Liverpool have kicked off the new season in style. Under Arne Slot, they've rediscovered both swagger and efficiency, winning all their first six matches across all competitions and sitting top of the Premier League. But ambitious clubs never rest. Even with strong attacking options already in place, the Reds are being linked with further upgrades. One name that's resurfaced with some noise in recent transfer speculation is Julian Alvarez, the Argentine forward currently with Atletico Madrid.
One eye-catching story doing the rounds is that United have offered 50 million plus Kobbie Mainoo in an attempt to land Federico Valverde from Real Madrid, according to Defensa Central. Even though Real Madrid appear to be staunchly opposed, the proposal points to how United are eyeing higher caliber targets to reshape their central engine. United are said to value Valverde highly and see him as a key upgrade in midfield. Their offer reportedly includes 50m (roughly 44m), plus academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo being used as a makeweight in the deal.
Liverpool are reportedly interested in the Napoli defender Sam Beukema, and they could look to make a move for him in future. The 26-year-old recently joined Napoli for a fee of 31 million, and the Italian champions will not want to lose him immediately after signing the player. However, a report from TeamTalk claims that Liverpool manager Arne Slot is a long-term admirer of Beukema, and it remains to be seen whether Liverpool decides to make a move for him in the near future.
According to Fichajes, Barcelona are happy with the player so far, and he has already expressed a desire to join them permanently. He will look to establish himself as a key player for the club over the next few months and impress with his performance consistently. He was outstanding during the midweek Champions League game against Newcastle United, and he scored a match-winning brace for his team.
Al-Nassr are targeting a move for Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, 33, with the Brazilian's contract at Old Trafford coming to an end in the summer. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external Manchester United are competing with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to sign Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, 25, whose contract at Juventus is up next summer. (La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Teamtalk), external Real Madrid are interested in Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven, 24, with the north London club valuing the Dutchman at around 70m.
Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, and Arsenal have been trying to sign him. They will now face competition from Brighton, who are keen on the 23-year-old French midfielder, as per TBR. He has the physicality and technical attributes to do well in the Premier League; he could prove to be an excellent addition for the Seagulls. Agoume has been described as a player with an extraordinary physique.
He is now in the final year of his contract with Newcastle, reducing his bargaining power and giving the club one last opportunity to recoup a decent fee rather than risk losing him for nothing. On top of that, Lascelles has fallen down the pecking order ever since returning from an ACL injury. The arrival of Malick Thiaw has pushed him further down in the hierarchy; he is now reportedly behind fellow centre-backs Burn, Schar, Botman, and Thiaw in Newcastle's defensive plans.
That's according to Christian Falk in his CF Bayern Insider column, with the German journalist providing some insight into Fofana's situation. As recently reported for CaughtOffside, Chelsea have Fofana on a list of targets in attack, along with others such as Morgan Rogers and Kenan Yildiz. Now Falk is also linking Fofana with Bayern, and it makes sense that the talented young Belgium international would have a host of suitors from around Europe.
Journalist Daniele Longo revealed via his X account that the 22-year-old had an agreement with the Premier League giants back in July, but the move did not come to fruition, with Guerra signing new terms with Los Ches until 2029. Nevertheless, that fresh deal has not prevented Los Blancos from continuing to track the midfielder who once looked destined for Old Trafford.
Youri Tielemans is a target for Atletico Madrid, and they are preparing an offer to sign him in the coming months. According to a report from Fichajes, they could offer a package of 45 million (39m), including bonuses, to sign the Belgian international. He could prove to be an excellent addition for them. Youri Tielemans would improve Atletico The 28-year-old has shown his quality in the Premier League, and he has the ability to do well in La Liga as well.
Tottenham Hotspur reportedly tried to sign the PSG midfielder Senny Mayulu during the summer transfer window. According to TeamTalk, they made a late move to sign the talented young midfielder, but PSG refused to sell the 19-year-old. Chelsea and Manchester City are keen on the player as well. Although the 19-year-old is not a regular starter for PSG, he has already shown his qualities with the first team.
Dumfries to the Premier League? According to a report via Fichajes, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea could consider signing him in the coming months. The 29-year-old could prove to be a useful acquisition for all three clubs. He can operate as a right back as well as a wing back. He could help them improve at both ends of the pitch.
There would be potential for Bissouma to be moved on before the Saudi Arabia and Turkey [transfer] windows close, that is expected, Pete O'Rourke told Football Insider. He's out of favour under Thomas Frank and was dropped from their UEFA Super Cup squad, due to being late for various meetings and training. He hasn't made the best of impressions on Thomas Frank, and he'll probably find it hard to get into that Tottenham midfield.
Reports linking Leandro Trossard with a shock move away from Arsenal have been firmly shut down, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirming that the Belgian winger will not be leaving the Emirates anytime soon. In recent days, speculation from Turkey suggested that Besiktas were eyeing the 29-year-old as a potential high-profile signing for the Super Lig. However, Romano has made it clear that Arsenal are not entertaining any offers for Trossard and have absolutely no plans to sanction his departure.
Although the goalkeeper is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, particularly from Galatasaray who are interested in signing him, since the transfer window is still open in both those countries, Martinez has made a determined decision over his future and he is not thinking about leaving Villa Park. At the moment, the goalkeeper is busy on international duty with Argentina, where has had confirmed his decision to stay at the Premier League club.
A lot of players were linked with Bayern Munich this past summer transfer window that did not end up joining the club. In fact, until the signing of Luis Díaz, Bayern were linked to seemingly every left winger under the sun. Bradley Barcola, Nico Williams, Marcus Rashford, Ritsu Doan, Jamie Gittens, Cody Gakpo and more were also high profile names linked with the Bavarians.
Arsenal and Barcelona keen on Luiz Benedetti Sources close to the player's situation have informed CaughtOffside that Arsenal have been monitoring Benedetti for a long time and are expected to make an official move in January. However, the English side is not alone in the race. Barcelona have also shown interest, viewing Benedetti as a strategic option to reinforce their backline with a promising young talent. Barcelona's search for a ball-playing centre-back highlights Benedetti's profile.
I would like to thank the team for the support and opportunities they have given me over these years. I have had the chance to grow and to compete alongside the very best, and I know that what I have learned will always remain part of my professional background. I now feel it is time for me to take a different path, with the same enthusiasm and I wish UAE Team Emirates XRG success for the future.
Reports are coming in from Spain suggesting that Trent Alexander-Arnold might not find his way back into Real Madrid's starting XI anytime soon, especially now that Dani Carvajal is back in full swing. It's an interesting twist to this saga, considering how highly regarded Trent is, and how long Real Madrid worked on winning the race for his signature while he was at Liverpool.
Napoli are in talks with Manchester United over a deal for Rasmus Højlund, sources have told ESPN. The Serie A champions are searching for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku before the transfer deadline after the Belgium striker was ruled out for up to four months with a thigh injury. They have turned their attention to Højlund, who has been made available by United following the arrival of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
According to Foot Mercato journalist Sebastien Denis, Ligue 1 side Marseille have added Emerson Palmieri to their list of potential summer targets, with the West Ham full-back emerging as a name under consideration as the French club look to strengthen their defensive options.