Transfers

Frank Lampard’s plans for allowing Patrick Bamford to train at high-flying Coventry City have now been explained. The England international was spotted at the club's training ground after being released by Premier League side Leeds United in the summer, fuelling speculation that the striker could earn a contract with the Championship leaders.

Bruno Fernandes spoke highly of Manchester United's summer transfer business, while reserving special praise for Brazilian attacker Matheus Cunha, who moved to United from Wolves in the last window. Fernandes, being the leader of the pack at Old Trafford, named the unique qualities of each of United's new four signings as the club spent heavily to rebuild the squad under Ruben Amorim.

Eddie Howe stopped short of getting embroiled in a war of words with Arne Slot after the Liverpool boss labelled Newcastle a “smaller club” when questioning their handling of Alexander Isak. The striker was in the process of regaining his match fitness following his British record transfer in the summer, before sustaining a groin injury in the Reds' victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday.

Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho cited the likes of Scott McTominay and Raphael Varane as proof of his "history" of working with young players and developing them into great sportsmen. The Special One, in a press conference on Friday, claimed that Benfica "will surely add one or two players who can help strengthen the squad", before adding that "if there's someone who likes to promote young players, I'm one of them."

Bruno Fernandes consulted the opinion of Cristiano Ronaldo when he was weighing up the possibility of leaving Manchester United to join Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia over the summer. The United captain revealed that he spoke to his Portugal team-mate when the lucrative offer came in but rejected it after discussing it with his family and coach Ruben Amorim.

Alan Shearer has risked the wrath of Alexander Isak by insisting Hugo Ekitike should be viewed as Liverpool’s first choice striker. The Newcastle legend was an outspoken critic of the Sweden international’s behaviour over the summer as he went on strike in order to force through his £125 million (€144.5m/$169m) British record transfer to Arne Slot’s side.

Real Madrid are among the teams looking at Moises Caicedo, with the midfielder's recent change of agents adding intrigue to his future at Chelsea. However, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has insisted that the Blues remain calm and fully in control of the situation, with the club planning to reward their star midfielder with an improved contract in the coming months.

Xavi Simons was extremely close to joining Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, but a late decision from the upper management resulted in the move fading away. As a result, Simons signed for Tottenham in England, while the German side opted to bring in Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea on loan late in the summer transfer window.

Real Madrid's young sensation Endrick might be on his way out of the Bernabeu in the upcoming transfer window. Xabi Alonso has reportedly approved a loan move but the 19-year-old has his eyes fixated on representing Brazil at next year's World Cup, and has created a set of deciding factors regarding which club he will join next.

Hakim Ziyech has completed a stunning return to Moroccan football, joining Wydad Casablanca on a free transfer after being linked with a move to La Liga side Sevilla last month. The 32-year-old, who famously helped Chelsea lift the Champions League in 2021, now returns to his homeland for the first time in his club career.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso is willing to sell anyone except French forward Kylian Mbappe to sign Juventus' star Kenan Yildiz, according to agent Giovanni Branchini. The Turkish international has garnered interest from multiple European clubs, and Alonso, who was winding down his playing career at Bayern Munich while the winger was coming through the German side's youth academy, is eager for a reunion.

Harry Kane returning to the Premier League "isn't even a question" at the moment, claims ex-Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann, but "things can change quickly" when it comes to movement in the transfer market. Prolific former Tottenham striker Kane is said to have a release clause in his contract at the Allianz Arena that can be triggered during the summer of 2026.

Liverpool are reportedly monitoring Michael Olise's contract situation at Bayern Munich after being made aware of how much it would cost to prise Antoine Semenyo away from Bournemouth. The Premier League title holders continue to scour the global transfer market for a potential long-term successor on their right wing to Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah.

Bayern Munich have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi as they step up plans to sign the England international. The 25-year-old Eagles skipper, who will be free to negotiate a move away to foreign clubs in January, has attracted serious interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, with Der Rekordmerister now making the first concrete move to secure his signature.

Ajax’s fall from grace in both domestic and European competition has taken another grim turn, with Remko Pasveer claiming the club still hasn’t recovered from the loss of Jordan Henderson. The goalkeeper has claimed that the ex-Liverpool captain’s leadership “held everything together” and his departure to Brentford has left a void the Dutch giants can’t seem to fill.

Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly ready to end his troubled Manchester United spell by formally requesting a transfer in January. The £36 million 2024 signing has fallen completely out of favour under Ruben Amorim, and West Ham United are leading the race to rescue the Dutch striker from his Old Trafford nightmare after a torrid year where he has struggled to find any form.

Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy believes that Benjamin Sesko and Rasmus Hojlund could form a devastating strike partnership reminiscent of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole if they are reunited next season. While the Danish striker impresses on loan at Napoli, McCarthy says the pair have the potential to lead a new era of firepower at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.

Former Newcastle, Liverpool, and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann has heaped high praise on the Magpies’ record signing Nick Woltemade, boldly claiming that the German striker is “better in the air than Peter Crouch.” The comparison has drawn attention across English football, with Woltemade’s early Premier League form backing up Hamann’s words.

The revolving door of transfers at Manchester United shows no sign of stopping as it has been revealed Ruben Amorim is chasing six potential targets when the coming windows open in January and in the summer. The focus will be on midfield signings with a number of high-profile stars potentially heading to Old Trafford as the club attempt to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

Rafael Benitez is closing in on his 17th managerial role, as the veteran Spaniard is set to become Panathinaikos’ new head coach on a record-breaking contract. The 65-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Celta Vigo in March 2024, is poised to become the highest-paid manager in Greek football history, marking his return after a 19-month break.

Harry Kane has been urged to become a ‘Galactico’ alongside Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid, with the England captain being told that “Real Madrid would be interested” in doing a deal with Bayern Munich. It has been revealed that there are clauses in the striker’s contract at the Allianz Arena which can be activated in the summer of 2026 - with a return to the Premier League also being mooted for the former Tottenham striker.

Manchester United outcast Joshua Zirkzee could be close to ending his nightmare spell at Old Trafford with another Premier League team touted to want the Netherlands striker in the forthcoming January transfer window. Zirkzee has barely featured for United this season and he is yet to start or score, managing just 74 minutes across three Premier League appearances and an eight-minute Carabao Cup cameo against lowly Grimsby Town - all as a substitute.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been encouraged to swap Old Trafford for the Allianz Arena and link up with Harry Kane, with former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen billing him as the “perfect fit” for Bayern Munich. Meulensteen believes Fernandes' footballing intelligence and creativity would allow him to easily slot into Vincent Kompany’s blistering Bayern setup and potentially help Kane rack up more goals.

John Terry has revealed his confusion at the fact he does not receive more job offers, while seemingly giving up on his ambition to manage Chelsea. The former England captain has not held a first-team coaching position since working as an assistant at Leicester City in 2023, as offers do not appear to have materialised.

Manchester United have switched their attention to Elliot Anderson after failing to sign Brighton's Carlos Baleba, as Ruben Amorim eyes a midfield overhaul. The 22-year-old Nottingham Forest dynamo has become one of the most sought-after names in English football following his breakthrough into the Three Lions squad. United had already been monitoring Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and revisiting interest in Baleba, but it is now being reported that Anderson has emerged as the standout target.

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been urged to dispense with manager Phil Parkinson and appoint Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg as the Welsh club aim to finally reach the Premier League. The club have endured a difficult start to life in the second-tier after flying up the divisions from non-league, and the pressure is ramping up on the Wrexham head coach.

Liverpool have reportedly identified Antoine Semenyo as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, with a January swoop lined up for the Bournemouth player after the emergence of a release clause in his contract. The 'Egyptian King', whose goals have lit up Anfield since he joined the Merseyside club in 2017, is enduring a rare drought, and whispers of a successor are starting to grow louder.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Maghnes Akliouche admitted he has been 'flattered' by the Premier League club's interest ahead of AS Monaco's Champions League showdown with Thomas Frank's side. After Spurs lost the transfer race to Arsenal for Eberechi Eze in the summer, they had eyed a move for Akliouche but the north London outfit eventually signed Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.

Marcus Rashford could return to Manchester United next summer if Ruben Amorim leaves the club by then, according to former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen. Rashford left his boyhood club this year to join Barcelona on a loan deal after he was included in Amorim's 'bomb squad' during pre-season, alongside several other unwanted United stars.