The summer transfer window is closed for the major leagues in Europe. However, with an eye on January, there's plenty of gossip swirling about who's moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Man United eye Mexico's Alvarez
Manchester United have joined the list of top clubs who are eyeing Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Edson Alvarez, with Chelsea and Barcelona also keeping tabs on the Mexico star, according to Calciomercato.
Alvarez, 25, was strongly linked with a move to Chelsea in August, with sources telling ESPN that the Blues made a €50 million bid to sign him before the summer transfer deadline. That bid was turned down by Ajax, but it now looks as though Chelsea are set to face significantly more competition for his signature when the January window opens.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has already acquired both Antony and Lisandro Martinez from his former club, and that could provide an advantage to the Red Devils with two of Alvarez's former teammates making the switch to Old Trafford.
Recent reports have also indicated that Barcelona see Alvarez -- who has made 18 appearances for Ajax this season and is expected to anchor Mexico's midfield at the World Cup -- as a potential successor for Sergio Busquets.
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21.24 BST: Arsenal are prioritising a move for a winger in the next transfer window, according to the Evening Standard. As the Gunners look to extend the contract of technical director Edu, it is reported that their next move in the transfer market will be to reinforce Mikel Arteta's forward line. While their interest in Pedro Neto has seemingly cooled, the Premier League side continue to be linked with Shakhtar Donetsk wide man Mykhaylo Mudryk.
20.51 BST: Benfica forward Rafa Silva is set for new contract talks with the Lisbon club keen to offer him a new two-year deal, reports Ekrem Konur. The 29-year-old Portugal international scored a brace against Juventus on Tuesday, adding to domestic league form that has seen him contribute to seven goals in nine appearances, and has just 18 months remaining on his Benfica contract.
20.18 BST: The Portland Timbers are in talks to sign FC Midtjylland midfielder Evander in what would be a potential club-record move, reports MLSsoccer.com's Tom Bogert. The 24-year-old former Brazil youth international has been a standout performer in the Europa League this season, having contributed to five goals in four matches for the Denmark-based club.
19.45 BST: Juventus are set to back manager Massimiliano Allegri despite a recent run of poor results, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Bianconeri lie eighth in Serie A, while a 4-3 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday ruled out any possibility of advancing into the knockout stages. It is reported that the club have no intention of parting ways with him, with his contract not set to expire until the summer of 2025.
19.12 BST: Inter Milan have joined the race to sign Villarreal left-back Alfonso Pedraza, writes Gazzetta dello Sport. The 28-year-old former Spain youth international has recently been on the radar of Juventus, but Villarreal could now face a tougher test to keep him at the club amid added interest from Simone Inzaghi's side.
18.39 BST: Talks over a new contract between Bayern Munich and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will take place after the World Cup, according to Sky Sport Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg. It is reported that the 33-year-old Cameroon international is not willing to enter negotiations until after the World Cup, allowing him to focus solely on the tournament, and that he is prepared to leave the Allianz Arena if the Bundesliga club are unable to meet his requests.
18.06 BST: Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes looks to be attracting plenty of interest of late, but the Magpies are not worried about losing their star, reports CBS Sports' Ben Jacobs. The Tyneside club are said to be preparing to offer the 24-year-old Brazil international a new long-term contract in the new year, and it is reported that he is happy to remain at St. James' Park as a part of Eddie Howe's long-term project, having recently been linked with Chelsea and Real Madrid.
17.33 BST: Interim Charlotte FC manager Christian Lattanzio has agreed to a long-term deal that sees him named permanent head coach, the MLS expansion club announced on Wednesday. The 51-year-old manager took over the Crown in May, going on to secure a ninth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
17.00 BST: Bayer Leverkusen are set to return to the negotiating table for Robin Gosens, reports Calciomercato. Inter Milan are reported to be willing to part ways with the 28-year-old Germany left wing-back for a transfer fee of €25m, although his morale and form at the San Siro have improved in 2022-23.
16.27 BST: The Sun claims Arsenal will back manager Mikel Arteta to the tune of £50m in the January transfer window.
The Gunners, who are top of the table currently, spent over £130m in the summer to sign Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos.
But owner Stan Kroenke is ready to hand Arteta more cash to bring in two new players: a midfielder and a winger.
Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz was the subject of late interest in the summer window, but has now signed a long-term contract, while Palmeiras' 21-year-old midfielder Danilo is another option.
Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk has also been linked, to ease the burden on young Bukayo Saka.
15.45 BST: Newcastle United are looking to sign Moussa Diaby and James Maddison in January, according to The Chronicle.
Newcastle are fourth in the Premier League table, with designs on qualifying for Europe under Eddie Howe following their Saudi-backed takeover in the summer.
Leicester midfielder Maddison was the subject of two bids last window, but despite the figures eventually reaching £50m neither were accepted, while Bayer Leverkusen winger Diaby could reportedly cost around £60m.
15.12 BST: Lille and Canada forward Jonathan David has been speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the World Cup.
David, 22, has scored 20 goals in 30 games for Canada, while for Lille he's bagged 41 in 108 since moving to the French club from Gent for €30m in 2020.
Linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and a host of other elite sides, David has his eyes on a move to England or Spain in the future.
"I was always watching European football on TV. So, for me that was always the goal. For me it was, I only wanted to go to Europe," he said. "The next step is always growing, having more ambition, a bigger club I think. Every player wants to play for a massive club in their life. So I think if I had the chance to do it, I'll go for it for sure.
"I think they're two different leagues [the Premier League and LaLiga]. But I think I can adapt to both for sure. And I think with the experience that I've had here in France, it will help me a lot if I need to adapt to some place else a lot faster. So yeah I think both leagues suit me."
14.35 BST: Have Chelsea got their attacking balance right?
Former teammates and coaches speak fondly of Tottenham academy graduate Marcus Edwards as he returns to north London with Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.
13.44 BST: Bayern Munich could look to sign Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan next summer, according to 90min.
Gundogan, 32, has been a star for City in recent seasons but his contract expires in 2023.
The Germany international won't make a decision on his future until after the World Cup next month, but Bayern are interested in his services, seven years after he departed Borussia Dortmund for around €25m.
13.02 BST: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo will be part of the squad to face FC Sheriff on Thursday but said Raphael Varane's injury means he is a doubt for the World Cup.
Ronaldo returned to training with the first-team squad on Tuesday after being dropped for the draw at Chelsea as punishment for refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham.
The 37-year-old is in contention to face FC Sheriff but Varane will miss out after suffering a knee injury at Stamford Bridge.
"Cristiano will be in the squad," Ten Hag said in a news conference. "I think we said everything and we answered all the questions. He was out for one game and is back in the squad as usual.
"We explained everything and we have to focus on the game tomorrow. We have an important game because we want to be number one in the group. "It's done, he's back and the focus is on the game. It's important that Cristiano is involved in the squad tomorrow."
12.36 BST: Barcelona have stepped up their search for a Sergio Busquets replacement with the objective of signing a new midfielder in January, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
Barca, as previously revealed by ESPN, sounded out deals for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves in the summer as possible options in case Frenkie de Jong moved to the Premier League.
But De Jong made it clear he wanted to stay at Barcelona despite pressure from the club to accept a transfer away or agree to reduce his salary.
Just a few months later, however, Barca find themselves back in the market for a deep-lying midfielder as they begin to prepare for life without club captain Busquets.
Busquets, 34, is out of contract at the end of the season and received criticism for mistakes in their recent setbacks against Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
12.00 BST: Where do Juventus go from here?
Rob Dawson feels Cristiano Ronaldo may need Manchester United more than they need him after Erik ten Hag confirmed he refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham.
11.09 BST: Liverpool could move for AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali next summer, says The Daily Express.
Tonali, 22, has impressed for Milan since making the move from Brescia in 2021, helping the club to the Serie A title last season.
The Italy international is considered one of the best young midfielders in Europe and has previously listed Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara among players he considers an "inspiration."
Milan are reportedly keen on signing Liverpool's Naby Keita, who is a free agent in the summer, but a deal could be worked out in January too.
10.14 BST: Lionel Messi's PSG contract is set to expire in 2023 but the club are looking to offer an extension for another year, according to Le Parisien.
Messi, 35, has impressed this season with 11 goals and 12 assists from 16 games, having struggled to make a mark last year after moving from Barcelona on a free transfer.
09.47 BST: Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas is convinced coach Ruben Amorim will honor his contract with the club.
Amorim, 37, is considered amongst the most exciting young managers in Europe and the former Braga coach was a reported target of Aston Villa before the club announced on Monday that Unai Emery would replace Steve Gerrard.
"He has a contract until 2024," Varandas said of Amorim. "We couldn't be more satisfied and prouder."
Amorim has not ruled out coaching in Europe's top leagues in the future and said on Tuesday: "I don't have a specific dream of coaching a particular club. I'm happy when everyone rows in the same direction. Obviously, I want to be in big tournaments, but that's not what attracts me.What attracts me is having a good project, good players, to be able to convey my identity to the players, that the team represents what I am as a coach.
"I am already at a great club. I'm very young. And I really like this uncertainty, of not knowing tomorrow, of not having to think that my dream is here in England, Spain or Italy. It might be one of my goals, but I don't make any plans. I have no intentions of making any plans for what I'm going to do in the future. I wouldn't say it's a dream. I just want to be a coach and have a project that I identify with."
Sporting finished runners-up to FC Porto in the domestic league last season.
08.50 BST: Brazilian starlet Endrick became the youngest player to score for Palmeiras in Tuesday's 3-1 league win at Paranense.
At age 16, three months and four days, Endrick scored his first professional goal and beat the record previously held since 1916 by the club's all-time top scorer Heitor, who was 16, 11 months and 14 days.
A reported target of Real Madrid and PSG, Endrick said: "This goal is the result of my work, which I do at home and outside Palmeiras. We still haven't won anything. We have more finals, we're going to keep our feet on the ground and we're going to keep working with humility."
Endrick, who has made four appearances for the first team, says he still has a lot of room for improvement and added: "It's still not good for me. I have to train, and I have a lot to improve. I have to work harder to improve, I want to make people believe in me, have faith and make them believe in me."
Tuesday's win placed league leaders Palmeiras a step closer to the title. They are 13 points clear of nearest rivals Internacional with four league games remaining.
08.26 BST: Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim has ruled out an imminent return of Cristiano Ronaldo to the club.
"Ronaldo is a top player, he is a Manchester United player," Amorim said as reported in Record. "Everybody at Sporting dreams of the return of Cristiano. He is a Manchester United player I think he will be for a few [more] months. We don't have the money to pay his wages. He is happy in Manchester, but he is not playing so that's the problem."
Asked about Ronaldo's delicate situation at United, with the player having recently been disciplined by coach Erik ten Hag after he refused to come off the bench.
"I have my problems with some of Sporting players," he said. "It's Ten Hag's problem. I'm very happy with my players, no problem at all."
08.00 BST: Bobby Madley will referee a Premier League match for the first time in four years on Saturday after losing his job over a controversial video in 2018.
Madley was sacked by the refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after sending a video mocking a disabled person to a friend. He returned to English football in 2020, taking charge of matches at League One and League Two level, and has officiated 10 games in the Championship this season.
The 37-year-old is set to take charge of Brentford's home game against Wolves, according to a list of officials for weekend fixtures on the Premier League's website.
Janusz Michallik questions Chelsea's tactics and lack of finishing ability after their narrow win vs. Salzburg in the Champions League.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
- Antonio Silva looks to be attracting more interest from around Europe, with Chelsea keeping tabs on the 18-year-old Benfica defender, according to Fabrizio Romano. Chelsea are also keen on RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol as the Blues remain in the market for a centre-back. Silva scored the opening goal on Tuesday night as Benfica defeated Juventus 4-3 in the Champions League.
- Barcelona will be unable to contest for the signature of young Brazilian star Endrick until next summer, reports Sport. The Blaugrana are currently focusing on other areas of their squad to improve, and though they maintain interest in the 16-year-old Palmeiras forward, it looks as though they won't be part of any race in the January transfer window. He has recently been linked with Paris Saint-Germain but can't leave Brazil until he turns 18.
- Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhailo Mudryk. Speaking over a potential move to the north London club, the 21-year-old forward revealed to CBS that he couldn't turn down the opportunity to join Mikel Arteta's side if they agreed a deal for his services. The Ukrainian side are reported to be looking for a fee in excess of €60m to part ways with him.
- Chelsea considering a proposal for Newcastle United standout Bruno Guimaraes in January, according to Goal. The 24-year-old midfielder has been been a star performer for Newcastle this season and has also been linked with Real Madrid. It is reported that the Magpies are looking to offer him a new deal at St. James' Park to ward off interest from other clubs.
- Juventus could struggle to beat Arsenal for the signature of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, reports Calciomercato. Arsenal are understood to be preparing a €60m offer that includes Albert Sambi Lokonga in an effort to bring Milinkovic-Savic from Rome to London, and the latest indicates that the Gunners are leading the Bianconeri in the race to sign the 27-year-old Serbia international.