Transfer Rumors: Chelsea and Liverpool Eye Real Betis Star, Manchester United’s Striker Dilemma
As the transfer window looms, the football world is abuzz with speculation and anticipation. Two of the Premier League’s giants, Chelsea and Liverpool, are reportedly set to battle it out for the signature of Real Betis winger Jesús Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Manchester United seems to be steering clear of a move for Victor Osimhen once his loan from Napoli to Galatasaray concludes. Let’s dive into the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe.
For those who love to keep tabs on the latest transfer dealings, be sure to check out the Transfers homepage, where you can find Done deals and the Men’s January grades as well as the Women’s January grades.
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Trending Rumors
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea and Liverpool are set to go head-to-head in the battle to sign Real Betis winger Jesús Rodriguez. The 19-year-old has a €50m release clause in his contract and is ready to make the step up. Rodriguez has impressed on both wings for Betis this season, initially as a right winger and then on the left after moving to accommodate Man United loanee Antony.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are unlikely to move for Victor Osimhen when the striker’s loan from Napoli to Galatasaray ends. The 26-year-old is reportedly demanding £400,000-per-week in wages, according to Football Insider. Instead, the Red Devils are eyeing a £40m deal to sign Ipswich Town‘s Liam Delap, who has impressed despite his side’s struggles in the Premier League this term.
In Italy, Calciomercato reports that Juventus have summer plans for their frontline. Juve boss Thiago Motta remains an admirer of Joshua Zirkzee, after the pair worked together at Bologna, and wants to sign the 23-year-old from Manchester United. Juventus also want to renew Randal Kolo Muani‘s loan from Paris Saint-Germain and offload Dusan Vlahovic to make room for Zirkzee.
In Germany, Joshua Kimmich and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement on a contract extension, reports Sky Sports Deutschland. This follows speculation about the versatile midfielder’s future that included mentions of Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. Bayern are preparing the final contract, and there is a plan for the 30-year-old to sign this week with his new deal running until 2029.
Over in Spain, Barcelona are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper but have been rebuffed in their approach for Real Madrid‘s Andriy Lunin, according to Defensa Central. Barca are aware they need a long-term replacement for Marc-André ter Stegen, 32, who has been recovering from a knee injury since September. Lunin, 26, stepped in for Thibaut Courtois during his lengthy injury spell last year but has now returned to the bench. The Ukraine international has a contract until 2030, and Barca president Joan Laporta reportedly asked about his situation during a meeting with his agent Jorge Mendes, but was told Madrid wouldn’t let him go.
Expert Take
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Nicol: Man United should be very disappointed
Steve Nicol and Shaka Hislop give their immediate reaction to Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
Other Rumors
Newcastle are exploring striker options in case Alexander Isak leaves, with Ipswich’s Liam Delap, Lille’s Jonathan David, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko on their shortlist. (Daily Mail)
Manchester City are looking for a new No. 1 goalkeeper amid uncertainty surrounding Ederson‘s long-term future and have Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, Lille’s Lucas Chevalier, Benfica’s Anatoliy Trubin, and Parma’s Zion Suzuki on their list. Or they could move for Burnley’s James Trafford and Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson as a No. 2 if they promote Stefan Ortega. (TBR)
Manchester United are looking to move players on to raise funds but will then look to activate the €80m release clause in the contract of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. (Caught Offside)
Liverpool are also on the Slovenia international’s trail ahead of a planned summer overhaul. (GMS)
Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are all among the notable European clubs who have been heavily scouting Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, with the French club willing to let him leave if an offer in the region of €45m-€50m is received. (Ekrem Konur)
Juventus hope to lower FC Porto’s €30m asking price to sign Francisco Conceicao on a permanent transfer following the end of his loan this summer. (A Bola)
Wolves are among the Premier League clubs interested in signing Genoa defender Koni De Winter, but will face competition from Inter Milan at around €25m or above. (TEAMtalk)
West Ham and Crystal Palace are among those looking at Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 23, this summer. (Football Insider)
Barcelona sporting director Deco has begun talks with Frenkie de Jong‘s agent to keep the midfielder at Camp Nou for three seasons, with the 27-year-old’s deal ending in 2026. (Sport)
All options are open for the future of Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa with negotiations over a new contract on standby and his current deal ending in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
Barcelona could entertain offers of around €80m to sign midfielder Gavi this summer, with PSG at the front of the queue. (El Nacional)
The club plan to offer goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny a new one-year contract. (Marca)
And, as a result, Galatasaray will move to sign Iñaki Peña, who has not renewed his deal yet and has lost his place to Szczęsny. (Mundo Deportivo)
Originally Written by: ESPN
