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The 2022 January transfer window is open (find out when it closes here), and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
Araujo, 22, has made 22 appearances in all competitions for Barca this season — including with a broken hand against Madrid in the Supercopa Clasico defeat on Wednesday.
Talks between the Uruguay international and Barcelona to extend his contract have stalled in recent months and, with his deal expiring in June 2023, Los Blancos are monitoring the situation closely. Barcelona are still in need of cash as they battle €1.4 billion debts and could be persuaded to let Araujo go, even to their bitter rivals.
Madrid tried to sign the centre-back in 2018 before he joined Barca from Boston River in August 2018 for an initial €1.2 million transfer fee.
Araujo’s future is not Barca’s biggest priority right now, with the Catalan club focusing most of their energy on getting winger Ousmane Dembele to sign a new deal before he becomes a free agent this summer.
LIVE BLOG
08.43 GMT: Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has told ESPN Brasil that he is aiming to continue his footballing career until the age of 42.
Despite his club’s struggles this season, the 36-year-old is United’s top scorer with 14 goals in all competitions.
When asked whether he can see a limit to his longevity, he told ESPN: “I feel happy to be a player who has shown who, in my case, longevity has been a crucial factor for me to keep playing at a high level, putting in good performances.
“Genetically I feel like I’m 30 years old. I take great care of my body and my mind. Something I’ve learned recently is that after 33, I believe the body can deliver if you need it, but the real battle is mental.
“Going through many things with the focus on the end goal of staying at a high level is the hardest thing, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the last few years. I’ve been working and focusing more on working on my mind. I know my body will handle me because I have a lot of respect for it and I listen to it a lot.
“Life has to have important moments, for better or for worse, but when you fall you must have the strength to get up. I’m happy, I want to stay here and see what will happen. I want to find out if I’m going to play until I’m 40, 41, or 42, but the most important thing is that my daily goal is to enjoy the moment.”
08.30 GMT: Mexico international Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona will have a medical on Friday before signing with Sevilla.
The LaLiga side have agreed to pay FC Porto a reported €3m and his will sign a contract until June 2025.
Sevilla sporting director Monchi welcomed Corona to Seville on Thursday evening.
Corona, 29, joined Porto in 2015 from Dutch side Twente, who he joined two years earlier from Mexican club Monterrey. He scored 31 goals and had 69 assists in 286 appearances for FC Porto.
1:36
Alejandro Moreno asks whether Chelsea need to step outside of their comfort zone in order to beat Manchester City, and keep their title chances alive.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Chelsea are set to renew talks over a new contract with defender Antonio Rudiger, reports the Mail. The Germany international can leave on a free transfer in the summer, with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid said to be interested, but the 28-year-old is said to be open to staying in west London for a wage packet worth around £200,000 a week.
Serie A side Napoli are looking to land Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, writes Calciomercato. Spurs’ record signing is reportedly free to leave the club in January, with Antonio Conte yet to find a place for the 25-year-old in the side. The Partenopei are one of a number of sides linked with the France international, with the team sitting third in Serie A looking to reinforce their central ranks.
– Tottenham are monitoring a potential move for Internazionale defender Stefan de Vrij, according to Ekrem Konur. Conte won Serie A last season with the Netherlands international a staple of his back three, and the 29-year-old is out of contract in 18 months’ time, with the Italian manager said to be keeping an eye on the situation.
– Burnley are eyeing former Newcastle United and England striker Andy Carroll, according to the Mail. The Clarets are said to be in the market for a striker to replace Chris Wood, who left for relegation rivals Newcastle on Thursday. Carroll, 33, is with Championship side Reading, having joined the club on a short-term deal to prove his fitness after leaving the Magpies last summer.
– Marseille are looking to sign Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico, according to RMC Sport. The 29-year-old has just six months remaining on his contract and reportedly will be allowed to leave the club this month. OM manager Jorge Sampaoli coached the former Banfield and Independiente standout while in charge of Argentina in 2017 and 2018.
– Burnley have held talks with Ligue 1 side Lens over a potential move for midfielder Seko Fofana, writes the Mail. The report suggests that Newcastle United and Leeds United also hold an interest in the 26-year-old, who could leave this month if the right offer comes in.