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: Man United return for Rice move
Manchester United will reignite interest in West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, according to The Sun.
Rice, 22, is considered one of the best young defensive midfielders in Europe but West Ham's fine start to the season has put paid to any talks over a transfer as the club look to qualify for the Champions League.
However, the Hammers have struggled of late -- picking up eight points from 18 last month -- and are in fifth place in the Premier League table. If that form continues then United will reportedly see a chance to do a deal and are prepared to offer near the £100 million that West Ham want.
Manchester City and Chelsea are both long-term admirers as well, with a summer deal most likely.
- 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
22.00 GMT: Liga MX's Club America could be set to add Uruguayan winger Brian Ocampo and FC Dallas academy product Alejandro Zendejas for the 2022 Clausura.
According to ESPN Mexico, negotiations are underway for Zendejas, a 23-year-old dual-national who played for the United States youth national team before making the switch to Mexico. The deal for the Necaxa player could include a swap for either of America's Fernando Madrigal or Federico Vinas.
The report also indicated that Ocampo is an option for Club America as well, although complications regarding the status of his free agency with Nacional could prove to be a hurdle.
21.27 GMT: Inter Milan are monitoring Paris Saint-Germain defender Thilo Kehrer, according to Rudy Galetti. The Parisian side are said to want a transfer fee of around €18m for the 25-year-old, although the Nerazzurri would prefer a loan arrangement with the option to make the move permanent in the summer.
20.54 GMT: As Porto endure a raft of injuries, A Bola reports that club management could now hold on to Jesus "Tecatito" Corona, who appeared to be on the cusp of a transfer this month.
The Mexico wide man has struggled for minutes this season after not agreeing to extend his contract that ends this summer. Arsenal and Fiorentina have been rumoured to be keeping tabs on the 28-year-old, but Sevilla have emerged as the leaders in the race to sign the 2019-20 Primeira Liga Player of the Year.
20.21 GMT: Chelsea have agreed a new contract with Thiago Silva that will keep him at the club through the 2022-23 season. The 37-year-old is the first of four centre-backs out of contract this summer to put pen to paper on a new deal, allowing the Blues to now turn their attentions to keeping Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen at Stamford Bridge beyond this season.
19.48 GMT: Ekrem Konur writes that Boca Juniors have begun talks to bring Dario Benedetto back to Buenos Aires. The 31-year-old Marseille striker -- who is on loan at Elche, where he's primarily featured from the bench -- is keen to return to his home nation, having enjoyed an impressive spell with Boca with back-to-back Primera Division titles in 2017 and 2018.
19.15 GMT: Newcastle United will look to target three new players during the January transfer window in addition to Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier, should they get that deal across the line, according to the Guardian. It is reported that manager Eddie Howe is weighing up options up front and in central midfield, while the Magpies have already enquired about Sven Botman of Lille and Burnley 's James Tarkowski to shore up the heart of the defence.
18.42 GMT: ESPN's Taylor Twellman reports that the Portland Timbers are negotiating with Sebastian Blanco over a new contract using Targeted Allocation Money. The 33-year-old attacker was instrumental in the Timbers' run to the MLS Cup final, and despite reports that the free agent was set to leave the Western Conference champions for a fresh start elsewhere in the league, Twellman suggests that Portland is "hopeful" of retaining the twice-capped Argentina international.
18.09 GMT: Barcelona are confident of completing a deal for Alvaro Morata this week, with AS reporting that it is now "95% done." Manager Xavi Hernandez is expecting the 29-year-old striker to be available for the Spanish Super Cup clash against Real Madrid on Jan 12, after the Spain international's loan from Atletico Madrid to Juventus will come to a premature end.
17.36 GMT: Manchester United could refuse to allow Jesse Lingard to leave in January, with the Mirror reporting that they do not want to send him to a top-four rival. West Ham United have emerged as the 29-year-old attacking midfielder's preferred option after his positive loan spell under David Moyes last season, but with the Hammers well in the race for a Champions League finish, the Old Trafford hierarchy are hesitant to sanction a move and strengthen a rival midseason.
17.03 GMT: United States right-back Bryan Reynolds is set for a move away from Serie A this month, with AS Roma looking to send him out on loan in order to garner more first-team minutes having failed to establish himself in Jose Mourinho's preferred side. CBS Sports writes that a return to MLS is the most likely outcome for the former FC Dallas prodigy, although he may have options to remain in Europe, with Belgian giants Anderlecht and Club Brugge both reportedly interested.
16.30 GMT: If you're thinking that Manchester United and Paul Pogba will sort out their differences then you may be out of luck.
United are prepared to lose the midfielder for free in the summer of 2022 after accepting he will not sign a new contract at Old Trafford, sources have told ESPN.
And, according to Sky Sports, that's exactly what is going to happen as the France international will run down his deal.
Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG are frontrunners to sign him and will do battle in around six months' time.
15.25 GMT: The Athletic says that Roma have submitted an offer to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan until the end of the season, with a permanent option in the summer.
Maitland-Niles, 24, wanted to leave over the summer but stayed on and has barely played for the first-team this season.
Roma coach Jose Mourinho wants the versatile defender and will do everything he can to land him, with the Italian club waiting for a response to their offer.
14.50 GMT: Will anyone want to sign Eden Hazard from Real Madrid this winter?
14.23 GMT: Leicester want to sign Club Brugge midfielder Charles De Ketelaere, says Footmercato.
De Ketelaere, 20, is one of the most highly rated young players in Europe and made his international debut with Belgium in 2020.
The attacking midfielder has been scouted by Leicester and they are reportedly ready to make an offer to sign him this summer.
14.00 GMT: LAFC has hired former United States men's international defender Steve Cherundolo to be its next manager, sources have told ESPN's Jeff Carlisle, with an announcement expected later on Monday.
Cherundolo replaces Bob Bradley, who parted ways with LAFC after his contract expired following the conclusion of the 2021 season. Bradley ultimately moved to take over at Toronto FC.
14.00 GMT: Bayern Munich have announced that midfielder Michael Cuisance has joined Serie A side Venezia.
Cuisance, 22, signed for Bayern from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2019 but spent last season on loan at Marseille.
13.36 GMT: United States forward Ricardo Pepi has completed a move from FC Dallas to Bundesliga side FC Augsburg, it was announced on Monday.
Sources previously told ESPN that Pepi was set to move to Augsburg in a record-breaking deal $20m plus add-ons, the most for a homegrown player in Major League Soccer history.
Sources said Dallas will also receive 10% of any future move.
Welcome to the red, green, and white, Ricardo Pepi! ❤️💚🤍 pic.twitter.com/RVJmDKOv2g
— FC Augsburg (@FCA_World) January 3, 2022
13.06 GMT: ICYMI - FC Dallas and United States international forward Ricardo Pepi is close to finalizing a deal that would see him land with Bundesliga side FC Augsburg, sources confirmed to ESPN. Fabrizio Romano and 90min were the first to report the impending deal.
The sources said that if the deal is completed, the transfer fee would be in the neighborhood of $20m plus add-ons, with a 10% going to Dallas for any future move.
The base transfer fee would be the highest for a homegrown player in Major League Soccer history. Alphonso Davies' move from the Vancouver Whitecaps to Bayern Munich was in excess of that number, but that included incentives.
12.40 GMT: Leeds defender Charlie Cresswell has Liverpool and Manchester United on his trail, says The Sun.
Cresswell, 19, has impressed during his breakthrough season and now the England U21 international could make the step up.
12.21 GMT: AS reports that Alvaro Morata's proposed move from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona is "95% done."
Barcelona made the Spain striker their top target for January following the signing of Man City forward Ferran Torres for €55m, sources confirmed to ESPN last week.
Morata, 29, is on loan at Juventus from Atletico, but sources said he is ready to cut his stay in Italy short with Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez pushing for his signing.
Barca have held discussions with all parties involved over a loan deal with an option to make the move permanent in the summer. However, the Catalan club's financial situation is complicating any potential deal as they are restricted by LaLiga's €97m spending limit.
Until they are within that limit -- which will not happen this season -- they are only permitted to spend 25% of what they recoup in transfer fees or save on wage reductions. After completing the signing of Torres earlier this week, Barca still need to lighten their squad before being able to register him and any other new signings.
11.50 GMT: President Joan Laporta declared "Barcelona are back" and claimed they will be able to compete for the game's best players next summer after presenting new signing Ferran Torres on Monday.
Barca let Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann leave before the season started due to financial problems, but the Catalan club's president has now warned their rivals they're ready to spend big to get back to the top.
After completing the signing of Torres from Manchester City for €55m last week, Barca have been strongly linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund's in-demand striker Erling Haaland.
"Allow me not to talk about individuals because it doesn't benefit anyone," Laporta said at Torres' presentation amid a barrage of questions about whether the club could afford Haaland. "We're working on the summer window. Everything is possible if it's done well. I am sure things will go well. Barcelona are still a reference. Every player considers the possibility of coming here.
"We still have our status in the transfer market. Everyone can get ready because Barca are back; the arrival of Ferran shows that. We're a reference. Barca's resurgence is a reality and the football world has realised that."
Laporta's optimism contrasts with the current situation at Camp Nou. The club's gross debt stands at over €1 billion and their LaLiga-imposed spending limit for the season is just €97m. They can only spend 25% of anything they save.
Barca, therefore, who sit fifth in LaLiga and were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages, are not currently able to register new signing Torres with the Spanish league. However, they will be able to register Torres with the league if they renew Ousmane Dembele's contract. The Frenchman is in the final six months of his current deal and if he pens new terms it would allow the club to spread the amortisation payments for his transfer fee over a longer length of time.
11.18 GMT: Liverpool want to sign Olympiakos midfielder Aguibou Camara, according to Calciomercato
Camara, 20, moved to Greece from Lille last summer and has impressed with five goals and four assists in 25 games.
Liverpool need some midfield reinforcements and are keen on the Guinea international, with fellow countryman Naby Keita already at Anfield.
11.00 GMT: Romelu Lukaku's dream return to Chelsea quickly turned sour. James Olley asks if there is any way back?
There are mitigating factors on both sides, but the combination of Lukaku's price tag and Chelsea's ruthlessly high standards means judgements are quick and harsh.
And so it is against this backdrop that Lukaku's comments in that ill-judged Sky Sport Italia interview made things decidedly awkward for Tuchel, so much so that he felt compelled to leave the 28-year-old out of his matchday squad for Sunday's 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
Rather than accepting sole responsibility or offering a vague answer avoiding controversy, Lukaku claimed he was "not happy," that Tuchel was playing "a different formation" to the one expected and even went as far to suggest he wouldn't have left Inter had the club not suffered economic difficulties.
Furthermore, he mooted a possible return to Inter "not at the end of my career, but when I'm still at top level." Lukaku will be 29 next year; his years at the "top level" are finite and such a provocative statement in what, significantly, was an interview not granted by the club, fired the starting pistol on speculation of a January exit.
There are choppy waters ahead. Tuchel will meet with Lukaku on Monday to discuss the motivation behind his interview after taking a strong stance by omitting him completely against Liverpool.
10.15 GMT: ICYMI - Real Madrid are trying to sign Erling Haaland as well as Kylian Mbappe next summer in an attempt to take advantage of the financial problems at Barcelona by landing the two most sought-after players in world football, sources told ESPN's Mark Ogden.
Real failed with a €200m move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe during the summer transfer window, but the France international is expected to move to the Bernabeu as a free agent when his PSG contract expires at the end of this season.
And although they face competition from Manchester City, Manchester United and PSG for Borussia Dortmund forward Haaland, Real believe they can structure a deal to take the 21-year-old Norwegian to Madrid.
With four big earners -- Gareth Bale, Isco, Luka Modric and Marcelo -- due to be out of contract and off the wage bill at Real at the end of the season, the LaLiga leaders will have the financial headroom to fund a move for Haaland and also pay his and Mbappe's wages.
09.37 GMT: Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will hold talks with Romelu Lukaku on Monday to discuss recent comments by the Belgian that were critical of the coach's tactics and which cost the striker his place in Sunday's 2-2 home draw with Liverpool.
Lukaku, signed from Internazionale in the close season for a club-record €115m, had told Sky Italy he was unhappy with Tuchel's system, adding he would like to return to Italy at some point in his career.
Tuchel declined to reveal what he would say to Lukaku in Monday's meeting or whether the 28-year-old will be back in the side for Wednesday's Carabao Cup semifinal, first leg at home to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
"I cannot tell you what I want from a meeting that is happening behind closed doors tomorrow," Tuchel told reporters. "I cannot speak out publicly and I will not."
The German said Lukaku had been dropped to avoid distracting the team from Sunday's encounter with Liverpool.
08.55 GMT: Flamengo fans are dreaming of the possibility that Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo could join the Brazilian giants one day.
Flamengo vice-president Marcos Braz posted a photograph alongside Ronaldo's mother, Dolores Aveiro, in a restaurant on the island of Madeira.
Braz has been in Portugal since December, completing the signing of new coach Paulo Sousa.
Braz joked on Twitter that the first step to negotiating a deal is to have the family's blessing and he posted a photograph with Ronaldo's mother with the message: "Convincing always starts with the family. World number 1 mother, CR7. Of course, this is a loving way to reciprocate your post."
Dolores Aveiro had earlier posted a photograph of the two together with the message: "The world is small; I have a few days to analyse your proposal if I go or not....���� Welcome to Madeira."
08.42 GMT: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has hinted that Newcastle target Kieran Trippier wants to leave the club in the January transfer window.
Trippier, 31, was a reported target of Manchester United in the summer and is keen to return to the Premier League. Now Atletico have reportedly received an offer of €30m for the England international full-back from Newcastle, which is €10m less than his reported release clause.
Should Trippier move to Tyneside, he would become Newcastle's top earner.
"We want him to stay, he is a very important player," Simeone said, adding: "Nowadays when a player wants to leave, you cannot keep him."
08.30 GMT: Spanish striker Jason will join Deportivo Alaves as a free agent from Valencia in the summer, according to SuperDeporte.
Jason was close to joining Alaves in the previous transfer window, but the deal fell through at the last minute.
The 27-year-old, whose contract with Valencia expires in 2022 will leave Los Che after three seasons at the club and is expected to sign with Alaves until June 2025.
The deal will give Valencia the right to 30% of any future transfer fee.
08.00 GMT: Fiorentina have announced the signing of forward Jonathan Ikone from Lille for around €15m.
Ikone, 23, scored 13 goals in 157 appearances in Ligue 1 after spells with Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier.
He will wear the No. 11 shirt at Fiorentina.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Luke Thrower)
- Barcelona and Manchester United are in negotiations over a potential swap deal involving wingers Ousmane Dembele and Anthony Martial. Catalan outlet Ara says that the deal would only go ahead if Dembele rejects a new contract at Barca, with his current deal expiring in the summer. Martial is said to be of interest due to the fact he wants to leave Old Trafford as well as Barca's need to strengthen the squad going forward, with Ferran Torres already signed for €55m.
- AC Milan are ready to meet Lille to discuss a deal for centre-back Sven Botman, reports Calciomercato. The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle United, however the report says that he is not interested in a move to the Magpies due to the fact they are battling relegation. However, with the Rossoneri looking for a replacement for the injured Simon Kjaer, Botman is seen as the player they will pursue in January.
- AS Roma are interested in signing Tottenham playmaker Tanguy Ndombele, according to Calciomercato. The 25-year-old has struggled to establish himself at Spurs since his €62m switch from Lyon, but now Jose Mourinho is looking to bring him to Italy. The midfielder signed for Mauricio Pochettino in 2019, but played 57 games under Mourinho while at Tottenham, the second-most of any manager he has played for. New Spurs head coach Antonio Conte has refused to rule out a potential move away for the France international in January, saying he will have meetings before he discusses potential incomings or outgoings. Ndombele has only made five appearances under Conte so far, playing 174 minutes of action.
- Newcastle, Leicester City and Lyon are interested in centre-back Abdul Mumin, says journalist Ekrem Konur. The 23-year-old defender has seen his stock rise at Guimaraes, becoming a mainstay for the team this season. He joined in 2020 from Norwegian side Nordsjaelland on a free transfer and has made 13 appearances in the league so far.
- Newcastle are ready to offer more than €55m to sign Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, according to Tuttomercato. The Uruguay international has been heavily linked with a move away from the Portuguese side, with Atletico Madrid and Manchester City also said to be interested. The report says that his contract has a €100m release clause.
- Everton and Newcastle are eyeing a move for striker Moussa Marega, reports journalist Ekrem Konur. The 30-year-old left Porto last summer for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, scoring three goals in 10 games for the club.