Latest transfer news and rumors: Chelsea, Spurs competing for Williams
The transfer window may be closed, but the rumor mill never stops. Check in every day for the latest transfer buzz around the soccer world.
Top story: Rivals squabble over Nico
Chelsea have been devising a plan behind the scenes that includes Nico Williams wreaking havoc in their attack. They're prepared to offer the Spanish international a sizable pay bump to move to Stamford Bridge and have sent a €70-million offer to Athletic Bilbao.
Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to go head-to-head with Chelsea for Williams' signature, tabling an identical €70-million bid. However, the Basque club is reluctant to sell and is aware that his departure would force a significant rebuild. (Fichajes)
Other rumors
Nov. 23
Ade adamant on destination: Karim Adeyemi told Borussia Dortmund that he'd prefer to join Arsenal over Manchester United. His £75-million price tag is also too much for United. (The Mirror)
Erix extension: Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said the club is working on a longer contract for defender Eric Garcia. The 24-year-old's current terms expire next June. (Fabrizio Romano)
The way to a Murillo: Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea are among a group of Champions League heavyweights keeping an eye on Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. (Caught Offside)
Joao move a go: Manchester United are in advanced negotiations to sign midfielder Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers for around €50 million. (Trivela)
Fede flying home: Federico Chiesa could become available in the January transfer window as he struggles to establish himself at Liverpool. AC Milan, Inter Milan, Napoli, or Roma could bring him back to Italy. (Fichajes)
Luis the Lion: Orlando City are finalizing a deal to sign 18-year-old midfielder Luis Otavio from Brazilian club Internacional. He'll cost around $3.5 million. (UOL Brasil)
Nov. 22
Bye, bye Bruno: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is ready to offload 31-year-old club captain Bruno Fernandes in order to fund multiple midfield signings. (TEAMtalk)
Barca going big: Barcelona view both Bayern Munich star Harry Kane and Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid as realistic transfer targets for the summer. (Mundo Deportivo)
Reinforcement for Real Madrid: Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller is keen on joining Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have long been linked with 24-year-old German international. (Fichajes)
Spurs' new striker: Tottenham are preparing a significant offer for Villarreal striker Georges Mikautadze. Spurs are willing to spend £44 million on the Georgian international. (Fichajes)
Meeting with Mendes: Arsenal officials continue to lay the groundwork for a potential Kenan Yildiz deal. They met Jorge Mendes in Turin to talk about the Juventus and Turkey attacker. (Caught Offside)
Nov. 21
Eyeing Anderson: Manchester United are interested in signing Elliot Anderson to replace Casemiro, but the Red Devils face competition from Liverpool and Newcastle. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, value the rising star at £100 million. (The Times)
Bring back Scott: Arsenal are considering a surprising move for Scott McTominay, the former Manchester United outcast who's become a cult hero at Napoli. Tottenham and Everton are also interested. (TEAMtalk)
Read looks ready: Feyenoord's Givairo Read is being monitored by Europe's top clubs. Manchester City are keeping tabs on the right-back, while Bayern Munich have held talks with the 19-year-old's agents. (Fabrizio Romano)
Dibu to San Siro: Inter Milan could soon make a move for Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Aston Villa are ready to listen to offers for the 33-year-old shot-stopper. (Football Insider)
Nov. 20
Battle for Bouaddi: PSG are hoping to sign Lille phenom Ayyoub Bouaddi for around €45 million. Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Juventus have also been linked with the 18-year-old. (Ekrem Konur)
Man Utd not giving up: Real Madrid already rejected an offer worth €90 million for midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, but that hasn't deterred Manchester United. The Red Devils will continue trying to sign the French international. (Fichajes)
Atleti plan their attack: Atletico Madrid have been keeping tabs on Chelsea's Marc Cucurella for "months" as they try to decide whether or not to submit a €40-million offer for the Spanish left-back. (Fichajes)
Adeyemi on to move: Manchester United and Inter are in talks with Karim Adeyemi's agent about a potential transfer. The German's relationship with Borussia Dortmund has soured, clearing the way for his departure. (BILD)
Roma ready to pounce: Tottenham forward Mathys Tel is unhappy in London after his move from Bayern Munich, and Roma are considering making a move for the 20-year-old. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Rennes duo highly rated: Manchester United are monitoring Rennes' Jeremy Jacquet (20) and Mohamed Meite (18). The former, a center-back, has played every minute for Rennes in Ligue 1 so far this season, while the teen forward is viewed as a top talent for the future. (The Sun)
Toney will take pay cut: Ivan Toney is willing to accept a salary reduction in order to facilitate a transfer back to the Premier League in January. Tottenham and Everton are both considering a move for the Al-Ahli striker. (TEAMtalk)
Nov. 19
Liverpool in the lead: Barcelona continue to monitor impending free-agent defender Marc Guehi, but Liverpool remain the favorites to sign the Crystal Palace captain when his contract expires in the summer. (Cadena SER)
Going after Gonzalo: Brighton & Hove Albion want to sign Real Madrid youngster Gonzalo Garcia on loan in January. Leeds and Sunderland are also considering moves for the 21-year-old Spanish striker. (Daily Mail)
Stop the swap: Chelsea were willing to send midfielder Romeo Lavia or forward Christopher Nkunku to Manchester United as part of the deal that saw Alejandro Garnacho head to Stamford Bridge, but Manchester United didn't want either player included in the operation. (ESPN)
Mainoo talks paused: Discussions between Manchester United and Kobbie Mainoo over a new contract are on hold. The midfielder is keen on joining Napoli in January in order to find more playing time. (Calciomercato)
Jorgensen eyeing exit: Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, like Mainoo, is considering a January loan move in order to earn more playing time. It's unclear if Chelsea will sanction his temporary departure. (Fabrizio Romano)
Nov. 18
Rising Bundesliga talent: Pep Guardiola is impressed after watching numerous videos of Said El Mala. His interest has encouraged Manchester City scouts to watch some of the winger's recent matches for FC Koln. Koln are demanding over €40 million to sell El Mala. (Sky Sport Germany)
Vexed Vini wanted: Liverpool are preparing an ambitious €100-million offer for Vinicius Junior amid reports that the Real Madrid winger is unhappy with his head coach, Xabi Alonso. (Fichajes)
See you, Dibu: Aston Villa are open to selling Emiliano Martinez this January as they seek a long-term solution between the sticks. Manchester City's second-choice goalkeeper, James Trafford, is a possible signing for Villa. (Football Insider)
Battle for Brown: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United are keeping a close eye on Nathaniel Brown. Eintracht Frankfurt aren't under any pressure to sell now, but they could allow him to leave next summer. (TEAMtalk)
Offloading MLS: Arsenal could sell English left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly to sign new players without breaking UEFA's financial rules. (indykaila)
Kompany call: Antony claims Vincent Kompany called him near the end of the summer transfer window to encourage him to join Bayern Munich. "But I gave my word to Betis, and I couldn't betray them," he said. (Fabrizio Romano)
Fewer options for James: Reports linking James Rodriguez with a move to either Orlando City or Toronto FC are inaccurate. The playmaker is set to leave Club Leon when his contract expires this winter. (Tom Bogert)
Timo turned down: New York Red Bulls head of sport Julian de Guzman said Timo Werner won't join the club this winter. "I don't think we were 100% sold that this was the right thing for New York," he explained. (The Athletic)
Nov. 17
Semenyo can go: Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo has a £65-million release clause during the first half of January. Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with the forward. (The Athletic)
FCB eye FB: Barcelona are considering candidates to strengthen their full-back positions. Bayer Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo is a strong and affordable option for the left side, while Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz and Al-Hilal's Joao Cancelo are other names on Barca's radar. (Mundo Deportivo)
Gala on the lookout: Galatasaray are interested in Ademola Lookman, but they're yet to have an agreement in place with Atalanta or the winger for his transfer. The Turkish giants plan to hit the January market hard. (Fabrizio Romano)
Karim's career crossroads: Karim Benzema doesn't know whether he'll renew his contract in Saudi Arabia or leave when his Al-Ittihad terms expire in June. "It depends on many factors," the striker said. (Fabrizio Romano)
Zirkzee isn't free: Roma want to sign Joshua Zirzkee on loan as Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson's struggles continue in front of goal, but Manchester United would insist on a clause to make the deal permanent for €30 million. (Corriere dello Sport)
Fishing Fisnik: Fisnik Asllani is expected to leave Hoffenheim next summer via a release clause. Bayern Munich have already been in talks with the 23-year-old striker's representatives. (Florian Plettenberg)
Low-cost Joao: Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes could prove to be a much-cheaper alternative to Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba for Manchester United. The Brazilian midfielder would cost around €50 million. (Record)
Coronel soldiering on elsewhere: Carlos Coronel will leave the New York Red Bulls when his contract expires this winter. The goalkeeper couldn't reach an agreement over a new deal with the MLS club. (The Athletic)