In our weekly talk cock sessions, we look at the latest transfer news, gossips, and highlights that have football fans all over the world buzzing with excitement.
Donny van de Beek offered to Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund
Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund have been sounded out about a potential loan move for Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek during the January transfer window. Van de Beek is continuing to struggle for game time at United and has lost his place in the Holland squad as a result, leaving his future at the club in doubt. The 24-year-old has started just four Premier League games since his £35million move from Ajax in September 2020, all of them last season, and he’s struggled to make an impact under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick this season. Everton came close to signing Van de Beek on loan towards the end of the summer transfer window, but he remained at United and was expected to play a more prominent role. But he’s started just four games in all competitions, three in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham United.
Emerson Palmieri to stay at Chelsea
Lyon have confirmed that Emerson Palmieri’s loan from Chelsea will not be cut short this month. Following Ben Chilwell’s season-ending injury, Chelsea have moved to seek cover for the left side of their defence in the January transfer window. The Champions League holders explored a possible deal for Lucas Digne, who ended up joining Aston Villa from Everton this week. Chelsea have also made multiple attempts to recall Emerson from his loan spell at Lyon but have been unsuccessful so far. Chelsea must negotiate a compensation fee with Lyon in order to bring Emerson back to Stamford Bridge as the French club have a €15m (£12.5m) purchase option as part of their agreement. Lyon have already rejected Chelsea’s offer of £3.3 million and the French club’s head coach Peter Bosz confirmed on Friday that the Italy international’s loan will not be ended this month.
Nani completes Serie A move
Former Manchester United star Nani has signed for Serie A club Venezia in a deal that will see him at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo until 2023. Nani, now 35, was a free agent since his contract with MLS side Orlando City ended at the beginning of the month. The former Portugal international had spells at Sporting, Fenerbahce, Valencia and Lazio after leaving United in 2015 and subsequently made the move to America in 2019 with Orlando City, where he scored 31 goals in 87 games for the MLS outfit. Despite coming towards the end of his career, he has now been presented with a chance to play in Europe again, with interest from Bologna and Genoa but it is believed Venezia have managed to secure his signature. Nani had an underwhelming 17/18 season with Lazio under Simone Inzaghi, with the Portuguese International managing only three goals in 25 appearances for the club.
Adama Traore transfer stance confirmed
Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Bruno Lage has confirmed that his side have received no bids for Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Adama Traore. The winger is out of contract next summer and has been strongly linked with a move to London. Chelsea were strongly rumoured to be considering the former Barcelona in the summer window as they aimed to secure a more natural right-wing back having seen a move for Achraf Hakimi collapse – the Moroccan eventually electing to join French champions Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, Spurs have been linked to Traore most recently, with Antonio Conte understood to be keen on the Spaniard – a potential loan deal with an obligation to buy has been mooted. With just over two weeks remaining in the current window, however, Traore remains a Wolves player and Lage has confirmed that neither Chelsea or Spurs – or any interested party for that matter – have made an effort to sign the winger.
Aston Villa closing in on Robin Olsen
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has offered an update on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Robin Olsen. The Midlands outfit are keen on securing a short-term loan deal for the Swedish goalkeeper and have even agreed personal terms with the player. However, the deal may hinge on Sheffield United as Olsen had joined the Blades in the summer on a season-long loan deal. Romano believes his loan contract at Sheffield could be terminated in January, allowing Aston Villa to snap him on up a temporary deal until the end of the season. Formerly of Malmo, Olsen has been a part of his parent club, AS Roma, since 2018. However, the Swede hasn’t quite enjoyed a fruitful spell with the Giallorossi, making 27 appearances in his debut season before being shipped to Cagliari on a loan deal. He played the 2019/20 season in Sardinia, featuring in 17 league matches.
Haaland pressed by Dortmund to make decision on future
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland said the club have been pressing him to make a decision about his future and therefore “things will happen now”, as the Norwegian continues to attract interest from several top European sides. Haaland, whose contract runs until 2024, added that he would have preferred to focus on football instead of being distracted by talk of his future during a busy run of fixtures for Dortmund, who trail Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich by three points. The 21-year-old, who has scored 21 goals this season, joined Dortmund from RB Salzburg in 2020 and has gone on to establish himself as one of the continent’s hottest properties.
