The January transfer window is fast approaching, and clubs across Europe are already strategizing potential moves to bolster their squads. This roundup focuses on the latest player transfer rumors, with meaningful activity reported across the Premier League and Serie A, including speculation surrounding players like Scott McTominay and potential moves for several key midfielders and defenders. Several clubs are also reportedly active in securing talent for future seasons, as highlighted by reports from journalists across the continent.
Scott McTominay, 29, is reportedly open to a return to the Premier League, with a move back to Manchester United not being ruled out. Newcastle and Tottenham have also been mentioned as potential destinations for the midfielder.
Sources indicate that the Napoli star, McTominay, is finding the level of attention from passionate Italian football fans a bit overwhelming in his personal life. Since joining Serie A, the midfielder has significantly elevated his game and played a crucial role in Scotland’s qualification for next year’s World Cup finals in North America.
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Sportsmole cites journalist Francesca Teodore, who reports that midfielder Manu Koné, 24, will move from Roma and Serie A to Manchester United next summer.
The French international has earned 12 caps for Didier Deschamps’ France squad since making his debut in June of last year. Koné arrived at Roma from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga last summer.
Teodore is less certain about whether Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, 24, will be included in the deal. However, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Zirkzee has received assurances from Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini that he will have a place in Gasperini’s 3-4-2-1 formation.
Tottenham is reportedly prepared to offer center-back Micky van de Ven, 24, a new contract that would double his current salary, according to Teamtalk. Imminent negotiations could see the Dutch defender receive terms comparable to those of fellow center-back Cristian Romero, 27.
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Meanwhile, Inter is attempting to lure Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, 29, back to Italy in January, as reported by Calciomercato. Inter also intends to pursue Spurs and Romania center-back Radu Dragusin, 23, in the same transfer window.
Gazzetta dello Sport also reports that Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, and Chelsea are all vying for Bologna forward Santiago Castro, 21. The Argentinian has scored four Serie A goals this season, following up an eight-goal campaign for Bologna in 2024–25.
Both Chelsea and Leeds are said to have inquired about the availability of midfielder James McAtee, 23, at Nottingham Forest, according to the Daily Mail. McAtee joined Forest from Manchester City as recently as August, but has struggled to secure consistent playing time with his new club.
Brighton’s long-serving center-back Lewis Dunk, 34, has extended his contract with the club for an additional season, reports The Athletic. Dunk’s 15th appearance of the season for Brighton in their recent 0–2 loss to Liverpool triggered a clause in his contract to extend the agreement through the summer of 2027.
We conclude today’s rumor roundup with a couple of claims from Caughtoffside:
They assert that Arsenal is considering a move for young Italian left-back Davide Bartesaghi, 19, from AC Milan, and that Barcelona is showing interest in Manchester City’s Dutch defender Nathan Aké, 30. The latter is also reportedly on the radar of several other Premier League clubs.
