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Transfer Talk: Man United to hijack Liverpool's £27m move for Timo Werner

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: Man United to pip Liverpool to Werner

Reports in the Daily Mirror claim that Manchester United are planning to hijack Liverpool's attempts to bring RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner to Anfield.

Werner signed a new long-term contract with Leipzig in the summer after failing to secure a dream move to Bayern Munich. However, the new deal includes a bargain release clause of just £27 million -- a development that is set to spark a huge head-to-head battle with Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in January.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping that the lure of more regular first-team football at Old Trafford will swing negotiations in their favour, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial the only options to fill the void left by Romelu Lukaku's departure to Inter Milan in the summer.

Werner, 23, has scored 11 goals in 16 appearances for club and country this season, and United have reportedly sent scouts to watch him play in every single match this campaign.

LIVE BLOG

22.00 GMT: That's going to do it for today's edition of Transfer Talk Live. Please remember to check back in a few hours for the best lines from Monday's papers. Until then, take care.

21.01 GMT: The Telegraph is reporting that Cardiff could be slapped with a three-window transfer ban if they don't comply with FIFA's ruling on their responsibilities regarding the transfer fee for Emiliano Sala.

Cardiff had been ordered to pay the first installment of the agreed upon fee before Sala's tragic death, which the club has so far failed to do as it tries to convince FIFA that the liability lies with Nantes, the Argentine's former club.

19.03 GMT: Bayern Munich have announced the sacking of Niko Kovac as manager, saying the parting of ways comes by mutual consent.

18.19 GMT: Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla said that he would consider a move to MLS before retirement.

The 34-year-old former Arsenal man has a deal that expires in June, and he told Sports Illustrated recently: "I do think about MLS and I love the U.S. Of course, there's much to always think about with my career, but America is a place I definitely think about."

17.26 GMT: Bayern Munich have made the decision to keep Nico Kovac as manager for at least two more games, despite the Bavarians' 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, reports Sport1. 

16.33 GMT: Real Madrid are willing to sell Mariano Diaz and loan out Brahim Diaz in January, according to Marca. Mariano has not featured at all for Los Blancos this season, while former Manchester City player Diaz is struggling for game time after the emergence of Rodrygo Goes.

15.20 GMT: Argentina international Lautaro Martinez is hot property right now, with the Inter Milan striker forming a deadly partnership with Romelu Lukaku. Reports have linked the 22-year-old with Barcelona, but Inter chief Giuseppe Marotta says it's not happening. "These things are only stories in the media," he told Sky Sport Italia. "Inter is a very strong club who rarely sells its best players."

14.29 GMT: Defensa Central in Spain reckons that Real Madrid are going to try and sign centre-back William Saliba from Arsenal. Yep, that's the player who the Gunners signed for £27 million and loaned back to Saint Etienne for this season. Seems a bit unlikely this one, but we'll keep an eye on it.

13.44 GMT: With Carles Alena all set to leave Barcelona in January, Mundo Deportivo is reporting that Tottenham want to bring the player in on loan. Real Betis are also keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old midfielder's situation. 

13.03 GMT: Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has made only four starts under Maurizio Sarri this season and could be on the move in January. Who could want him? Calciomercato reports that Barcelona and Manchester City may be tempted to move for the 22-year-old Uruguay international. Gazzetta Dello Sport also says City are interested. 

12.20 GMT: We heard some outlandish reports in recent days that Jose Mourinho had been sounded out to replace the beleaguered Unai Emery at Arsenal. Sounds far out there. Arsenal have now distanced themselves from claims that Raul Sanllehi, the Gunners head of football, has met with Mourinho.  

11.15 GMT: Zlatan Ibrahimovic was linked with a move to Serie A club Brescia on Saturday, with his LA Galaxy contract expiring at the end of the year. Marca now reports that a return to AC Milan now look like his most likely destination. Perth Glory also want the 38-year-old.

10.14 GMT: A report in Calciomercato claims that Bayern Munich will make a new offer for Manchester City forward Leroy Sane. The Germany international was expected to join the Bavarian giants in the summer until he suffered an injury in the Community Shield. Sane's transfer fee was going to be £85m three months ago, but apparently Bayern's value has now dropped to £69m.

09.30 GMT: Another day of transfer rumour awaits. Which big stars will be linked with moves today?

PAPER ROUND: Spurs eye Onana as Lloris replacement

Tottenham Hotspur are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper to replace Hugo Lloris, and the Sun claims Mauricio Pochettino's side have identified Ajax No. 1 Andre Onana as their top target.

The 23-year-old first caught Pochettino's eye during the Dutch side's Champions League semifinal tie against Spurs back in April, and the north Londoners have been monitoring the Cameroon international ever since.

Lloris is facing months on the sideline with an elbow injury, but reports claim there were already doubts over the Frenchman after a poor run of form through 2019, and the club are now making provisions to fill the void should they decide to dispense of their World Cup-winning keeper at the end of the season.

It is believed Ajax value Onana at between £30m and £35m.

AC Milan to reel in Rugani

AC Milan are set to revive their interest in Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, after failing to bring the Italian to the San Siro in the summer, according to reports at Calciomercato.

Juve are overloaded in central defence, and with the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Leonardo Bonucci and Merih Demiral ahead of Rugani in the pecking order, it is looking increasingly likely that the 25-year-old will leave Turin for pastures new at the turn of the year.

A move to Milan was in the offing in the close season, but the Rossoneri pulled out of negotiations after the Serie A champions demanded a fee of €40m, despite having made just 70 league appearances for Juventus in more than four seasons.

But Milan are now hoping that frustration in the Rugani camp about a continued lack of playing time, as well as Juve's need to sell players to continue financing Cristiano Ronaldo's wages, will help drive the price down.

Tap-ins

- Leicester City are hoping to beat fellow Premier League side Newcastle United to the signing of Metz striker Habibou Diallo, according to reports in the Daily Express. The 24-year-old is currently second in the Ligue 1 scoring charts, after netting 26 goals in the French second division last season.

- Liverpool are keeping tabs on Hertha Berlin winger Javairo Dilrosun, according to Calciomercato. The 21-year-old Dutchman has notched three goals and two assists in just six Bundesliga appearances this season, and has also caught the eye of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

- Juventus remain keen on Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, and could intensify their interest after a strong start to the season from the 20-year-old. The former Inter Milan youngster has scored in each of his last four games across Serie A and the Europa League.

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