Olympiacos teenager Christos Mouzakitis has Real Madrid and Manchester United among his admirers, while Tottenham Hotspur could move for Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men's grades | Women's grades
TOP STORIES
- Sources: Chelsea-bound Emegha suspended by Strasbourg
- Goalkeeper Lloris signs contract extension to extend LAFC stay
- Arsenal sign Quintero twins, 16, from Ecuador
TRENDING RUMORS
- Real Madrid could rival Manchester United to sign Olympiacos wonderkid Christos Mouzakitis, The Sun reports. The 18-year-old midfielder recently impressed in the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid, leading Los Blancos manager Xavi Alonso to sing his praises after the game. As such, the likes of AC Milan, Juventus and Atletico Madrid are also tracking his development. The Greece international could be available for transfer at around €45 million as things stand, although that may increase by January.
- Tottenham Hotspur could launch a £40 million bid for Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke in 2026, according to TEAMtalk. Spurs have been long-term admirers of the Netherlands center back and even considered formally bidding to sign him last summer, before turning their attention elsewhere. Van Hecke has continued to impress for Brighton this term, playing 14 times for the club in the Premier League to date, and with his current deal expiring in June 2027 a transfer next year remains a distinct possibility.
- Arsenal are keeping an eye on Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, according to Sky Sports News. The Spain U21 international is one of several talented youngsters being tracked by the Gunners, following a strong start to the LaLiga season. Primarily used as a central midfielder, Mendoza has played 10 times in the league this term, scoring once.
- Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has opened the door to a potential departure from Crystal Palace in January amid continued interest from Manchester United, says TEAMtalk. Mateta is reported to have communicated his desire to test himself at a higher level, prompting his team to explore possible options this winter. The France international has been in good form for Palace this season, scoring seven Premier League goals already, and bids in excess of £40 million could be enough to prize him away from Selhurst Park.
- AC Milan have agreed a deal to sign 20-year-old full back Juan Arizala from Deportivo Independiente Medellin, Fabrizio Romano has revealed. A €3 million fee, plus a future transfer clause, are reported to be part of the deal after the youngster turned down proposals from England and Belgium. Arizala has been capped 22 times by Colombia U20s, making his debut for the side at the beginning of 2025, and was part of the side that finished third at the U20 World Cup.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN's resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen on Olympiacos teenager Christos Mouzakitis.
Mouzakitis is the last name to emerge in a remarkable wave of Greek talents, and his performance in the Champions League against Real Madrid was a game-changer for his reputation.
A left-footed No. 6 / No. 8 hybrid, he often drops into the right space to receive the ball and keeps possession fluid by picking smart, swift passing options. While he averages around 40 passes per 90 minutes this season -- a high figure for a movement-based central midfielder -- he rarely circulates the ball for the sake of it. Instead, he constantly scans for options and there is sophistication in the way he takes control under pressure and directs play through congested areas.
One interesting detail is how his first touch is often a trap designed to draw in/bait an opponent, before the second releases him into space -- a feature that points to huge confidence and spatial awareness. Though he's not an extravagant dribbler, he handles the ball well in tight pockets by applying excellent body positions, shielding the ball with his body and skipping away from pressure to advance.
He is excellent at receiving and passing between the lines, and connecting midfield to attack with a natural rhythm. But with just two senior goals so far, the energetic midfielder is still learning how to arrive in scoring areas more consistently. He tends to favor measured accuracy over power for his shots, which corresponds well with the rest of his profile.
Defensively, he competes with surprising authority, winning 68% of his duels this season, and reads danger early enough to intercept the ball rather than having to tackle. His stamina and discipline allow him to cover ground without losing structural awareness, making him dependable in both pressing and closure of space.
OTHER RUMORS
The ESPN FC team discuss whether they think Bruno Fernandes should be playing higher up for Manchester United, and if new signings have caused him to drop back.
- The Saudi Pro League is ready to fund a huge bid to sign Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah if he is open to leaving. (Telegraph)
- Brighton & Hove Albion are monitoring Aston Villa midfielder Lamare Bogarde, as they target a long-term replacement for Carlos Baleba (Telegraph)
- A host of European clubs are tracking West Ham United teenage sensation Emeka Adiele. The 18-year-old left back is entering the final six months of his contract. (Football Insider)
- Chelsea are working on a deal to sign Under-17 World Cup star Mohamed Zongo from Burkina Faso side Tenakourou Academy. (Daily Mail)
- Santos are pushing to try and extend the contract of Neymar, as it expires at the end of the year. (Nicolo Schira)
- Newcastle United are ready to trigger Palmeiras midfielder Allan Elias' €100 million release clause. (Ekrem Konur)
- Chivas are finalizing a deal to sign Brian Gutiérrez from the Chicago Fire, in a deal worth a reported €5 million. (Tom Bogert)
- Nantes have entered the race to sign Deiver Machado from Lens, with talks having progressed over a January move in the last few hours. (Rudy Galetti)