Manchester United‘s pursuit of David Raum could be scuppered by Erik ten Hag, while Leroy Sané‘s Bayern Munich future has been thrown into doubt. Join us for the latest transfer news, gossip, and rumors from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
– Man United’s Dan Ashworth leaves as sporting director
– USMNT GK Kochen agrees new Barça deal – sources
– Ex-Man United, Portugal star Nani retires from pro football
TRENDING RUMORS
– Former manager Erik ten Hag could get in the way of Manchester United’s attempts to sign RB Leipzig left-back David Raum in January, reports The Sun. After a poor start to the season, Marco Rose’s position as Die Roten Bullen boss has come into question, and Ten Hag has been installed as the early favourite to take over at the Red Bull Arena. If Ten Hag does get the Leipzig job, the outlet says that the Dutchman would be loathe to lose the 26-year-old Germany international.
– Sky Sports Deutschland says that Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer avoided questions about Leroy Sané’s future with the winger’s contract ending in the summer. Sane made his €60 million move to Bavaria from Manchester City in 2020 but has increasingly found minutes hard to come by at the Allianz Arena. With his contract expiring on June 30, the 28-year-old will be allowed to talk to clubs outside of Germany once the transfer window opens on Jan. 1. Hainer was far more forthcoming about the futures of Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies, labelling them “guardrails” that they will build the Bayern squad around.
– Barcelona remain in “pole position” to sign Bayer Leverkusen‘s Jonathan Tah after convincing him to join the club, so says Sacha Tavolieri (via Sky Sports). The German defender, who is set to become a free agent next summer, is also wanted by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. However, Tah’s preference remains Barca — the club he has supported since childhood. Tavolieri also claims that Ronald Araújo could be let go in order to make room for the 28-year-old’s arrival.
– Bournemouth have agreed a deal in principle to sign D.C. United defender Matai Akinmboni, MLS insider Tom Bogert has revealed. The proposed deal for the 18-year-old is said to be worth around $2.5 million plus add-ons. Akinmboni has played 13 times for D.C. United in the MLS since joining the side in 2022. He is also a United States Under-19 international, having made his debut for the side earlier this year.
– Saudi Arabian clubs have shown “strong interest” in Alphonso Davies in recent months, Florian Plettenberg reports. While the likes of Al-Ahli and other SPL sides have made inquiries into the availability of the left-back, a transfer is yet to materialize. According to Plettenberg, Bayern Munich are ‘working hard’ on extending Davies’ contract beyond 2025, and remain optimistic that a deal can be finalized soon. The Bundesliga giants hope to develop him into one of the faces of the club.
– Mohamed Salah has received an opening contract offer from Liverpool, according to The Athletic. That means that all three of the club’s big stars who are due to become free agents next summer — Salah, club captain Virgil van Dijk and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold — all have new deals on the table. Talks are continuing with each of the trio, who could all sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs from Jan. 1. Salah has been regularly linked with interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, while Alexander-Arnold is a target for Real Madrid.
– Manchester City are confident that manager Pep Guardiola will be the key factor in convincing Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi to join the reigning Premier League champions in January, Football Insider reports. Liverpool failed in their bid to sign the Spain international in the summer, but City hope they can lift their stuttering title defence and sign top-class cover for the injured Rodri by recruiting Zubimendi next month.
– Crystal Palace‘s efforts to sign Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki have taken a hit with Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund also looking at the 21-year-old, according to The Sun. Lyon want £30m for Cherki and he is hoping to play for a leading Champions League club if he moves in January, having already turned down Fulham last season.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Sam Tighe takes a look at RB Leipzig’s David Raum:
It would certainly make sense for Manchester United to be on the lookout for a left-wing-back this January. Rúben Amorim has committed to using his patented 3-4-2-1 formation at Old Trafford but lacks natural options for the left-sided role, assuming the totality of Luke Shaw’s injuries means he’s not able to reliably contribute there. Diogo Dalot is doing — and will always do — a stand-up job there, but having a left-footer on that flank could elevate the team.
Raum’s a natural in that area; an instinctively attacking wing-back with a great engine, a strong work rate and a good crossing game. In a world where full-backs are so often either inverting or just centre-backs in disguise, Raum is refreshingly traditional: he gets up and down, he gets the ball in the box.
He slipped out of the RB Leipzig team only due to an ankle injury, having started the first eight Bundesliga and Champions League games. Across that small sample size, he ranked in the 90th percentile or better for expected assists and shot-creating actions, cementing his status as an impactful attacker in this team.
In his absence, though, wonderkid Antonio Nusa, 19, has blossomed in his position. That does perhaps pave the way for a transfer — although any club interested in him needs to be sure his ankle has healed up well.
OTHER RUMORS
– Chelsea are preparing to send 19-year-old Omari Kellyman out on loan in the January transfer window, mere months after he arrived at the club on a permanent deal from Aston Villa. (Football Insider)
– Newcastle United are interested in signing Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto, who is also wanted by Bologna and West Ham United. (Ekrem Konur)
– Two Serie A clubs are showing interest in Ajax midfielder Benjamin Tahirović, who has been capped 14 times by Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Nicolo Schira)
– Graham Potter is open to the idea of taking charge of West Ham United until the end of the season, should current Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui be fired. (TalkSPORT)
– Several Italian clubs have inquired about the availability of AC Milan youngster Mattia Liberali in recent weeks. The 17-year-old is under contract at Milan until June 2026. (Matteo Moretto)
– Bayern Munich‘s Paul Wanner — who is currently on loan at Heidenheim — is being lined up by Stuttgart as a potential replacement for Enzo Millot, who is expected to leave the Bundesliga side next summer. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Real Madrid forward Endrick has no intention of going out on loan in search of game time in the January transfer window despite getting only limited minutes at the Bernabéu so far this season. (Marca)
– Aston Villa are closely monitoring Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz although they face could competition for the Turkey international from Premier League rivals Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. (Birmingham Live)
– Sassuolo want around €15m for winger Domenico Berardi to leave in January AC Milan have previously been interested in the 30-year-old while Fiorentina, Atalanta and clubs from abroad have thought about bringing him in. (Corriere Dello Sport)
– West Ham United right-back Vladimír Coufal, whose contract at London Stadium expires at the end of the season, is being tracked by clubs from overseas. (Football Insider)
– Dan Ashworth, who has left Manchester United after just five months as the club’s sporting director, wanted to appoint Gareth Southgate as manager instead of Ruben Amorim. (Manchester Evening News)