Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Real Madrid, Barcelona & Bayern keen on Sancho

According <a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-madrid/2018/12/21/5c1cff8b268e3e64778b45c1.html">Marca</a>, Real Madrid and Barcelona, who both tried to sign Sancho when he left City in 2017, have been impressed with the youngster’s form this season. So too have Bayern, and the current Bundesliga champions could try and swoop in for yet another of Dortmund’s top talents. However, any deal potential deal for the England international would likely have to wait until the summer.

Madrid, Barca and Bayern monitoring Sancho

Three of Europe’s biggest sides are keeping tabs on Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has claimed his client initiated transfer talks with Juventus himself earlier this year. Speaking to <a href="http://www.raisport.rai.it/?refresh_ce">Rai Sport</a>, Mendes said: “In January 2018, I and the few people who knew what was happening thought it would be very difficult to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to Juve. “However, I want to make it clear that the idea started with the player himself. “Ronaldo told me he only wanted to play for Juventus. That’s where it began and I was in talks with the Bianconeri directors for months, so we all know how those negotiations ended up.

Ronaldo contacted Juve, claims agent

The Portuguese International moved to Juventus last summer for €100m.

Juventus will not abandon their pursuit of Paul Pogba despite Manchester United sacking Jose Mourinho, reports <a href="https://www.calciomercato.com/news/juve-lo-scenario-per-pogba-ora-cambia-ma-l-obiettivo-numero-uno--48958" target="_blank">Calciomercato</a>. The club believed they had only a small chance of landing the France international in January anyway, regardless of the strife between player and manager. Juventus will return in the summer when&nbsp;they hope to&nbsp;be more successful, though much of that will depend on who the Red Devils hire as full-time manager.

Juventus will make summer bid for Pogba

The Serie A leaders are undeterred in their pursuit of the midfielder

Sao Paulo defender Rodrigo Caio agreed a loan deal to move to Barcelona and even passed a medical before missing out at the last minute, reports <a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/verdadera-historia-no-cesion-rodrigo-caio-barcelona-7214364" target="_blank">Sport</a>. Caio, 25, was approached by the Catalans with an eye to a move in January to cover the club's injury-hit defence. But despite agreeing terms, the Brazilian ultimately lost out to Jeison Murillo, who was preferred by coach Ernesto Valverde.

Sao Paulo's Caio was on brink of Barca move

Paul Pogba is not the only Manchester United player in Juventus’ sights, with <a href="https://www.calciomercato.com/news/juve-united-non-solo-pogba-e-martial-i-bianconeri-tengono-d-occh-94616" target="_blank">Calciomercato</a> reporting that Romelu Lukaku is another target for the Bianconeri. The Serie A champions are not short on firepower at present but are aware that they need to find a long-term option to lead the line.

Juve also looking at Lukaku

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReadingFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReadingFC</a> are delighted to announce that José Gomes has today been officially appointed as first team manager of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royals</a>. ✍️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BemVindoJos%C3%A9?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BemVindoJosé</a>— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadingFC/status/1076531597086806016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

New boss at Reading

West Ham have a £9 million ($11m) offer on the table from Bologna for Angelo Ogbonna, according to the <a href="https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-express/20181222" target="_blank">Express</a>. The Italian defender has struggled for regular minutes this season and may decide to head home in January.

West Ham weighing up Ogbonna offer

Monaco are interested in a move for Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, per <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2018/12/22/thierry-henry-eyeing-reunion-cesc-fabregas-signing-monaco-8276902/" target="_blank">Metro</a>. Manager Thierry Henry played together at Arsenal between 2003 and 2007 and Henry is keen on a reunion with the Spain international.

Monaco eye Fabregas move

Paris Saint-Germain are considering a move for Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye, according to <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12691/11588984/psg-show-interest-in-evertons-idrissa-gana-gueye" target="_blank">Sky Sports</a>. No formal bid has been tabled as yet, but the French champions have made their interest known.

PSG in pursuit of Gueye

Manchester City and Barcelona have been offered hope in the pursuit of Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, with it possible that his €80 million (£72m/$91m) asking price could come down. The 21-year-old's agent has been discussing mounting interest, and you can find out what he has had to say <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/man-city-barcelona-told-ndombeles-80m-asking-price-could/14rwyxqy5u7c21hnwb97240va5" target="_blank">here</a>.

City & Barca given Ndombele update

Pascal Gross admits talk of a possible switch to Liverpool has been shrugged off as little more than a joke by those at Brighton. The German midfielder is reported to have registered on the transfer radar of countryman Jurgen Klopp ahead of the January window. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/gross-sees-liverpool-links-as-little-more-than-a-joke/pkadezfvdxr41mxdhmqed5i4y" target="_blank">Here's what he has had to say on those rumours.</a>

Gross sees Liverpool links as a joke

Cristiano Ronaldo “only wanted to play for Juventus”, claims his agent Jorge Mendes, with the decision taken to leave Real Madrid for Serie A in January. Mendes told Rai Sport: "I want to make it clear that the idea started with the player himself. Ronaldo told me he only wanted to play for Juventus." <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-only-wanted-to-play-for-juventus-mendes-reveals-real/hka3c48lbgl91xg0128jaw6a8" target="_blank">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

'Ronaldo only wanted to play for Juventus'

PSG are unlikely to sign either Cesc Fabregas or Fabinho in the January transfer window. The French champions find Chelsea midfielder Fabregas' salary prohibitive, while Fabinho has proved himself under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in recent games. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/psg-move-on-from-fabinho-fabregas-in-hunt-for-rabiot/1fnfjbrtpguf71okek1h8dmoyl" target="_blank">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

PSG move on from Fabregas & Fabinho

Paul Scholes has backed Mauricio Pochettino to join Manchester United from Tottenham. "If he wants the job then I think it's his," Scholes told Five Live. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/pochettinos-the-man-for-utd-scholes-wants-tottenham-boss-at/3qxz028655wy1o0o11vqbpdgi" target="_blank">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

Scholes backs Pochettino to join Man Utd

Chelsea have held talks with AC Milan and Juventus over the possibility of signing Gonzalo Higuain on loan, per the <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/12/22/chelsea-hold-talks-withac-milan-juventus-overgonzalo-higuain/" target="_blank">Daily Telegraph</a>. The Blues are hopeful of taking control of Higuain's loan, with him currently at San Siro, and are prepared to offer Alvaro Morata to Milan in return. Chelsea also hold an interest in Lyon's Nabil Fekir, along with Callum Wilson of Bournemouth.

Chelsea hold talks with Juve & Milan over Higuain

Chelsea have offered Crystal Palace the chance to sign striker Michy Batshuayi, per <a href="https://twitter.com/HLNinEngeland/status/1076375268988735488" target="_blank">HLN</a>. The Belgium international is currently on loan at Valencia, but that deal is likely to be cut short, with the Blues hopeful of striking a deal with the Eagles. Monaco, AC Milan and Roma are also interested.

Chelsea offer Batshuayi to Palace

Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Allan as a long-term replacement for Adrien Rabiot. The French midfielder is set to leave the Parc des Princes next summer when his contract expires, and according to <a href="http://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2018/12/22-51323791/psg_su_allan_la_tentazione_forte_pronti_50_milioni/?cookieAccept">Courier dello Sport</a>, Napoli’s Allan could be signed in his stead at the end of the season. PSG could even be tempted to sign the Brazilian in January, should they find a buyer for Rabiot when the window opens next month.

PSG plan Rabiot replacement

Manchester United midfielder Fred has no intentions to leave the club, said his agent, and former Arsenal star, Gilberto Silva. Fred joined the Red Devils last summer for a deal estimated at around £52m, but has struggled to hold down a regular place in the side leading to speculation he could leave United soon. However, Silva told <a href="https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/749526/Man-Utd-transfer-news-Fred-makes-decision-on-future-after-agent-outburst">the Daily Star</a>: “The fact that he (Fred) is not playing makes him anxious, but what I say to him is that he must keep working hard on a daily basis, he should be patient because the club is going through a delicate moment. “But there is no chance of him leaving United. He has a five-year contract.”

Fred to remain at United

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has revealed Jeison Murillo only joined the club due to financial constraints. The Colombian moved to the Nou Camp on a temporary loan to help deal with Barca’s defensive injury crisis. As reported in Spanish outlet <a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/habia-que-ajustarse-evidentemente-con-100-millones-hubiera-sido-distinto-7215393">Sport</a>, Valverde admitted, “If we had €100 million to sign it would have been different. “We are in a delicate moment with our centre-backs and so far we have managed it well, but we don't know how it will go going forward,” he added.

Valverde explains reasons behind Murillo loan move

Former Arsenal midfielder Perry Groves believes the Gunners could offload Mesut Ozil to PSG in January with&nbsp;Adrien Rabiot in coming the other direction. “I think PSG could be an option for him (Ozil),” Groves told the <a href="https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/749479/Arsenal-transfer-news-Mesut-Ozil-could-be-swapped-for-PSG-star">Daily Star</a>. “One, they can pay his wages, but two, they’ve got the lad Adrien Rabiot. Emery likes him because he plays in the ten role but also works hard. “He’s at an impasse with PSG at the moment because he won’t a sign a new contract and he can talk to clubs on January 1st. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a little swap deal on the cards.”

Arsenal and PSG in swap deal for Ozil?

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has met with club director Lee Chanley to discuss transfer dealings in January, but insists he will not panic buy in next month’s window. “I was talking with Lee – my communication is with Lee,” said Benitez, as reported in the <a href="https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/rafa-benitez-gives-newcastle-transfer-update-after-talks-with-lee-charnley-1-9505896">Shields Gazette</a>. “It’s what I said before – business as usual. No news. We’re just working on players and trying to be sure that we have the right names, and that’s it. We’re looking for the right players. “January is a very difficult window. You have to be very precise. You have to find the player – after you can discuss the price,” he added.

Benitez looking for ‘right players’ in January

Adrien Rabiot simply lost his place at&nbsp;Paris Saint-Germain&nbsp;but "nothing broke" between the midfielder and Thomas Tuchel, according to the coach.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/he-has-misled-us-for-several-months-psg-contract-rebel/oznuj084ry371hbs3m3azubqz" target="_blank">Sporting&nbsp;director&nbsp;Antero Henrique blasted Rabiot earlier in the week</a>, claiming he misled the team, while Rabiot's mother, who serves as her son's agent,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/theres-no-going-back-now-rabiots-mother-confirms-psg-exit/1e9k7bnu7u55v19dgvem4ap3zj" target="_blank">said there was no going back after the dispute</a>. Rabiot is suspended from the team, but Tuchel claims the midfielder being dropped prior – his last start was December 5 – had to do with performance and not anything else. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/tuchel-performances-were-why-rabiot-was-dropped-from-psg/vybdorr7qhzq115ieaultf463" target="_blank">Read the full story right here on Goal!</a>

Tuchel: Rabiot was dropped due to performance

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 2019 salary with the LA Galaxy may be the largest in league history, according to <a href="http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3733553/sources-zlatan-ibrahimovics-deal-could-be-mls-record-worth-up-to-$75m" target="_blank">ESPN</a>. Ibrahimovic announced earlier this week he had re-signed with the MLS side after reportedly having flirted with interest from AC Milan. The star is in line to receive between $7 million (£5.5m) and $7.5m, which could top Kaka's previous record salary of $7.17m.

Ibrahimovic to receive biggest-ever MLS salary

FC Dallas have signed Bressan from Brazil club Gremio, the <a href="https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2018/12/21/fc-dallas-signs-brazilian-defender-bressan" target="_blank">MLS side announced Friday</a>. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Dallas did use targeted allocation money to complete the deal for the 25-year-old centre-back. “We are thrilled to be able to bolster our back line with a versatile player like Bressan,” FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said in a statement. “He has experience on the biggest stages of soccer in South America and we think his presence and technical ability as a defender will translate well to the style of play in MLS.”

FC Dallas sign centre-back from Gremio

Chelsea&nbsp;head coach Maurizio Sarri backed midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek to develop into a "great player" at the club, even if the Italian conceded he will be more important "in the future". Loftus-Cheek has only made one Premier League start this season, but he has made the most of his opportunities given in the&nbsp;Europa League, where he has made five starts.&nbsp; Despite not having him in his preferred XI for the Premier League, Sarri feels Loftus-Cheek can become a star at Chelsea, and appeared to rule out any chance of the midfielder making a loan move in January.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/sarri-loftus-cheek-can-become-a-star-at-chelsea/9si3pbteb5wd1tcexwxhvzfb3" target="_blank">Read the full story here on Goal!</a>

Sarri: Loftus-Cheek can be Chelsea star

Sao Paolo defender&nbsp;Rodrigo Caio was close to a move to Barcelona in the last few days, according to <a href="https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/exclusive-rodrigo-caio-was-one-step-away-from-barcelona-the-back-96057" target="_blank">Calciomercato.</a> Injuries had prompted Barcelona's interest, with Sao Paolo having agreed to a six-month loan move with the La Liga champions. However, Ernesto Valverde decided at the last moment he preferred Jeison Murillo due to his experience in La Liga, though Barcelona remain interested in Caio.

Caio was close to Barca move

Leicester City manager Claude Puel could be sacked if results do not improve soon, according to <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8040918/leicester-claude-puel-sack-job/" target="_blank">The&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8040918/leicester-claude-puel-sack-job/" target="_blank">Sun</a><a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8040918/leicester-claude-puel-sack-job/" target="_blank">.</a> Puel met with the club's chiefs after their 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace last weekend, with the Foxes having&nbsp;only won two of their last eight games in all competitions. The Foxes have a difficult next two games, as they battle Chelsea&nbsp;followed by Manchester City.

Puel's job in danger at Leicester

Bayern Munich have an agreement to sign France international Benjamin Pavard, according to <a href="http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/bayern-munich/132/blog/post/3733246/bayern-munich-cant-afford-to-wait-to-land-their-primary-transfer-targets" target="_blank">ESPN</a>. The Stuttgart defender has a €35 million (£32m/$40m) release clause which can be triggered next summer. However, there is a possibility Bayern will be willing to pay more in order to land Pavard&nbsp;in January.

Bayern have agreement with Pavard

Paris Saint-Germain teenager Timothy Weah is nearing a move to join Strasbourg on loan, according to <a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transferts-strasbourg-insiste-pour-timothy-weah/971273" target="_blank">L'Equipe</a>. The United States international has not received much first-team action this season with the Ligue 1 leaders and is interested in trying to land more playing time. PSG wants Weah to play as well, so they will agree to a short-term move with their fellow Ligue 1 side.

Weah nears Strasbourg move

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Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Real Madrid, Barcelona & Bayern keen on Sancho | Goal.com South Africa

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and beyond