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Transfer Talk: LAFC trying to take Mandzukic to MLS

The transfer windows in Europe's top leagues are closed, but it's never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.

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TOP STORY: Mandzukic headed for MLS?

Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic is edging closer to a potential move to join LAFC in Major League Soccer, Calciomercato reports.

The Croatian veteran has been heavily linked with a move away from the Italian champions -- including a return to Bayern Munich and with Manchester United -- but a deal never seemed to come together. In recent days, there has been talk of interest from Qatar, but now, a move to the U.S. seems equally possible.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain have taken priority over Mandzukic in the early stages of the Serie A season and, at this point, it seems like just a matter of time before he takes the next step in his career.

It's worth noting that Mandzukic would not be able to play for a club in MLS until Match next year, as the league has already frozen its rosters for the remainder of the 2019 regular season and playoffs. That means Mandzukic is unlikely to go anywhere until January. 

LIVE BLOG

22.10 BST: That's going to do it for Saturday's live edition of Transfer Talk. Be sure to check back in a few short hours when we return with all the latest gossip pulled from Sunday's back pages.

20.43 BST: AC Milan are considering handing a new contract to midfielder Lucas Biglia at the behest of new manager Marco Giampaolo, writes Calciomercato.

19.16 BST: Manchester City had been interested in Velez Sarsfield midfielder Thiago Almada, dubbed "The New Messi," last transfer window, according to the Manchester Evening News, but the Argentine side has tied the 18-year-old down to a new contract that raises his buyout clause to a staggering ... €25m. So not much of a deterrent there for City, then.

17.49 BST: Despite the additions of Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot this summer, Juventus are preparing to open talks with Blaise Matuidi over a new deal for the midfielder, with the 31-year-old's contract inside its final 12 months, according to Calciomercato.

16.22 BST: Could Manchester United be about to snap up Toni Kroos? Over in Germany, Bild is reporting that United will offer €75m to lure him away from Bayern Munich -- if Paul Pogba ends up going to Real Madrid.

15.20 BST: A done deal in the Championship outside the window here, as Hull City sign Hungary international Norbert Balogh on a free transfer following a trial. The 23-year-old, who has two caps to his name, previously played for Palermo and APOEL Nicosia. He cost Palermo €2.2m when moving from Debrecen in 2016.

14.31 BST: Stand by your beds! The Daily Mail reports that Wilfried Zaha could be about to sign with super agent Mino Raiola after "sacking" current agents USM. The Crystal Palace winger was angry with failed summer moves to Arsenal and Everton

13.20 BST: Calciomercato reports that Bayern Munich, Juventus and Real Madrid are all keeping a close eye on Tottenham forward Troy Parrott. The 17-year-old, a Republic of Ireland youth international, is yet to make an appearance for the club's first team.

12.05 BST: Florentino Luis, the 20-year-old Benfica midfielder, is wanted by both Manchester City and Manchester United. A Bola reports that the Portugal under-20 international has been scouted by both clubs, while United are also keeping tabs on teammate Ruben Dias.

11.02 BST: Sebastian Haller has started his West Ham career with a bang, with three goals from three Premier League appearances. Now the Daily Mail reports that Bayern Munich wanted to sign the striker from Eintracht Frankfurt over the summer -- but the Hammers gazumped them with their £45m bid.

10.18 BST: Over in Spain, Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona could try to prise Kylian Mbappe away from Paris Saint-Germain -- rather than make a renewed bid for Neymar. 

09.30 BST: The Daily Mail reports that Tottenham have offered Christian Eriksen a bumper new contract, worth £230,000-a-week, in the hope he will commit his future to the club and ignore interest from Real Madrid. He is out of contract at the end of the season and can leave on a free transfer.

PAPER ROUND

AC Milan considered Balde move

Calciomercato reports that AC Milan considered the possibility of pursuing Keita Balde during the summer transfer window.

The Senegal international is well aware of the prestige associated with playing at the San Siro, courtesy of his loan spell at Milan's bitter rivals Inter last season. In terms of this deal, though, Keita's parent club, Monaco, were more than happy to sell provided the correct terms were agreed upon.

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The 24-year-old has bounced back and forth between a series of top leagues in European football, but for the time being, he'll be remaining in the principality with a return to the deal a definite possibility in January.

De Gea may have signed new United contract

The Daily Record is reporting that Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has signed a new deal with the club.

After weeks and weeks of speculation over the Spaniard's next move, the report indicates that the improved contract is worth at least €15 million a year. The two parties were said to be going back and forth over the specific details involved in the deal, as United attempted to tie one of their most recognisable names down for the foreseeable future.

There is believed to be an option for a fifth year featured in the contract, and if it turns out to be true, then this will finally put an end to the worry that De Gea would've wound up leaving on a free.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Friday said he was confident a deal would be done, and this Record report indicates he may have had a little inside information.

Tap-ins

- Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti is interested in bringing Josip Ilicic to the club, Calciomercato reports. The Atalanta star has been making some noise ever since joining the club back in 2017, and especially since helping to fire them into the Champions League. The idea was shelved in favour of a move for James Rodriguez, but it appears as if they're starting to revisit the idea.

- As reported by the Evening Standard, Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has opened up on how he holds a certain amount of jealousy towards other managers in regards to the transfer window. "A lot of teams who claim they don't spend much money, actually do," he said. "Every year, I had to read that poor Rafa Benitez and Newcastle don't spend any money."

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