Hislop fears for Chelsea if James’ injury proves serious (1:17)Shaka Hislop thinks Chelsea look a far lesser side without Reece James on the pitch. (1:17)
With the opening of the January transfer window coming closer, 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: Jorginho attracts Newcastle attention as Chelsea look to bring in Fernandez
Newcastle United are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Jorginho in January, according to the Daily Mail.
Yet to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge, the 31-year-old Italy international is set to enter the final six months of his deal in a matter of days, and Newcastle are reported to be keeping tabs on his situation. That could work out for Blues manager Graham Potter, who is reportedly looking to reduce the average age of his squad.
2 Related
– Chelsea have proposed an offer in excess of EUR120 million to sign Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to Correio de Manha. The Lisbon-based newspaper reports that the Premier League side’s proposal is enough to activate the 21-year-old midfielder’s release clause, but Benfica are expecting more clubs to step-up their pursuit if talks advance. While the Liga NOS side are doing all they can to keep him at the club beyond January, there is now a belief that he could leave amid strong interest emerging from Europe’s top leagues.
That could explain why little progress has been made over a new deal for Jorginho, with clubs outside of the Premier League soon able to propose an official pre-contract agreement to secure his signature.
Juventus have also recently been linked with interest in signing Jorginho, but it looks as though they are set to face competition from the Magpies, who could discuss a verbal agreement with the Italy international ahead of a proposed move in the summer.
Jorginho started and played all 90 minutes of Chelsea’s 2-0 win on Tuesday over AFC Bournemouth, which snapped a five-game winless streak for the Blues in the Premier League.
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10.46 GMT: Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier denied suggestions of a rift between Lionel Messi and teammate Kylian Mbappe after they faced off in the World Cup final.
Messi won his maiden World Cup title with Argentina after they beat France 4-2 on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw. The Argentina captain scored twice while Mbappe became the second player in history to score a hat trick in the men’s World Cup final.
Mbappe has already reported back for PSG and is set to feature against Strasbourg on Wednesday. Galtier said Mbappe was “very disappointed” but praised the France forward’s attitude.
“There is no reason to mix everything up in the relationship between Kylian and Leo [Messi],” Galtier said. “Kylian has a very good attitude having lost the World Cup.
“When you lose a World Cup final, you have a reason to be very, very disappointed. He was very disappointed, but he knew how to go on and behave, and had a lot of class to congratulate Leo and that’s very good for the club and for the team.”
Messi will return to PSG at the beginning of January, Galtier said on Tuesday.
09.52 GMT: Daley Blind will leave Ajax after agreeing to terminate his contract six months early, leaving the player as a free agent, the Eredivisie club announced on Tuesday.
Blind, 32, made his debut for Ajax in 2008 and, after a four-season stint in the Premier League with Manchester United, returned to Amsterdam in 2018 to win Dutch league titles in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
“I hope he can find another club to end his successful career with. Together with Daley, we have decided on a match in the Arena where he can say a proper goodbye to the supporters,” Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar said.
09.00 GMT: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said any swoop for a striker in January will have to be in line with “financial criteria” set by the club.
Ten Hag has seen one target, Cody Gakpo, move to Liverpool in a deal which could rise to EUR50 million. And while the Dutchman is not making a secret of United’s desire to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, he admits it will not be easy.
“We are looking for offensive players, we are looking for a striker. It would be good because of all the games coming, we are playing every third day and it is tough,” Ten Hag said following a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
“I think we are always in the market, but it has to match the sporting criteria but also the financial criteria. We do what we can to bring in any player we can. For the progress of the team, we need to be more clinical.”
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PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
– Another tidbit out of Stamford Bridge, where it’s shaping up to be a busy winter: Benoit Badiashile‘s proposed move to Chelsea is now moving towards the final stages, reports Fabrizio Romano. The deal is expected to be completed for a fee in the region of EUR35m, while the 21-year-old defender has already reached an agreement in principle with the Blues over personal terms. Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Joao Felix.
– Napoli are preparing to part ways with Hirving Lozano in the summer, understands Calciomercato. It is reported that the Serie A side are already assessing potential replacements, with the 27-year-old Mexican winger interested in a switch to the Premier League. He has remained a key player for Luciano Spalletti’s side in Napoli this season, making 19 appearances across all competitions.
– Marcos Alonso is keen to stay at Barcelona beyond the end of the season, writes Relevo. The 31-year-old has been a useful player for the club since joining in the summer on a free transfer, with manager Xavi Hernandez deploying him across the backline. Contracted until the end of the season, he is set to meet with the Camp Nou hierarchy to discuss extending his stay with the club.
– A number of Premier League teams are keeping tabs on Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, according to the Daily Mail. Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Chelsea, who are watching his contract situation closely. While the England international had already agreed in principle a new five-year extension at Goodison Park, the Toffees are yet to formally offer him fresh terms.