Football
Jack Rathborn, Transfer writer 7y

Manchester United ready to join Arsenal in quest for Thomas Lemar

Deadline day has come and gone, and all the latest deals and potential deals can be found here, but there's plenty brewing in the market as clubs begin to look toward January.

United to rival Arsenal for Thomas Lemar

Manchester United are prepared to join the chase for Monaco star Thomas Lemar, with the Mirror reporting that the Red Devils will table a club-record offer in January.

Arsenal were rumoured to have been close to striking a deal for the France international as the window closed, reportedly worth £92 million.

That sum would shatter the Gunners' record deal for Alexandre Lacazette, worth £47m, and also top United's £89m signing of Paul Pogba.

Liverpool were also linked to the 21-year-old and could emerge as another suitor. Les Rouges et Blancs could be set to pocket another enormous fee for one of their players after receiving north of £300m this summer, including the eventual fee Paris Saint-Germain will pay for Kylian Mbappe.

Guardiola wants Toby Alderweireld to upgrade defence

Manchester City might have thrashed Liverpool on Saturday, but their defence still showed signs of vulnerabilities before the Reds went down to 10 men after Sadio Mane's high kick on Ederson.

Pep Guardiola could be seen venting his frustration on the touchline as Nicolas Otamendi committed a series of rash challenges and regularly found himself in poor position.

Now Guardiola is eyeing up Toby Alderweireld, according to the Sun, with Tottenham valuing the centre-back at around £60m.

The City boss is also fed up with Vincent Kompany's poor record with injuries -- as detailed by the Mirror after the Belgian injured himself with the Red Devils on international duty this week -- and Guardiola is eager to finally acquire a dependable centre-back with Otamendi and John Stones struggling so far.

Juventus eye Virgil van Dijk as Bonucci replacement

Juventus were shocked this summer when defensive linchpin Leonardo Bonucci walked out, with the club left with no choice but to sell him to rivals AC Milan.

While the Old Lady have strength in depth in that position, veteran defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli are approaching the end and younger blood will be required in the next year.

The Mirror reports that a move for Virgil van Dijk could be on the cards for January, with Southampton resisting any temptation to sell the Dutch star this summer.

Liverpool are still keen despite their public spat with Saints, as are Chelsea, but Southampton would much prefer to sell abroad if the 26-year-old can be persuaded to choose the Bianconeri.

Arsenal still keen on Raheem Sterling

Arsenal are still intent on signing Manchester City's Raheem Sterling despite Guardiola vetoing the possibility of including the England international in a deal for Alexis Sanchez.

The Mail believes the Gunners will receive a £20m offer for Sanchez in January, but Sterling reportedly wants to move back to London in order to play more regularly.

The 22-year-old faces fierce competition for his place under Guardiola, with new signings Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane -- who scored a double against Liverpool -- fighting him for one spot.

Tap-ins

-- Fenerbahce are ready to give Jack Wilshere a lifeline as his Arsenal career fizzles out, according to the Mirror.

The Turkish giants failed with a £10m offer on deadline day but are determined to get their man, and the Gunners might be forced to sell in January to avoid losing the England international on a free transfer next summer.

-- Leicester City and West Brom are competing to sign free agent Bacary Sagna, claims the Mail.

Both sides have left space on their Premier League squads for a potential free agent, meaning the 34-year-old could sign and play before January.

^ Back to Top ^