The countdown to the January transfer window is officially on and clubs across world football are ramping up plans ahead of the New Year.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 2 December, including the latest updates on Chelsea and Manchester United.
Chelsea have decided against pursuing a deal for Mike Maignan in 2026, while they have also cooled their interest in Aston Villa superstar Morgan Rogers, who is valued at over €100 million.
The Blues were linked with both players over the summer, however they opted against matching AC Milan’s €30 million asking price for Maignan and a deal for Rogers failed to materialise.
Chelsea have been tipped to rekindle their interest in both stars next year, but they will not sign either player, according to The Athletic.
Manchester United are among the clubs interested in Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nathaniel Brown, who will ‘100 per cent’ move in the summer, according to German media.
Although Frankfurt’s results have left a lot to be desired this season, Brown’s performances are not going unnoticed. According to Sky Germany, Europe’s biggest clubs are keeping tabs on the youngster.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Man Utd are all explicitly named as being interested in Brown. Intriguingly, the report claims that Frankfurt are already ‘100 per cent’ convinced that the 22-year-old will leave in the summer.
Arsenal are set to make Piero Hincapie their first signing of the 2026 summer transfer window by turning his loan move from Bayer Leverkusen into a permanent one.
The Gunners spent a whopping €293.5 million on new signings this summer and they were reportedly eager to avoid increasing this number during the same accounting period. As a result, they opted to sign Hincapie on an initial loan deal with an option to make the deal permanent for a fee of €52m.
Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen are both able to trigger this clause next summer and the two clubs expect Hincapie to complete a permanent transfer to north London in 2026.
Real Madrid are ready to sell Brazil winger Rodrygo next year amid his record-equalling goal drought.
His cameo appearance against Girona on Sunday means he has now gone 30 club games without a goal – the joint-worst record of any forward in Real Madrid’s history, alongside Mariano Diaz.
As a result of his concerning form, Real Madrid are now willing to accept offers for Rodrygo next year, as confirmed by The Athletic and several Spanish outlets.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reportedly been “blown away” by Villarreal winger Alberto Moleiro and views him as the perfect candidate to bolster his squad at the Emirates Stadium.
That is according to Spanish publication Fichajes, who claim that Arteta has earmarked Moleiro as the “perfect candidate” to strengthen his Arsenal squad.
The Spaniard, 22, has scored six goals and provided two assists in 14 La Liga appearances so far this season and although he is yet to register a goal contribution in five Champions League matches, Arsenal have reportedly added him to their transfer wishlist.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Juventus will renew contract talks with Kenan Yildiz over the next 10 days.
The Bianconeri have been struggling to agree a new deal with the Turkey wonderkid for a number of months now and this has encouraged Chelsea, who have made Yildiz their top target for next summer.
However, Romano says Juve will hold talks with Yildiz over the next 10 days to try and strike a breakthrough.
James Trafford and Stefan Ortega both want to leave Man City in 2026 after falling down the pecking order following the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma. (The Daily Mail)
Nottingham Forest are keeping tabs on Lyon midfielder Tyler Morton amid significant rumours that Elliot Anderson could leave next year. (TEAMtalk)
Arsenal could look to sign Man Utd outcast Kobbie Mainoo as cover for Martin Odegaard. (ESPN)
Aston Villa are accelerating plans to sign a new striker in January as they look to land someone capable of challenging Ollie Watkins for a starting berth. (Football Insider)
Chelsea are leading Liverpool in the race to sign RB Leipzig central defender Castello Lukeba. (CaughtOffside)
Nico Schlotterbeck has decided against signing a new contract at Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona are pushing to bring him to Camp Nou. (Mundo Deportivo)
Aston Villa, Cardiff, Sunderland and West Brom have all scouted Rangers youngster Bailey Rice ahead of a free transfer move next summer. (The Daily Mail)
Real Madrid have identified Athletic Club winger Nico Williams as their preferred target if Vinicius Junior leaves the club next year. (Fichajes)
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