Shane MacDermott

AC Milan legend Gennaro Gattuso will return to club management if Italy fail to qualify for the World Cup. He signed a two-year contract and has a €1million bonus if he leads the team to North America. Gattuso aims to replicate his 2006 World Cup success as a player with Italy as a manager.

Enzo Maresca may push Real Madrid to break tradition by signing former Barcelona player Marc Cucurella if he takes over at the Bernabau. Despite Cucurella's loyalty to Chelsea, Maresca sees him as vital to his tactics. The move could upset Chelsea's hierarchy and interest other top clubs. Cucurella's experience and international status make him a valuable target for Maresca and Real Madrid, though negotiating a deal may be tricky due to his ties to Barcelona and Catalonia.

Napoli set to enter talks with Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi, who rejected contract offers. The defender looks set to leave for free in the summer. Clubs eyeing him include Napoli and Juventus. Senesi has impressed since his Premier League move in 2022.

Everton and Aston Villa are competing to sign former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham. Villa is eager to bring him back to strengthen their squad, while Everton is also interested. Villa looks to provide competition for Ollie Watkins, while Abraham has a proven track record of scoring goals. Despite interest from Everton, Villa hopes their history with Abraham will sway his decision in their favor.

Lucas Paqueta is set to leave West Ham mid-season to return to Brazil, despite interest from other Premier League clubs. The Hammers are reluctant to sell him to another PL club this window, raising concerns about player power. Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur were interested, but Paqueta's heart is set on returning home.

City rivals Inter and Milan are eyeing Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto, also wanted by Juventus. Serie A giants believe the 22-year-old is open to returning to Italy. Gnonto's limited playing time at Leeds has caught the attention of Inter and Milan coaches, sparking speculation about his future.

Ipswich Town may try to convince Manchester United to loan out Shea Lacey following his red card in the FA Cup. Despite United's reluctance, Town manager Kieran McKenna is considering a bid. Lacey, 18, prefers to stay at United but may consider a move to work with McKenna. Ipswich, aiming for promotion, are seeking reinforcements in the January transfer window.

Newcastle United are targeting Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic as a long-term center-back option. Eddie Howe is keen on the 22-year-old Bosnian international to strengthen his backline. However, other clubs like Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and RB Leipzig are also interested in the talented youngster. Sassuolo is reluctant to sell, but a bidding war might ensue. Juventus holds a 50% sell-on fee for Muharemovic.

Juventus are set to hijack Roma's move for Giacomo Raspadori as Roma's target Joshua Zirkzee remains out of reach. Raspadori, seeking a return to Italy after a tough spell in Spain, is a top priority for both clubs. Despite his struggles this season, Juventus see him as a valuable addition to their attacking lineup.

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee left disgruntled as move to Roma collapses after Ruben Amorim sacking. United refuse negotiations due to coaching change, leaving Zirkzee in limbo. Interim boss in charge as Zirkzee struggles for game time. Former Bayern Munich striker seeks move elsewhere.

Marseille close to signing Ayoub El Kaabi from Olympiacos, as he heads to the African Cup of Nations. The Moroccan striker is a proven goalscorer and could be a hit in one of Europe's top leagues. Marseille believe they have secured their man to replace the 33-year-old's current contract ending next summer.

VfB Stuttgart are considering making a bid for young winger Cole Campbell in January after a failed summer transfer. The 19-year-old has reportedly handed in a transfer request at Borussia Dortmund and is seeking more playing time. Several European clubs are interested in signing him, including Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Midtylland, and SV Elversberg. Campbell, who has dual nationality, has struggled for chances at Dortmund and is looking to move for his development.

Raheem Sterling is considering a move abroad after a recent traumatic burglary at his home in Berkshire. The former England star, currently with Chelsea, has been training alone and is open to offers from around the world. The incident has prompted him to consider the safety of his family as he weighs up his future options.

Crystal Palace is keen for Jean-Philippe Mateta to commit to a new contract, with talks stalling but the club offering a pay rise. The striker wants to keep his options open for a World Cup call-up, attracting interest from top European clubs like AC Milan, Roma, and Napoli. Mateta has been in good form, being one of the top scorers in the Premier League this season. Palace wants to avoid losing him on a free transfer and are eager to secure his future at the club.

Roma is focused on signing Joshua Zirkzee in January despite his recent successes at Old Trafford. They may turn to Tottenham's Mathys Tels if a deal falls through. Zirkzee's impact on Roma's game has been praised, despite his previous struggles in the Premier League.

Andre Onana faces an uncertain future after being dropped from Cameroon's AFCON squad and told his Manchester United career is over. With a lack of suitors in Europe, the goalkeeper could be heading to the Saudi Arabia Pro League. Despite a strong pedigree, Onana's time at United has been plagued by errors. Club keen to offload him in the summer.