Liverpool are continuing to monitor Givairo Read, the 20-year-old Feyenoord right-back, as they weigh up the addition of a new right-sided defender. The Netherlands Under-21 international is in demand, with Manchester City and Arsenal also reported to be interested in him, meaning any move for the Dutchman would be contested.
At Manchester United, attention is on a potential departure rather than an arrival. Fifteen-year-old English forward JJ Gabriel is keen to leave Old Trafford, with the club’s slide behind the heavyweights of European football cited as the driving force behind that desire. United officials are said to have been surprised by the involvement of super agent Ali Barat in the situation, after he arranged discussions with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich on behalf of the player’s family.
Barcelona feature twice in the latest round of speculation. Raphinha, the 29-year-old Brazilian forward, wants to stay at the club and initial talks have taken place about a new contract, with his current deal running until 2028. The Spanish champions are also set to write a buyout clause worth £428m (500m euros) into the new contract being offered to 19-year-old Spanish midfielder Marc Bernal.
In England, Tottenham will not pursue a move for Mauro Icardi, the 33-year-old Argentine striker who is available on a free transfer. Newcastle, by contrast, are planning ahead, with a youthful centre-half and a right-sided forward identified as their targets for the January transfer window and beyond.
Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa are both interested in signing Nacional’s Mauro Coronel, the 18-year-old forward from Paraguay. And at Liverpool, attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, 23, would be interested in joining Bayern Munich if the two clubs can reach an agreement over the Germany international in the near future.