Bayern Munich have been given clear encouragement in their bid to sign Luis Díaz from Liverpool, while Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand is wanted by both Manchester United and Manchester City. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
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Luis Díaz is open to joining Bayern Munich. Liverpool FC via Getty Images
TRENDING RUMORS
– Bayern Munich have been on the trail of Liverpool forward Luis Díaz for weeks, and Bild says the Bundesliga champions now think a transfer can be agreed. It had seemed that the Reds were reluctant to do a deal, but Bild reports that both clubs are confident that common ground can be reached. Internally, Bayern have set a budget of €75 million for the transfer fee, while the Colombia international will receive a significant wage rise to €14m gross per year. Bayern, who will increase their previous bid of €67.5m, are all in for Díaz after VfB Stuttgart turned down two offers to sign striker Nick Woltemade.
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– Manchester United and Manchester City are set to go head to head for Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand, according to A Bola. Sporting have already made clear they won’t be bullied on transfers as they continue negotiations with Arsenal over Viktor Gyökeres. As for the 26-year-old Hjulmand, Juventus backed out of a deal after offering €30m-€40m but being told they would have to meet the midfielder’s release clause of around €80m. The report says that Man United, who have not giving up hope of signing Gyökeres, are most interested in Hjulmand, with former Sporting coach Ruben Amorim eager to be reunited with both. Hjulmand, a Denmark international, also interests City with Hugo Viana having left the Portuguese club for Man City to become sporting director.
– Manchester City and another “top-tier club” have made enquiries about Barcelona defender Jules Koundé, as reported by RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins. Even so, there have been negotiations for several weeks regarding a contract extension with Barca for the 26-year-old and a positive outcome is hoped for by all parties. The France international has a contract that runs until 2027 but the Blaugrana value him highly and consider him as the world’s best player in his position.
– Manchester United are set to make a firm move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, as reported by the Daily Mail. This comes with André Onana being ruled out for the start of the Premier League season due to a torn hamstring, but any proposal of loaning the 32-year-old Martínez would be immediately dismissed by Villa. If the Argentina No. 1 is to move on, Villa would be looking for a transfer fee of £40m. It is unknown whether the Red Devils are willing or able to meet that figure, but the situation is expected to play out over the coming weeks. United are also linked to Antwerp’s Senne Lammens.
– Galatasaray already appear have won the race to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli, and will now turn their attention to Italy No. 1 Gianluigi Donnarumma, reports Tuttomercatoweb. Donnarumma has moved into the final year of his Paris Saint-Germain contract, and the Turkish club have ambitions to strike a deal. PSG, however, are still expected to make an offer to extend the 26-year-old’s stay at Parc des Princes.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Sam Tighe considers why clubs might be taking a look at Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand.
Morten Hjulmand is the definition of a late bloomer. He’s taken a circuitous route to the top, via the Austrian Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie B, to finally become recognised as a top-level player in his mid-20s.
His 2023 move to Sporting CP has been a huge success; not only has he played brilliantly, but in that first season showed clear signs of leadership on the pitch, resulting in him being named captain by Ruben Amorim in 2024. It’s no surprise that now, a year on from that, Amorim’s interested in a reunification.
As a player he’s got a bit of everything in his game, but the most impressive aspect is his game awareness. Watch him and you’ll see his head is constantly swivelling about, so he always knows what’s over his shoulder both on and off the ball.
This leads to some vital defensive interceptions and a high ball retention/pass completion rate. He’s constantly available to receive the ball off his centre-backs and wants to be that conduit between defence and attack. He’s probably an underrated passer; some of the balls he plays into his forwards are really clever.
He has average speed and mobility, but is built strongly, has a combative mindset and wins a good percentage of his duels. He’s in the 76th percentile across Europe’s top five leagues for aerials won and the 74th for dribblers tackled.
CONFIRMED DEALS
– Leeds United have signed Germany international Anton Stach from TSG Hoffenheim on a four-year contract. Read
– United States left-back Caleb Wiley has re-joined Watford on loan from Chelsea for the season.
– Manchester United announced the signing of forward Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for a transfer fee sources told ESPN was worth in excess of £70 million. Read
– Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has reached a deal to join Liga MX club Pumas from Newell’s Old Boys. Read
– Italy striker Mateo Retegui has joined Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah from Atalanta, signing a four-year contract. Read
– FC Porto winger Francisco Conceiçao has signed a contract with Juventus until 2030.
OTHER RUMORS
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– Napoli are looking at Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, Dan Ndoye and Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa after they lost out on Ademola Lookman. (Corriere dello Sport)
– Angers left-back Dan Sinate, 19, will be watched by Manchester United this season with a view to a potential deal in 2026. (The Sun)
– Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri is “the only one who fits” as a potential Real Madrid midfield signing, although he’s “not a viable option right now” because he’s on his way back from a serious injury and City don’t want to let the player go. (Cadena SER)
– Inter Milan have held talks with the representatives of Parma central defender Giovanni Leoni but they aren’t the only interested club. AC Milan, Juventus and Liverpool have all been watching the 18-year-old. (Calciomercato)
– Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz has offers from Fulham and Leeds United but he’s not convinced and will wait for alternative offers in the Premier League. (Tuttosport)
– Talks between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid over a deal for defender Renato Veiga have stalled as the Premier League club are demanding €40m. (Marca)
– Granit Xhaka looks set to join Sunderland after the midfielder told Bayer Leverkusen that was his desired destination. (The Athletic)
– Chelsea want £80m-£100m for Nicolas Jackson with Manchester United among the Premier League clubs looking at the striker. The 24-year-old is also the topic of interest from clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia. (Sky Sports)
– Nicolas Jackson has already turned down AC Milan and Napoli because he wants to stay in the Premier League. (The Sun)
– Paris Saint-Germain will up their offer for Bournemouth centre-back Illia Zabarnyi. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Aston Villa are preparing another improved contract for Morgan Rogers, who is interesting Chelsea. The midfielder only penned a new deal in November. (Daily Mail)
– Manchester United will lower their transfer demands for Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia to get them off their books. (Daily Telegraph)
– Nottingham Forest could enter the race for Manchester City midfielder James McAtee, who is valued at £35m and linked with West Ham, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund. (The Guardian)
– Newcastle will offer a new contract to Tino Livramento to ward off suitors. However, ESPN sources have revealed that Manchester City are not interested in the left-back. (The Times)
– If Liverpool make a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in this window they will face competition from Tottenham Hotspur. (Daily Mirror)
– Further talks have taken place between RB Leipzig and Chelsea regarding Xavi Simons, with Bundesliga club wanting at least €70m for the attacking midfielder, which the Blues are not prepared to match. (Florian Plettenberg)
– USMNT attacking midfielder Giovanni Reyna has given the green light to joining Parma, but the Serie A club’s initial offer of around €6m has been turned down by Borussia Dortmund. (Sky Sport Italia)
– Chelsea defender Renato Veiga has almost agreed personal terms with Atletico Madrid, but other teams remain in the mix if Los Colchoneros can’t reach an agreement with the Blues. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Dani Ceballos has published an “enigmatic message” on his Instagram, which could give a clue as to the Real Madrid midfielder’s future. Ceballos posted “Nothing leaves your conscience clear like an ‘I gave everything'” on the social network. (Marca)
– Bayern Munich haven’t made a third offer for Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade and have suspended negotiations for now. The Bavarians’ most recent bid was €50m, with €5m in add-ons and 10% of his next move. (Sky Sports Deutschland)
– Exciting Liverpool midfielder James McConnell, 20, is set to sign a new long-term contract before going out on loan, with interest from Ipswich, West Brom, Derby and the Bundesliga. (Daily Mail)
– Everton are exploring a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Takefusa Kubo, the Japan international who used to be on the books of Real Madrid. (TEAMtalk)
– Talks between Marseille and Juventus regarding Timothy Weah are progressing well. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Colombia midfielder Richard Rios is travelling to Lisbon ahead of completing his €30m to Benfica from Palmeiras. (A Bola)
– Portugal international Francisco Conceicao is expected to sign a five-year contract with Juventus after the Italian club agreed terms with FC Porto on a €32m fee. (A Bola)
– Flamengo are in talks to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Ñiguez, who is free to leave Atletico Madrid despite having one year remaining on his contract. (ESPN Brasil)
– Juventus have initiated discussions with Atletico Madrid regarding Nahuel Molina, while Nice’s Jonathan Clauss and Atalanta’s Marco Palestra are alternatives for the right-back position. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– AC Milan have a verbal agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign Pervis Estupinan for €17m plus €2m in add-ons. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Sunderland and Fenerbahce are the most concrete options for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka, with both clubs willing to improve their respective offers after having one each rejected. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Chelsea forward Joao Felix has an agreement in principle to return to Benfica, who are now trying to finalise a deal with the Blues. (Nicolo Schira)
– Osasuna right-back Jesus Arejo is close to joining Athletic Club despite Atletico Madrid having had an agreement for the 26-year-old. (Diario AS)
– Ardon Jashari has asked Club Brugge again to let him leave, as the midfielder wants to sign for AC Milan. (Nicolo Schira)
– FC Porto have offered Joao Mario and €3m for Juventus defender Alberto Costa, while Sporting CP have held talks with the Bianconeri for Costa. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Granada goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine, is being considered by Paris FC to replace Obed Nkambadio following their promotion to Ligue 1. (L’Equipe)