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The Premier League transfer window has closed, but the rest of Europe remains open for business until Monday. Plus, it’s never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.
All the major completed transfers | European transfer review
TOP STORY: United to beat Juve to Benfica youngster
Manchester United have been in Portugal of late to watch Benfica youngster Ruben Dias as they search for defensive reinforcements amid a mini crisis at Old Trafford.
Calciomercato reports that United scouts are assessing whether or not the 22-year-old defender, who has 13 appearances with Portugal’s senior team, could help them fill the void left in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backline by the injured Eric Bailly. The Ivorian picked up a knee injury during United’s match against Tottenham in the International Champions Cup in July.
Minor surgery has sidelined Bailly since then, with the injury highlighting a threadbare group of reserves in defence for United despite the summer acquisition of Harry Maguire from Leicester.
The Old Trafford outfit will have to be aggressive once the window opens in January, though, with Calciomercato also reporting that Serie A champions Juventus are also keeping tabs on Dias.
Napoli to move for Celtic ace
Serie A runners-up Napoli are plotting a move for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, according to reports in the Daily Mail.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been keeping tabs on the Frenchman for the last two years and have been impressed by his size, strength and stellar finishing since the 21-year-old made the switch to Celtic Park from PSG in August 2017.
Fellow Italian sides Atalanta and Sampdoria — as well as Bundesliga big boys Borussia Dortmund — are also rumoured to be interested in the France Under-21 international, who has started the season in blistering form, with 10 goals for club and country already this campaign.
A move for Edouard won’t be cheap, however, with the SPL champions looking for a fee of around £30 million, which would more than triple the £9 million they paid to make his loan move from PSG permanent just over a year ago.
Mandzukic Juve departure gets close
Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic is set to leave the Serie A champions imminently, and Calciomercato claiming a deal is set to move one step closer in the very near future.
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The Italian publication believes a meeting between Bianconeri chiefs and counterparts at Qatar-based Al Gharafa will take place on Tuesday morning, with the Qatar Stars League side set to make a €10 million offer for the World Cup runner-up with Croatia.
Last season saw the 33-year-old make his fewest Juve appearances in a league campaign since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2015, and with the Old Lady looking to balance the books to continue funding the wages of Cristiano Ronaldo, it now looks like he will be moved on.
Should Mandzukic make the move, he is set to pocket a tidy €6 million a year.
Tap-ins
– Celtic manager Neil Lennon has reportedly hinted at the prospect of a making a January move for Tottenham Hotspur outcast Victor Wanyama. Calciomercato reports that the Kenyan turned down a move to Club Brugge at the end of the European transfer window, but is still set to leave north London.
– Leicester City midfielder James Maddison has sparked excitement amongst Manchester United fans after he posted a caption-less photo from Old Trafford on his Instagram account. Many fans believe the post is a subtle hint regarding a potential switch to Solskjaer’s side, with ESPN FC sources reporting that Maddison and fellow England international Jadon Sancho are top targets for the club.
– One more from Calciomercato here, with rising Barcelona star Ansu Fati is set to sign a new contract at the Camp Nou following a stunning breakthrough into Ernesto Valverde’s first team. The 16-year-old’s contract at the Catalan giants expires in 2022, but Barca chiefs are keen to tie him down for even longer.