Latest transfer news and rumors: Man United's midfield shortlist

The transfer window may still be closed, but the rumor mill never stops. Check in every day for the latest buzz around the soccer world.

Top story: Casting a wide net

Manchester United have compiled a seven-player shortlist of midfield targets as Ruben Amorim continues to search far and wide in an effort to bolster his squad for the second half of the season.

Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Elliot Anderson headline the list, but they'd likely prove too expensive for the January window. Of all the options, a loan deal for Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher could be the most feasible, while Ruben Neves is also viewed as a realistic winter addition. (talkSPORT)

Other rumors

Dec. 23

Semenyo structure: Manchester City may be closing in on a deal for Antoine Semenyo, but they don't want to trigger his £65-million release clause. Pep Guardiola's team will instead discuss a "different deal structure and payment terms" with Bournemouth. (Fabrizio Romano)

Zirkzee money tree: Roma have submitted an offer worth €35 million in total for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee. The Italian outfit has proposed a €5-million fee to add the Dutch striker on loan in January, and then a €30-million payment to make the deal permanent in June. (Il Messaggero)

Jack attack: Roma have also opened talks with Atletico Madrid about a potential move for Italian forward Giacomo Raspadori. The Serie A side is currently working on both the Zirkzee and Raspadori deals, though nothing is agreed on either front as of yet. (Fabrizio Romano)

Loan ranger: Manchester City are cutting Claudio Echeverri's loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen short in order to send him on another loan, this time to sister club Girona where he should get more playing time. (Fabrizio Romano)

Battle brewing for Brennan: Aston Villa have entered the race for Brennan Johnson. Crystal Palace are interested in the Tottenham winger, but the Villans have made contact with the Welshman's representatives. (TEAMtalk)

Mad for Monga: Chelsea and Manchester City are both interested in signing English teenager Jeremy Monga. The Premier League heavyweights are both considering a January move for Leicester's 16-year-old winger. (TEAMtalk)

Juve open for business: Juventus have finally completed their search for a new sporting director, which should help the club be active in January. The Bianconeri are on the verge of hiring Marco Ottolini, who most recently held that same role at Genoa. (Romeo Agresti)

Dec. 22

Fullkrug financials: AC Milan are signing Niclas Fullkrug on loan from West Ham. Despite earlier reports of a purchase option worth roughly €15 million for the German striker, the actual figure is more affordable, coming in around only €5 million. (Matteo Moretto)

One out, one in: With Fullkrug on his way to Milan, West Ham are looking for another striker. They've expressed interest in Wolves' imposing Norwegian frontman Jorgen Strand Larsen. (The Athletic)

No takebacks: Chelsea want to offload defender Axel Disasi in January, but the Blues will only consider permanent transfers, not loans. Roma, Lyon, and Paris FC are all keeping tabs on the situation. (Fabrizio Romano)

Pump the brakes: Recent reports have suggested that Fabio Paratici is close to leaving Tottenham to become Fiorentina's new director of football, but Spurs have thus far not received a formal approach from the Italian club. (Daily Mail)

Dec. 21

All eyes on Olise: Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Liverpool are monitoring Bayern Munich's Michael Olise. The Reds, in particular, view the French star as a potential Mohamed Salah replacement. Any deal would be extremely difficult, as Olise is under contract with Bayern until 2029. (Christian Falk)

Talking about Bruno: Bayern Munich want to bolster their midfield, and are prepared to offer Manchester United around €50 million for club captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese international recently said the Red Devils were open to letting him leave this past summer. (Fichajes)

Mastantuono's minutes: Real Madrid are "actively" considering letting attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono leave on loan in January. The teenager would like more playing time in the second half of the season to increase his chances of making Argentina's World Cup squad. (Calciomercato)

Battle for Bastoni: Liverpool are on high alert after being informed that Alessandro Bastoni could be open to a transfer in 2026. They'll face competition from Barcelona, who are also interested in signing Inter Milan's star center-back. (TEAMtalk and Mundo Deportivo)

Williams wants Madrid: Multiple Premier League teams - Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea included - are interested in signing Spanish winger Nico Williams, but the Athletic Bilbao star is determined to join Real Madrid whenever he decides to leave the Basque club. (Football Transfers)

Gunners get serious: Arsenal have been linked with Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for some time, but the Premier League leaders are stepping up their pursuit. They've made contact with the teenager's representatives over a potential €45-million January transfer. (The Mirror)

Dec. 20

Free Mainoo: Kobbie Mainoo sees no future for himself at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. The 20-year-old midfielder is now considering a permanent transfer away from his boyhood club in January. (Daily Mail)

Cherries impose deadline: Bournemouth are willing to sanction the sale of Ghanaian international Antoine Semenyo for £65 million, but any interested clubs must seal a deal by Jan. 10. (The i Paper)

Retaining Rashford: It's becoming increasingly likely that Barcelona will trigger their £26-million option to turn Marcus Rashford's loan move from Manchester United into a permanent transfer. (Mundo Deportivo)

Ruben's return: Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves could leave Saudi side Al-Hilal and return to Europe in the January transfer window. Real Madrid have emerged as a possible destination for the 28-year-old. (Fichajes)

Talking to Thiago: AC Milan wanted Thiago Silva to return to the club in the January transfer window, but the 41-year-old defender ultimately joined FC Porto after terminating his contract at Fluminense. (ESPN Brasil)

Dec. 19

Keen on Kenan: Manchester United are prepared to splash €100 million on Kenan Yildiz to immediately improve their attack. Yildiz wants to move to the Premier League, and it's believed an offer of this size would encourage Juventus to sell their standout player. (Fichajes)

Rodri's replacement: Manchester City have identified Bayern Munich's Aleksandar Pavlovic as a natural heir to Rodri in Pep Guardiola's midfield. The club is prepared to compete with Chelsea for the 21-year-old. (TEAMtalk)

Paz passes on Prem: Nico Paz has rebuffed January interest from English giants Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City, as he's determined to return to Real Madrid when Como's campaign is over. (TEAMtalk)

Denzel deal: Denzel Dumfries won't leave Inter Milan until the summer because he's currently sidelined following ankle surgery. Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Newcastle United would like to sign him when he regains fitness. (TEAMtalk)

Getting Goretzka: Atletico Madrid are in the frame to sign Leon Goretzka on a free transfer in the summer once his Bayern Munich contract expires at the end of June. (Fichajes)

Real surprise: Real Oviedo have emerged as a potential landing spot for Mauro Icardi. The Argentine striker is prepared to leave Galatasaray this January for a new challenge, and the relegation-threatened La Liga side could push hard for his signing as they search for more firepower. (Fichajes)

Dec. 18

Reloading Gunners: Arsenal could dip into the January market for more depth. Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, Rennes' Jeremy Jacquet, Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande, and Eintracht Frankfurt's Nathaniel Brown are under consideration. (Caught Offside)

Blueprint: Chelsea would like to strengthen their midfield in the summer to ease Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez's workload. They're also considering signing a central defender. (The Telegraph)

Messi's new netminder: 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair is a free agent after his Minnesota United contract expired. Inter Miami are closing in on a deal to sign the Canadian shot-stopper. (The Athletic)

Hugo going home: Former Real Madrid academy talent Hugo Humanes is set to return to the Spanish capital to join Atletico Madrid from Inter Milan. The promising midfielder is 18. (Fabrizio Romano)

Dec. 17

Chicago firepower: The Chicago Fire have held positive talks with legendary striker Robert Lewandowski about moving to the Windy City when his Barcelona contract expires in the summer. (BBC Sport)

Ruben gets rid: The January transfer window could be a crucial period in Manchester United's transformation under Ruben Amorim. Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, Altay Bayindir, and Tyrell Malacia could all leave. (Caught Offside)

Roma will wait: Roma are willing to delay bringing Zirkzee aboard until his Manchester United teammate Bryan Mbeumo returns from the Africa Cup of Nations in mid-to-late January. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

Timo tremors: The San Jose Earthquakes are currently Timo Werner's most likely destination as the RB Leipzig attacker discusses a transfer to Major League Soccer. (Florian Plettenberg)

Stubborn Seagulls: Sean Dyche wants to improve Nottingham Forest with energetic, adaptable, and young players. Jack Hinshelwood checks all those boxes, but Brighton & Hove Albion don't want to sell him. (TEAMtalk)