Transfer Talk: Bees reject Arsenal, Chelsea moves for Toney،
The winter transfer window has not yet reopened in Europe, but movements are underway and a lot of gossip is circulating. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumors, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Brentford look to keep Toney, despite interest from Arsenal and Chelsea
Brentford are determined not to give up Ivan Toney in January, according to the Mirror, dealing a blow to Arsenal and Chelsea, who had wanted to sign him for some time now.
Toney, who has just 18 months left on his contract, is currently serving an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting rules but will be eligible to play again in January. The 27-year-old has been open about his desire to play in the Champions League and become a regular part of the England team, but the Bees insist he stays.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga and more (US)
– Read on ESPN+: Behind the scenes of the Liverpool and Man City rebuilds
Brentford manager Thomas Frank is ready to welcome the striker back into the first team once his ban ends in January, and has even said he will back him with a new deal.
That being said, Brentford will let him leave for the right price – which was £60m when Arsenal were last interested, and could now be as high as £100m.
It is unlikely Toney will be allowed to leave west London in January as Brentford lost several players, including Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Frank Onyeka, at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Paper gossip
– Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti targets Galatasaray striker Mauro Icardi in January, according to Fotomaç. Ancelotti reportedly suggested Icardi as replacement Vinicius Jr.., who suffered a serious injury while on international duty and will be out for almost three months. Icardi, who has represented PSG and Inter Milan on the European stage, has scored 14 goals in 16 games and has a €15 million release clause.
– The Manchester City prodigy Joel Ndala He would attract considerable interest from the Premier League and European clubs, according to the Athletic. The 17-year-old was England’s top scorer at the U-17 World Cup with four goals in three games and is currently being investigated for loan and permanent transfers. Manchester City have earned £440million from academy graduates under Pep Guardiola – such as Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Jadon Sancho – and it is understood Ndala could also be another lucrative transfer.
-Everton Jarrad Branthwaite will top Manchester United’s defensive wishlist in 2024, according to TEAMtalk. The 21-year-old centre-back, who has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, is among a host of defensive targets as Man United look to overhaul their current options. Branthwaite has enjoyed an exceptional start to the league season with the Toffees following a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven under former United star Ruud van Nistelrooy. Meanwhile, the future of people like Raphaël Varane, Victor Lindelöf And Johnny Evans remain in play at Old Trafford.
– Barcelona will be able to accelerate the signing of the Brazilian striker Victor Roque from Athletico Paranaense in January due to Gavi’s injury, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Spanish giants agreed a deal to sign Roque over the summer, but the 18-year-old was unable to join immediately due to Barca’s poor finances. Following Gavi’s anterior cruciate ligament injury last weekend, the Catalan club can sign a replacement provided the salary does not exceed 80% of the Spanish star’s salary. According to Mundo Deportivo, Roque will be on loan until June, when his full-time contract in Spain begins.
– Saudi clubs monitoring Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksenthe situation, Ekrem Konur reported. Eriksen, now 31, has had a difficult season at Old Trafford so far and, according to Konur, a €20 million bid for the Dane could be made from Saudi Arabia. Midfield teammate at Man United, midfielder Casemirohas also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, as new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly looking for a team reset.
