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LIVE Transfer Talk: Liverpool, Juventus monitor Mason Mount's Chelsea status

The summer transfer window is closed for the major leagues in Europe. However, with an eye on January, there's plenty of gossip swirling about who's moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Liverpool, Juventus eye Mount

Liverpool and Juventus are both keeping track of Mason Mount's uncertain situation at Chelsea, according to the Guardian.

The 23-year-old, who came through Chelsea's academy, had been in talks about a contract extension with the Blues but they have been put on hold until after the World Cup.

This comes with the England international's current deal ending in the summer of 2024.

With the lack of time remaining in mind, clubs have been prompted to consider whether they could bring Mount away from Stamford Bridge, where contract talks had been happening since the summer.

Chelsea's owners have no desire to lose Mount, who they view as a future Blues captain, and remain optimistic that he will stay as they look to reward his performances with an improved deal.

Even so, an agreement is not guaranteed because Mount is currently among Chelsea's lowest earners and wants a deal to reflect his status as one of Graham Potter's most influential players.

So far, Chelsea's offers have fallen below those expectations while Juventus and Liverpool watch on as they hope to freshen up their respective midfields.

Manchester City have also previously been linked with Mount, although attention from big-name clubs could bring more urgency from Chelsea -- especially as they lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen for free last summer while Thiago Silva, N'Golo Kante and Jorginho's contracts run out at the end of this campaign.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

LIVE BLOG

21.30 GMT: Tiemoue Bakayoko is being considered as a possible signing for Valencia in the winter transfer market, reports Mundo Deportivo.

Manager Gennaro Gattuso is understood to have escalated the 28-year-old AC Milan midfielder to the top of his shortlist, as he continues to assess potential reinforcements for Los Che. Bakayoko is yet to make an appearance for the Rossoneri this season.

20.57 GMT: Juventus are on the lookout for potential wing-back options in January as they prepare to lose both Alex Sandro and Juan Cuadrado, writes Gazzetta dello Sport.

Both stars are set to be out of contract next summer, and it looks as though the Bianconeri are in no hurry to secure them to new deals at the Allianz Stadium.

Sandro, 31, and Cuadrado, 34, have remained regular starters for Massimiliano Allegri's side in the current Serie A campaign.

20.24 GMT: Multiple Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on Caglar Soyuncu, according to Ekrem Konur.

Wolves, Southampton, and Aston Villa are all reported to be keen on the 26-year-old Leicester City centre-back, who has made just one appearance in the Premier League this season.

19.51 GMT: Independiente have proposed an offer to CSKA Moscow for Adolfo Gaich, reveals Cesar Luis Merlo.

It is reported that a one-year loan deal has been tabled for the 23-year-old Argentina international striker, who has contributed to four goals in eleven matches across all competitions this season.

The Primera Division side have also included a permanent option clause.

19.18 GMT: AC Milan see Tete as a potential alternative signing to Hakim Ziyech, understands Calciomercato.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has been in impressive form with Lyon while on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, and the Rossoneri have been keeping tabs on him as progress in the move for Ziyech continues to stall.

Tete has previously been on the radar of Leicester City and Brighton.

18.45 GMT: There is no loan-back clause included in the deal involving Paxten Aaronson from Philadelphia Union to Eintracht Frankfurt, writes Fabrizio Romano.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder completed his move to the Bundesliga side on Thursday, and he is set to join up with his new side in January, where he has signed terms until the summer of 2027.

18.12 GMT: Atletico Madrid have joined FC Porto in the race for Braga striker Abel Ruiz, reports A Bola. The Primeira Liga side are said to be looking for a transfer fee of €20m to part ways with the 22-year-old Spain international, but talks are yet to get underway over a deal for his signature.

17.39 GMT: AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho has identified Barcelona right-back Hector Bellerin as a future replacement for Rick Karsdorp, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Italian capital club could make a move in January for the 27-year-old former Arsenal captain, who joined the Blaugrana in the summer but could be tempted to make the switch to Serie A having made just one start for his new club so far this season.

17.06 GMT: Sevilla attacker Suso is on the radar of Cadiz as a potential signing in January, reports Marca. The 28-year-old came through the academy of the Andalusian club before leaving for Liverpool in 2010, and could be persuaded to return to his boyhood club having made just four appearances for Sevilla this season, all off the bench.

16.33 GMT: Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech is hopeful that a good showing for Morocco at the World Cup will be enough to earn a move to AC Milan in the January transfer window, Calciomercato reports.

Ziyech has been a target for Milan since the summer, but so far they have been unable to secure a deal for the 29-year-old. The reigning Serie A champions are not planning to make any other midseason signings, but they would make an exception for Ziyech if they can get a deal over the line.

- WATCH: Ziyech scores from own half in Morocco's win vs. Georgia (U.S. only)

15.46 GMT: Leicester City are confident that Youri Tielemans will sign a new contract with them rather than leave the club before next season begins, the Daily Mail reports.

Tielemans is one of several Foxes players whose deals expire in the summer and can sign pre-contracts with clubs abroad from Jan. 1. Daniel AmarteyJonny Evans, Nampalys MendyAyoze Perez and Caglar Soyuncu are all in the same position.

Belgium international Tielemans has been linked with several top clubs around Europe over the past few seasons, but Leicester are still working on committing the 25-year-old to a new contract.

14.57 GMT: Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar has spoken about how he handled the negotiations with Arsenal and Manchester United over the transfer of defender Lisandro Martinez in the summer.

Martinez signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford in July to reunite with former manager Erik ten Hag in a deal worth an initial €57.37m, which could rise to €67.37m through variables. The Argentina international was joined at United by Antony, who also left Ajax in the same window.

"They're good players," Van der Sar told The Athletic. "Erik knew them, they fit with his playing style. He wanted the players, we didn't want to lose them so... you put a high price on them. When you want a player, you probably pay a little bit more. For me, it was a fair negotiation with Richard and John Murtough, and that was it.

"Arsenal came earlier for Lisandro, but it was an amount where we said, 'Thank you very much for the offer, but we'd rather keep the player than start negotiating'. With United, it was a little bit different. Over the years we have had a few conversations: Daley Blind, Donny van de Beek.

"My job is making sure I make the best decisions for Ajax."

14.05 GMT: With the 2022 World Cup mere days away, the CIES Football Observatory has been busily raking through the data to estimate which players taking part in Qatar would move for the highest transfer fee if they were to switch clubs in the upcoming winter window.

The CIES uses its bespoke algorithm to assign transfer values to each player called up by one of the 32 national teams taking part, and together they have a combined value of €15 billion.

The most valuable player in each squad has also been named based on age, experience, the level at which they play their club football and the remaining duration of their current contract. Having scoured the latest report, here are the main talking points.

- England's Bellingham is World Cup star with highest transfer value

13.12 GMT: Nacho has been targeted for a January move to MLS, Diario AS reports, but the Real Madrid defender has ruled out a switch to the US and would prefer to extend his contract at the Bernabeu, which is due to expire next summer.

Nacho, 32, is a "one-club man" having played for Madrid since coming through their academy in 2011, becoming a reliable squad player and back-up option in central defence, and is now one of the club's captains alongside Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.

According to AS, the former Spain international has received a "call from MLS" but is settled in Madrid despite also receiving interest from AC Milan, Roma and Wolves.

12.19 GMT: HUGE update on the future of Cristiano Ronaldo -- Manchester United say they have "initiated appropriate steps" following his explosive, unsanctioned interview with sources telling ESPN's Rob Dawson the club are seeking to terminate Ronaldo's deal as well as potentially suing for breach of contract.

United have waited until the full extent of Ronaldo's comments were made public before deciding on their response and after the final part of the interview with Piers Morgan was aired on Thursday in the UK, the club, according to sources, are seeking to end the 37-year-old's contract, which runs until June. Sources added that United have appointed lawyers to explore the possibility of suing Ronaldo for breach of contract.

In a meeting on Monday, Ten Hag told club bosses including co-chairman Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough that he does not want Ronaldo back after the World Cup and the Portugal international will be informed he is not welcome back at United's Carrington training base after the tournament in Qatar.

Sources have told ESPN that United have been taking legal advice since Monday morning after parts of Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV were leaked on Sunday.

11.36 GMT: Fulham, Bayer Leverkusen and Villarreal are interested in signing Arsenal defender Cedric Soares in January, sources have told ESPN's James Olley.

The 31-year-old has started just one match this season after being pushed down the pecking order by Ben White's conversion to right-back and the signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Sources said Cedric is focused on re-establishing himself with the Gunners but would listen to offers if manager Mikel Arteta indicated he was no longer part of his plans.

Fulham are believed to be leading the race at this stage although no formal offer has been submitted yet. Any potential move would likely be a loan with an option or obligation to sign him permanently.

10.49 GMT: Arsenal have announced that Edu Gaspar has been promoted to become the club's new sporting director.

Edu -- who as a player was one of the Gunners' "Invincibles" who won the 2003-04 Premier League title without losing a match -- had previously been the club's technical director since 2019.

The 44-year-old will now oversee Arsenal's academy system and player integration into the first-team set-up as well as the club's transfer activities.

10.12 GMT: Atletico Madrid scouted 17-year-old Brazilian Vitor Roque last weekend, Diario AS reports.

The LaLiga club watched the Paranaense forward score the second goal in a 3-0 win over Botafogo last Sunday, alongside a scout from Benfica.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are also reportedly tracking Roque, who has been described as a "precocious talent" by his club coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

09.34 GMT: The World Cup in Qatar starts on Nov. 20 and all 32 sides have announced their 26-man squad lists for the tournament. But while there are always going to be the big names of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, which younger players might get a chance to shine on the biggest stage of all?

While technology and scouting techniques have improved to the point that a young player impressing at a World Cup is almost never an unknown quantity these days, there are still those under the age of 23 who warrant some extra attention.

ESPN's Tor-Kristian Karlsen and David Cartlidge look at the most exciting young players on each of the 32 teams at the World Cup -- all under the age of 23, with the exception of Iran, who didn't include any players in this age bracket in the squad.

- Top U23 players for each World Cup team: Musiala, Bellingham and more

08.51 GMT: Bruno Fernandes insisted he has "no problem" with Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his Manchester United and Portugal teammate's explosive interview claiming he felt betrayed by the club and has no respect for manager Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo was highly critical of Man United during his interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, which aired in the UK on Wednesday and Thursday. United said they would address the Portuguese forward's comments after establishing the full facts, though sources have told ESPN that Ten Hag does not believe he can work with Ronaldo again.

Ronaldo was absent with a stomach bug as Portugal continued their preparations for the World Cup with a 4-0 victory over Nigeria in Lisbon on Thursday. Fernandes scored twice in the win and afterward stressed that all his focus is on the tournament in Qatar.

"I didn't read the interview so I'm OK with that," he told Sky Sports. "As I said before, now it's the national team, it's Portugal. The coach made a point that it's us, he made that point since I came with the national team in 2017.

"That is still clear, that in his mind the main thing here is the national team and us so we have to be focused on the World Cup.

"You don't have a chance to play a World Cup many times -- Cristiano did really well to play five times, this will be his fifth time -- so everyone is ready for that, everyone wants to give their best for the team."

A video that circulated this week appeared to show Fernandes giving Ronaldo a frosty reception as the two greeted each other after reporting for duty with Portugal following the interview.

Fernandes, though, insisted that the clip was misleading and that a version with sound showed that the two were sharing a joke.

"This is the national team, Manchester United will be my focus after the World Cup, after December 18, because that is the final," Fernandes added.

"I have no problem with anyone. I do my job. You have to control yourself, give your best and that's it."

- WATCH: Fernandes scores in 4-0 win over Nigeria (U.S. only)

08.00 GMT: The Philadelphia Union agreed to transfer homegrown midfielder Paxten Aaronson to Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga on Thursday for a multimillion-dollar transfer fee.

The Union will also retain a percentage of any future transfer fees for Aaronson, who will join Frankfurt in January.

Aaronson, 19, tallied four goals in 37 matches (seven starts) in two seasons with the Union and came on as a substitute during Philadelphia's MLS Cup loss to LAFC on Nov. 5. He made his MLS debut in May of 2021.

The New Jersey native came through the same Union academy system that produced his brother Brenden, who left Philadelphia for FC Salzburg in January 2021 before joining Premier League side Leeds United this summer.

PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)

- Yunus Musah could leave Valencia if the club receives a suitable offer of €20 million for United States midfielder's transfer, according to Corriere dello Sport. Fiorentina having previously shown interest in the 19-year-old, while Internazionale are also now following him. 

- Bayern Munich do not want Benjamin Pavard to leave despite his contract ending in the summer of 2024, as reported by Kicker. The France international has openly spoken about his desire to leave the Bavarian giants on more than one occasion, but talks between Pavard and the club's management are planned for when he returns from the World Cup.

- Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech is hoping that a big World Cup performance with Morocco will persuade AC Milan to make a move for him, according to Calciomercato. The club and player have been linked since last summer, and Milan could be persuaded if he peforms well in Qatar. Ziyech scored a spectacular goal in Morocco's 3-0 warm-up victory against Georgia.

- Wolverhampton Wanderers are hoping to extend Adama Traore's contract until 2027, reports Ekrem Konur. There are four other clubs who want to sign the winger, whose current contract expires at the end of this season.

- Benfica and Atletico Madrid scouts watched Vitor Roque during Athletico Paranaense's 3-0 win against Botafogo, according to Ekrem Konur. The 17-year-old forward scored his side's second goal in the 62nd minute before being taken off with 79 minutes on the clock.

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