Latest transfer news and rumors: Chelsea lead race for wunderkind

The transfer window may be closed, but the rumor mill never stops. Check in every day for the latest buzz around the soccer world.

Top story: Chelsea's next teen star?

Chelsea are leading the race to sign AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit. Manchester United and Newcastle are also interested in the 19-year-old prodigy, but the Blues have already established contact with his camp.

Smit is valued at around £25 million. (iNews)

Other rumors

Dec. 13

Caution to the wind: Tottenham are willing to "smash" their wage structure to sign Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo. Spurs know they need to make a hefty offer to beat the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool to the Ghana international. (TEAMtalk)

Fly, Eagles fly: Crystal Palace added Tottenham's Brennan Johnson to their list of January targets. The Eagles view the Welshman as the type of player capable of helping them qualify for the Champions League. (The Telegraph)

Sadiki scuttlebutt: Chelsea and Manchester United are both working to sign Noah Sadiki after the versatile 20-year-old's impressive start to life in the Premier League with Sunderland. (Football Insider)

Fullkrug wants out: German striker Niclas Fullkrug wants to leave West Ham. AC Milan will consider making a move for the 32-year-old during the January transfer window. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Dec. 12

Let's talk about Bruno: Manchester United could risk the anger of their supporters by selling Bruno Fernandes to fund a squad rebuild. The Portuguese midfielder is still on the radar of Saudi Pro League clubs and his sale could bring in around £70 million. (Caught Offside)

Lining up Lautaro: Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez would love to play for Barcelona one day. The Catalan club is considering him as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski next summer, but they'll need to perform some financial wizardry to bring Martinez aboard. (Fichajes)

Welcome gifts: Real Madrid will need to appease Jurgen Klopp with the signings of Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool if he replaces the embattled Xabi Alonso in the Spanish capital. (Defensa Central)

Atleti's fight to keep Alvarez: Atletico Madrid want to prove their ambition to Barcelona-linked Julian Alvarez to encourage him to stay. Los Colchoneros are working on bold moves for Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero and Chelsea's Marc Cucurella. (Fichajes)

No Mo for MLS: San Diego FC don't have the financial means to pull off a deal for Mohamed Salah, while Major League Soccer rivals Inter Miami are pursuing other targets this winter. (The Athletic)

Semenyo scrap slims down: Arsenal and Manchester United are the least likely of England's leading clubs to be pulled into the race to sign Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo in January. (BBC Sport)

Diomande demand: Chelsea and Crystal Palace could compete to sign Ivorian center-back Ousmane Diomande, but Sporting CP could deter the pair from an approach by gesturing toward his €80-million release clause. (Caught Offside)

Tarik tussle: Newcastle United are ahead of Inter Milan in the race to sign Sassuolo center-back Tarik Muharemovic, who's currently valued at around €13 million. (TEAMtalk)

French fancy: Newcastle are also pondering a move for defender Dayann Methalie. The 19-year-old has been a revelation for Toulouse in Ligue 1 and has represented France Under-21s. (Daily Mail)

Dec. 11

Ramos not done yet: Manchester United are considering bolstering their defense with veteran center-back Sergio Ramos. The decorated 39-year-old is a free agent after leaving Mexican club Monterrey. (Fichajes)

Kane not eyeing exit: Harry Kane has no intention of leaving Bayern Munich in January despite links with Tottenham and Barcelona. The prolific English striker actually intends to discuss a contract extension with the German champions after the 2026 World Cup. (BILD)

Shopping in Barcelona: Chelsea have had internal talks about signing Fermin Lopez, Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde, and Ronald Araujo. The latest Barca player being eyed by the Blues is midfielder Marc Casado, who's viewed as a more realistic target. (TEAMtalk)

Toney's taxes: English striker Ivan Toney has been linked with a return to the Premier League for months, but the 29-year-old is unlikely to leave Saudi club Al-Ahli in January because of tax reasons. (talkSPORT)

Return of the Ox: Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is hoping to return to the Premier League in January. The 32-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Besiktas in the summer. (The Athletic)

Big bid for Guendouzi: Speaking of ex-Arsenal midfielders ... Sunderland have presented Lazio with a £21.4-million offer for Matteo Guendouzi. The Frenchman has been a key contributor at the Italian club this season, starting 12 of 14 Serie A matches so far. (Sunderland Echo)

Dec. 10

Saudis going all out: The Saudi Pro League is prepared to do "whatever it can" to bring Egyptian star Mohamed Salah over from Liverpool in January following the forward's astonishing rant about his recent lack of playing time and deteriorating relationship with Arne Slot. (Gulf News)

Milan's goalkeeper plan: AC Milan expect to lose No. 1 shot-stopper Mike Maignan on a free transfer this summer, and they've already turned their attention toward Liverpool netminder Alisson as a potential replacement for the Frenchman. (Sacha Tavolieri)

Moving for Murillo: Chelsea and Real Madrid are targeting Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. The Brazilian, 23, is open to a potential summer transfer, but Forest will demand over £55 million for the center-back. (Daily Mail)

Nico not convinced: Barcelona boss Hansi Flick would like to sign defender Nico Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund, but the German international prefers a move to either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. (Sky Sport Germany)

The Chelsea model: Chelsea owners BlueCo have secured the signing of 16-year-old Muhammad Zongo. The promising midfielder, who plays for SC Cascades, impressed at the U17 World Cup for Burkina Faso. He'll join Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg when he turns 18. (Fabrizio Romano)

Done deal for Villa: Aston Villa have a deal in place to sign teenage winger Alysson from Gremio. The 19-year-old will cost €12 million total, and will move to the Premier League side in January. (Fabrizio Romano)

Tomiyasu takes his time: Takehiro Tomiyasu, still without a club after leaving Arsenal in the summer, is in talks with Ajax. The Dutch giants could reportedly offer the versatile Japanese defender a six-month contract. (Nico Schira)

Dec. 9

Yan the man: Liverpool and Manchester City are monitoring 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande, who looks set to be the next breakout star coming off RB Leipzig's prolific production line. (Caught Offside)

Busy bees: Liverpool are also looking to made a splash in defense, and are eyeing another Ivorian international. The Reds are prepared to offer £38 million for Galatasaray's Wilfried Singo. (Sport Witness)

Battling BlueCo: Aston Villa are interested in Strasbourg's breakout star Joaquin Panichelli, but Chelsea could use their relationship with the French club - both are part of the BlueCo ownership group - to bring the Argentine striker to Stamford Bridge. (TEAMtalk)

Newcastle's new focus: Newcastle will start devoting more resources to scouting in Brazil. Sporting director Ross Wilson wants to replicate the success he had signing several players from the South American country during his time at Nottingham Forest. (ESPN)

Dec. 8

Plan in place: If Mohamed Salah does indeed leave Liverpool in January following his public outburst, the Reds will immediately make a move for Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. (Express)

Surprise Salah suitor: MLS club San Diego FC, coming off a successful debut season, have had internal discussions about Salah, but have not yet made a meaningful approach for the Egyptian star. (GiveMeSport)

Sharks are circling: Arsenal and Real Madrid are ready to go head-to-head in the race to sign Turkish sensation Kenan Yildiz. The 20-year-old has yet to sign a long-term extension with Juventus. (Goal)

Wharton wants UCL: Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton wants to play in the Champions League whenever he moves to his next club. That puts pressure on Manchester United, who remain very interested in signing the 21-year-old. (Daily Mirror)

Dec. 7

Surprise swap: Paris Saint-Germain are considering a swap that would send Bradley Barcola to Manchester United in exchange for Marcus Rashford. The latter is on loan at Barcelona, but if his deal isn't made permanent, PSG could try to bring him to the French capital. (Football Insider)

Reguilon to Miami: Free-agent left-back Sergio Reguilon is close to signing for Inter Miami. The former Tottenham defender would replace decorated compatriot Jordi Alba, who retired after helping Miami capture its first MLS Cup title. (Marca)

Roma get rejected: Manchester United have turned down Roma's first official offer for forward Joshua Zirkzee. The Red Devils want a permanent transfer, while the Italian club was looking for an initial loan that included a purchase option. (Corriere dello Sport)

Cash for Konate: If Liverpool can identify a replacement in time, they'll accept any offer worth around £15 million for impending free-agent defender Ibrahima Konate in January. (Football Insider)