<
>

LIVE Transfer Talk: Juventus keen on Manchester United youngster Tahith Chong

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

TOP STORY: Juventus consider shock Chong move

The Daily Mail claims Juventus are monitoring the contract situation of young Manchester United midfielder Tahith Chong, with the Serie A champions reportedly interested in snapping up the 19-year-old in a bargain deal at the end of the season.

The situation mirrors the scenario in 2012 when a young Paul Pogba departed Old Trafford for Turin on a free transfer, before returning to United four years later in a world-record deal worth £89 million.

Chong was on the scoresheet as the Red Devils' Under-23 side beat their Stoke City counterparts last Friday, in a game watched by scouts from Juventus, who have developed a big reputation for making impressive signings on the cheap.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to keep hold of Chong, however, as he continues to give youth a chance as part of the major rebuild at the club.

LIVE BLOG

21.53 GMT: That will do it for the latest edition of our LIVE Transfer Talk blog. We hoped you enjoyed following along with us and remind you to check back shortly for the latest transfer rumours, reports and completed deals. Goodnight!

21.25 GMT: We'll leave you with one more big one before we go.

Liverpool are six points clear at the top of the table but if the club has a weakness, many point to their midfield. Former Reds midfielder Jason McAteer for one believes the club should strengthen that area of the field, with Chelsea's N'Golo Kante the player he thinks the Reds should pursue.

Kante, who has battled injuries this season and has only started three games, likely isn't available but imagine him in Liverpool's starting XI? I guess a club can dream...

20.07 GMT: River Plate and Colombia midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero is widely considered one of the best players in the world not his playing club football in Europe and recent reports suggest he soon could be on the move.

Colombian pundit Carlos Antonio Velez, on the program Planeta Futbol de Antena 2, revealed that Quintero "will have an irresistible offer to leave River Plate and play in the United States MLS" following Novembers Copa Libertadores final against Flamengo. The 26-year-old, who has scored a goal at each of the last two world cups, would be a major coup for a league that continues to invest big money in South American stars.

Miguel Almiron, Ezequiel Barco, Cristian Pavon and Quintero's former teammate Gonzalo "Pity" Martinez are all players who recently left the Superliga Argentina for the United States.

19.19 GMT: Goal.com claimsthat Manchester United have made young West Ham midfielder Declan Rice their top transfer target.

The 20-year-old England international would go in line with United's new transfer strategy of targeting young British talents, following in the footsteps of recent recruits Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James. The report goes on to say that while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made Rice the No. 1 priority for the summer, the club could even make a move for the player in January.

The all-round midfielder has emerged as a lynchpin in West Ham's team over the past two and a half years and is also reportedly drawing interest from United's chief rivals Manchester City.

18.24 GMT: The New England Revolution of MLS have signed an ex-Man United defender.

The Revs announced on Friday that they have used Transfer Allocation Money to sign ex-Red Devil Alexander Buttner. The 30 year old, who made 28 appearances for United between 2012-14, has played club football in England, Belgium, Russia and his home country of the Netherlands.

"Alexander brings experience at the game's most competitive levels, and his skill and pedigree will make him an important asset for the club on and off the field," said Revolution head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena in a team release.

17.36 GMT: Where or where have you gone Jack Rodwell?

The former Everton and Man City defensive midfielder has been without a club since July but has resurfaced recently in Italy. After a failed trial with Roma, the 28-year-old is now being linked by the Sun with a move to fellow Serie A side Parma. Once one of England's biggest prospects, Rodwell played last season with Championship side Blackburn and is looking for a short-term contract with which he can revive his stunted career.

16:55 GMT: Burnley are mulling over whether to extend Danny Drinkwater's stay at the club, with the Englishman's loan deal from Chelsea due to end on Jan. 6.

Drinkwater has only made one appearance for the Clarets so far this season having spent much of the campaign recovering from injuring his ankle after being assaulted outside a nightclub in September.

The former Leicester midfielder has now returned to training, though it could be a number of weeks until he's fully fit, and manager Sean Dyche says he will evaluate whether or not to look to extend Drinkwater's stay at the club.

"We weren't thinking it was going to transpire as it has done," Dyche told a news conference. "That leaves it in a different place than it could have been if he'd been fit and well and either playing or figuring. We'll figure that out as we go from here."

16.10 GMT: Sources told ESPN FC earlier this week that Barcelona are not contemplating selling Arturo Vidal in Januray, but that may not stop Inter Milan from trying to prize the him away from the Nou Camp with Marca reporting Vidal is the club's top target for the winter window.

Inter boss Antonio Conte, who coached Vidal during his time in charge of Juventus, has reportedly requested that the Nerazzurri bring the Chilean to the San Siro in order to beef up the side's midfield.

15.25 GMT: Former Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian is a January target for Inter Milan, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Darmian is now at Parma having left Old Trafford in a €4 million move during the European transfer deadline day back in September, but his stay there could be a short one should Antonio Conte get his way.

The former AC Milan youth product has made six appearances for Parma so far this term, but he could link up with former United teammates Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku at the San Siro before too long.

14.20 GMT: Emre Can will be allowed to leave Juventus in January after a lacklustre year-and-a-half in Turin, The Mirror has reported.

PSG, former club Bayern Munich and Manchester United -- rivals of former club Liverpool -- are all apparently interested in the 25-year-old midfielder.

13.40 GMT: Manchester United are interested in Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Argentine forward would reportedly cost United as much as £95 million, but such is the price of a 22-year-old with a lot of potential.

Martinez has started the season well alongside former United striker Romelu Lukaku, bagging five goals in 10 league appearances and two goals in three Champions League games.

12.20 GMT: Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has said the club is in talks with Sean Longstaff and Matty Longstaff to extend the brothers' contracts.

"I think it took Martin [Dubravka] the best part of three months [to sign]," Bruce said. "Conversations are ongoing with a lot [of players].

"The two Longstaff brothers is there for everybody to see, that will keep on going. You don't want to lose your best players, that is for sure."

Matty Longstaff, 19, scored a stunner in his team's 1-0 win over Manchester United last month, and -- alongside his 22-year-old brother -- has been one of the brighter sparks in a Newcastle side that sit just above the relegation zone in the Premier League.

11.50 GMT: In more Serie A news, Juventus are looking to tie down Wojciech Szczesny until 2024, La Gazzetta dello Sport's Nicolo Schira has reported.

The goalkeeper joined the Italian champions from Arsenal in 2017 and his new contract would reportedly see him earn €4.5m a year.

Szczesny has started six league games for Juve this season, but was replaced by Gianluigi Buffon this week as his side beat Genoa 2-1.

11.26 GMT: Roma have had initial talks with Manchester United over making Chris Smalling's loan deal a permanent one in the summer, according to Corriere Dello Sport.

Smalling is playing for the Italian side this season, and scored his first Serie A on Wednesday in the 4-0 win at Udinese.

Roma are now hoping to sign the 29-year-old for €18m at the end of the season. However, Sky Sports reported earlier this week that Smalling is expected to Old Trafford and the defender told The Athletic this week that he remains in touch with United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

"I still speak to all the players -- I was there a long time, they're my friends," Smalling said. "Tough times there at the moment, but the manager drops me messages.

"He's watching me, he saw I've been man of the match and congratulated me.

10.33 GMT: Manchester City are continuing to track Steau Bucharest winger Florinel Coman, the Daily Mail reports.

Coman, 21, caught attention among Premier League clubs last summer when he scored two goals in Romania's 4-2 win over England at the European Under-21 Championship.

That form has continued this season with eight goals in 19 games for Steau, and he made his senior debut for his country earlier this month.

The Mail report adds that West Ham and Roma are also interested in the player.

09.49 GMT: FC Salzburg wunderkind Erling Braut Haaland is being watched by more than 20 clubs including Juventus and Manchester United, with a summer sale a possibility, The Guardian reports.

Haaland, 19, is the Champions League's topscorer after three games of the group stage this season with six goals, including a hat trick against Genk. In all, the striker has scored 23 goals in 20 appearances since moving to Austria from Molde in his homeland of Norway last year.

The Guardian report puts Haaland's value at around €40m and also names Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Chelsea among Europe's top clubs who are following his progress.

- Ogden: Haaland idolises Ibra, eats like Ronaldo, scores like them both

09.15 GMT: Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish insists he has no desire to sell star forward Wilfried Zaha as he unveiled plans for the club's new academy.

"I didn't come into football to trade players," Parish said. "The biggest success for me is Wilf Zaha because he has played 300-odd times for this football club.

"We are not here to create football players for elite clubs - we are here to try to win things. That is where I want to get to. I want to compete with these guys."

Parish added, regarding the £50m sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United in the summer: "With Aaron Wan-Bissaka, we thought that it was right for the player and right for the club and did the deal," he said.

"It is clear what has changed in the Premier League is that the Leicesters and Palaces don't have to sell to survive. If we think we can do more with the money then we will.

"We will take everything on its merits and if there is a signal sent out over the summer then it is we will sell if it is for the right money and right thing and we will not if it is not."

08.28 GMT: Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta says he would not let his ex-teammate Ivan Rakitic leave in the winter transfer window amid interest from Inter Milan, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. Croatia international Rakitic has made six appearances for Barca this season, but just one as a starter.

"I wouldn't [let him go]," Iniesta told Marca. "I personally consider him a great player. What he has done throughout the years is magnificent. This year he is not having the starring role he had in the past but that doesn't take away the fact that he is a great player."

Rakitic was close to leaving Barca this summer for Paris Saint-Germain as part of a deal that would have brought Neymar back to the Camp Nou. Sources have told ESPN FC that Barca are willing to sell for the 31-year-old for around €25m-€30m, with Inter Milan the most likely destination.

Sources told ESPN FC earlier this month that a move to United is unlikely because of family reasons, while Mundo Deportivo reports that Barca would not countenance selling to Atletico Madrid as it would strengthen a direct rival.

08.00 GMT: Crystal Palace are interested in taking Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster on loan this season, according to The Sun.

Brewster, 19, has made his first senior appearances for the European champions this season, starting in two carabao Cup games including Wednesday's win over Arsenal on penalties after a thrilling 5-5 draw.

Although Brewster is yet to score for the Liverpool first team, The Sun reports that Palace would like the England youth international in their squad and believe he could compete for a starting place up front with Jordan Ayew, Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham.

PAPER TALK (by James Capps): Euro elite chase Isco

A string of Europe's biggest clubs are planning moves for Real Madrid midfielder Isco, with Tuttosport claiming the former Malaga playmaker is worried about his place in the Spain side ahead of next summer's European championships.

Manchester City, Napoli, Juventus and Arsenal are all rumoured to be in the mix for the 27-year-old, who has made just five appearances for Los Blancos this season, with Real manager Zinedine Zidane preferring the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde for the advanced midfield berths in the side.

That lack of first-team action has made Isco anxious over his chances of securing a spot in his national team for the upcoming Euros, but the 38-cap international is rumoured to have plenty of suitors ahead of a potentially heated transfer battle at the turn of the year.

Italian giants keeping tabs on Castrovilli

Serie A big-hitters Napoli, Roma and Juventus are all keeping a close eye on the progress of Fiorentina midfielder Gaetano Castrovilli, who has made an impressive start to the season in Italy's top flight.

According to Calciomercato, the 22-year-old had been set to leave La Viola on loan for the season, but injuries meant he remained in Florence, and his excellent performances for Vincenzo Montella's side have put three of the country's biggest sides on red alert.

The division's leading duo, Juventus and Napoli, as well as Roma, are all believed to be keeping tabs on the midfielder, who is under contract in Tuscany until the summer of 2024.

Interest in Castrovilli comes after a great run of form that has seen the former Bari man score twice and assist a further two goals in Fiorentina's opening ten games this season.

Tap ins

- Crystal Palace head up a long list of clubs interested in taking Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster on loan in January, according to reports in The Sun. Championship sides Swansea and Bristol City are also interested in the 19-year-old, along with a number of clubs in the German Bundesliga.

- Paris Saint-Germain could be set for a mass summer exodus, with five senior players all out of contract at the end of the season. Edinson Cavani, Julian Draxler, Thomas Meunier, Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting and Layvin Kurzawa could all leave the club for free in July, or be sold for cut-price fees in January. If you believe Calicomercato, that is.