Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal get Alvarez green light; Chelsea have Scott plan; Man Utd, Liverpool latest

Transfer targets: Eli Junior Kroupi, Julian Alvarez and Alex Scott

London Standard

The summer window is shut but January and planning is firmly underway at Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham. The Gunners missed out on Vinicius Jr, but it has now emerged that his Real Madrid team-mates expected him to leave. That ship may now have sailed, with Eli Junior Kroupi, who is currently sidelined with an injury, the new key target, but as Barcelona end their interest in Julian Alvarez, the Gunners could get a free run at the summer target.

Man Utd also failed to land their top target of Lewis Hall, and are now said to have moved on to Tyrick Mitchell as a target for left-back after his remarkable start to the season. Liverpool are also credited with interest. Lens teenager Mezian Mesloub is also of interest as JJ Gabriel heads for the exit door, with Real Madrid and Barcelona leading the chase, but Chelsea also in the mix. The Blues have plenty of targets for January, including Alex Scott, Adam Wharton, Lamine Camara and Rayan.

Liverpool are monitoring Mitchell, along with Bayer Leverkusen defender Givairo Read, who also has admirers at Arsenal. Tottenham want to reignite their interest in Morgan Gibbs-White, who is valued to £125m, while Richarlison looks out of options after UAE side Shabab Al Ahli failed to agree a fee with Spurs for the outcast striker. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!

Latest transfer news and rumours

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Arsenal get free run at Julian Alvarez

Barcelona have ruled out a move for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez in the upcoming transfer window, according to Fichajes.

The decision can be seen as a boost for Arsenal, who tried and failed to convince the Argentine to join during the final days of the window.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has reportedly made a left-sided centre-back the club’s priority, with the attack considered well covered after Raphinha’s strong start to the season.

Alvarez’s representatives are expected to assess his situation over the coming months.

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Kane keen on MLS switch

Harry Kane has heavily hinted he would like to end his football career in the MLS — and then get “serious” about becoming an NFL kicker.

The England captain has spoken for the first time in years about converting to American football once he has he retired, and says it remains his dream.

But Kane has now also dropped a strong suggestion that he is eyeing up a move to the MLS before he hangs up his boots in the sport that made him a household name.

After joking that watching professional golfers made him rule out that post-career path, Kane was reminded of his previous retirement plan of a move into the NFL.

“That is something I will try and look at a bit more seriously,” Kane said. “It all depends on what happens in my career over the next five or six years, the motivation, and what I want to do. The NFL is a lot more realistic than the golf one, let’s put it that way.”

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Rooney makes shock JJ Gabriel claim as Man Utd update revealed

Wayne Rooney has revealed that JJ Gabriel's Manchester United exit has been coming for some time.

Gabriel, 15, has told United he wants to leave Old Trafford, with a move to Spain reportedly among his preferred options. Real Madrid and Barcelona are understood to be monitoring the situation.

Rooney, speaking on Stick to United, insists United have done everything possible to convince the teenager to stay.

“I think that anyone close to it knew that was coming,” Rooney admitted.

“In fairness to Manchester United, they've done everything, they've done absolutely everything to keep him, to keep him at the club.

“I think it's been known that there's been a desire to go and play probably in Spain, I think, I might be wrong, but this is what you've heard over the years. The club have treated him probably differently to the other players because he is such a special talent.”

London Standard

Free agents Arsenal could sign

Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton at the weekend has focused attention on the gaps in their squad heading into the international break.

The defending Premier League champions have slipped three points behind title rivals Manchester City and some fans fear that could get worse if obvious issues aren’t addressed.

Prime among them is a lack of depth in the centre-forward and left-wing positions.

Kai Havertz has started every Premier League game at the head of the attack so far and it appears Mikel Arteta is lacking trust in Viktor Gyokeres.

Meanwhile, the left-hand side – which saw Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli depart in the summer transfer window – seems to be relying heavily on new boy Christos Tzolis.

And while the transfer window may be closed until January, the Gunners do have the option of moving into the free-agent market. Here’s a look at some players who could be of interest…

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'Tottenham would love to appoint Mauricio Pochettino again'

Along the same lines, Danny Murphy says he would also not rule out a Tottenham return for Mauricio Pochettino.

"I'm a huge fan of Pochettino,” he told Snabbare. “I think what he did at Tottenham was nothing short of incredible, considering what he had to work with and how little money he spent. He got them to title contenders and a Champions League final, and built a wonderful team.

"He was unfortunate with the timing around the stadium build and all those things, as he wasn't given the finances current Tottenham managers are receiving. You tend to think, what could he have done if he had been given that backing?

"There'll always be that conversation, and even when the rumours were there before, a lot of Tottenham fans I know were more than happy to have him back for obvious reasons. He plays good football, he's a likable guy, and he speaks honestly.

"I think he's probably a better manager now because of the experience he's had since leaving, working with superstars and taking on an international job. I could definitely see it happening.

"The only reason it wouldn't is if De Zerbi picks up and Tottenham go on to have lots of success, then he stays in the job, doesn't he? Simple as that. But otherwise, they’d absolutely love to see him back."

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Tottenham given Pochettino verdict after De Zerbi sacking movements

Tottenham fans would happily see Roberto De Zerbi sacked if it meant Mauricio Pochettino returned as manager.

That is according to former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood, who has suggested that the heavy summer spending in north London is putting pressure on De Zerbi.

The club enjoyed their most consistent results during a five-and-a-half-year spell with Pochettino as manager, who was sacked in 2019 less than six months after reaching the Champions League final.

"Tottenham fans would take Mauricio Pochettino over Roberto De Zerbi - but it's a completely different team," he told MaxFreeBets.

"Pochettino did well in the past, but this is a different playing squad to what he had, his squad looked like a real Champions League squad compared to this one, and he still never won anything.

"But he was very good. I liked what he did at Tottenham to finish runners-up once and third another time and he had them in the Champions League final without getting over the line.

"I mean, Tottenham fans would take that now, don't get me wrong, but this is a completely different playing staff to what he had then. So it all depends. If they continue spending the money, anyone will have a job at Tottenham.”

Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi

London Standard

Arsenal and Chelsea monitor Gjivai Zechiel

Arsenal and Chelsea are closely monitoring Feyenoord midfielder Gjivai Zechiel ahead of the January transfer window.

According to CaughtOffside, both clubs have watched the 22-year-old closely after his impressive start to the season. Zechiel has scored five goals and provided four assists in seven Eredivisie appearances.

Feyenoord rejected a €17m (£14.5m) offer from Lille during the summer, including bonuses, and are not prepared to let Zechiel leave cheaply. The midfielder is under contract until 2029.

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Chelsea keen on Gabriel Bontempo

Chelsea are exploring a deal for Santos midfielder Gabriel Bontempo.

According to Sport Witness, the Blues continue to monitor the 21-year-old after his impressive form earned him his first Brazil call-up.

Bontempo, who has five goals and four assists in 44 appearances this season, can play as an attacking midfielder, either as an advanced no8 or out wide.

Santos were previously prepared to discuss a deal around €12m (£10.4m), but their stance has since changed. They now want to keep Bontempo, making any deal tougher to pull off.

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Real Madrid team-mates expected Vinicius to join Arsenal

Vinicius Junior came so close to leaving Real Madrid for Arsenal this summer that several players believed the Brazil forward would move to the Premier League.

That is according to Cadena SER, who underlines just how crucial the contract talks with Real Madrid become during the final weeks of the window.

Arsenal viewed the 26-year-old as a major signing with global appeal, but Vinicius ultimately remained in Madrid and agreed a new contract until 2032.

The report comes as Vinicius faces criticism over his early-season form, including a subdued display in the 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid.

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Arsenal transfer rumours

The transfer window may have closed three weeks ago, but Arsenal are reportedly looking ahead to January.

Arsenal got plenty of business done during the summer, and continue to do so even though the deadline has long passed as they recently confirmed the signing of striker Vincent Joseph as part of a renewed focus on youth recruitment.

Defeat to Brighton at the weekend did expose one or two flaws with the Gunners’ recruitment, particularly in the forward positions and the likes of Eli Junior Kroupi, Rio Ngumoha and Maximilian Beier have been linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium.

The latest news, however, is that of a major agreement is in place to secure the services of a key figure, while links to Julian Alvarez simply refuse to go away after a failed summer move.