Transfer rumors, news: Real Madrid join Adam Wharton chase
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is the subject of interest from Real Madrid, while Tottenham Hotspur are on the lookout for a new striker. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the world.
Transfers Homepage | Winter categories for men | Women’s notes
FEATURED STORIES
– Amorim attacks Man United bosses: ‘Do your job’
– Sources: Rosenior in London, close to work at Chelsea
– Xabi supports “fundamental” Vini amid Madrid whistles
TRENDING RUMORS
– Real Madrid have joined the race for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Whartonaccording to AS. The Spanish outlet reports that Madrid have been offered the player, but the transfer fee is expected to rise to over €70 million to land the 21-year-old. Madrid are interested and see the England international as the perfect alternative to Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield, or to allow Arda Guler to play further. However, they are not the only ones: Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are all keen on the Palace midfielder.
– Juventus wants to inject some goals into its attack line in January, and the club has identified Liverpool’s. Federico Chiesa and that of Atletico Madrid Alexander Sorloth as two players who could help them get out of their malaise, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Don’t expect anything imminent though: any deal with Chiesa will have to wait Mohamed Salah returns to Liverpool after the Africa Cup of Nations, which could take place in mid-January. Thus, Al Hilal Darwin Nuñez could also be considered.
– After a difficult weekend in which the depth of their squad was put to the test at Cagliari, AC Milan have identified the Manchester City defender. Nathan Aké as a key objective for January. Corriere Dello Sport says that Rossoneri View the Netherlands international as a plug-and-play option, which could be feasible due to his desire to play more first-team football. Other alternatives include the Juventus defender Federico Gatti and Tottenham Hotspur Radu Dragousine.
– Tottenham Hotspur are looking for new arrivals to revive a season which saw them booed (again) on Sunday. TEAMtalk says club interested in AS Monaco striker Maghnès Akliouchewho has three goals and five assists in all competitions this season. Meanwhile, the Athletic claim Santos have turned down an £8m bid for left-back Souza, despite it being well below the 19-year-old’s £87m release clause to foreign clubs.
– Barcelona, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund consider signing the Croatian defender Branimir Mlacic of Hadjuk Split, by Mundo Deportivo. The two-footed central defender is under contract until 2029 but would help give Barca boss Hansi Flick “one more defender” he has asked for. Mlacic is tall and enjoys a great presence in the back line, and is said to be available for around €4m.
DONE BUSINESS
– Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Norwegian international midfielder Julie Blakstad, 24, from Hammarby IF.
EXPERT OPINION
ESPN resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen examines Adam Wharton’s skillset.
Just 18 months after making his debut, Wharton is now undoubtedly one of the most accomplished ball distributors in the Premier League. He constantly asks to receive it and is trusted not to lose possession under pressure. Then, once in charge, his pass selection is exceptional: he can hit 35-yard switches with precision, incisive line breaks thanks to pressure or well-weighted deliveries played in stride with a teammate.
Wharton’s quality left foot is a standout characteristic, but it is also his vision and ability to ‘map’ the play around him that is key, as it allows him to move the ball at pace with ease and fluidity.
Wharton also showed he was comfortable playing a high-intensity style of football. Under Oliver Glasner at Palace, the English midfield has evolved in an energetic, vertical pattern, where the demands on speed of thought and defensive reactions are higher. Although he was impressive last season, he increased his key pass output by about 10% this year, while maintaining pass accuracy and variation. Crucially, the distribution is also not location specific and he is as reliable in launching attacks from deep as he is contributing in the final third.
OTHER RUMORS
2h25
Why Amorim comments seem like he wants to leave Man United
The ESPN FC panel talks about Ruben Amorim’s post-Leeds press conference on his role at Manchester United.
– Barcelona are favorites to sign the Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbian international’s contract ends this summer and so far there are no plans to renew it. (Sun)
– West Ham United set to announce striker Taty Castellanos of Lazio. Nuno Espirito Santo cut a dejected figure after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Wolves, but perhaps Castellanos’ arrival could help liven up the club’s relegation fight. The Argentine is expected to undergo a medical, with the fee thought to be around £26million. (TalkSPORT)
– West Ham also plans to recruit Toulouse central defender Charlie Creswellalthough there has not yet been any formal contact. The former Leeds defender, 23, is under contract until 2028. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Defender João Cancelo are still hoping for a move from Al Hilal to Barcelona, with the Catalan club hoping to bring the Portugal international back to the Camp Nou for six months. However, they face FFP restrictions and have other – arguably more pressing – positions they need to address. Inter remains in the box for the 31-year-old. (Gazzetta du Sport)
– Real Madrid defender and captain Daniel Carvajal has received a number of offers from other clubs, both in Spain and abroad, but the 33-year-old is keen to stay in the Spanish capital. He is close to returning from injury and is out of contract in June this year, but Madrid are hoping to keep him to prevent him leaving on a free transfer. (AS)
– Fulham had £17m bid rejected by Udinese for defensive midfielder Arthur Atta. The 22-year-old only joined the Italians last summer, and it would take an offer in excess of £26million for them to consider letting him leave so soon. (TalkSPORT)
– Bournemouth and Fiorentina want to sign the 25-year-old Atalanta midfielder. Marco Brescianini. However, they face competition from Cagliari and Genoa who are also very enthusiastic. (Calciomercato)
– Central defender of Manchester City Jahmai Simpson-Pusey — on loan to Celtic — has agreed to join German club FC Cologne on loan. The 20-year-old will head to the Bundesliga initially in the short term, with a permanent option. (TalkSPORT)
– Tottenham boss Thomas Frank wants to add attacking options to his frontline, and on his wishlist is the Club Brugge winger. Christos Tzolis. The Belgian club are looking to recoup £35million for a player who scored 21 goals last season. (Sun)
– Eintracht Frankfurt are hoping to sign a new striker and have identified the 22-year-old from Newcastle United. William Osula as the perfect antidote to combat their list of offensive injuries. Negotiations are underway. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Fenerbahce also wants to recruit a striker Christophe Nkunku although the 28-year-old French international only joined AC Milan for €35 million this summer from Chelsea. Nkunku would prefer to stay in the Italian capital. (Gazzetta du Sport)
– Girona knows that the recruiting goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen from Barcelona could be a challenge, but they are willing to wait until the end of January for the 33-year-old. The goalkeeper is keen to explore all his options at Barca ahead of loan options elsewhere, but he could be available late in the window. (Sport)
– Brahim Diaz is close to signing a contract extension with Real Madrid until 2030. The Moroccan international winger’s contract expires in 2027. (Nico Schira)
