Milan to take run at Kim? (Sempre Milan)
AC Milan is reportedly keeping a close eye on Bayern Munich center-back Kim Min-jae:
Matteo Gabbia’s injury means that AC Milan will accelerate their pursuit of a centre-back, with two names at the top of the list.
As Calciomercato.com report, a torn left thigh flexor muscle with partial tendon involvement will sideline Gabbia for at least three months. To ensure a speedy recovery, Gabbia and the AC Milan medical staff have opted for a conservative approach involving therapy and rest, rather than surgery. Gerry Cardinale and his staff have realised that the search for a central defender in the winter transfer window is no longer an opportunity to raise the bar, but a genuine necessity.
Signing a defender from Sporting CP is always a complicated exercise, especially in January, as they are expensive shop that only sells its prized possessions at certain prices. Milan know they have to prepare a check for Goncalo Inacio for over €40m, and that might not be enough.
In recent days, Milan’s management have rekindled contact with the Portuguese’s agents, reiterating their intention to make a concrete attempt in the winter. They plan to start the negotiations that were interrupted only on the last day of the summer window. Inacio, for his part, is open to the move. However, there is also another option: Kim Min-jae. He is not getting much playing little (only three appearances this season) and no longer feels the full confidence of the coach and the club. So, Kim’s adventure at Bayern Munich seems increasingly headed for the end credits.
Milan have inquired with agents and intermediaries and are watching with interest for future developments. If signs of a deal on favourable terms were to come from Bayern, the Rossoneri would be ready. Amorim certainly likes Kim’s profile.
Bayern Munich is likely not going to sell Kim any time soon. The depth that Kim helps provide to the Bavarians is key. When Kim is on his game, he can be a great asset to Bayern Munich, and with Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano maybe in need of more rest this season than last year, the Korean’s role becomes all that more important.
In short, unless AC Milan has a massive offer to make, it seems highly unlikely that Kim is sold in January.
Gunners, LFC eyeing Schade (ESPN)
Arsenal and Liverpool are checking out Brentford winger and Germany international Kevin Schade:
Arsenal and Liverpool are both interested in a potential transfer for Brentford winger Kevin Schade, according to TEAMtalk. The Bees would demand over £60 million if the 24-year-old was to leave in January, and while the aforementioned pair have the most interest, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and United have been linked with him. Brentford feel no pressure to let Schade leave and have even opened talks about a new contract, with his current deal expiring in 2028.
Gyökeres pushing for exit? (TEAMtalk)
When Arsenal brought in Viktor Gyökeres, it was assumed that he would be able to solve the club’s problem at striker.
That has not worked out as many had planned. Now, Gyökeres could be looking for an exit — maybe as early as January:
Viktor Gyokeres is ready to quit Arsenal and is set to push for a January exit, TEAMtalk understands, with frustration over his lack of Premier League starts prompting the £60million-plus striker to consider his future at the Emirates Stadium.
Sources have told TEAMtalk that intermediaries are already doing their due diligence on prospective options ahead of January. Atletico Madrid remain interested, but Premier League clubs are also showing interest, with teams in Italy and Germany, as well as Spain, among the potential destinations being assessed.
We understand that Arsenal could be prepared to consider allowing Gyokeres to leave as they continue pushing ahead with plans to bring in another forward. With the player open to a departure and the club still keen to strengthen their attacking options, a January separation could suit both parties.
Arsenal spent months doing their homework on Gyokeres before newly arrived sporting director Andrea Berta rubber-stamped the move, with manager Arteta also making clear his desire to bring the striker to North London.
Gyokeres made a significant contribution to Arsenal’s title-winning campaign and also helped the north London club reach the final of the Champions League. However, the club’s determination to explore a move for Julian Alvarez over the summer was a development that could not be ignored by Gyokeres and his camp.
Arsenal spent much of the transfer window in talks over a deal for the Argentine, who made clear his desire to join Barcelona. That move did not materialise, but the length of Arsenal’s pursuit of Alvarez raised questions over how firmly Gyokeres featured in the club’s long-term plans.
As TEAMtalk has revealed, Arsenal remain hugely keen on Alvarez, and that ongoing interest represents a significant problem for Gyokeres. The striker is yet to start a Premier League game this season, with sources familiar with the situation confirming that his lack of opportunities is the main reason he is now looking towards the exit door.
Milan to target Tresoldi (ESPN)
AC Milan might not just have Kim Min-jae on its radar. The Serie A power is also reportedly keeping an eye on Nicolò Tresoldi:
AC Milan want to sign Nicolo Tresoldi, the Club Brugge striker who scored a hat trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. That performance may have seen the 22-year-old make headlines, but Milan have reportedly been interested long before that. They will face competition from Inter and Roma had a €35 million offer turned down in the summer, with over €50 million likely to be required now. Tresoldi has supported Milan since childhood, which could make the difference.
Davies not on Bayern’s sale list (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Bayern Munich is not planning on selling left-back Alphonso Davies:
Bayern Munich do not want to sell Alphonso Davies, as things currently stand. That said, it’s also true that a big offer on the table could change matters. If they have a big offer, Bayern would go to the table and hold talks, as the Canadian international has a big salary and they now have Nathaniel Brown, a German national, to call upon in that position. Davies is a very interesting player. When he came in from the bench against Viking FK, he was good, quick and aggressive. But in the end, it was his mistake that led to the final goal to equalise the scoreline between the two sides in the Champions League group stage tie. The left-back went up for a header and didn’t win the duel. So, he’s not being pushed out the door, but it’s also not the case that he’s absolutely not up for sale.
Martínez in hot water at United? (ESPN)
Manchester United center-back Lisandro Martínez could have put himself in some trouble with Manchester United:
The future of Manchester United center back Lisandro Martínez has been called into question after his public criticism of the club’s bosses, reports Sky Sports. The 28-year-old’s contract expires in the summer, and there are real doubts about whether it will be renewed, especially as the Red Devils aim to revamp their defence as they look at new center backs and left backs. Martínez pushed for a move to Atlético Madrid in the summer, but no suitable offer came in for United to consider.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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