A round-up of the latest transfer gossip from around Europe as Manchester United push for Brian Brobbey and Al-Ettifaq look at Everton to replace Jordan Henderson.
The Saudi Pro League side are in the market for a midfielder after letting Henderson tear his contract up and join AFC Ajax. He only spent six months at Al-Ettifaq after quitting Liverpool last July. De Godenzonen gave Henderson a two-and-a-half-year deal to join this Thursday.
Strikers are also on the shopping list at Manchester United having struggled for goals in the Premier League this season. Midfielder Scott McTominay is the Red Devils’ top scorer so far this term on five. Marcus Rashford (4) is their only other player to have hit more than three.
HITC Football paper talk
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is interested in signing Brian Brobbey of Ajax with a January transfer. Florian Plettenberg notes Ten Hag wants to bring forward a transfer from the next summer market having been in regular contact with the forward since last summer.
Al-Ettifaq have identified Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure as a possible replacement for Henderson, per talkSPORT. The Saudi Pro League side have also opened talks with the 31-year-old’s agent about a move. Steven Gerrard’s club are yet to formally contact Everton.
Arsenal sporting director Edu has made it clear that Emile Smith Rowe will not leave the club in January. Plettenberg claims that West Ham United are aware that the Gunners will not let the midfielder depart on loan. The Hammers had marked the 23-year-old as a worthy target.
Barcelona sporting director Deco is keen to sign Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips on loan before the transfer deadline. But Mundo Deportivo notes the Blaugrana would need him to accept a pay cut to join. Barcelona also hope the Citizens do not demand a fee for the loan.
Phillips also still has further suitors in his loan transfer with Juventus and Newcastle United. While West Ham are putting a lot of pressure on the deal in recent hours. But Phillips is not in a rush to resolve his situation and will also prioritise the guarantee of regular game time.
Real Betis winger Luiz Henrique and his agents admire the prospect of a transfer to Everton in January, per Estadio Deportivo. But the Blues can only sign the Brazilian on loan following their second breach of PSR. Real Betis are only interested in selling him for €18m (£15.5m).
AC Milan are exploring a Premier League raid with San Siro chiefs interested in signing Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal, Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea or Clement Lenglet of Aston Villa, reports Sky Sports. Lenglet is currently Milan’s priority but Aston Villa must end his loan from Barcelona.
Michael Obafemi could leave Burnley this month with Vincent Kompany open to a loan deal after signing David Datro Fofana on loan from Chelsea, per TEAMtalk. Several Championship squads are also monitoring the 23-year-old’s situation at Turf Moor and could now swoop.
Salernitana CEO Walter Sabatini is in talks with Mario Balotelli over a transfer to the Serie A club, reports Tutto Salernitana. Sabatini has convinced owner Danilo Iervolino that Balotelli would make a valuable signing as the Adana Demirspor striker is open to a six-month move.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
