With the January transfer window now open across Europe, there is plenty of speculation about who is moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest details on rumours, arrivals, departures and, of course, deals!
TOP STORY: Villa turn to Henrique after dissing Williams
Aston Villa after turning their attention to the young Brazilian talent Luiz Henrique after failing to sign the Athletic Club striker Nico Williamsaccording to the Daily Mail.
The report states that Villa were prepared to trigger Williams’ £45m release clause at the Bilbao club, which would dwarf the £34.6m fee paid for winger Emiliano Buendia’s transfer from Norwich City in 2021.
Williams has emerged as one of Europe’s leading talents at the 2022 World Cup with Spain, but the 20-year-old reportedly prefers to stay in LaLiga for now.
However, Villa manager Unai Emery is still looking to bolster the attack and has identified Henrique as a potential option. Henrique plays for Real Betis, and reports suggest he has a transfer fee of around £20 million. The 22-year-old Brazilian signed for Betis from Botafogo last summer, and has scored three goals, along with five assists in all competitions this season.
Villa’s recent run of form under Emery has seen them move clear of the bottom three, but they are still keen to strengthen their options further forward, as they are just three points adrift of sixth-placed Brighton.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Ayoze Perez According to him, it is decided to leave Leicester City, with the move to Real Betis Rudy Galetti. The report states that Betis have been able to resolve some of the situations with outgoing transfers, which has allowed a deal for Perez to close. Perez has been linked with a move away from Leicester since the start of the transfer window, with a lack of consistent play this season.
– Tiemoue Bakayoko According to Calciomercato, he looks set to leave AC Milan and sign with Turkish club Adana Demirspor on a three-year deal. The 28-year-old midfielder is nearing the end of his two-year loan at Milan, however, it is believed that he will end his loan early enough to see him sign for the Super Lig.
– Nottingham Forest are increasing their interest in the defender of Paris Saint-Germain Keylor Navas after Dean Henderson’s injury, according to the Daily Mail. Henderson suffered a thigh injury in Forest’s clash with Leicester earlier this month, and it is unclear when he will return. This has only reportedly increased their interest in Navas, who is behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order at PSG.
– THiago Silva According to the Mirror, he is set for a new contract at Chelsea. Silva’s current deal expires at the end of the season, however, and Graham Potter is believed to be keen not to miss out on the experience the 38-year-old Brazilian has to offer.
– Southampton focused on Marseille Bamba Dieng followed by a snub from Nicolas Jackson, according to Express. The report states that the Saints are keen to bolster their attacking options and have identified Dieng as an option. Jackson is thought to have been keen, however, he now looks set to join AFC Bournemouth from Villarreal.
