Transfer Talk: Man Utd target De Ligt upset at Bayern snub،
The winter transfer window has now closed across Europe's top leagues, but there are plenty of moves afoot and gossip swirling as summer approaches. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumors, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: De Ligt disturbed at Bayern Munich
Matthijs de Ligt is not entirely happy with his situation at Bayern Munich and could leave the Bavarian giants this summer, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The main reason is that the 24-year-old is not among manager Thomas Tuchel's preferred options for the reigning Bundesliga champions when all of Bayern's defenders are fit and available.
This stance was on display during Bayern's 3-0 defeat to title contenders Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, when De Ligt was left on the bench for 90 minutes despite impressing and scoring in the win against Borussia Mönchengladbach a week earlier.
De Ligt's current contract runs until 2027, but it currently appears unlikely that he will stay in Bavaria for that long. The Netherlands international will certainly be interested in the upcoming transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Barcelona among the European giants who have been linked with him in recent times.
As well as addressing De Ligt's situation, Plettenberg also suggested that Tuchel remains supportive of the idea of signing the Barcelona defender. Ronald Araújo.
Tuchel has regularly been linked with the 24-year-old in recent times – with reports dating back to before the January transfer window – although a move for the Uruguayan has yet to materialise. Araujo's current contract with the Blaugrana runs until the summer of 2026.
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Paper gossip
– Matìas Soulè, the winger on loan to Frosinone from Juventus, is attracting plenty of interest from Germany, with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen all interested in the 20-year-old, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport. Elsewhere, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Brentford, Southampton, Nice and AS Monaco are also said to be interested.
– Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has given Napoli assurances that he would listen to the Serie A club's proposals before considering any offers from abroad, Calciomercato reports. The 22-year-old winger has a contract that runs until 2027 but has received significant offers from a number of Saudi Pro League clubs hoping to sign him, while there was previously interest from Real Madrid.
– Liverpool hope to be able to renew the contracts of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk And Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to Football Insider. All three players have contracts that expire in 2025, but the Reds are confident they will be able to convince the trio to stay if the club shows the right ambition with its plans for the post-Jurgen Klopp era.
-Brentford Ivan Toney said “what will be, will be” when it comes to his future, according to the BBC. The striker was apparently unimpressed by Bees manager Thomas Frank's suggestion that the club might have to let the 27-year-old leave if he still has a year left on his contract at the end of the season .
– Fabrizio Romano referred to Union Berlin central defender Danilho Doekhi as “one to watch next summer”, specifying that Serie A, Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are monitoring him. The 25-year-old scored the winner against Wolfsburg this weekend and has a contract which ends in 2025.
