LIVE Transfer Talk: Liverpool targeting Santos wonderkid Angelo Gabriel

The January transfer window may seem like a distant memory, but that doesn’t mean the rumour mill has shut down! Speculation over summer moves is heating up so check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.

TOP STORY: Liverpool targeting Santos wonderkid

Liverpool are considering a move for Santos wonderkid Angelo Gabriel, according to Sport Witness.

The 16-year-old right-sided attacker is the second-youngest player to represent Santos, and has already made 12 appearances this season, after signing a new contract in December.

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The Premier League champions, who have been monitoring Angelo’s performances all season, are looking for some new players to freshen up their forward line.

Liverpool aren’t alone in their interest, though, and could face competition from Real Madrid. But, with a contract until 2023, Santos will be demanding his reported release clause of €60 million to sanction a transfer.

Also, FIFA regulations prevent him from signing for any club outside of Brazil until his 18th birthday, which isn’t until December 2022. Angelo has represented Brazil at under-16 level.

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LIVE BLOG

22.00 GMT: That will do it for the latest edition of our LIVE Transfer Talk blog. We hoped you enjoyed following along with us and remind you to check back shortly for the latest transfer rumours, reports and completed deals. Goodnight!

21.29 GMT: Trinidad and Tobago national team regular Joevin Jones agreed Thursday to a two-year contract with David Beckham’s Inter Miami of Major League Soccer.

A 29-year-old old midfielder and left back, Jones has nine goals in 76 international appearances and was a second-half substitute in the Soca Warriors’ 2-1 win over the United States in October 2017 that prevented the Americans from reaching the World Cup.

Jones has played in MLS previously with the Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders, winning MLS Cups in 2016 and 2019 with the Sounders.

20.44 GMT: Joan Laporta was only elected Barcelona president on Sunday, but he and Ronald Koeman are reportedly already in disagreement over a hot-button issue.

The issue is who will be the club’s next No. 9. Le10Sport suggests that Laporta wants Man City’s Sergio Aguero to fill the role, while Ronald Koeman continues to push for Barca to sign his former Netherlands charge and Lyon striker Memphis Depay. There never seems to be a dull day at the Camp Nou does there…

19.51 GMT: Sergio Ramos has spoken on his future at Real Madrid.

“What I’d like to do is leave with my conscience clear, after giving everything for the club,” Ramos told Spanish internet personality Ibai Llanos in an interview on Thursday.

“I don’t know if it will be today, tomorrow or in five years. It doesn’t only depend on me, but I’d like to leave through the front door, as I think I deserve.” When asked about signings, Ramos said he thought it would be “a bit easier” for Madrid to sign Erling Haaland rather than Kylian Mbappe — saying “Real Madrid could always do with a number nine with that hunger for goals” — but denied transfer business would dictate whether he stays at the club.

“They’re things that don’t depend on me, so when it’s time to take a decision, they aren’t decisive,” Ramos said. “But if Madrid can sign top players, you have more chance of winning, and in the end I want to win.. It could have a small influence.”

Ramos, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has been linked with a move to PSG.

19.02 GMT: As expected, the LA Galaxy have signed winger Samuel Grandsir from AS Monaco.

The 24-year-old, who has played for Troyes, Monaco, Strasbourg and Brest, joins on a three-year contract using Targeted Allocation Money. A former France Under-21 international, Grandsir has made 115 career appearances in Ligue 1

“Samuel is an attack-minded, talented player who will strengthen our roster,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. “He has demonstrated to be an outstanding and talented player in a very respected and competitive league. We are confident he will show his potential and are excited to watch him grow even more and have him become an important part of our roster. We look forward to him joining our squad and integrating Samuel to the team.”

18.18 GMT: Sander Berge to North London?

Jeunes Footeux, via Sport Witness, suggests that the Sheffield United midfielder, who has been out injured since December, is a man of interest for both Arsenal and Tottenham. The report adds that the 23-year-old could be sold for €26 million, especially with Sheffield United almost certain to be relegated.

17.30 GMT: Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo heading back to Manchester United? That would be massive news.

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Gab and Juls speculate where Cristiano Ronaldo could go if he leaves Juventus this summer.

16.46 GMT: Chelsea striker Timo Werner only joined the club for £47.7m in the summer but already he’s having doubts, says Football Insider.

Werner, 25, has struggled for goals since his move from RB Leipzig and the report claims that he could head back to Germany sooner rather than later.

16.00 GMT: Arsenal, West Ham, Everton, Cologne and Brighton are all keen to sign Fulham centre-back Ibane Bowat, says TEAMtalk.

Bowat, 18, has starred for Fulham’s Under-18 side over the past few years and has recently been promoted to the U23 squad.

The Scotland youth international has yet to sign professional terms and has plenty of interest this summer.

14.55 GMT: Note to all clubs… this is what you need to look for in a striker. ESPN’s Jurgen Klinsmann, a legendary goal scorer in his own right, tells us why the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland make being a striker such fun.

When I was just learning the game, my dad understood what I was feeling and gave me a textbook, encouraging me to keep track of my performance. So from the age of 8 until I finished youth soccer at 18, I wrote down the date, the opponent and how many goals I scored for every game. It kept me hungry to write into the book every week, to feel like I had done my job.

In my second year, I scored 106 goals in 18 games. One day, I had 16 goals in 40 minutes. I always grabbed the ball after scoring and took it back to the halfway line so I had more time to do it again. The attitude stayed with me as a professional; as a striker you become number-driven because you always want to score and, once a match ends, you immediately think about the next one.

14.17 GMT: The German FA (DFB) is in no hurry to appoint a new national team coach following Joachim Low’s announcement earlier this week to step down after the 2021 European Championships.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff said that this is “an important decision, but not one which must be rushed.”

All but ruling out a non-German coach, Bierhoff said that “we have good coaches in Germany, we have good German coaches abroad and we have good coaches within the FA.”

Over the past few days, several candidates have been mentioned in the German media, with Bayern coach Hansi Flick believed to be in pole position. Despite his success since taking the reins at the Allianz Arena, outlets like Bild suggest he could return to the FA where he worked as an assistant to Low until 2014.

Ralf Rangnick, a trademark abroad and regarded as a disruptive figure in the European country, actively pushed his bid for the Germany job on Sky on Wednesday night, but Bierhoff refused to comment on any candidates. He also added that the DFB will not talk to coaches currently under contract without the consent of the club.

Germany U21 boss Stefan Kuntz, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann and Sky pundit Lothar Matthaus have also been mentioned as Low successors, but Klopp and Nagelsmann ruled themselves out of the running in recent interviews.

13.34 GMT: Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland can basically pick his next club.

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After Erling Haaland makes more Champions League history, Julien Laurens explains why he could join Man City.

12.30 GMT: Ronald Koeman says Barcelona showed Lionel Messi the club have a bright future despite being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Messi, 33, was on target as Barca drew 1-1 in Paris, exiting the competition at the last 16 stage for the first time since 2007 following a 5-2 aggregate defeat.

It could prove to be Messi’s last European game in Barca colours if he decides not to renew his contract when it expires in June, but Koeman believes recent improvements could convince him to stay.

“Leo’s seen for a while that the team is improving with the changes we’ve made,” the Barca coach said after exiting the Champions League. “We have youngsters with quality and big futures coming into the team, so it’s not a question of having doubts about what this team is capable of.

“But only he can decide his future. No one can help him. He can see this side has a great future, so that’s not an argument for him to [leave].”

11.34 GMT: While we’re on the subject of Juventus…

The club should “free” Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of the season, former Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has declared following the club’s elimination from the Champions League in the round of 16 for the second straight year.

Juve signed Ronaldo from Real Madrid for €100m in the summer of 2018 with the expectation that the Portugal captain would lead them to glory in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 1996.

“Was CR7 [Cristiano Ronaldo] the wrong signing? Absolutely yes,” Cobolli Gigli who presided the Turin club from 2006 until 2009, said to Radio Puntonuovo. “I said that on the very first day, showing that I have respect for a great champion. But he is too expensive…

“It’s up to Juventus whether to sell Ronaldo or not but he costs €1m per goal. Juve president [Andrea] Agnelli must be self-critical, but he doesn’t have great collaborators. Juventus has a need to rebuild. I would free Ronaldo but also [Juventus sporting director Fabio] Paratici.”

Ronaldo, 36, has scored 27 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions for Juve this season but failed to find the back of the net in both Champions League games against FC Porto.

11.11 GMT: After their disappointing Champions League elimination, Juventus will turn to the transfer market and look to strengthen their midfield, with Chelsea’s Jorginho and Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli atop their wishlist, according to Tuttosport.

The report explains Jorginho’s vision and experience in Serie A (having previously starred for Napoli) is of particular interest and could help them control matches. However, Locatelli — six years younger than Jorginho — is their prime target after impressing at Sassuolo, having joined from AC Milan.

Locatelli burst onto the scene with the only goal in a shock 1-0 win for Milan over Juventus in 2017 and, after struggling a little to live up to the hype, has rediscovered himself at Sassuolo.

10.35 GMT: Edinson Cavani’s father said his son is not happy at Manchester United and would like to return to South America.

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ESPN FC’s Alejandro Moreno shares his perspective on Edinson Cavani’s time at Man United.

09.49 GMT: Lionel Messi will play two more seasons in Europe before joining Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami, Cadena Ser reports.

Messi, 33, has not signed a contract extension with Barcelona and becomes a free agent this summer. The Argentina international has not made a decision regarding his future, with a reported 50% chance that he will stay.

However, he has reportedly made up his mind of playing in the MLS from the 2023-24 campaign.

Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, cancelled a meeting to discuss his son’s potential move to Paris Saint-Germain that was scheduled to take place last week.

The meeting which Jorge Messi was going to attend was set to take place in the home of Spanish singer Julio Iglesias in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic. However, it was cancelled as Joan Laporta was leading the race in Barcelona’s presidential elections.

Laporta, the former Barca president, won Sunday’s election with more than 54% of vote and will hold the role until 2026. Messi voted in the elections for the first time since joining the club and Laporta’s win has opened the door for Messi to remain at the club.

Messi, who wanted to leave Barca last summer, had not considered remaining before the elections but is now prepared to listen to Barcelona’s offers of a new contract.

09.15 GMT: Barcelona have joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, according to La Transmissio d’en Torquemada.

New Barca president Joan Laporta has already made a list of his club’s potential targets with Haaland at the top of the agenda.

Laporta wants to build the future around captain Lionel Messi and Haaland, but Barca will face stiff competition to acquire the 20-year-old, with Bayern Munich, Man United, Man City and Real Madrid among the top European clubs interested.

Laporta is also hopeful of making a late attempt to sign Bayern defender David Alaba, who becomes a free agent this summer. However, it will prove difficult with Real Madrid having already negotiated with Alaba over his possible arrival at the end of the season.

Barca’s first signing since Laporta’s return to the presidency will be Manchester City’s Eric Garcia. The Spain defender turned down an option to sign a contract extension with City as the 20-year-old is keen to return to Barca and will do so when his deal expires in the summer.

08.30 GMT: David Alaba has been reported to be one of the top transfer targets for new Barcelona president Joan Laporta this summer. Alaba, 28, will leave Bayern Munich at the end of his contract and cash-strapped Barca are said to have identified him as a key addition.

However, Alaba’s agent, Pini Zahavi, has told SPOX that his client hasn’t come to a verbal agreement to move to the Camp Nou when his deal expires at the Allianz Arena. Mundo Deportivo had previously reported that a deal was agreed in principle.

“That’s not true,” Zahavi insisted.

The report states that Real Madrid remain Alaba’s most likely destination.

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ESPN’s newest soccer show “Futbol Americas” tackles Christian Pulisic’s conundrum at Chelsea.

PAPER ROUND Chelsea target Gimenez has €120m release clause

Chelsea are targeting Atletico Madrid centre-back Jose Gimenez, but he could come at a considerable cost, reports Fabrizio Romano in his Here We Go podcast.

According to the Athletic earlier in the week, the Blues are believed to have drawn up a shortlist of potential new defenders, of which the 26-year-old is one of them.

The centre-back has been a key player for Atletico in recent seasons, though through injury and COVID-19 has started only 12 games in 2020-21.

His €120m release clause, as revealed by Romano, may price most clubs out of the running. But Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is believed to be looking for a defender with plenty of presence, and Gimenez certainly adds that.

Bayern Munich duo Niklas Sule and David Alaba, as well as RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate are also believed to be on the Chelsea list.

Wijnaldum faces PSG, Inter decision

Georginio Wijnaldum looks likely to leave at Liverpool in the summer and different sources suggest his next destination is one of two: Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Milan.

PSG sporting director Leonardo faces a challenge to strengthen new manager Mauricio Pochettino’s squad with little funds available as football recovers from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sources told ESPN’s Julien Laurens that Leonardo is targeting out of contract players for next season — like Wijnaldum — in an effort to avoid paying large transfer fees.

The Netherlands international is a free agent at the end of the season and would offer Pochettino a player with the experience of winning the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Calciomercato believes Inter are still strong favourites to land the midfielder. Inter and Wijnaldum have been discussing a move for some time and, even though those talks stalled, Wijnaldum still appeals — as does the lack of a transfer fee.

Barcelona had been leading the chase for the 30-year-old for some time and could still be an option in the wake of Joan Laporta’s presidential election win.

Tap-ins

– Patrick van Aanholt is considering swapping Selhurst Park for the Emirates Stadium, even if it means being back-up to Kieran Tierney at left-back, reports The Sun. The 30-year-old Dutchman is out of contract in the summer and though he could still decide to stay at Crystal Palace, it is believed he is considering a new challenge.

– Wolves are looking to sign defensive midfielder Omar Mascarell from Schalke, according to AS. The 28-year-old has impressed for the Germans despite them propping up the Bundesliga and Wolves feel they may be able to sign a player at good value if Schalke are relegated.