Nov 12, 2024, 05:00 PM ET
Barcelona have identified in-form Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush as a future successor to Robert Lewandowski, while Real Madrid are lining up a move for Al Nassr centre-back Aymeric Laporte to solve their defensive crisis. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from around the globe.
Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s grades | Women’s grades
TOP STORIES
– Man City’s Dias goads doubters after 4-game slump
– Messi: Inter Miami will ‘come back stronger next year’
– Van Nistelrooy leaves Man United after Amorim arrival
Omar Marmoush has made a lightning start to the season with Eintracht Frankfurt. Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images
TRENDING RUMORS
– Barcelona are keeping close tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush, according to Sport. The 25-year-old has been one of the in-form strikers in Europe this season with 14 goals and eight assists in 15 appearances across all competitions, and it is reported that Blaugrana president Joan Laporta sees him as a statement signing that would excite the fans, as well as a future replacement for Robert Lewandowski. Previous reports have indicated that an offer worth €45 million would be required to land the Egypt international.
– Talks are ongoing between Real Madrid and the representatives of Al Nassr centre-back Aymeric Laporte, says AS journalist Eduardo Burgos. Los Blancos are keen to sign him in January as manager Carlo Ancelotti looks to reinforce his depleted defence, but there is some distance over Laporte’s salary demands, which need to be lowered for the Bernabeu hierarchy to make an official approach for the former Manchester City star. On Monday, AS claimed that Madrid had ruled out making an emergency signing in January to compensate for their defensive injury crisis, branding the winter market “expensive and unreliable.”
– Real Madrid will make “four signings” to strengthen their squad, Diario AS reports, but those deals won’t come until next summer. The Spanish newspaper names Liverpool‘s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bayern Munich‘s Alphonso Davies and Bayer Leverkusen‘s Jonathan Tah as three free transfers Madrid would like to land in summer 2025, while Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz would be a more expensive addition.
– Bayern Munich are set to challenge Madrid for the signature of Jonathan Tah, says Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg. The Bundesliga club are hopeful of landing the 28-year-old on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer, but they are watching his situation closely with belief that Los Blancos could make an approach when the transfer window opens in January.
– Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is set to consider his future in January amid interest from Manchester United, according to the Daily Telegraph. The Red Devils have held interest in the 26-year-old since the summer and, having failed to secure regular first-team minutes under new manager Enzo Maresca, he could be open to leaving Stamford Bridge. Nkunku arrived at Chelsea from RB Leipzig in June 2023, and he has seen nine of his 10 Premier League appearances come from the bench this season.
–
EXPERT TAKE
Sam Marsden, ESPN’s Barcelona correspondent, gives his view on a possible move to Camp Nou for Omar Marmoush.
Barcelona’s front three have been insatiable this season, but beyond Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal’s form, there are several reasons why they club feel they need to bolster their attack next summer. The lack of depth and width behind those three was illustrated when Yamal missed Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad through injury.
Lewandowski, meanwhile, will turn 37 next summer. The Poland international is in great form, netting 19 times already this season, but there is an awareness at the club he needs to be replaced in the short-to-medium-term. However, with his contract set to be extended until 2026 due to a clause based on appearances, the search for a No. 9 may be parked for a year due to Barça’s other needs.
Diario Sport suggests that Eintracht Frankfurt’s free-scoring Omar Marmoush has emerged as a target, although Erling Haaland and Viktor Gyökeres are said to be Barça’s first-choice Lewandowski replacements. At a reported €45m, Marmoush would be a cheaper option, while he may also be more willing to play second fiddle to Lewandowski for a season. He is also more versatile, so could play deeper or wider as well, if required.
Barça also want to sign a winger, though, with Nico Williams and Rafael Leão among those coveted. Despite an improving financial situation, there is unlikely to be money for both a winger and a striker. If Lewandowski keeps his goal-scoring form going until May, it’s clear where Barça’s priorities will lie next summer.
OTHER RUMORS
– Another defender being linked with Real Madrid is Mario Hermoso, with the former Atletico Madrid centre-back — and Real youth product — “on Madrid’s radar” since excelling in Serie A with Roma after joining last summer. (Marca)
– Negotiations are ongoing between AC Milan and left-back Theo Hernández over a new contract. The 27-year-old wants to sign a long-term extension at the San Siro, but his representatives are looking for a “substantial” salary increase. His deal runs until the summer of 2026. (Calciomercato)
– Juventus are in pole position to sign Jonathan David from Lille when his contract expires next summer. The 24-year-old, who has scored 13 goals in 19 matches this season, has also been linked with Inter Milan, Liverpool and Manchester United. (Footmercato)
– Manchester United are considering offering a contract to Juventus captain Danilo. The 33-year-old defender, who previously played for Manchester City, is a free agent at the end of the season. Juve could look to get a transfer fee for their captain in January rather than see him walk away next summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Midfielder Arthur Vermeeren is “closer to saying goodbye forever” to Atletico Madrid having already been involved in 13 games for RB Leipzig this season, with the Bundesliga club having an obligation to make his loan permanent if he plays a “relatively low” number of games. (Diario AS)
– Neymar says he is “very happy” in Saudi Arabia amid talk that he could leave Al Hilal. He is out of contract next summer. (ESPN Brasil)
– Santos president Marcelo Teixeira says he has a “concrete project” for Neymar to return to the club in 2025. (ESPN Brasil)
– Tottenham Hotspur will rebuff any offer from Real Madrid for centre-back Cristian Romero when the transfer window reopens. The report says that Spurs are desperate to keep the 26-year-old, who has a contract which runs until the summer of 2027. (Football Insider)
