Latest transfer news and rumors: Neves plotting European return?

With the January transfer window just days away from opening, the rumor mill is in overdrive. Check in every day for the latest buzz around the soccer world.

Top story: Ruben's return

Al-Hilal tabled an offer weeks ago to extend midfielder Ruben Neves' contract, but the Portuguese international still hasn't put pen to paper. With his current deal in Saudi Arabia set to expire in 2026, several European clubs have approached the 28-year-old about a possible January transfer. Neves is viewed by multiple teams seeking midfield help as a "big opportunity" for the upcoming January window. (Fabrizio Romano)

Other rumors

Dec. 28

Smitten with Kees: Real Madrid and multiple Premier League clubs continue to monitor AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit. The Eredivisie club has already turned down offers worth €60 million for the 19-year-old, who's viewed as a future Dutch superstar. (Fabrizio Romano)

Kone on his way: Manchester United are expected to sign Roma midfielder Manu Kone in the summer. The French international's arrival will be the first step in the Red Devils' midfield overhaul. (Sports Mole)

Franco a no-go: Reports that Real Madrid are thinking about sending Franco Mastantuono out on loan in January are "wide of the mark." Xabi Alonso views the young Argentine as a key part of his team. (Fabrizio Romano)

Making Micky happy: Tottenham want to extend Micky van de Ven's contract amid rumors of interest from Europe's top teams. In order to convince the defender to remain with the club, Spurs are willing to put the him on the same financial terms as club captain Cristian Romero. (TEAMtalk)

McAtee could move: Chelsea and Leeds have both checked in on James McAtee to see if there's any chance of signing the 23-year-old English midfielder from Nottingham Forest. (Daily Mail)

Angling for Ake: Barcelona want to add Manchester City defender Nathan Ake on loan in January, but multiple Premier League clubs could offer a permanent transfer. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Fulham, and West Ham are all interested. (Caught Offside)

Courting Castro: Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest are all chasing 21-year-old Bologna forward Santiago Castro. The Argentine is considered one of the most intriguing young talents in Serie A. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Dec. 27

Chelsea shop in France: Chelsea are monitoring French center-back Jeremy Jacquet and Saint-Etienne winger Djylian N'Guessan, but their first priority before making new signings is offloading players. Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling, and Tyrique George could all be sold. (The Athletic)

Quick fix: Liverpool could explore a six-month loan deal for Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos to provide cover up front while Alexander Isak recovers from his broken leg. (Caught Offside)

Tonali open to return: Newcastle star Sandro Tonali is open to the idea of moving back to Serie A. The Italian international, 25, remains one of Juventus' primary midfield targets. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Familiar face: Manchester United are considering a January move for former youth product James Garner, the 24-year-old midfielder who spent his entire academy career with the Red Devils before leaving the club in 2022. Garner's contract with Everton expires in the summer. (Daily Mail)

Dec. 26

Lewy looking around: Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski could be tempted by a move to the Saudi Pro League in the summer. The 37-year-old's contract expires at season's end, and it's far from a guarantee that Barca will offer him an extension. (AS)

Madrid makeover: Real Madrid's backline could look very different next season. The club is expected to allow David Alaba to depart as a free agent in the summer, while fellow veteran Antonio Rudiger could also leave. (ESPN)

Joe can go: Newcastle midfielder Joelinton is being targeted by the Saudi Pro League. If the conditions of a potential deal are favorable, the Magpies would be open to letting the Brazilian leave. (TEAMtalk)

Oliver out: Oliver Glasner is likely to be coaching a different team next season. The 51-year-old doesn't intend to extend his Crystal Palace contract, which expires in the summer. The Austrian bench boss wants to keep his options open. (Fabrizio Romano)

Dec. 25

Center-back search: Barcelona continue to scour the market for help in central defense after losing Andreas Christensen to another long-term injury. Contact has been made with Nottingham Forest's Murillo, but a January loan for Manchester City's Nathan Ake is more likely. (Sport)

Plan B(arcola): With Antoine Semenyo making it clear that he prefers to join Manchester City in January, Liverpool have turned their attention to other forward options. PSG winger Bradley Barcola is now the Reds' primary target. (Caught Offside)

Not great, Bobb: If Manchester City complete a deal for Semenyo, Oscar Bobb will seriously consider leaving the club in order to get more playing time. Several teams, including Borussia Dortmund, have already approached the versatile Norwegian about a move. (Fabrizio Romano)

Transfer kitty: Tottenham are willing to splash up to £150 million in January. Savinho and Samu Aghehowa are being considered to add more creativity and firepower up front, while Spurs are also keen to add a left-back or left-sided central defender. (The Sun)

Serie A swap: AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri wants to sign Juventus' Federico Gatti. The Rossoneri are willing to offer either Koni De Winter or Santiago Gimenez in exchange for the defender, but they won't include midfielder Samuele Ricci as part of the deal. (Nicolo Schira)

Casemiro conundrum: Brazilian midfielder Casemiro could extend his Manchester United contract, but only if he's willing to accept a significant wage reduction. If not, he could find a new home with the Columbus Crew. Multiple Saudi clubs are also interested in the 33-year-old. (Caught Offside)

Dec. 24

Gaggle of Guehi suitors: Marc Guehi's future remains uncertain as the transfer window nears. Barca were once keen on the Crystal Palace center-back, but have since "cooled" their interest. That's given Liverpool added hope. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also in the mix. (Mundo Deportivo)

Vini puts out feelers: Intermediaries representing Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior have informed Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City that the unsettled Brazilian is interested in moving to the Premier League. Contract talks between Vinicius and Real Madrid continue to stall. (TEAMtalk)

Liverpool's latest target: With Alexander Isak expected to miss at least two months after undergoing surgery on his fractured fibula and injured ankle, Liverpool are monitoring Brentford striker Igor Thiago as a potential attacking reinforcement. (Caught Offside)

Kicking the can: Manchester United will delay any decision on the possible sale of Joshua Zirkzee because Ruben Amorim's squad is currently stretched by injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations. Roma and West Ham are among the clubs tracking the Dutch forward. (ESPN)

Senesi says goodbye: Bournemouth center-back Marcos Senesi has informed the Cherries that he plans to leave the club in 2026, which has alerted Spanish giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. (TEAMtalk)

Bakola battle: Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in signing Marseille midfielder Darryl Bakola, but the Premier League heavyweights are not alone. Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund, and Stuttgart are also tracking the 18-year-old Frenchman. (Foot Mercato)

Dec. 23

Casting a wide net: Manchester United have compiled a seven-player shortlist of midfield targets. Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Elliot Anderson headline the list, but they'd likely prove too expensive in January. Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher could be the most feasible option, while Ruben Neves is also viewed as a realistic winter addition. (talkSPORT)

Semenyo structure: Manchester City may be closing in on a deal for Antoine Semenyo, but they don't want to trigger his £65-million release clause. Pep Guardiola's team will instead discuss a "different deal structure and payment terms" with Bournemouth. (Fabrizio Romano)

Zirkzee money tree: Roma have submitted an offer worth €35 million in total for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee. The Italian outfit has proposed a €5-million fee to add the Dutch striker on loan in January, and then a €30-million payment to make the deal permanent in June. (Il Messaggero)

Jack attack: Roma have also opened talks with Atletico Madrid about a potential move for Italian forward Giacomo Raspadori. The Serie A side is currently working on both the Zirkzee and Raspadori deals, though nothing is agreed on either front as of yet. (Fabrizio Romano)

Loan ranger: Manchester City are cutting Claudio Echeverri's loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen short in order to send him on another loan, this time to sister club Girona where he should get more playing time. (Fabrizio Romano)

Battle brewing for Brennan: Aston Villa have entered the race for Brennan Johnson. Crystal Palace are interested in the Tottenham winger, but the Villans have made contact with the Welshman's representatives. (TEAMtalk)

Mad for Monga: Chelsea and Manchester City are both interested in signing English teenager Jeremy Monga. The Premier League heavyweights are both considering a January move for Leicester's 16-year-old winger. (TEAMtalk)

Juve open for business: Juventus have finally completed their search for a new sporting director, which should help the club be active in January. The Bianconeri are on the verge of hiring Marco Ottolini, who most recently held that same role at Genoa. (Romeo Agresti)

Dec. 22

Fullkrug financials: AC Milan are signing Niclas Fullkrug on loan from West Ham. Despite earlier reports of a purchase option worth roughly €15 million for the German striker, the actual figure is more affordable, coming in around only €5 million. (Matteo Moretto)

One out, one in: With Fullkrug on his way to Milan, West Ham are looking for another striker. They've expressed interest in Wolves' imposing Norwegian frontman Jorgen Strand Larsen. (The Athletic)

No takebacks: Chelsea want to offload defender Axel Disasi in January, but the Blues will only consider permanent transfers, not loans. Roma, Lyon, and Paris FC are all keeping tabs on the situation. (Fabrizio Romano)

Pump the brakes: Recent reports have suggested that Fabio Paratici is close to leaving Tottenham to become Fiorentina's new director of football, but Spurs have thus far not received a formal approach from the Italian club. (Daily Mail)