In our latest update talk cock sessions, we look at the latest club news for Julian Alvarez, Goncalo Inacio, Kalvin Phillips, Ian Maatsen, and Andre Trindade, gossip, and highlights that have football fans from over the world buzzing with excitement.
Barcelona are “eyeing up a move” for Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez as they look to line up a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona are “eyeing up a move” for Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez.
The informed Argentina international already has six goals and five assists so far this season in just 13 matches.
Barcelona are keeping tabs on the forward as they look to line up a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
The Polish forward, 35, joined the Catalan giants for £42.5m last summer from Bayern Munich and netted 33 goals in all competitions during 2022-23.
However, given his age and current absence with an injury, Barcelona boss Xavi and sporting director Deco – who are both fans of Alvarez – are keen on ensuring there is sufficient backup for Lewandowski.
While 18-year-old Brazilian wonder kid Vitor Roque is set to join the club in January, Lewandowski was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer, meaning there could be greater urgency to strengthen in attacking areas.
The report goes on to state Xavi is a huge fan of Alvarez due to his goal-scoring ability and versatility across the frontline, with the Argentine able to play centrally, deeper and out wide.
Liverpool “sent scouts” to watch Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio in action for Portugal this week
Liverpool “sent scouts” to watch Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio in action for Portugal during their 5-0 win over Bosnia in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday evening.
Inacio, 22, grabbed an assist on his fourth appearance for his country. He has made 129 appearances for his boyhood club Sporting since breaking into the first team in the 2020/21 season.
Newcastle and Juventus are reportedly interested in signing Manchester City’s out-of-favour midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan in January
Manchester City’s out-of-favour midfielder Kalvin Phillips is reportedly attracting the interest of Newcastle and Juventus.
Phillips has struggled for game time since his arrival at the Etihad from Leeds in the summer of 2022.
Phillips will consider a move away from City in the next transfer window if he continues to sit on the bench for the next six weeks, and his options may have received a timely boost.
Juventus and Newcastle United are expected to be forced into the market to find cover for midfielders Nicolo Fagioli, who has been banned for seven months, and Sandro Tonali, who is also facing a lengthy suspension.
Moving to Juventus for the second half of the season could be seen as a good solution by both Phillips and City, with the Italian club not in European competition.
Newcastle have shown an interest in Phillips in the past but, like Juventus, would most likely want only a loan deal in January, and it remains to be seen whether City would allow him to move to a Premier League rival on a temporary basis.
Chelsea are said to have extended defender Ian Maatsen’s contract amid interest from Barcelona
Chelsea have extended Barcelona target Ian Maatsen’s contract by a further year.
The defender, who spent last term on loan with Burnley in the Championship, has been linked with a move to Barcelona on a free at the end of the season.
Chelsea have quietly activated an option to extend Ian Maatsen’s contract by a further year amid reported interest from Barcelona.
The 21-year-old’s contract situation is attracting suitors but Chelsea has strengthened their position to extend his deal until 2025.
Barcelona were keen to sign Maatsen only on a free transfer and could have been able to negotiate the deal from January.
But they now face paying a substantial fee, with competition coming from a growing list of Premier League clubs, including West Ham and Burnley.
Arsenal are reportedly tracking Fluminense’s midfield sensation Andre Trindade
Arsenal are reportedly tracking Fluminense’s midfield sensation Andre Trindade, who has also caught the eye of Liverpool.
Arsenal could try and sign another relatively unknown star from Brazil in January after reportedly launching scouting missions to assess Andre Trindade. Liverpool are also believed to be wise to the midfielder’s potential, with Premier League heavyweights keen to unearth a hidden gem in the same way The Gunners did with Gabriel Martinelli.
Andre, also 22, is understood to be top of the pile, with the youngster emerging as one of the standout players in Brazil’s Serie A.
Impressing with his accomplished performances in central midfield, Andre has notched 150 senior matches for Fluminense and is already capped for the Brazilian national team. Martinelli, who was born less than a month before the Arsenal transfer target, could give him a warm welcome if they pull the trigger in January.
