Chelsea are exploring the possibility of signing Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, while Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu is firming up as an option for the Red Devils as well. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
- Chelsea are leading the chase to sign Kobbie Mainoo if the midfielder decides to leave Manchester United, the Daily Mail reports. The 19-year-old is said to have hit a contractual stalemate, which could open the door for Chelsea to make their move. A "budget squeeze" has limited how much United can offer Mainoo for a new deal -- with his existing contract running until 2027. European clubs could also compete for his signature if the situation remains unresolved.
- 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 Paris Saint-Germain's Nuno Mendes are higher on United's shortlist, Dorgu's comparatively small transfer fee could make him more of an attractive option.
- Mohamed Salah is carefully considering his future amid a lucrative contract offer from Paris Saint-Germain, TeamTalk has revealed. The Liverpool winger's preference is to remain in Europe beyond this season, with proposals on the table from both the Reds and PSG. According to TeamTalk, the Parisians are offering a more attractive financial package, alongside a longer contract length than Liverpool currently are.
- Borussia Dortmund are exploring a deal to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford this month, according to Florian Plettenberg. BVB could look to sign the 27-year-old on an initial loan deal, although their chances of completing such a move are considered remote. Plettenberg also reveals that Serie A giants Juventus and AC Milan are monitoring the player's situation at Old Trafford.
- Everton and Aston Villa have entered into official negotiations over the permanent transfer of Jaden Philogene, Matteo Moretto reports. The England Under-21 international only joined Villa last summer from Hull City, but a lack of game time could see him on the move again this month. Philogene, 22, has played 11 times in the Premier League this season, but is yet to score a goal or register an assist.
CONFIRMED TRANSFERS
- Bournemouth have signed 19-year-old left-back Julio Soler for £14m from Lanus.
Bienvenido, Julio 🔥 pic.twitter.com/puTpknzZRm
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 7, 2025
- Tottenham have taken up their option to extend Son Heung-Min's contract by a further year to 2026. Read
- Chelsea women have triggered the one-year option in Guro Reiten's contract, extending her stay until 2026. Read
- 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
- Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Juventus and some Premier League clubs are considering a bid to sign Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. (Athletic)
- 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)
- Everton are set to sign Man United midfielders Hayley Ladd on a permanent deal and Emma Watson on loan. (Athletic)
- Everton and Aston Villa are in talks over the permanent transfer of winger Jaden Philogene. (Relevo)
- 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 Sérgio Conceição revealed he turned down offers from Brazilian and Saudi clubs before accepting to guide AC Milan. (Record)
- PSG hold a "genuine interest" in Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku. (Ben Jacobs)
- Barcelona sporting director Deco met with Jhon Durán's representatives several weeks ago regarding a potential transfer. (SPORT)
- Two Premier League clubs want to sign Douglas Luiz from Juventus this month. (Sky Sports News)
- Boca Juniors are in "advanced negotiations" to sign former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera. (Cesar Luis Merlo)
- Antony's proposed move from Manchester United to Olympiacos this month is not considered a likely option at this stage of the transfer market. (Fabrizio Romano)
- Martin Dúbravka's move to Al-Shabab is close to a "done deal", although the Newcastle United goalkeeper is yet to sign a contract with the Saudi club. (Ben Jacobs)
- Lecce are leading the race to sign Lazio left-back Elseid Hysaj. However, the player's contract demands could yet prove to be a stumbling block. (Nicolo Schira)
- Sheffield United are in advanced talks to sign Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury this month. (Football Insider)
- Sevilla are exploring a deal to sign FC Nürnberg midfielder Jens Castrop, who is also attracting interest from Union Berlin and Werder Bremen. (Florian Plettenberg)
- West Ham United have interviewed Graham Potter and two other managers to discuss the possibility of succeeding Julen Lopetegui at the club. (Sky Sports)