Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea star lined up for SHOCK move, Real Madrid ‘ready’ fresh Mbappe bid, Kalvin Phillips latest

Chelsea's Maatsen lined up for shock move

Borussia Dortmund have emerged as shock rivals to Manchester City to sign Chelsea star Ian Maatsen.

The 21-year-old left-back is believed to be available for transfer next month.

Over £1billion has been forked out on new players since owner Todd Boehly took over in May last year and FFP rules could restrict potential additions being made.

However, the Blues are looking to sell academy graduates as they hand the club 100 per cent profit, boosting their spending power.

Conor Gallagher is one player that could be flogged with Tottenham keen and the Dutch U21 international looks to be another.

Maatsen spent last season on loan at Burnley, and he was a stand-out performer as he helped them earn promotion to the Premier League.

Clarets boss Vincent Kompany tried to make the move permanent in the summer only for Maatsen to supposedly turn them down.

He was keen to fight for his place at Chelsea but he has found opportunities hard to come by, making just one Prem start this term, despite the West London side’s injury troubles.

Maatsen's contract expires in 18 months and there has been no talks over an extension.

We revealed that Man City are keen on him with Pep Guardiola plotting a January swoop.

He would give the champions a natural option at left-back with central defenders Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol playing in the role over recent weeks.

However, now a fresh report from Germany has claimed that Dortmund are ready to fight City for his signature.

According to Voetbal International, the Bundesliga giants are already in negotiations with Chelsea over a transfer fee.

And this update claims that Maatsen is open to a move to Dortmund.

Spurs set to make bid for Genoa's Dragusin

Tottenham have Genoa ace Radu Dragusin in their sights as they step up their search for a new centre-back.

The Romanian was watched by Spurs scouts against his former club Juventus on Friday night.

Dragusin's agent Florin Manea revealed this week he has had discussions with the North Londoners over his £26million-rated client.

Manea said: “With Tottenham it was just a discussion about Radu. There is an interest from them, we will see what will happen in the next period.”

Dragusin helped Genoa win promotion to Serie A last term, having joined from Juve in 2020.

The 21-year-old is reportedly also on the radar of Manchester United and Arsenal.

He was signed by the Old Lady under Fabio Paratici, who went on to become Spurs' managing director of football.

Paratici stepped down from his role at Tottenham last April, but then went on to work for them on a consultancy basis and has been spotted at Spurs' games this season.

Bringing in a new recruit to the middle of defence is Tottenham's top transfer priority when the window opens next month.

Lloris move confirmed

Hugo Lloris has left Tottenham after 11 years in the Premier League.

The goalkeeper has completed a permanent move to Los Angeles FC, the club have confirmed.

Lloris has signed a deal with the MLS side through to the end of 2024.

However, LAFC do have options to extend the deal for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Phillips talks underway

Manchester City have opened talks with Juventus over a deal for Kalvin Phillips.

The England midfielder is keen to leave the treble winners in January for more game time ahead of the Euros.

Juventus are one of a number of clubs said to be interested in signing him and have now begun talks with City, The Times report.

It is understood the Italian giants are eyeing an initial loan deal for Phillips.

Benzema to stay

Karim Benzema will not leave Al-Ittihad in January.

The Saudi champions have no intention of selling the Frenchman next month or in the summer, according to Foot Mercato.

No talks have been held between the player and other clubs over a potential move either, the report adds.

Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in the summer and has since scored 12 goals in 20 appearances.

Char off

Charlie Patino is not close to leaving Arsenal for Juventus, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The youngster had been linked with a move to Italy as part of a swap deal involving Moise Kean.

However, it is now reported that there are currently no talks between the two clubs, with Patino’s Arsenal future set to be addressed in 2024.

The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Championship side Swansea, where he has scored three goals and added four assists in 19 matches.

Bailly finds new club

Eric Bailly has joined Villarreal on a free transfer after leaving Besiktas.

The former Manchester United defender was released by the Turkish side this week after just six months.

However, he has now re-joined Villarreal on a deal until 2025.

Bailly previously spent 18 months with the Spanish club before joining United in 2016.

Seeing Red

Borussia Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini is eyeing a move to Manchester United.

According to La Gazette du Fennec, the full-back is interested in joining the Red Devils.

Bensebaini only joined Dortmund in the summer after leaving Borussia Monchengladbach.

However, his ability to play in the centre of defence as well as at left-back could make him a target for Erik ten Hag in January.

Sim-coming

Premier League clubs are on alert following reports Giovanni Simeone wants to leave Napoli in January.

Sky Sports report that the forward, who is the son of Atletico Madrid boss Diego, is prepared to demand a transfer when the window re-opens.

West Ham and Newcastle are understood to be amongst the clubs interested in a move for Simeone.

The 28-year-old has scored 72 goals in 253 Serie A appearances during his career.

Radu the one

Tottenham are set to submit an official bid for Genoa defender Radu Dragusin.

Ange Postecoglou is keen to sign a centre-back in January and wants a deal wrapped up quickly.

After missing out on Jean-Clair Todibo, Spurs are now eyeing Dragusin after talks with his club, Fabrizio Romano reports.

The report also adds that the Romanian has already agreed to the move.

Juventus ‘plan Patino swap deal’

Juventus are reportedly plotting a swoop for Arsenal starlet Charlie Patino – and they are ready to offer an ex-Premier League player in part-exchange.

The 20-year-old England U21 midfielder is currently on loan at Championship side Swansea City.

He has impressed for the Swans this term, scoring three goals and producing four assists in 19 appearances.

That follows on from his stint at Blackpool last season.

Patino is a graduate of Arsenal’s academy but he has yet to feature for the first-team in the Premier League, with his two outings coming in the cups.

He was expected to leave the Emirates permanently over the summer but instead ended up in Wales – now he could be about to join one of Italy’s biggest clubs.

Football scout Michele Fratini had claimed earlier this month that Juventus had been tracking the youngster’s progress ahead of a potential move.

Now Tuttosport have stated that they are prepared to offer ex-Everton forward Moise Kean, 23, as part of the package.

Arsenal value Patino, who has 18 months left on his contract, at around £17.4million – a fee that Juventus are not able to afford in the January transfer window.

There, instead they are said to preparing a proposal of a part-exchange deal that would see Italian international Kean moving in the opposite direction to the Emirates.

Con the move

Tottenham are in talks with Chelsea over a deal for Conor Gallagher, according to reports.

The midfielder has captained the side multiple times this season and is highly-rated by boss Mauricio Pochettino.

But the Blues could cash in as they look to sell academy graduates to make 100 per cent profit to help balance the books.

Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr and Ian Maatsen are also up for sale.

Schmeichel 'open to Prem move'

Kasper Schmeichel is reportedly open to making a Premier League return in January.

The 37-year-old won the title with Leicester in 2016 and made 276 top-flight appearances for the club during his 11-year stay.

However, Schmeichel left the Foxes for Nice last summer before moving to Belgian side Anderlecht in September.

He has gone on to become the club's starting goalkeeper but could now be on the move once again.

According to talkSPORT, Schmeichel is open to a Premier League return when the transfer window re-opens.

Bottom side Sheffield United are one of a number of clubs in the market for a new keeper, the report adds.

Chelsea and Newcastle could also be potential destinations after injuries to Robert Sanchez and Nick Pope, respectively.

Firmino lined-up for Premier League return

Roberto Firmino is being lined up for a stunning Premier League return, according to shock reports.

The Brazilian forward, 32, left Liverpool as a free agent after 111 goals in 362 appearances across eight years in the summer.

He signed a mega-money, three-year contract with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli who also signed Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, Allan Saint-Maximin and Franck Kessie.

New captain Firmino made the dream start when he scored a hat-trick on his competitive debut.

But he is goalless in his subsequent 17 matches and has been dropped from the starting XI since October amid criticism from supporters.

Now it is understood Firmino has already grown frustrated in the Middle East.

And, less than six months after arriving, the striker is considering leaving.

According to talkSPORT, Sheffield United are keen to snap him up.

Al-Ahli may be willing to arrange a loan transfer in January.