The 2022 January transfer window is closed, but there's still 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: Haaland prefers Barcelona move
The summer transfer window will undoubtedly focus on two main players. One is Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe and the other is Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland.
The latter looks set to be part of a transfer race between a number of clubs amid reports of a €75 million release clause that becomes active once the window opens.
Among those sides are Barcelona, who Sport reports Haaland prefers as potential destination out of all his suitors. Manchester City and Real Madrid will put up a big fight for his signature, however.
The report claims that the Norway international is hoping to be a part of the rebuilding project at Camp Nou, with a young and improving squad and the chance to be coached by Blaugrana legend Xavi Hernandez.
Barca have managed to improve their fortunes drastically since the new manager came in, moving up to third in LaLiga after a perilous start.
Despite the financial implications of signing Haaland during their ongoing financial crisis, the report claims the club have several contingency plans to get a deal done.
If they cannot manage to land him, another report from Sport claims that they have backup strikers in their sights. Alexander Isak, Darwin Nunez, Karim Adeyemi, Patrik Schick and Andre Silva are all listed as potential targets.
- ESPN+: Transfers chat and more on ESPN FC Daily (U.S. only)
- ESPN+ viewers' guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access
LIVE BLOG
22.06 GMT: Valencia are interested in signing Lazio centre-back Patric as a free agent in the summer, according to Nicolo Schira. There is expected to be a meeting soon between the two clubs with the aim of reaching an agreement, while Lazio are also set to meet with the Spaniard's agent by the end of March to discuss the possibility of extending his contract past the summer. The 26-year-old Spaniard, who was part of Barcelona's La Masia academy during his youth career, has made 116 appearances for the Serie A side since joining them in 2015.
21.31 GMT: Clubs from Major League and Saudi Arabia are interested in Atletico Mineiro forward Hulk, reports Ekrem Konur. The Brazilian's contract ends in December 2022, but there is an automatic extension for another year if he plays a certain number of matches. The 35-year-old, who looks likely to hit the matches mark that would trigger the extension, has scored five goals in five games across all competitions this term.
20.51 GMT: Dries Mertens will have to renegotiate his salary if he wants to stay at Napoli past this season, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Belgium international is no longer the main man in the attacking areas, but has still shown his worth by scoring nine goals and assisting another one across all competitions this term.
Now 35 years old and with his contract culminating in June, the report notes that his performances haven't been enough to convince the club's hierarchy to activate their option to extend his deal unless they can lower his wages.
20.05 GMT: Liverpool and Arsenal are set to battle it out to sign Lille frontman Jonathan David, according to Le 10 Sport. The Canada international, who has made 64 appearances and scored 20 goals with the Ligue 1 side, wants to move during the summer and is one of the Gunners' transfer priorities, while Jurgen Klopp and his team have also shown an interest.
Outside the Premier League, Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring the 22-year-old's situation but don't see him as a priority, according to the report, while Inter Milan have not advanced their own interest in recent months.
19.37 GMT: Sergi Roberto's Barcelona future seems precarious, reports Mundo Deportivo, with his contract coming to an end this summer. The 30-year-old, who is currently injured, wants to continue with the Blaugrana but there hasn't been any contact regarding a new deal since December. Barcelona claim that the versatile Spaniard refused a cut in pay, something the club's other captains have agreed to, but Roberto has denied this.
19.10 GMT: Napoli are interested in Southampton centre-back duo Jan Bednarek, 25, and Mohammed Salisu, 22, reports Corriere dello Sport. The Neapolitans will need to reinforce their back line this summer, and are on the lookout for defenders with room to grow as they prepare to lose Juan Jesus (whose contract expires at season's end) and Axel Tuanzebe (who's expected to return to Manchester United at the end of his loan spell).
18.43 GMT: Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur right-back Emerson Royal, according to the Sun. The 23-year-old Brazil international is keen to move on, having fallen behind Matt Doherty in the pecking order, and Spurs are said to be open to offers. However, Atleti reportedly are only willing to pay a transfer fee of £20m -- some £6m less than the north Londoners sent to Barcelona for Emerson's transfer just last summer.
18.16 GMT: Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch would be open to joining Bayern Munich in the summer, reports Fabrizio Romano, with the Netherlands international's name having been mentioned when agent Mino Raiola met with Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn. The 19-year-old is seen as one of the most exciting teenagers in Europe, and has less than 18 months on his contract, but the Amsterdam club are determined to receive a transfer fee of €30m to sanction his departure -- a figure the Bundesliga champions have no intention of meeting.
17.49 GMT: Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed that 22-year-old attacker Pedro Neto has signed a new contract to stay with the club until 2027, with the announcement coming less than three weeks after his return to the Molineux after a lengthy injury absence.
What do you get @pedrolneto7 for his birthday? 🤔
— Wolves (@Wolves) March 9, 2022
🎁 #Neto2027 pic.twitter.com/FedQy3W2Zy
17.22 GMT: Vinicius Tobias only joined Shakhtar Donetsk six weeks ago, but with FIFA allowing foreign players playing for Russian and Ukraine clubs to temporarily leave their teams as free agents, the 18-year-old right-back could already be on his way out, according to AS. The Spanish outlet reports that Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are keen on the former Brazil youth international, with both capital clubs exploring the possibility of taking Vinicius on loan for the remainder of the season.
16.55 GMT: Foot Mercato reports that Atletico Madrid are now in the driving seat to sign Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer from Marseille in the summer.
Kamara, 22, is out of contract in the summer and Marseille will only be due training compensation if the defensive midfielder opts to leave Ligue 1.
AS Roma, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Newcastle United are also linked with the France under-21 international by the Italian outlet.
The report says that Roma appear to have been priced out of a move, while uncertainty over the managerial situation at Man United has left them trailing behind. Atletico now have a verbal agreement with Kamara, but they have yet to tie him to a precontract agreement.
16.09 GMT: Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has said uncertainty over the club's ownership could be affecting contract talks with several key players and admitted fears are growing that defender Andreas Christensen will leave this summer.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich are leading the race to sign Christensen, whose existing deal expires at the end of the season, as is the case with Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger.
Roman Abramovich's decision to sell the club has sparked a flurry of interest but sources have told ESPN that no bid has yet matched his £3 billion ($3.94bn) valuation.
"Well it's in doubt," Tuchel said of Chistensen's situation. "We hear the rumours and the situation with Andreas is also since many weeks clear and we are not happy about it. Because we, I, me personally and club representatives, we think that it's best for him to stay. And we rely heavily on him. He did not sign yet, so you cannot not communicate.
"So we have to consider the possibility that he leaves us. Will we like it? No. Will we live with it? Yes."
15.30 GMT: Tuttosport reports that Juventus will soon have to make a decision over which 28-year-old they want in their midfield next season: Paulo Dybala or Manchester United's Paul Pogba.
Both players are out of contract in the summer, with Juve still eager to tie Dybala to a contract extension. However, recent reports have suggested the player will be offered reduced terms in talks planned for Thursday, while Tuttosport says that extending with Dybala will leave no funds free to bring Pogba back from Old Trafford.
Serie A rivals Inter Milan are believed to be at the front of the queue to take Dybala from Juve, and some reports have suggested official negotiations could even take place this week with the player's agent in Italy. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that there could be late contenders -- with Manchester City considering adding to their wealth of attacking midfield options.
So the question now for Juve is which player they really want in their squad.
14.53 GMT: Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez said not a single player has said no to the club since he was appointed coach after being asked about a recent meeting with Erling Haaland.
Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland reportedly met with Barca manager Xavi in Munich last Tuesday, where he is recovering from an injury that has kept him out of action since January.
"Look, it is always a good moment to sign for Barcelona," Xavi said. "For me, this is the best club in the world. And, honestly, not a single player has said no to Barcelona since I have been here [as coach]."
Asked how he convinces players to sign, Xavi added: "You explain how we play and how we train. You tell them that here they will touch the ball 40 times a game instead of 20.
"I try to let them know about the club and about how wonderful the city is. I transmit that it is a golden opportunity for any player and the style of play will make them a better player."
14.10 GMT: Juventus are looking at Atletico Madrid's Renan Lodi and Getafe's Mathias Olivera as potential successors to Alex Sandro at left-back, according to Tuttosport.
The Serie A club haven't yet made a decision, the newspaper reports, but are tracking Brazilian Lodi, 23 -- watching him star against Manchester United in the Champions League last month -- as well as Uruguayan Olivera, 24, who has impressed in LaLiga this season.
A "super offer" would be required to prize Lodi away from Atletico, Tuttosport says, and a cheaper option would be Chelsea's Emerson Palmieri, as Juve would prefer to save their cash to focus on strengthening their midfield this summer.
13.33 GMT: Fiorentina are not prepared to pay the pre-agreed transfer fee to sign loanee Lucas Torreira on a permanent basis from Arsenal, reports La Nazione.
Torreira, 26, joined La Viola on loan from the Gunners at the start of the season, and they have an option to keep the player for €15m
The midfielder has played 22 Serie A games this season, but Fiorentina are hoping to negotiate a reduced transfer fee.
The report says that the clause must be activated before the transfer window reopens, after which point Fiorentina's period of exclusivity expires. There are also doubts about the club's ability to match his wage demands.
12.47 GMT: Fabrizio Romano has revealed on his Here We Go podcast that Sevilla defender Jules Kounde and Leeds United forward Raphinha were top targets for Chelsea before Roman Abramovich announced he would sell the club.
Chelsea were close to a deal for Kounde last summer, but they could not agree a transfer fee for the central defender. And the future of Raphinha is up in the air following Marcelo Bielsa's departure from Elland Road and doubts over the club's Premier League status.
"Chelsea were working before Abramovich put the club up for sale on Jules Kounde," Romano said. "He is still top of the list but now what is next? Who will be the new owner and what budget will they have?
"[Director] Marina Granovskaia and [technical and performance advisor] Petr Cech, will they stay or not? There are many questions around Chelsea now and this is why they are unable to complete agreements.
"The other one is from Leeds, but they are not negotiating with the player because of relegation clauses in Raphinha's contract which change his price. But keep an eye on these two players."
12.02 GMT: Barcelona want to add another goalkeeper to their squad in the summer to improve the competition for current No. 1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen, per Mundo Deportivo.
Neto is currently the backup to Ter Stegen but has expressed a desire to leave in search of regular football. Barca, therefore, are likely to turn to the market for a replacement that will ensure Ter Stegen is kept on his toes.
The report claims that the club are assessing several options, including Sevilla's Yassine Bounou and Leeds United's Illan Meslier.
Luis Maximiano (Granada), Alban Lafont (Nantes); Maarten Vandevoordt (Genk) and Bartlomiej Dragowski (Fiorentina) are all mentioned as possible candidates as well.
11.14 GMT: Calciomercato further confirms reports earlier this week that Jose Mourinho hopes to be reunited with full-back Diogo Dalot at AS Roma in the summer.
The Portugal international was signed for Manchester United by Mourinho in 2018 in a £19m deal from FC Porto
Dalot, 22, spent last season on loan in Serie A with AC Milan, and is said to favour a return to Italy as he has only been a bit-part player at United this campaign.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been on loan at Roma from Arsenal since January and has failed to make much of an impact, and Dalot is seen as a replacement.
United could be prepared to let Dalot move for a transfer fee of €10m.
10.31 GMT: Barcelona have still not decided on whether to renew Dani Alves' stay at the club beyond the end of the season, according to Diario AS.
Alves, 38, returned to the club after over five years away in November on a short-term deal until the summer. The Brazil international has made seven appearances since making his second debut in January and coach Xavi Hernandez has expressed a desire for him to extend his contract.
However, an excess of right-backs could lead Barca to shell plans to give Alves another year. An upturn in form from United States right-back Sergino Dest and the possible arrivals of Cesar Azpilicueta and Noussair Mazraoui on free transfers would leave the club well-stocked in the position.
Alves is keen to carry on playing at the top level into next season as he hopes to be part of Brazil's World Cup squad in Qatar at the end of the year.
09.46 GMT: Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Maycon wants to continue playing in Europe, according to reports in Brazil. Maycon has a contract with Shakhtar which runs for another three years, but FIFA has allowed foreign players and coaches in Ukraine and Russia to unilaterally suspend their employment contracts and move clubs.
Maycon, who returned to Brazil after fleeing Ukraine with his family following Russia's invasion, is considering several offers. Among the outfits interested in Maycon is his former club Corinthians.
"We don't want to create false expectations," Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves said. "We are going to be in competition with European markets and other markets."
Maycon, 24, joined Shakhtar from Corinthians in 2018.
09.00 GMT: Fabrizio Romano reports that Aston Villa are set to exercise the option to sign Philippe Coutinho on a permanent basis from Barcelona at the end of the season.
Coutinho, 29, has been a revelation at Villa under former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard, with three goals and three assists since moving to the club on loan from Barca in January.
Villa can sign the Brazilian midfielder for a set fee of €40m, and the club's board are likely to sanction the deal in May.
Steven Gerrard would love to keep Philippe Coutinho at Aston Villa. Buy option clause available for €40m - board wants to wait until May and then make final decision, while they're happy with Coutinho. 🇧🇷 #AVFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 9, 2022
Barcelona wan sell Coutinho - they're waiting for Villa to decide. pic.twitter.com/51kfssXwuf
PAPER GOSSIP
- Jude Bellingham has seen a meteoric rise to stardom in football, making the £30m move from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, where he has continued to improve. And now, according to a report in The Sun, Jurgen Klopp is keen on bringing the 18-year-old to Liverpool. The midfielder won't be available easily though, with Dortmund said to value the England international at over £100m.
- Continuing on the trend of Dortmund starlets, AS reports that striker Youssoufa Moukoko is open to leaving the club in the summer. The forward was, at the time, the youngest player to ever debut in the Champions League at just 16 years old. Now 17, and with few chances to break into the first team, Moukoko is looking to make the move away and will not renew his current deal that expires in 2023.
- Tottenham Hotspur are set to offer striker Harry Kane a new contract at the end of the season if they achieve Champions League football, says Fabrizio Romano on the Here We Go podcast. The 28-year-old, who is out of contract in 2024, asked to leave the club last summer and was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City.
- Juventus defender Mattia De Sciglio is set to extend his stay with the Bianconeri with a new contract, reports Calciomercato. The 29-year-old full-back has often been used as a rotation option this season but, with his deal expiring in the summer, the Serie A club have moved to keep him at the club for the future.