Monday’s Football Transfer Gossip: Chelsea Enters Race for £115m-Rated Isak

According to reports featured on the back pages of The i Newspaper, the Daily Mirror, the Daily Star, the Metro, the Daily Express, The Times, the Daily Telegraph sports section, the Daily Mail, and the Guardian, several football transfer stories are circulating. These include Chelsea and Arsenal potentially needing to pay £115m for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, Hamburg’s consideration of Ruud van Nistelrooy as their new manager, and Jose Mourinho’s dismissal of Fenerbahce links to Cristiano Ronaldo. Chelsea has reportedly entered the competition alongside Arsenal for Newcastle United’s 25-year-old Swedish striker, Alexander Isak. Newcastle United is expected to demand a minimum of £115m for the player, according to Teamtalk. Aston Villa, AC Milan, and Juventus are reportedly competing with Arsenal for the signature of Real Madrid’s 19-year-old forward, Arda Guler. The Spanish club is understood to be amenable to a loan departure for the Turkey international, as reported by Caughtoffside. German club Hamburg is reportedly evaluating former Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy as a candidate for their new manager, following their separation from Steffen Baumgart. This information comes from Sky Sports Germany. Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has refuted rumors suggesting the Turkish club is pursuing a transfer for 39-year-old Al-Nassr and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Goal. Lille and England midfielder Angel Gomes, 24, is anticipated to return to Manchester United, with new manager Ruben Amorim having approved the club’s re-signing efforts, Caughtoffside reports. Nottingham Forest is engaged in advanced negotiations with 28-year-old Nigeria international full-back Ola Aina regarding a new contract. His current agreement expires in the summer, which would allow him to enter discussions with clubs outside England starting in January, as per The Athletic (subscription required). Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is expected to receive substantial financial support in the January transfer window as the Austrian aims to strengthen his squad, which is currently facing relegation concerns, Football Insider states. Real Sociedad reportedly believes it is unable to prevent 25-year-old Spain international Martin Zubimendi from departing the club. Both Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly keen to acquire the holding midfielder, who is valued at 60m euros (£49.9m), according to Todofichajes (in Spanish). Wayne Rooney is reportedly planning a move for Liverpool’s 18-year-old English striker Jayden Danns, with the intention of enhancing Plymouth’s attacking capabilities, The Sun reports. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell have engaged in preliminary discussions with the club’s Saudi Arabian owners concerning their strategies for the January transfer market. During this period, 35-year-old Slovakia keeper Martin Dubravka could potentially depart, as reported by the Chronicle. Manchester City has expressed interest in Bournemouth centre-back Illia Zabarnyi. Bournemouth, also known as the Cherries, may consider selling the 22-year-old Ukraine international in the summer to generate funds, according to Football Insider.