Neil Goulding

Newcastle United and Aston Villa are vying to sign Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson, whose future at the club is uncertain. Both Premier League clubs are monitoring the situation closely, with Jackson keen to stay in Bavaria but open to a return to England. Chelsea, his parent club, are looking to recoup their £35m investment.

Chelsea are considering a move for Benfica's Florentino Luis to strengthen their midfield amidst a push for silverware. With injuries and suspensions affecting their results, manager Enzo Maresca sees the Angolan as a cost-effective option. Luis, currently on loan at Burnley, could be open to a switch to Chelsea despite limited playing time opportunities. Mourinho, Luis' current coach at Benfica, is unlikely to block any potential transfer.

Tottenham Hotspur have made initial enquiries about signing RB Leipzig and France centre-back Castello Lukeba. The 22-year-old is keen to raise his profile and potentially move to the Premier League after three successful seasons in Germany. Spurs hope to tempt him with a £65million offer and bolster their defense.

Bournemouth are eyeing a January move for Borussia Dortmund and Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck. The Cherries are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements after a poor run of form in the Premier League. Schlotterbeck, a sought-after centre-back, could be the key target for frustrated boss Andoni Iraola to tighten up the leaky defence.

Former Manchester United and England player Jesse Lingard is chatting with two Premier League clubs for a spectacular return to English football. The 32-year-old recently left FC Seoul and is looking to get back to the Premier League where he last played in 2023 after a one-year deal with Nottingham Forest. Lingard is aiming to revive his career after a stint in Asia and a series of loan moves.

Aston Villa are interested in signing Monaco and France international Maghnes Akilouche, who has been impressing in Ligue 1. Villa faces competition from top clubs, with a potential £40-50 million price tag. Akilouche is keen on a move to the Premier League and has caught the eye of France manager Didier Deschamps. Villa boss Unai Emery is also impressed and is considering making a move for the talented midfielder in the upcoming transfer window.

Liverpool are reportedly ready to offload centre-back Ibrahima Konate to Bayern Munich to freshen up their struggling defence. The Reds are willing to let Konate leave as they aim to bounce back from a poor start to the season. Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is being considered as a replacement.

Liverpool is ready to challenge Manchester United for Conor Gallagher's signature. United are keen to bring the Atletico Madrid star back to the Premier League. Gallagher's value has increased, making him a target for top clubs. His future may depend on his World Cup selection. Liverpool and United are both vying for the 25-year-old's services.

Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion are both interested in Hungarian wonderkid Alex Toth, with a potential January transfer looming. The 20-year-old midfielder is impressing, attracting attention from top clubs. Juventus has also shown interest in the player. A fee of £5-10 million has been suggested.

Burnley striker Zian Flemming is confident his team can compete in the Premier League. His goals have been key and he is enjoying working under manager Scott Parker. The Dutchman is relishing the challenges of top-flight football and aims to help his team avoid relegation.

Premier League title-chasers Chelsea are eyeing Newcastle defender Sven Botman as a long-term target, as Enzo Maresca pushes for defensive reinforcements. Botman, also of interest to Liverpool, could be a key signing for Chelsea as they aim to challenge for the title. Newcastle's potential discontent over losing another star player could lead to Botman moving to Stamford Bridge. Despite concerns over his injury history, the Dutch defender's quality makes him a desirable target for Chelsea.

Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood is eyeing a Premier League return after resurrecting his career in France. Despite a troubled past, he has been in top form at Marseille and is eager to prove himself again in England with clubs interested in his goal-scoring prowess.

Former Norwich City Manager Johannes Hoff Thorup is eyeing up a potential job with MLS team Chicago Fire. Sources say he has been in talks with the team following their recent playoff exit. Known for his innovative coaching style, Thorup is seen as a good fit for the team as they aim to build a strong squad for their new stadium. If the Fire job does not pan out, Thorup's representatives will explore other opportunities in North America.

Former Northern Ireland international Grant McCann believes his country can end their 40-year wait for a World Cup appearance by beating Italy in the playoffs. Despite the tough draw, McCann is optimistic about Northern Ireland's chances, citing their history of upsets. He hopes to see the team make new memories on football's grandest stage next summer.

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has defended midfielder Casemiro and called for the club to sign another similar player. He also praised the team's young talent and spoke about his recent Lifetime Achievement Award at the Spencer Chadderton North West Football Awards.

Celtic have identified Norwegian Kjetil Knutsen as their top choice to replace Brendan Rodgers as the new manager. Ange Postecoglou and Martin O'Neill were also considered, but Knutsen's success and potential make him the preferred candidate. Other names like Wilfried Nancy and Kieran McKenna have also been linked to the job.