The January transfer window is right around the corner and there are already plenty of rumours flying around over the respective futures of a number of high-profile players. The likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are widely expected to be busy over the coming weeks as Premier League clubs up and down the country look to use the mid-season market to their advantage ahead of this season's run-in.
The biggest story at the moment appears to involve Antonio Rudiger, who is reportedly being eyed by Real Madrid ahead of next season.
The Chelsea defender, who will be a free agent in the summer as things stand, is yet to agree fresh terms with the Blues after months of negotiations behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, United are said to be weighing up their options in midfield, with Marseille anchor Boubacar Kamara said to be a top target ahead of next month's window.
However, the Red Devils could be forced to battle Newcastle United for the 21-year-old's signature, with the Magpies also believed to be keen.
Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest news from the Premier League and across Europe with live updates throughout the day.
Chelsea are the latest European heavyweight to register an interest in Leeds United winger Raphinha, according to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari.
The 25-year-old has stood out in Marcelo Bielsa's side since joining from Rennes in 2020, registering 14 goals and 10 assists in 46 Premier League games.
Raphinha has also been linked with Liverpool, and could leave Elland Road next summer amid Leeds' poor season so far.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United have been dealt a major blow in their Erling Haaland interest, as the Borussia Dortmund striker 'doesn't like the Premier League'.
Gianluca Di Marzio has revealed, via football.london, the 21-year-old prefers the Bundesliga and La Liga, which could play a huge role in his next move.
Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been linked, and Di Marzio's latest comments could put the trio at the front of the race.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is said to be hell-bent on bringing Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland to the Nou Camp ahead of next season.
The 59-year-old has developed an 'obsession' with preventing a front three of Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior from linking up at Real Madrid, according to Marca.
It is claimed that Laporta is prepared to fight tooth and nail to stop this from happening by ensuring that Haaland joins Barcelona.
The 21-year-old is thought to have a release clause in the region of £68million written into his contract which is set to come into effect at the end of the current campaign.
Inter Milan could be set to emerge as Chelsea's main rivals for the signature of Everton defender Lucas Digne, according to transfer expert Alfredo Pedulla.
The Blues have recently been credited with an interest in Digne as they go in search of a new left-back to provide cover for England ace Ben Chilwell, who is currently sidelined with a long-term injury.
However, they are likely to face stiff competition from Inter, with the Italian giants said to be conducting their own search for a top-class operator to strengthen their ranks at the back.
Everton are reportedly willing to negotiate a half-season loan deal for Digne with either club, suggesting that he could be forced out of the exit door over the coming weeks.
Chelsea have entered the race to sign Leeds United winger Raphinha, who is also among the names on Liverpool's radar, according to Sport Italia.
The Brazilian maestro was linked with the Reds during pre-season but ultimately remained at Elland Road after the all-important deadline.
It is claimed that Chelsea are working on a deal to see Raphinha make the switch to Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign.
He is currently averaging a goal every two games with Leeds and looks set to play a significant role in shaping their fortunes once again between now and the summer.
Manchester City forward Ferran Torres has passed a medical in Spain ahead of his planned move to Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo.
A fee of around £55m has reportedly been agreed between the two clubs, with the switch likely to be announced before the end of the week.
Torres, who joined City from Valencia in the summer of 2020, recently informed Pep Guardiola of his desire to join Barcelona upon learning of their interest in his services.
He has racked up 43 appearances for the Premier League champions in all competitions, chipping in with 16 goals and four assists in the process.
Barcelona have reportedly identified Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a potential alternative to Edinson Cavani ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
The Catalan giants are said to be chasing a move for the latter, who looks set to leave Manchester United before the start of next season.
However, they will switch their focus to Aubameyang if the Uruguayan forward ends up rejecting the chance to join them, according to Sport.
The Arsenal man has been forced into exile at the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks after he was stripped of the captaincy following a breach of discipline earlier this month.
Real Madrid will not be signing Manchester United playmaker Paul Pogba on a free transfer ahead of next season, according to Foot Mercato.
The 28-year-old is not expected to sign a new deal at Old Trafford between now and the end of the current campaign, meaning that he will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from next month.
The Spanish giants have long been credited with an interest in Pogba but are said to have no immediate plans to launch a move for his services.
They are reportedly concerned that his arrival would have the potential to stunt the progress of Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde at the Bernabeu.
Former Aston Villa star Frank McAvennie has suggested that Liverpool should get rid of Joe Gomez if he wants to leave Anfield in search of regular game time next month.
"Maybe a loan deal could happen," McAvennie told Football Insider.
"A loan with the option to buy makes sense. He could go out and prove to Liverpool why he should be starting.
"But then he also has the chance to join [Aston] Villa if it goes well. For me, that makes more sense."
Tottenham have entered talks with AC Milan over the possibility of signing Franck Kessie before the end of next month.
Antonio Conte has identified the 25-year-old as his number one target for the mid-season window as he looks to strengthen his ranks in time for the business end of the campaign.
Kessie will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with Spurs from January and negotiations are progressing at a rate of knots.
Manchester United and Arsenal have also been credited with a desire to land the midfielder, but Spurs appear to be in pole position to secure his signature at present.
Liverpool are said to be keeping tabs on West Ham United ace Jarrod Bowen and Raphinha of Leeds United ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
The Reds are 'assessing' the pair behind closed doors at Anfield but are not expected to move for either player over the coming weeks, according to the Liverpool Echo.
It is claimed that the six-time European champions are happy with their currrent options in attack and will not be forced into a mid-season spending spree unless they are hit with another injury crisis.
Liverpool are currently in good hands at the top of the pitch, with Diogo Jota enjoying a fruitful spell of form and Roberto Firmino nearing a return to full fitness after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Real Madrid are reportedly hoping that a move for Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will be completed in time for next season.
Their players are fully expecting the 28-year-old to join them on a free transfer in the summer and are making preparations to welcome him to the Bernabeu, according to The Telegraph.
Rudiger is yet to sign a new contract at Chelsea despite holding lengthy talks over the possibility of an extension in recent months.
He formed part of the back three that conceded just twice in the Champions League knockout stages last season and has featured in all but one of his side's Premier League matches this time around.
Newcastle will be looking to pip Manchester United to the signing of Marseille's Boubacar Kamara next month, according to The Sun.
The Red Devils are said to be keen on improving their midfield ranks and are interested in bringing the 21-year-old to Old Trafford on a free transfer ahead of next season.
However, the Magpies are planning to nip ahead of the competition and secure Kamara's services with a cut-price bid of around £10million in January.
The Frenchman will be out of contract at the end of the campaign as things stand and is said to have no interest in agreeing a new deal with his current employers.
Hello and welcome to Express Sport's live transfer blog ahead of the upcoming January window.
There are just five days until clubs will be able to do business in the mid-season market and the rumour mill is heating up.
Stay with us for regular updates from the Premier League and elsewhere throughout the day!
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