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Manchester United may be poised to open the formal bidding for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund but last week staff held talks over signing another goalkeeper.
Fenerbahce’s Turkey international Altay Bayindir was the subject of their attention.
United have already paid out £43m for Andre Onana but with Dean Henderson due to join Nottingham Forest and Luton Town offering an opportunity for 37-year-old Tom Heaton to start regularly, the club have been looking at options to keep competition for places strong.
Bayindir would cost around £5m but the question for the 25-year-old is whether he can get more regular football elsewhere with the likes of Ajax interested. Fenerbahce are expecting his departure as they have been discussing Croatia number one Dominik Livakovic.
Manchester United remain keen on another goalkeeper despite signing Andre Onana last week
Fenerbahce and Turkey keeper Altay Bayindir is one of the options under consideration
United also remain keen on adding Japan international keeper Zion Suzuki at Urawa Reds.
United winger Anthony Elanga is in Nottingham ahead of his medical with Forest today. Midfielder Fred is talking with a number of clubs as is Donny van de Beek.
A number of staff changes are expected with restructuring of scouting at youth level for United in the coming weeks. The club will also confirm the £1.25million signing of Darren Fletcher’s twin sons Jack and Tyler while Harrison Parker’s move from United to City, for a similar amount, is likely to go through next month.
Erik ten Hag’s side completed the signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan for £43m last week
United are also preparing to open the formal bidding for Atlanta forward Rasmus Hojlund
West Ham and Liverpool wait on Palhinha injury
Fulham won’t be the only ones anxiously waiting on Joao Palhinha’s shoulder scan today.
The 28-year-old dislocated his left shoulder during the first half of their 3-2 win over Brentford where he was starting at centre-back and Fulham’s medical department hope to establish the full extent of the damage later. But he has had a similar injury before.
West Ham were preparing a second offer, after their £45m bid was rejected last week, while Liverpool have rekindled their interest in light of the pending departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, who is expected to fly out to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Joao Palhinha dislocated his left shoulder during Fulham’s pre-season victory over Brentford
Palhinha would cost £60m and that’s a big investment to consider if the injury rules him out for some time.
West Ham have a difference of opinion on targets with some staff favouring UK-based purchases such as Palhinha, James Ward-Prowse, Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Alex Scott while others are leaning towards Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and Axel Disasi, Edson Alvarez of Ajax and Denis Zakaria at Juventus.
One deal that is progressing is that of Carlos Borges from Manchester City. Confidential alerted readers to West Ham tracking Borges in April and the 19-year-old is closing on a £14m deal with City maintaining a buy-back clause.
Liverpool – who are set to lose Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia – are keen on the Portuguese star as they look to restock their midfield but face competition from West Ham
Fulham press ahead with Bassey and Hudson-Odoi moves
Fulham are pressing ahead with their £18m move for Calvin Bassey from Ajax but have dropped their deal with Southampton centre-back Mohammed Salisu. Talks over the weekend had looked promising but the transfer now looks to be off.
Fulham, who are signing Raul Jimenez from Wolves, are increasingly hopeful of reaching agreement with Chelsea for Callum Hudson-Odoi. The winger’s £120,000 a week wages looked to be an obstacle, but the 22-year-old is keen on the move despite interest from Lazio after spending the last few weeks training with the club’s under 21s.
Fulham anticipate talks with Al Hilal over the sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic though the Saudi club have also pitched for Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Not ones for small gestures, Al Hilal have offered around £259million for the French superstar who is still expected to join Real Madrid.
Fulham have dropped their interest in Mohammed Salisu but are pressing ahead in their moves for Ajax defender Calvin Bassey (left) and Chelsea outcast Callum Hudson-Odoi (right)
Everton’s striker hunt reaches pivotal point
El Bilal Toure’s move from Almeria to Everton is at the crucial stage.
Confidential readers will know the speedy Mali international striker, who has been clocked at 35km/h by Almeria’s sports science department no less, has been on Everton’s radar for some time. But, with the structure of their offers not meeting Almeria’s expectations, Atalanta have been expected to steal Everton’s thunder, and the player, in recent weeks.
The Italians want a forward as they anticipate selling Rasmus Hojlund most likely to Manchester United, or Paris St Germain. However, Everton have put forward a proposal that could have success and the 21-year-old is keen on a move to the Premier League.
Everton’s attempt to sign Almeria’s speedy striker El Bilal Toure is reaching a crucial stage
Toffees boss Sean Dyche is desperate to bring in a striker but has to battle FFP restrictions
With Financial Fair Play a constant weight on their shoulders, Everton, who have also considered Ajax forward Brian Brobbey, would offset their spending by offloading Demarai Gray with Crystal Palace, Fulham and Saudi clubs keen on the 27-year-old who is ready to leave.
Young striker Tom Cannon could also leave. Currently nursing a hamstring injury, Cannon was spotted at Preston North End on Saturday, where he spent last season on loan, as they faced Aberdeen in a friendly. However, Confidential understands interest this time may come from Sheffield Wednesday.
Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is wanted on loan by Villarreal and Nice following his impressive spell at PSV Eindhoven last season but the 21-year-old is expected to stay as it stands.
Watford keen on Aston Villa outcast Wesley
Watford are looking to fill the void left by Ismaila Sarr’s departure to Marseille on a five year deal with a move for Aston Villa striker Wesley.
The Brazilian is in discussions to join the Championship side on loan. Wesley, who cost Villa £22m from Bruges, has had three spells on loan since he returned to action in 2021 after a lengthy spell out following a severe cruciate ligament injury.
Watford have also been talking to Beitar Jerusalem about their Moldovan forward Ion Nicolaescu. The 24-year-old has averaged a goal every two games for club and country.
Nicolaescu has been targeted by Trabzonspor in recent weeks who were offering around £2m.
Watford are keen to loan Aston Villa striker Wesley – who cost the club £22m back in 2019
Bailey could join Saudi Arabia exodus
Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey has emerged as an option for Al Nassr.
The Saudi Arabian club missed out on Moussa Diaby when he agreed to join Villa instead of them from Bayer Leverkusen for a record £51.9m last week.
Bailey, who also joined Villa from Leverkusen, scored the first goal of Unai Emery’s regime in a win over Manchester United but the coach is looking for greater consistency and may be willing to sacrifice the Jamaica international.
Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson is also close to joining Nice on loan with an option to buy. The French side have also asked about taking Leicester City full-back Ricardo Pereira on loan.
Villa winger Leon Bailey is the latest to be linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr
Toney to change agents amid interest
Brentford striker Ivan Toney looks increasingly likely to switch agents to CAA Stellar.
The 27-year-old is banned from playing until January 17 after being found guilty of breaking Football Association betting rules.
However, he has still proven himself to be one of the best centre forwards in the country and is not short of admirers, such as Tottenham who are planning for Harry Kane’s departure.
It would not make business sense for clubs to attempt to buy him now but January could see Brentford field a number of requests.
Stellar already boast clients such as Jack Grealish, Eduardo Camavinga and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Tottenham anticipate a third offer from Bayern Munich for Kane in the coming days. The German side are willing to offer Kane a four year contract and will hold talks in Tokyo with Manchester City over a proposed deal for Kyle Walker.
Banned Brentford striker Ivan Toney looks increasingly likely to switch agents to CAA Stellar
Magpies to return for Livramento
Newcastle United will have another go at signing Tino Livramento from Southampton before considering alternative options.
Southampton are reluctant to sell the £40m rated right-back with Newcastle looking to offer around £30m.
Newcastle signed Harvey Barnes for £39m at the weekend and are mindful of FFP but still want to strengthen at full-back and centre-back.
Winger Allan Saint-Maximin is expected to sign his deal with Al Ahli today after agreeing a three year contract and undergoing a medical on Friday. Al Ahli wanted to present Riyad Mahrez first before finalising Saint Maximin’s paperwork. The 26-year-old will link up with their squad at their Austrian camp once documents are signed.
The deal will give Newcastle around £25m while Watford are still pushing for an agreement on left-back Jamal Lewis.
Newcastle are planning to have another go at signing Tino Livramento from Southampton
Chelsea seek to avoid tribunal for Newcastle wonderkid
Chelsea want to settle a fee with Newcastle for 15-year-old Ollie Harrison rather than go to a tribunal.
The England youth international’s departure is a big blow for Newcastle, given the midfielder is regarded as one of the best of his generation. His dad, Steve, is also a respected coach within the club’s academy.
Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys, meanwhile, is wanted by Stoke City on loan.
The 20-year-old England U20 international had a spell at Paderborn in Germany last season.
Scottish defender Hendry to join Gerrard in Saudi Arabia
Scotland international defender Jack Hendry is joining Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq from Bruges in a deal worth £6.5million.
The 28-year-old centre-back, who was compared to John Stones in style when he started out at Partick Thistle and Wigan Athletic, had interest from Coventry City and Hamburg but is now poised to link up with Jordan Henderson and former Lyon striker Moussa Dembele.
Scotland international defender Jack Hendry (left) is set to join Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq
Man City reject approaches for talented McAtee
Manchester City have rejected approaches from Wolves for midfielder James McAtee.
The Molineux club are expected to sell Daniel Podence amid interest from Europe and Saudi Arabia and have asked about signing McAtee on loan or on a permanent.
The 20-year-old is not short of admirers following his loan spell at Sheffield United last season, who also remain keen.
Man City have rejected an approach from Wolves for talented midfielder James McAtee
The 20-year-old shone on loan at Sheffield United last season as the Blades were promoted
City are selling Carlos Borges to West Ham but are waiting on other matters to fall into line before deciding on McAtee’s immediate future.
They have offered a new contract to Bernardo Silva and have an interest in Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who is also wanted by Chelsea.
McAtee is highly valued so City recognise he needs to play to continue his progression.
Wolves are still chasing Bristol City’s Alex Scott and are rivalling Bournemouth and Palace for Southampton’s Che Adams as they look to sell Raul Jimenez to Fulham.
Wober the latest out of Leeds exit door
Leeds United have agreed to loan out another player with defender Max Wober joining Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Elland Road club, who plan to appoint another sporting director as well as technical director Gretar Steinsson, have been checking on Basel defender Aurele Amenda as they seek replacements. Leeds boss Daniel Farke confirmed Wober was left out of the squad for their pre-season friendly defeat against Monaco on Saturday due to a ‘transfer situation.’
Leeds have also joined clubs asking about Swansea City’s Joel Piroe, who has also had interest from Leicester City, Everton and Southampton, but he is expected to cost around £15m.
Leicester are working on the signing of goalscoring winger Stephy Mavididi from Montpellier.
Max Wober (right) is the latest player to leave Leeds, joining Borussia Monchengladbach
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