The 2022 January transfer window is open (find out when it closes here) and there's plenty of gossip swirling about who's moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: PSG make play for Rudiger
Paris Saint-Germain have made an official offer to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, according to Foot Mercato.
The Ligue 1 club are looking to tempt him away from a potential move to Real Madrid and have therefore proposed a more lucrative salary package: a €7 million per-season deal, according to the report. The move would become official when his contract with Chelsea expires in the summer.
It has seemed that the 28-year-old centre-back's preferred destination would be the Santiago Bernabeu, so PSG sporting director Leonardo is doing all he can to persuade Rudiger to choose Paris as his next home.
The Germany international has been a priority for Thomas Tuchel's side this season, with the club hoping that he would renew his current terms at Stamford Bridge. But the arrival of another top European club to the bargaining table could now mean that the Blues must begin to look for alternatives ahead of next season.
- FC 100: Messi, Lewandowski are No. 1s; Premier League dominant
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access
LIVE BLOG
22:33 GMT: Saint-Etienne are keen on acquiring Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, according to RMC Sport. However, it sounds like they may have to wait for Patrick Vieira's side to activate the option clause for a deal to go through.
The 24-year-old forward is currently on loan at Selhurst Park from Mainz, but the club could make the move permanent for a fee believed to be in the region of €15 million. And with Mateta looking for a new challenge, Saint-Etienne provides an option for him to return back to Ligue 1 after a previous spell with Lyon.
22.02 GMT: Four teams are in an open race to sign Denis Zakaria on a free transfer, Fabrizio Romano writes -- though Manchester United are reported to not be among them despite previously considering an approach for him.
The 25-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is set to be a free agent in the summer after failing to sign an extension, and that has seen widespread interest in his signature from across Europe's top leagues.
21.39 GMT: AC Milan have identified Nathan Ake as a potential option after losing Simon Kjaer for the rest of the season, according to the Sun.
The 26-year-old centre-back has struggled for regular minutes in the Manchester City lineup as he competes for minutes with Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias. He has started just six games in his preferred position this season, with Pep Guardiola also utilising him as a left-back.
21.00 GMT: Four Premier League teams are battling for the signature of Queens Park Rangers striker Lyndon Dykes, Teamtalk reveals.
Burnley, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Norwich City are all engaged in a tug-of-war for the 26-year-old Scotland international, who has scored six times for QPR in the Championship this season from 14 starts.
20.30 GMT: Lille have issued a hands off warning to clubs enquiring about Sven Botman.
Fabrizio Romano writes that the club view him as untouchable and they will not allow him to leave during the season, with talks over his future set to take place in the summer. The 21-year-old centre-back has been on the radar of a number of clubs in January, with interest from both the Premier League and Serie A.
20.05 GMT: A couple Major League Soccer moves to note. FC Dallas acquired the No. 3 pick in Tuesday's MLS draft and forward Dom Dwyer from Toronto FC on Monday in exchange for $50,000 in general allocation money, but the Texas side bought out Dwyer's contract to make him a free agent. Dallas also acquired Guinea-Bissau defender Nanu on a one-year loan from Porto on Monday.
Meanwhile, River Plate brought in a pair of MLS stars with Austin FC sending Designated Player midfielder Tomas Pochettino to the Buenos Aires side on a one-year deal with a purchase option. The Argentina powerhouse is also bringing in defender and former academy player Leandro Gonzalez Pirez on a loan from Inter Miami.
Gonzalez Pirez's move, coupled with defender Christian Makoun being sent to expansion side Charlotte from Miami in exchange for moving up atop the allocation order, continues a busy offseason for the South Florida club that is the midst of a high-profile rebuild.
19.07 GMT: Tottenham Hotspur have rejected an €18 million bid for Steven Bergwijn, reports De Telegraaf.
Ajax are keen on bringing the 24-year-old winger back to the Eredivisie, and despite having their first approach turned down, it is reported that they will return to the bargaining table with an improved offer to tempt him away from North London.
Given that Bergwijn hasn't been able to cement himself as a go-to choice for manager Antonio Conte, it appears that when the right offer comes along, whether from Ajax or elsewhere, a move is in the cards.
18:34 GMT: A new name has reportedly been added to Newcastle United's shortlist of defenders to bring in. Monaco's Benoit Badiashile is now under consideration, according to writer Ekrem Konur.
Despite being just 20-years-old, the centre-back has been a regular feature for Monaco this season, making 20 appearances for the Ligue 1 side. With the Magpies making little progress in their approach to acquire James Tarkowski, Badiashile becomes the latest potential target at St. James' Park.
17.51 GMT: Vivianne Miedema, the all-time leading scorer in the Women's Super League, might be on the move. With the Arsenal striker's contract set to expire at the end of the season, she is attracting interest from top clubs in Europe and the United States, according to The Telegraph.
The 25-year-old is in the sights of French champions Paris Saint-Germain and European champions Barcelona, the report says, although negotiations have not yet started. A Barcelona source told the Telegraph that signing Miedema is a "priority," so it appears to be only a matter of time before dialogue begins, but she has not ruled out staying with Arsenal either.
Miedema has scored 67 goals in the WSL, eight more than any other player since the league was founded in 2011, despite only joining the league in 2017 from Bayern Munich. She has 85 goals for the Dutch national team.
Trippier joined Newcastle last week, prompting Atletico manager Diego Simeone to admit he was sad to lose the England international, but Simeone added that it is "time to look ahead and look for alternatives to make things work."
Now Atletico has a four-name shortlist, sources tell ESPN. In addition to Wass and Azpilicueta, Arsenal's Cedric Soares and Wolves' Nelson Semedo are on the list.
16.08 GMT: Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste gave an update at the weekend on negotiations for a contract extension for Ousmane Dembele, who has offers from clubs in the Premier League and Serie A and is in no hurry to sign a new deal.
While Barca coach Xavi is keen for the France international forward to remain, it seems likely Dembele will leave Barca this summer as a free agent.
"We are focused on Dembele's contract talks and the team we have," he said. "Ferran's arrival means we have a more consolidated team and we hope and desire that Dembele's contract extension does happen as soon as possible. That's what the coach wants, what we all want.
"The club has given [Dembele's] agents, and the player knows it already, the best that the club can currently offer and at this time we are waiting for his agents to respond. We hope to get it as soon as possible."
15.31 GMT: North Carolina Courage have traded United States women's national team forward Lynn Williams to Kansas City Current, it was announced on Monday.
As part of the deal, the Courage will receive $200,000 in allocation money as well as the rights to goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland and the Current's first round pick in the 2023 National Women's Soccer League draft. The Courage now have three first round picks for the 2023 draft.
"Since coming to North Carolina, Lynn has represented the Courage jersey with the utmost respect and passion," head coach Sean Nahas said in a statement.
"She has given so much to this club, her teammates, the fans, and staff in helping to win titles. More importantly, she has always carried herself with class and she is someone I will truly miss having here. I will always continue to be one of her biggest supporters and will always wish her much success.
"I cannot thank Lynn enough for what she has done here and the trust she has shown me personally in helping her along the way on her journey. She's a special person who will always be a massive part of the Courage legacy."
We have acquired @USWNT forward Lynn Williams from the NC Courage.
— KC Current (@thekccurrent) January 10, 2022
Welcome to Kansas City, @lynnraenie!
More on the roster move 👉 https://t.co/tsmSlzRoZj#TealRising pic.twitter.com/IzQIztfpQZ
15.17 GMT: Axel Tuanzebe's chances of getting first-team football at Aston Villa were weakened after Steven Gerrard's arrival and his history at Liverpool, according to his agent Dimitri Tuanzebe.
Tuanzebe joined Villa on loan from Manchester United in the summer but the deal was cut short in January to allow the defender to join Napoli for the rest of the season. Following Gerrard's appointment in November, Tuanzebe was restricted to just eight minutes of football, prompting brother and agent Dimitri to broker a move to Italy.
There were fears Liverpool's historic rivalry with United had become a factor in Gerrard's decision to overlook Tuanzebe but the 24-year-old is delighted to have been given a fresh start with Napoli and is aiming to win the Serie A title with the club for the first time in more than 30 years.
"Axel is very excited to begin a new chapter in his football career, playing abroad and for a club with so much history behind it and fans who worship football," Dimirti, who runs Millennial Sports Management, told ESPN's Rob Dawson. "Axel didn't decide to move until it became very clear that he isn't the manager's first-choice centre-back and the Napoli offer was very tempting.
"I have a lot of mixed emotions when it comes to Axel's time at Villa. He is loved by the fans as he contributed highly to the club's success in the Championship where he was one of the key players that helped Villa return to the Premier League. However, following the arrival of Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, it felt as if the rivalry between Man United and Liverpool came to life.
"For the avoidance of doubts, Axel was very open to staying at Villa, he loves the fans, being in Birmingham but he also has a career that he can only build and reach his full potential in an environment where opportunities to play are fair."
14.35 GMT: Gremio has not been contacted by the LA Galaxy regarding their interest in Brazilian winger Douglas Costa, according to GloboEsporte.
According to GloboEsporte, LA Galaxy representatives are in Brazil but have yet to make an official approach for Costa, who joined Gremio on a season-long loan from Juventus in May.
The MLS franchise already showed an interest in Costa last year before the 31-year-old returned to the Porto Algre club where he came through the youth system.
Costa has a contract with Juventus until June 2023. Gremio are keen for Costa to extend his loan spell beyond this summer but have yet to agree terms with the player and the Bianconeri.
He reportedly wants to play in the MLS before the end of his career but would rather remain in Brazil for the foreseeable future.
13.58 GMT: Antoine Griezmann says he would like to continue at Atletico Madrid until he is no longer wanted.
The France international joined former club Atletico on loan from Barcelona, with the Rojiblancos holding a €40m option to make the deal permanent.
"I hope Atletico wants me as long as I can keep up with the games and the level of demand, and that we can write another great story," he said. "Since my time at Real Sociedad, I have always felt comfortable where I have been and, ultimately, now I feel more comfortable and happier here at Atleti. And I don't want to change (club) again.
"The truth is that I did well at Real Sociedad, then I grew up sportingly and privately at Atleti, with my wife, with my children ... That helps you to be more relaxed and enjoy everything. And then I went to Barcelona. Due to the circumstances, things did not turn out as well as expected. So, I wanted to play with Cholo again and with Atleti again. That's what I wanted the most, and the truth is that I'm really enjoying it here and I hope I can continue like this."
Griezmann is currently out of action with a muscular injury and is not expected to play again for a month.
13.15 GMT: Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with Wolves to sign winger Adama Traore in a deal which could be worth around £20m, sources have told ESPN's James Olley.
The 25-year-old is interested in a move to north London and Spurs boss Antonio Conte is keen to strengthen his squad this month after being alarmed by a series of disappointing displays since succeeding Nuno Espirito Santo in November.
Traore has 18 months left on his contract and Wolves are ready to cash in on a player who sees his future elsewhere.
Reports in Spain have suggested Barcelona may be interested in Traore. This would complicate the situation as Traore has strong links with the club having been born in the city before coming through the ranks at the Camp Nou prior to leaving for Aston Villa in 2015.
However, sources have told ESPN that Spurs are upbeat over their chances of signing Traore, who is viewed by Conte as a strong wing-back option in his preferred 3-4-3 system.
12.38 GMT: Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick insists he is happy at the Bundesliga club despite interest from the Premier League.
West Ham United, Newcastle United and Everton have all been linked with interest in the Czech Republic international. However, Schick -- who has a contract until 2025 -- says he is not interested in a move.
"I'm really, very happy in Leverkusen and I want to go to the Champions League with Bayer," Schick told Bild. "I love living in Germany.
"At the moment it is not at all an issue for me to think of another club. Everyone knows my contractual situation. And I would never cause problems for a club to push through a change."
- Bundesliga on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)
11.55 GMT: Barcelona can finally register new signing Ferran Torres after Samuel Umtiti signed a new contract and reduced his salary, the club have confirmed.
Barca announced the signing of Torres from Manchester City for €55m two weeks ago but have not yet been able to register him within their LaLiga-imposed spending limit.
Philippe Coutinho's loan move to Aston Villa last week created some room, but director of football Mateu Alemany said over the weekend that it was "not enough" to inscribe Torres.
Umtiti's previous deal was due to expire in 2023 but by extending it over an additional three years without committing to paying him more money, Barca are able to significantly spread out how much he is paid each season.
With gross debt standing at over €1 billion and after registering losses of €400m last season, Barca's LaLiga spending limit was reduced to €97m for the current campaign.
Through this contract extension, FC Barcelona will be able to increase its 'financial fair play' quota and thus register @FerranTorres20 with the Spanish Professional Football League. https://t.co/M49mXejym3 pic.twitter.com/oJcFR8esbv
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 10, 2022
11.22 GMT: Villarreal have joined the race to sign Spain international winger Pablo Sarabia this summer, Record reports.
Sarabia has scored four goals and set up four more in 13 league appearances since joining Sporting Lisbon from Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan.
His solid performances in Portugal have attracted the attention of several La Liga clubs, including Villarreal, who are preparing a €20m bid to sign the player.
The former Sevilla star has a contract with Paris Saint-Germain until June 2024.
- LaLiga on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)
10.39 GMT: Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele wants to leave the club in the January transfer window, according to The Athletic.
Ndombele was booed off the pitch by some fans when he was substituted during Sunday's 3-1 win over Morecambe in the FA Cup (stream the replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.).
The 25-year-old had originally wanted a transfer out of the club in the summer, and The Athletic reports that Spurs would be willing to let the France international leave.
"I was so focused on the game because we were losing 1-0," Conte said postmatch. "This type of situation, they are in football.
"You have to be good to try to change your opinion. If someone is disappointed with you. It's normal.
"I was a player and it happened sometimes to me that someone was unhappy with my performance. This is our life. I repeat, it's OK. We have to continue to work and try to be better next time.
"We have to know very well that if we perform well, the fans are happy. If you don't perform well, the fans are not happy. This is football. If we think the fans have to be happy any time, if you win or lose, I think that's not right.
"Me, for sure, when I don't win, I'm not happy, I am upset and I think that is OK."
09.58 GMT: Barcelona still have some work to do before they can register Ferran Torres, according to club directors.
Last week, Barca signed the Spanish forward from Manchester City and then loaned midfielder Philippe Coutinho until the end of the season to Aston Villa.
"Phil Coutinho's departure helps us, generates fair play, but it's not enough," Barcelona football director Mateu Alemany said after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Granada (stream the replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.). "We are working a lot to find other departures, other situations, that will allow us to get that fair play needed to register Ferran. "Ferran is still not available to play because he still has COVID."
Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste said the club is working around the clock to make this happen.
"We need more departures. We are working on it, all the club professionals are working so that this gets done as soon as possible."
Austrian striker Yusuf Demir and French centre-back Samuel Umtiti are expected to be next to leave the Camp Nou in the winter transfer window.
09.24 GMT: Sergio Oliveira is on the verge of joining AS Roma on loan from FC Porto, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that the two clubs reached an agreement on Sunday night.
Roma will pay €1m for the Portugal international to join on loan until the remainder of the season. Roma can make the move permanent as a purchase option of €13.5m has been included in the deal.
The Portuguese midfielder is expected to arrive on Monday in the Italian capital and undergo a medical before starting to work under Roma coach Jose Mourinho.
08.47 GMT: Mikel Arteta said Arsenal are willing to consider a big-money move for a striker in January amid ongoing links with Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic.
Reports in Italy have suggested the Gunners are willing to offer €55m plus Lucas Torreira in a bid to land the Serbian forward, who has 18 months remaining on his current contract.
Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal have been monitoring Vlahovic for some time but it is unclear at this stage whether a transfer is a realistic possibility this month.
Arsenal spent around €167m last summer on five new players but when asked whether another big deal was within their capabilities, as rumours persist over Vlahovic, Arteta said: "If it is the right player and we can afford it and we can do what we want to do, we will discuss it and make the best possible decision. We are open.
"I think with the amount of things and the way that we want to evolve the squad we have to maximise every window in many different ways and we are alert.
He added: "[Technical director] Edu and his team are working very hard as we know exactly what we need to do and whether we can accomplish that in January or in the summer is a different question as it is related to other stuff."
- Vickery: Brazil's cautionary tale for Arsenal target Danilo
08.00 GMT: Edinson Cavani has told Ralf Rangnick he will stay at Old Trafford until the end of the season, Manchester United's interim boss has said.
Cavani, who is out of contract in the summer, has been linked with a January move to Barcelona or a return to South America but Rangnick has said the 34-year-old has promised to stay until the end of the campaign.
"I told him that if it was up to me I would want him to stay," Rangnick said. "I had a conversation with him [on Thursday]. He came into my office and we spoke for almost half an hour and he told me he will definitely stay and would want to stay until the end of the season.
"Not only because I told him that he should stay or has to stay, he did it on his own behalf and he told me that I can rely on him to stay until the end of the season and give his very best and be a role model for the young players.
"If he should play from the start, he's available and he's happy to play. Even if he's not playing, he will be trying to be the best possible role model for the other players and for me this is good news."
- Manchester United vs. Aston Villa: Stream LIVE at 2:55 p.m. ET on ESPN+ in the U.S.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
- Lucas Digne's next club looks set to be Aston Villa, according to Sky Sports. The Everton left-back has been on the radar of a number of Premier League sides during the winter transfer window, but it now looks as though a £25 million fee has been agreed with Steven Gerrard's side. The 28-year-old was also on the shortlist of Napoli, though the Serie A club pulled out with reports that his salary demands are in the region of £8.5 million per season.
- Jurgen Klopp has no plans to let Divock Origi leave during the current transfer window, according to Ekrem Konur. The 26-year-old striker has been linked with moves to both West Ham United and Fenerbahce recently, but his performances have seen him become a frequent tool off of the bench, scoring the winning goal against Wolves back in December.
- Philippe Coutinho could join Aston Villa on a permanent deal, with reports that Barcelona have included a €40 million option clause to make the move permanent in the summer, per Fabrizio Romano. The 29-year-old attacking midfielder is expected to have his loan deal with the Premier League club announced soon after talks of a deal began last week.
- Sevilla are ready to make another approach for Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, per Ekrem Konur. The LaLiga club have maintained interest in a loan deal for the 26-year-old, despite difficulties over the salary that the Red Devils would contribute, and they are now reportedly ready to try their hand again to add firepower to the attack. Martial has struggled for minutes this season, starting just two games in the Premier League.
- Newcastle United are continuing their search for a striker after the injury to Callum Wilson, and the Telegraph reports that they have set their sights on Burnley's Chris Wood. It is reported that they have already made an official enquiry to the Clarets regarding a potential deal. The 30-year-old has been in mixed form this season, scoring three goals from 17 league appearances.