#transfer window

#transfer window

The inaugural UEFA Women's Champions League play-offs get underway on Wednesday, ushering in a new chapter in the competition's format and raising the stakes for the eight teams in the mix. The sides that finished between fifth and 12th in the league phase now face a high-pressure, two-legged battle to progress to the knockouts and with little room for error, the play-offs present contrasting motivations.

Illan Meslier has been linked with a move away from Leeds United in recent months. The French goalkeeper has fallen down the pecking order at the English club, and he needs to leave in order to play more often. Sitting on the bench at Leeds United will not benefit him. He has been linked with Turkish club Besiktas. The Turkish outfit is hoping to sign the player before the winter transfer window closes, but the player is reluctant to move to Turkey (h/t Leeds Live).

He's an interesting player, but when I spoke with some guys from Bayern, they said they didn't need these rumours at the moment they wanted a quiet transfer window. Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid looks on (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) So they won't go for him at the moment. They'd love to have a player like him in the team, but with a contract until 2030, it's a no-go.

Senior Saudi football officials are expecting Cristiano Ronaldo to return to action for Al-Nassr against Al Ittihad on Friday after his recent absence. The Portugal forward has not played since missing Monday's Saudi Pro League win over Al Riyadh, amid reports of dissatisfaction over Al Nassr's financial backing compared to rival clubs. Ronaldo is understood to have concerns that Al Nassr are not receiving the same level of support as fellow Public Investment Fund-owned sides Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad.

It is understood the Toffees made an approach for the 28-year-old last week, but it was turned down by the Cottagers. The Wales international is out of contract this summer and could leave for free, but Fulham are adamant on not selling him this month. Head coach Marco Silva has also said there is "zero chance" of Wilson being sold in the January transfer window.

Manchester City's relationship with Kalvin Phillips appears to be nearing a decisive breaking point, with the Premier League giants now prepared to sanction his exit in the final hours of the transfer window. Signed from Leeds United in 2022 for a fee believed to be around 45 million, Phillips' move to the Etihad has failed to deliver on expectations, and City's patience has now worn thin, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.

Although there are more interested clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid have taken the lead and have already made an offer to Racing for the services of the 18-year-old midfielder. Initially, the idea of both clubs is to take him on loan until 30 June to their respective reserve teams and to include an option to buy, although they are also open to the possibility of a permanent transfer for the Racing academy product.

Luton Town want to sign Elliot Lee from Wrexham in the January transfer window, according to Sports Boom . The former West Ham United attacking midfielder was on the books of Luton from 2017 until 2022, before he moved to the Welsh club. Lee underwent knee surgery earlier in the campaign and has failed to establish himself in Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson's team. The 31-year-old has made three appearances in the Carabao Cup for the Welsh outfit so far this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist in the process.

Crystal Palace are set to table a formal offer for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. Sources have told BBC Sport that Palace's interest in the 25-year-old forward has intensified in the past 24 hours with a bid now expected from the Selhurst Park club. Wolves are open to selling the Norway international this month provided they get a fee close to the 55m they rejected from Newcastle for the striker during the summer transfer window.

Chelsea are in talks with Raheem Sterling and his representatives and a solution is expected to be found before the window closes on Monday. It is expected he will no longer be a Chelsea player after Monday. Sterling has been training away from the first-team squad and he still has 18 months left to run on a contract worth more than £300,000 a week. The player does not want to leave on another loan deal.

With Jean-Philippe Mateta having already told Crystal Palace that he wants to leave and the club listening to offers for the France forward, this feels like a move waiting to happen. The 28-year-old only has 18 months left on his present deal despite signing a contract extension with the Eagles just over 12 months ago. Italian giants Juventus and Premier League Aston Villa are believed to be leading the chase for Mateta, who Palace value at around 40m.

Barcelona are reportedly close to signing young Dutch defender Juwensley Onstein from Jong Genk in the January transfer window. Reporter Matteo Moretto has posted an update on X and says "an agreement between the clubs is close" and that Onstein has already given the transfer the green light. Onstein is an 18-year-old left-footed central defender who has been linked with a move to AC Milan, but it now seems that Barcelona are set to win the race for the defender.

"He is like my son,"

Yeah, obviously Ruben Neves is a top midfielder. He's done well out in the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal. They don't really want to lose him, but he is coming to the end of his contract in June and nothing has been agreed as yet, so that has opened to door for a return to Europe. I'm sure if the opportunity did come along, Ruben Neves would be interested in a move to Man United.

The teenage prodigy had found minutes hard to come by since returning from his ACL injury back in September. Given the competition for places in the middle of the park, it was suggested that Bernal could explore leaving on loan in the current window, with Barcelona being open to the idea if the player himself requested it. However, according to MARCA, the matter is settled, and Bernal will be staying at Barcelona in the January window.

Surprise leaders Heart of Midlothian host second-top Celtic, with Rangers, third on goal difference, waiting to take advantage as they host Dundee. Former Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam, one-time Celtic and Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley and Barry McKay, who played on the wing for Hearts and Rangers, all agree it is too close to call and are relishing what is now a three-horse race.

Real Madrid are willing to sell David Alaba in the January transfer window, according to . Alaba is out of contract at Los Blancos at the end of the season, and the Spanish powerhouse are ready to cash in on him now. The report in the Spanish news outlet has reported that Besiktas have 'initiated formal contacts' for Alaba, who has had injury problems throughout his time at Estadio Bernabeu.