Transfer Rumors: Liverpool and PSG Competing for Marcus Thuram

Transfer Rumors: Liverpool and PSG Eye Marcus Thuram, Barcelona Targeting Rafael Leão

As the transfer window looms, the rumor mill is buzzing with potential moves that could shake up the football world. Two of Europe’s giants, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, have set their sights on Internazionale‘s star forward, Marcus Thuram. Meanwhile, Barcelona is considering a move for AC Milan‘s talented winger, Rafael Leão. Let’s dive into the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe.

For those who love to keep up with the latest in football transfers, be sure to check out the Transfers homepage for all the updates, including done deals and men’s grades as well as women’s grades.

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Trending Rumors

Let’s start with the buzz around Marcus Thuram. Both Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in the Internazionale forward, according to Calciomercato. Thuram, who has an €85 million release clause, is seen as an affordable option for clubs of their stature. However, the French international has made it clear that he won’t exploit this clause to force a move.

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly expressed his desire to play for Real Madrid, as reported by Marca. The newspaper suggests that a contract renewal at Liverpool is “impossible,” although a January move is off the table. Alexander-Arnold could sign a precontract agreement as his current deal expires at the end of the season.

In another intriguing development, Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly interested in Barcelona‘s Dani Olmo, according to Diario Sport. This comes after a court rejected Barça’s request to register Olmo with LaLiga for the second half of the season. PSG’s coach, Luis Enrique, who previously worked with Olmo in the Spanish national team, is reportedly keen on bringing him to Paris.

Barcelona is also in the market for a winger, with Athletic Club‘s Nico Williams and AC Milan’s Rafael Leão on their radar, as reported by Marca. However, Leão’s valuation of €75 million poses a challenge, and there are internal doubts about the 25-year-old. A January transfer is financially impossible, giving Barcelona time to make a decision.

On the other hand, Manchester United’s head coach Ruben Amorim is hopeful of signing Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani in January, according to TEAMtalk. The 26-year-old is keen on a Premier League move, but United could face competition from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal.

Real Madrid is looking to extend Vinícius Júnior‘s contract next summer, as reported by Diario AS. The Brazilian international’s contract runs until 2027, having been agreed upon in 2023 before his rise to global stardom.

Expert Take

ESPN’s Alex Kirkland weighs in on the rumors linking Trent Alexander-Arnold with Real Madrid:

Marca’s frontpage claim that Trent Alexander-Arnold “wants to come to Madrid” is the latest step in a campaign aimed at ensuring that the Liverpool and England star becomes a Real Madrid player next summer.

Madrid were keen on Alexander-Arnold — the latest in a long line of top-level, enticing free transfer targets, following Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba — even before first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal, 32, suffered a season-ending knee injury in October.

Carvajal would need replacing in the long-term anyway, and Alexander-Arnold, 26, would offer a complementary alternative, with a radically different skillset, until then.

It’s helpful, of course, that Alexander-Arnold is close friends with Jude Bellingham, and Bellingham’s experience so far in his 18 months at the Bernabéu couldn’t have been any better: winning trophies, becoming a Ballon d’Or contender, and growing his global profile. ESPN has reported that Alexander-Arnold is Madrid’s top target for next summer. Carvajal’s injury brought an increased sense of urgency to the situation. That increased with backup Lucas Vazquez’s inconsistent form filling in, although Vazquez put in his best performance of the season in Madrid’s 4-2 win over Sevilla before Christmas.

There’s always been an acceptance that a January move for Trent is highly unlikely, unless Liverpool are willing to compromise, and prioritize avoiding losing him for free, even if it means weakening the team as they lead the race for the Premier League.

Alexander-Arnold’s arrival in Madrid would spark further questions, notably who would start at right-back when Carvajal returns to fitness next season.

But there’s no doubt Trent’s creativity and long-range passing would help remedy one of the team’s biggest deficiencies since the departure of Toni Kroos last summer, whether from full-back, or in midfield.

Other Rumors

• Manchester United could target Belgium Under-21 goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who plays for Antwerp. (Daily Telegraph)
• Juventus are more interested in signing Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United than outcast Marcus Rashford. (The Sun)
• Arsenal are interested in Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi but could face competition from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window. It’s unlikely the 24-year-old would be allowed to leave for anything under €40m-€50m. (Corriere dello Sport)
• Liverpool are keeping a close eye on USMNT and Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson with a big January deal being a realistic possibility. It would take a figure between £40m and £50m to sign the 27-year-old next month. (Football Insider)
• Everton haven’t opened contract talks with defender Jarrad Branthwaite despite the centre-back being willing to commit to the club. Branthwaite’s contract runs until 2027 and Everton value him at £75m. (Daily Mail)
• Juventus are make a move to sign central defender Fikayo Tomori from AC Milan. The 27-year-old England international would cost around £20m. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
• Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Brentford, plus Bayer Leverkusen and Fiorentina are all considering a move for Manchester City’s James McAtee. The 22-year-old midfielder hasn’t managed to force his way into the team this season. (Daily Telegraph)
• Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and Real Madrid are both open to listening to offers, despite agreeing a new contract last summer. The Ukraine international is aware that he has no chance of regular football while Thibaut Courtois remains at Madrid. (Diario AS)
• Mario Balotelli could leave Genoa despite only joining the Serie A side in October, as the 34-year-old striker is largely a backup option and Cruz Azul are offering him €5m-per-year — five times his current wage. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
• Lazio are monitoring Stade Rennais midfielder Valentin Atangana, despite the 19-year-old’s contract being extended to 2027. (Nicolo Schira)
• Napoli remain keen on Roma attacking midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, while Juventus’ Ajax loanee Daniele Rugani is seen as an alternative if Danilo can’t be signed in January. (Corriere dello Sport)
• There is Premier League interest in Alfie Gilchrist but Chelsea and the defender both view seeing out his loan at Sheffield United as the best option. (Fabrizio Romano)
• Stade Rennais are working on a deal to bring Seko Fofana back to Ligue 1 from Al Ettifaq. (L’Equipe)