Transfer Talk: Man United plot surprise move for Timo Werner،
The January transfer window has not yet reopened in Europe, but moves are afoot and there is plenty of gossip circulating. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumors, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Werner, a surprise option for Man Utd
Former Chelsea striker Timo Werner is a shock transfer target for Manchester United, according to Sky Sports Germany. Florian Plettenberg.
Werner, 27, has been linked with a loan move to various interested clubs in January, including Real Madrid, but Plettenberg believes the German will prefer to finish the season at RB Leipzig before moving permanently.
Werner is reportedly unhappy with the way things are going in Saxony, despite only joining Leipzig from Chelsea in 2022, while Man United are keen to bolster their attacking firepower. United have reportedly inquired about Werner’s availability, but no offer has been made and there have been no negotiations at this stage. Reds boss Erik Ten Hag will now monitor Werner’s situation over the coming weeks before the transfer window opens.
If Werner were to move to Old Trafford in January, he would join Odion Ighalo and Wout Weghorst on a growing list of interim striking options that the once-dominant Premier League side have turned to in recent history.
Werner has only scored twice this campaign, but he managed to score 16 goals last season in the Bundesliga.
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Paper gossip
– Internazionale approaches Portuguese defender Tiago Djalo on a free transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italians made contact with the 23-year-old’s representatives earlier this month and Nerazzurri officials believe they are getting closer to a deal. Inter are hoping to beat a number of clubs for the signature of the centre-back, whose contract at Lille expires in June 2024.
– Arsenal in talks with Romanian defender from Genoa Radu Dragousine, according to the Sun. The 21-year-old has impressed by playing every minute of Genoa’s season so far following his departure from Juventus, and his agent has traveled to England to discuss a potential transfer with potential suitors including Gunners. “I have been in London for a while and have almost weekly meetings with important teams,” the agent was quoted as saying. “We are getting closer. I have spoken with Newcastle, with Arsenal, with Tottenham.”
– Chelsea beat Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool with the signing of the Corinthians midfielder. Gabriel Moscardoaccording to a Brazilian journalist Neto. He believes the sought-after 26-year-old is finally ready to join the Blues after the west London club saw an £18million bid rejected in the summer. Corinthians are reportedly waiting until after their presidential election, which took place this weekend, before making their decision, but all signs suggest the deal is done and Moscardo will be on his way to England in January for 26 million pounds sterling.
– Manchester United prepares other plans for 2024, with a 20-year-old central defender Antonio Silva would be among their list of targets. This is what Sky Sports Germany says. Florian Plettenberg, who says United have already made contact with the player’s representatives and are even in the smallest details of the contract. Silva is under contract with Benfica until 2027, but the Portuguese club fully expects him to leave at the end of the season. The defender has a release clause of 100 million euros in his contract.
– Real Madrid have made appointing a new left-back a top priority, but Bayern Munich are doing everything in their power to ensure it. The Whites fail to sign their main target, the Canada star Alphonso Davies. That’s according to Sport, who believe Bayern have work to do to prevent their 25-year-old defender from defecting to Spain. Talks over a new contract stalled last year, meaning Madrid may have already spent time negotiating with Davies’ representatives. And although Bayern want to keep Davies, they are prepared to let him leave for £50million, if Madrid want him before 2025.
