent scout who claims Haaland was offered to Napoli for €5million. 

"This is fake news and it is astonishing that the journalist did not contact the club to receive confirmation or denial before writing this."

13.30 GMT: The Sun has reported that Manchester United avoided signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before the Gabon international moved to Arsenal, instead opting for Romelu Lukaku.

Aubameyang has excelled at Arsenal, netting 49 times in 77 appearances since joining from Borussia Dortmund for £56m in January last year.

United ended up spending almost £20m more than that to sign Lukaku, who left for Inter Milan this summer after a mixed two-year spell with the Red Devils.

12.05 GMT: According to Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, Muller will not leave the club this January.

The forward has struggled for playing time under manager Niko Kovac, but if he is to leave the Bundesliga champions, it will likely not be until next summer.

"That's a story you want to write [Muller being sold]," Salihamidzic told Sky Sport. "We have two players [Niklas Sule and Lucas Hernandez] out for months and you are trying to tell us to sell a player.

"There's no reason for doing this."

10.40 GMT: In further Real Madrid news, talkSPORT has reported that Los Blancos are eyeing another swap deal, with this one seeing Gareth Bale depart and Paul Pogba arrive. 

 Zinedine Zidane's side will reportedly attempt to convince Manchester United to let Pogba leave by offering Wales international Bale and £85m.

Both midfielder Pogba and winger Bale are out with injuries at the moment, but have been rumoured to be on the way out of their respective clubs for some time.

09.55 GMT: Real Madrid are ready to offer €20m and Isco in exchange for Napoli's Fabian Ruiz, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The midfielder, whom Napoli signed from Real Betis last year, is reportedly a target of Madrid, Barca and Manchester City.

Napoli are said to be opposed to any swap deals, however, preferring a larger transfer fee for the Spain international.

09.10 GMT: Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Inter coach Antonio Conte wants to add Arturo Vidal to his midfield in the January transfer window.

Whether or not Barcelona would let the Chile international leave is unclear, with the La Liga champions already seemingly set to show Rakitic the door.

If Conte can't pry Vidal from Barca, he will reportedly look to sign Manchester United's Nemanja Matic, who he worked with at Chelsea.

08.35 GMT: Manchester City will attach a £100m price tag to striker Gabriel Jesus amid interest from PSG and Bayern Munich, according to The Sun.

The Brazil international extended his contract with the Premier League champions until 2023 last year, though Sport Bild recently reported that he was offered to Bayern, whose forward Thomas Muller may be on the way out.

If true, Bayern's indecisiveness may have set them back as the German champions now seem to be up against the champions of France in a fight to secure Jesus.

08.00 GMT: Arsenal manager Unai Emery has said the club has supported him in his decision to drop midfielder Mesut Ozil.

Ozil has been absent from Arsenal's last five matchday squads, but recently said he wants to stay at the club until at least 2021.

"Here, we have one agreed strategy as a club and as a team, because the most important thing is the club, the team and finding a performance," Emery said.

"Previously we were all speaking between us to take that decision.

"I know all the supporters want to know something, but now is not the moment. I think it is not the moment to speak about him.

"We are going to play on Sunday and in the next matches and we are going to decide, and when we can speak about him something differently we will look."

Ozil was linked to MLS side D.C. United this summer despite his desire for game time at Arsenal.

PAPER TALK (by Harry Kettle): Barca usher Rakitic towards the exit

Barcelona and Ivan Rakitic have both come to terms with his departure from the club, according to Marca.

The Croatia international has been on the verge of leaving the Camp Nou for some time now, but a deal never seemed to materialise. The club now has seven first-team midfielders on the books, leading to a lack of opportunities for Rakitic.

Ernesto Valverde is looking towards the January transfer window as the veteran's proposed exit after five years of service.

Bruce wants James on Tyneside

Steve Bruce has struggled to field a dependable right-back in Newcastle's defence this season, so as the January transfer window approaches, that's one area the club are looking to strengthen.

One name who fits the bill, according to the Sun, is Chelsea's Reece James. The heir apparent to Cesar Azpilicueta has struggled for minutes this season, so the Magpies are hopeful a six-month loan could appeal to both the club and the 19-year-old.

Chelsea, however, are keen to keep the England U20 international in West London.

Tap-ins

- Manchester City are on the verge of bringing Kai Rooney, the son for Manchester United legend Wayne, back to the club's academy, the Express reports. Kai previously moved to City from Manchester United back in 2016, but following his time in the United States with the Bethestar Soccer Club, he's edging closer to completing a return.

- The return of successful loanees like Sergio ReguilonMartin Odegaard, Achraf Hakimi, Takefusa Kubo and Dani Ceballos will allow Real Madrid to pinch enough pennies to spend a massive €300m on Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, according to AS.

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