The summer transfer window was unlike any other; see all the major deals and check out how we graded the biggest signings. And just because the window is shut until January, that doesn't mean the rumours won't keep coming. Here's the latest gossip and speculation.
TOP STORY: Cavani in for Aguero at Barca?
Barcelona have stepped up their pursuit of a striker in Sergio Aguero's injury-enforced absence, and they have identified Manchester United's Edinson Cavani as a potential target in January.
The Mirror writes that Cavani, 34, wants regular game time at this stage of his career, but he has made just two starts across all competitions this season, often finding himself on the bench after Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford.
The Blaugrana are preparing an offer of around £5 million to tempt him to Camp Nou during the winter transfer market, and they could face competition from Internazionale, who are also reported to be interested in his services.
Cavani's contract is due to expire next summer after he signed a one-year extension in May.
Aguero, meanwhile, has not retired despite reports over the weekend claiming he had.
"What has come out about Aguero is not true," Barca boss Xavi said on Saturday. "I spoke with him the other day. We will see how things evolve and if he can continue playing football, but it's a medical issue."
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21.36 GMT: We'll end with some intriguing comments made by Lille midfielder Renato Sanches in an interview with L'Equipe.
"Maybe AC Milan and Arsenal are interested but I don't know. Milan are a big and historic club. It's class, I like them," the Portugal international is quoted as saying. "I spoke with my agent, I know which clubs are calling and which are not, but I can't tell now. But I know I'm ready. If an offer comes in, I'll find out what's best for me."
21.03 GMT: AS Roma are stepping up their efforts to sign Diogo Dalot on loan from Manchester United, as has been reported by Calciomercato. They are hoping to sign the Portugal right-back on loan with the option to make the deal permanent, although there is the possibility that could be made an obligation for a transfer fee of €15m with certain conditions.
20.30 GMT: River Plate are going to offer Inter Miami CF striker Gonzalo Higuain a two-year contract as they hope to bring the Argentine back to his homeland, according to Ekrem Konur. The 33-year-old's contract expires next month, and this follows a season in which the former Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea front man scored 12 goals and assisted a further six despite it being a disappointing MLS campaign for the Herons.
19.57 GMT: Abby Dahlkemper has become the first player to join San Diego Wave ahead of their inaugural 2022 season, as has been confirmed by the NWSL. The USWNT defender joins as part of a three-way trade that includes North Carolina Courage, after she most recently turned out for Houston Dash. This will see the Courage get $190,000 in allocation money and San Diego's natural first-round draft selection in the 2023 NWSL draft.
19.24 GMT: Arsenal are refusing to discuss Alexandre Lacazette's contract situation until the end of the season, according to the Sun, with this coming despite the Frenchman's deal expiring this summer. They won't offer a long-term deal on his current wages, with Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Newcastle United and Marseille among those monitoring the situation with a view to potentially signing the 30-year-old on a free transfer in little more than six months' time.
18.51 GMT: In the coming weeks, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to open talks with AC Milan about a contract extension that will last until 2023, as has been reported by Nicolo Schira. The 40-year-old wants to become the oldest goal scorer in Serie A and Champions League history, as well as playing in the 2022 World Cup if Sweden make it through the playoffs.
18.18 GMT: West Ham United are working on a deal to sign Sparta Prague striker Adam Hlozek in January, according to Football Insider, which reports that the Hammers are looking to beat Liverpool to sign the 19-year-old. The East Londoners have brought in Czech internationals Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and Alex Kral in recent times, while investor Daniel Kretinsky is also co-owner and president of Sparta Prague.
17.45 GMT: Barcelona are looking for a way to terminate Samuel Umtiti's contract after failing to agree to a reduction of his salary, as has been reported by Sport.
The France international is yet to play a single minute this season, and it doesn't seem as though new manager Xavi will be changing that. The centre-back's deal is set to run until 2023, but they hope to get him off the books well before then.
17.12 GMT: Fabrizio Romano reports that Jozy Altidore and Toronto FC have agreed to part ways. The journalists suggests that work is in progress for the striker's contract to be terminated, leaving the former United States international to look for a new team as a free agent and the club with a free Designated Player spot.
16.39 GMT: Inter Milan could try to sign as many as four free agents next summer in a bid to bring in quality players without spending anything in transfer fees, Gazzetta Dello Sport reports.
Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Matthias Ginter, Porto winger Jesus Corona and Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne are the quartet targeted by Inter CEO Beppe Marotta and sporting director Piero Ausilio.
All four are out of contract at the end of the season, and all except Insinge are able to negotiate their summer transfers from Jan. 1 as they are all playing for foreign clubs.
Earlier this month, Insigne's agent denied reports that the Napoli captain was asking for too much money in his new contract, and in fact had been offered a smaller wage in his new deal.
"I'm hearing too many journalists saying Lorenzo rejected generous offers from Napoli and that [Napoli owner Aurelio] De Laurentiis offered him the maximum he could," Vincenzo Pisacane said. "My relationship with De Laurentiis is great, but I must clarify that the contract offer comes with a 50% pay cut. I am an agent and I must defend the captain at any time.
"Usually, you offer more money when you want to extend a contract. Just see the treatment for players who extended before Lorenzo. Needless to say, Lorenzo was surprised [by the offer]. We are always in contact with De Laurentiis. There is mutual respect with Aurelio, but he knows that the proposal must be increased and not cut."
15.46 GMT: After sources told ESPN's Mark Ogden that Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino is open to the idea of taking the Manchester United manager's job made vacant by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure (see 12:58 GMT), but there are plenty of other coaches who have been linked with the vacancy.
According to BBC Sport, former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is not interested in the position right now and is more focused on taking either the PSG job or the France national team role if they were to become available.
Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag told ESPN on Sunday: "I am focused on my team, we have a brilliant squad and we want to achieve a lot. We want to fight for titles. My focus is on Ajax, the rest only distracts. I expect from my players that they are focused on Ajax, so I have to give the right example for that too.
"You keep asking me [about my position as Ajax boss]. Yes, it is a weird question. I have heard nothing about [United's interest], so I can't think about it."
The Sun reports that Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has been sounded ut by United, but he reaffirmed his commitment to the Foxes at the weekend by saying: "I spoke to our leadership group. I hear the bits and pieces, so it stabilises everything.
"There can be lots of things going on, speculation, and I normally don't even think about it, but I understand it may have a bearing on other people. It was a case of just giving some stability and speaking to the senior guys. They know our commitment to the club."
The Manchester Evening News reports that Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes is using his relationship with the club to put forward one of his clients, Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui.
Wayne Rooney, who is manager of Championship club Derby County, says he has heard nothing from the club but would hope to return to Old Trafford one day. The former Manchester United captain said: "One day. But I'm focusing on Derby County, I'm committed to the club, and I'll be here until someone tells me otherwise.
"I speak to people at Manchester United on a regular basis and, I'm sure, if they were going to come calling for me, that would have happened by now."
Perhaps the most surprising name to emerge among the potential candidates is another former United captain, Steve Bruce. The former Newcastle United manager's name was put forward by ex-Arsenal defender Sol Campbell, who told Premier League Productions: "I think it's a sticky situation really. Do they stick or move? If they move it's costing a lot of money. To move Ole on and to bring someone in, it's a lot of money. I know they've got a lot of money to spend but you've got to look at the books and you've got to look at where they are.
"Maybe is a Steve Bruce good? For just six months? I don't know. Who knows? But it's a real kind of sticky wicket big time, because either they stick or move. Whatever they do, it might be the wrong answer."
14.49 GMT: Arsenal are monitoring young Romanian striker Ianis Stoica, according to Playsport.
FCSB forward Stoica, 18, has scored six goals in 14 games so far this season, as well as registering two assists.
However, FCSB owner Gig Becali said of the Romania U21 international: "It is good that Arsenal are monitoring Ianis, but there is no point as he is not available. He could be in a year or two, but not yet. "He is technically skilled, physically strong and very smart. To look at him, you'd think he is 23 years old - not 18."
13.55 GMT: Lionel Messi has no intention of returning to Barcelona before his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires, AS reports.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said last week that he won't rule out bringing Messi and Andres Iniesta back to the club after completing the signing of Dani Alves.
"I can't rule it out," Laporta said at Alves' presentation when asked whether Messi and Iniesta could follow the defender back to the club in the future. "It's happened with Dani Alves, who has seen the situation and wanted to help. We're grateful for the financial sacrifice he's made. He wants to help us turn things around.
"Leo and Andres are two spectacular players. I can't predict the future. They are Barca greats and who made this club what it is and they will always be present, but they're players with contracts with other clubs. That must be respected, but in life you never know."
However, AS reports that Messi is fully set on honouring the contract he has with PSG until 2023.
12.58 GMT: In his latest Monday column, ESPN's Mark Ogden reports that Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino is open to the idea of taking the Manchester United manager's job made vacant by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure:
"Manchester United failed to take their first opportunity to hire Mauricio Pochettino as manager, but they can't afford to miss their second chance.
"It will require ambition and a readiness to pay whatever it will take to get him, but sources have told ESPN that the Paris Saint-Germain head coach could be tempted by the prospect of being the man to finally bring success back to Old Trafford.
"Despite extending his contract at Parc des Princes in the summer until 2023, after an attempt by Tottenham Hotspur to re-hire the coach they dismissed in November 2019, sources have said that Pochettino has yet to fully settle at PSG since joining them in January and the United job is one that would force him to consider a return to the Premier League.
"The Argentine has supporters among the decision-makers at Manchester City who, always mindful of the eventual need to replace Pep Guardiola, see Pochettino as a potential successor to the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach, whose contract expires at the end of the 2022-23 season. Real Madrid are also long-term admirers. Yet the only elite club with a managerial vacancy right now is United, following Solskjaer's departure; they have a clear run at persuading the leading coaches in the game to take on the challenge of reviving the self-styled world's biggest club."
- Ogden: Pochettino is open to United move. Can they make a deal happen?
12.15 GMT: Gareth Southgate has signed a contract extension to stay on as England manager until the end of 2024, the Football Association as announced.
Southgate's previous deal expired after next year's World Cup finals in Qatar and he had been reluctant to discuss an extension until qualification for that tournament was assured.
But with England needing four points from two matches against Andorra and San Marino this month, talks began to accelerate during the recent international break and the Football Association confirmed on Monday that an agreement had been reached.
Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland have both agreed new deals with sources telling ESPN the England manager will receive a significant increase on his old £3m-a-year deal.
Southgate's salary bump -- sources have told ESPN his new deal is worth around £5m-a-year but could rise further if performance clauses and bonuses are met -- is a reflection of his successful five-year spell after succeeding Sam Allardyce, who was sacked just one game into replacing Roy Hodgson amid a newspaper sting claiming he offered advice on how to "get around" rules on player transfers.
11.43 GMT: Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez wants to sign striker Baghdad Bounedjah from his former club Al Sadd, Sport reports.
Bounedjah, 29, was top scorer in Xavi's last full season at Al Sadd, scoring 30 goals in 27 appearances as the Qatari club win the league title and the Qatar Cup.
The Algeria international, who scored the winning goal for his country in the 2019 African Cup of Nations final, is a contender to be signed by Barca in order to cover for the absence of Sergio Aguero, who has been ruled out for three months after a cardiac exam following the Argentina striker suffering chest pains.
10.54 GMT: Everton manager Rafa Benitez says the club could look for "solutions" in the January transfer window after Demarai Gray joined the club's list of absentees.
Gray withdrew from Sunday's 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the first half with an abductor muscle problem. He joins a list of injured players that includes striker Dominc Calvert-Lewin and midfielders Tom Davies and Aboulaye Doucoure, while forward Richarlison is suspended for the upcoming match against Brentford after picking up his fifth booking of the season against City.
"The offensive players, they could be a threat [v Man City]," he said. "To lose Demarai Gray, he was training really well and in form, meant we had more problems in the counter-attack.
"We will see how long he is [out for]. We have to deal with that. Injuries are a problem for us at the moment Hopefully we can bring some players back, go to January with some points and then start thinking about solutions."
Benitez added: "In terms of the number of injuries, little by little we are getting better. The problem we have is some of the injuries are long-term.
"Tom Davies was unlucky with his knee, the metatarsal of Doucoure is the same. We can't control this. The worst was Dominic because it takes too long and now we are trying to change a little bit how we approach the injuries.
10.17 GMT: Manchester United planned to make Mike Phelan caretaker manager following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday but eventually decided against the move after fearing a backlash from supporters, sources have told ESPN's Rob Dawson.
Solskjaer was relieved of his duties following the 4-1 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday with assistant Michael Carrick set to take charge for the Champions League clash against Villarreal on Tuesday.
But sources have told ESPN that United bosses initially intended to hand the reins to Phelan before deciding Carrick, a popular former player who made more than 450 appearances for the club between 2006 and 2018, would likely get more support among players and fans.
Carrick will take training at Carrington on Monday and will hold a new conference at 1pm local time ahead of the trip to Spain.
Sources have told ESPN that several players have been left baffled by the club's decision to sack Solskjaer but keep the core of his coaching team including Phelan, Carrick and Kieran McKenna.
There are fears that despite the Norwegian's departure not much will change in the short term because much of the coaching and preparation for games was already being delegated to those members of staff.
09.41 GMT: La Liga strugglers Elche have sacked coach Fran Escriba after Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Real Betis.
Elche have taken 11 points from 14 games and are in the relegation zone. They have not won a league game since Oct. 3.
Escriba, who famously led Elche to promotion in 2013 after a 24-year absence, returned to the Valencian outfit in February and guided the team to the last position of safety in the 2020-21 campaign.
Escriba confirmed his sacking in the postmatch news conference, when he said: "I've been notified of my dismissal. I'm sad to leave like this but very proud of what I have achieved here. We achieved something very nice last year. One can buy a club but not buy the love of the people.
"They have not considered what I've done for this club, but he [Christian Bragarnik] is the owner and he can take the decision he wants. I hope they get my replacement right."
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08.54 GMT: Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is certain that defender Antonio Rudiger's ongoing contract talks with the club will not affect his performances on the field.
Rudiger, 28, is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning he can open talks with foreign clubs from Jan. 1. Chelsea are keen to keep the Germany international, but so far there has not been a breakthrough in negotiations.
Tuchel said of Rudiger, who scored in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Leicester City on Saturday that keeps them top of the Premier League: "It was a very strong performance from Toni. He's been outstanding from day one and he is getting better and better, on a very high level.
"The situation is the situation. We want him to stay -- this is very clear and he knows it -- but sometimes in these situations there is a certain delay.
"That can happen these days but it does not affect his mentality or his quality and it absolutely does not affect his behaviour. He is fully committed to Chelsea right now.
"He is in exactly the right spot - he is in the most competitive league and at a club where winning matters. That suits him perfectly. So, let's be a bit patient and hopefully we have a happy end."
08.00 GMT: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said it was time to "step aside" in a tearful farewell interview after Manchester United announced his departure as manager.
Solskjaer lost his job as manager on Sunday following Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Watford. Manchester United are on a run of five defeats in seven league matches and are six points off the qualification places for the Champions League.
Pressure on the manager increased after a 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool that was followed by a one-sided 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
"This club means everything to me and together we're a good match, but unfortunately I couldn't get the results we needed and it's time for me to step aside," Solskjaer told MUTV.
"You know what this club means to me and what I wanted to achieve here. For the club, for the fans, for the players, for the staff. I wanted us to take the next step to challenge for the league, to win trophies and I only think it's right that it comes from the horse's mouth. I don't want to answer all ... there's going to be journalists asking me about interviews but no, I'm not going to do any interviews.
"I want to get it out there, I'm going to leave by the front door, because I think everyone knows I've given everything for this club."
- Dawson: Why Solskjaer's tenure fell apart
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
- Tottenham Hotspur could make a move for Nicolo Zaniolo next summer, according to Calciomercato. The 22-year-old midfielder's contract isn't due to expire until 2024, but after being recently excluded by Jose Mourinho, the Premier League side have become alerted to the situation. It is reported that a fee of around €40 million would be required to allow Antonio Conte's Spurs to discuss personal terms.
- Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring Marcelo Brozovic's contract situation, according to Le10Sport. The 29-year-old has been locked in contract talks with Inter Milan of late, but with no sign of an official announcement, the Ligue 1 club are ready to begin negotiations in January as they look to bolster their options in midfield. The Croatia international has made 13 appearances in the Serie A this season.
- Calciomercato reveals that AC Milan and Juventus could be the first teams to make a move for Driss Nasser, the Bordeaux youth star who has been referred to as the next Paul Pogba. The 17-year-old midfielder has had scouts following him for some time, with Europe's top clubs impressed by his technical ability on the ball and physical strength.
- Paris Saint-Germain could step up their chase for Lorenzo Insigne with the 30-year-old winger in no rush to sign new terms at Napoli. Le10Sport writes that the Ligue 1 club are preparing to jostle with Inter Milan for his signature, with a queue beginning to emerge to acquire the Italy international on a free transfer.