Seven Man Utd transfers Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants answers for as trio set for January exits
With just over a month to go until the transfer window reopens in January, teams in the Premier League and across the continent will be putting plans in place to capitalise on the winter market. The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea could be among those to make squad changes in light of their poor starts to the season.
The international break will have given managers and sporting directors the opportunity to draw up possible transfer options. Sensing the possibility of a serious title challenge; Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham will surely be keen to keep the pressure on Manchester City by bringing in new recruits.
Injury issues could also play their part, with Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou and United manager Erik ten Hag each forced to improvise with their respective line-ups over the past few weeks.
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Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has reportedly decided to leave Old Trafford, but could be forced to wait until the summer transfer window with two options emerging for his signature.
His standing in the squad has prompted rumours that he may leave in January, but The Sun have claimed that while he has decided to quit the Red Devils - Ten Hag will only sanction a sale at the end of the season.
Two options have emerged for Varane as he looks for a new club. Saudi Arabian teams represent some of the few clubs who would be interested in the 30-year-old with his high wage demands, while he is also interested in a move to Italy as Serie A clubs could begin to circle.
David de Gea reportedly has no intention of moving to Saudi Arabia, but would be open to heading to the MLS if an opportunity arose.
The Spain international has remained a free agent since parting ways with Manchester United, despite being linked with several clubs.
Numerous Saudi sides are desperate to acquire his services, but 90min report that the ex-Atletico Madrid star does not want to head to the Middle East. Instead, De Gea would favour remaining in Europe, though he is refusing to rule out linking up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
David de Gea is the subject of Saudi Arabian interest (Image: Getty)
Cole Palmer has been told that he was right to leave Manchester City over the summer by Richard Dunne.
The England prospect has hit the ground running at Chelsea and been one of their few shining lights this season, raising questions about why Pep Guardiola was willing to let him leave.
Asked by Betway whether City made the right call in selling Palmer, Dunne said: “Quite possibly. It’s a shame he’s left City because he’s a very good player, but the opportunities probably weren’t going to be there for him over a full season.
“He’s almost made himself Chelsea’s main man already. He’s don’t superbly - he would say himself that it wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one for him.”
The Premier League vote has reportedly failed to pass a motion that would have banned related-party loans between two clubs owned by the same entities. This ensures that Newcastle CAN still loan players from clubs in Saudi Arabia owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The vote was tabled after concerns were raised over links involving Eddie Howe's side and Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves.
However, the vote narrowly failed to pass as the minimum threshold of club votes to change a rule is 14 according to the Daily Mail. There were seven clubs that voted against the proposal, 13 in favour, as the resolution will not be put through.
Certain Prem chiefs wanted a temporary change to rules on “associated party transactions” that would ban the likes of Newcastle from signing players on loan from Saudi teams, which would also prevent Crystal Palace from bringing in players from Lyon.
A formal rule would then have been drafted next summer, but the proposed ban did not meet the required number of votes at the latest shareholders' meeting.
City identify potential Bernardo Silva replacement
Manchester City are reportedly keen to accelerate Savio’s progress through the City Group ranks and bring him to the Etihad.
According to 90min, Pep Guardiola’s side are ‘keeping tabs’ on the winger, who is out on loan at Girona from Troyes. The Brazilian has scored four and assisted four in 13 La Liga appearances, with his electric pace down the wing catching the eye.
The 19-year-old has been a revelation for Girona and City are already considering accelerating his progress further, with a deal described as ‘straightforward’ as the Spanish side are already part of the City Group.
Fulham have been pegged back in their pursuit of Brazilian midfielder Andre, with Fluminense set to demand at least £30million for his signature.
That's according to GOAL, who claim that Liverpool and Sporting are also in hot pursuit.
It remains to be seen exactly how Fluminense's high price will affect the transfer chase, which may kick up a notch when the window reopens in January.
Brighton striker Evan Ferguson has been advised to resist interest from Premier League heavyweights for another 18 months by former Manchester City centre-back Richard Dunne.
"He’s just signed a new contract and he’s in a good place," Dunne told Betway. "He’s learning the game and needs to develop certain things.
"There’s no doubt [Manchester] United, Arsenal and Chelsea and probably Man City and Liverpool will look at him. He scores goals. Maybe in another 18 months he’ll be a bit better suited.
"If he moved now, would he get the game time? He knows at Brighton he’ll play and from an Irish point of view that’s what you want. We need to figure a system out that plays to his strengths instead of leaving him so isolated."
Evan Ferguson is one of the brightest young players in the Premier League (Image: Getty)
Newcastle United may have a trick up their sleeve in the race for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
The England international is set to seek out more regular game time in the January transfer window after being continually sidelined at the Etihad Stadium.
Newcastle face stiff competition from Juventus, but Phillips has the same agent as goalkeeper Nick Pope, who arrived at St James' Park last year. The connection could work in Eddie Howe's favour if a bid is tabled for the 27-year-old.
Chelsea have a gentleman's agreement with Romelu Lukaku that he can leave Stamford Bridge for £35million, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Belgian is currently on loan at Roma, but any rival club could pip the Italian side to his signature if they fork out the required fee.
Chelsea spent £97.5m on Lukaku back in 2021, but his return to west London has not gone to plan and a permanent exit seems inevitable.
Romelu Lukaku is back amongst the goals on loan at Roma (Image: Getty)
Tottenham will reject any January approach from Barcelona regarding Giovani Lo Celso, according to the Evening Standard.
The Catalan giants were interested in Lo Celso during the summer before manager Ange Postecoglou stepped in to block the deal.
Despite being starved of game time so far this season, Lo Celso is set for an increased role over the coming weeks due to James Maddison's injury layoff.
Ruben Neves is expected to stay with Al-Hilal this season, according to The Athletic, despite rumoured interest from Newcastle United.
The move was in jeopardy regardless, with the Premier League weighing up whether to temporarily ban clubs making loan signings from teams with the same owners.
Newcastle's Saudi Arabian owners are expected to splash out in January to replace the banned Sandro Tonali.
But Neves won't be the answer, irrespective of whether the Premier League's ban is successfully introduced.
Ruben Neves is expected to stay with Al-Hilal (Image: Getty)
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah will almost definitely leave Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 24-year-old has been completely frozen out by manager Mauricio Pochettino, with no appearances to boast in any competition this season.
Bayern Munich were keen on Chalobah during the summer, but his future remains up in the air, with the German giants no longer believed to be in conversation with the Blues.
Manchester City maestro Bernardo Silva says that he will do all he can to prevent his international team-mate, Joao Neves, from joining Manchester United.
The 19-year-old has come to the attention of top teams around Europe due to his performances for Benfica and Portugal.
United are said to be interested, but they would have to fork out the entirety of his release clause, which sits above £100million.
"If I can, I will pull strings to bring Joao Neves to Man City," Bernardo said. "I'd like to see Joao joining City instead of Man United, of course!"
