Latest transfer news and rumors: Manchester clubs duel for Wharton

The transfer window may be closed, but the rumors never stop swirling. Check in every day for all the latest buzz from across the soccer world.

Top story: Derby clash for Wharton

Manchester City and Manchester United are preparing to duke it out this summer for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. Palace are in no rush to sell the 21-year-old, who's under contract for four more years, and would demand at least £70 million, making a summer transfer far from straightforward.

Wharton joined Palace from Blackburn Rovers for £22 million in 2021. While he's only made 13 Premier League appearances this season because of a groin injury, he continues to draw comparisons to Arsenal's Declan Rice for his passing and impressive midfield coverage. Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and a host of other European clubs are also interested in Wharton. (TEAMtalk)

Other rumors

March 22

Leao's transfer value plummets: Rafael Leao's future at AC Milan remains uncertain, and negotiations with the Rossoneri could begin at the €85-million mark. That's a far cry from Leao's current €175-million release clause. Superagent Jorge Mendes could engineer a transfer. (Calciomercato)

Man United moving for Yildiz: Manchester United have scouted Juventus playmaker Kenan Yildiz several times this season and seem ready to make a bid for the €80-million-rated Turkish international. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is also an admirer. (Tuttosport)

Man City not giving up on Reijnders: Manchester City have earmarked around €60 million to sign AC Milan midfield keystone Tijjani Reijnders, who recently renewed his contract but could be sold if the Rossoneri fail to make the Champions League. (TEAMtalk)

Osimhen is Juve's dream signing: Juventus aren't giving up on signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen despite his gargantuan €17.5 million annual salary and the clubs' strained relationship. His €75-million release clause is only valid for European clubs. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Chiesa's departure certain: Liverpool will either sell or loan out Federico Chiesa after a disappointing first season together. Chiesa will have to give up part of his salary to join a Serie A club. Napoli remains his most likely destination. (Calciomercato)

Forest eye record deal for Cunha: Nottingham Forest aren't put off by Matheus Cunha's £63-million release clause and remain in talks with the Wolverhampton midfielder's representatives over a club-record deal. (TBR Football)

Hummels' time in Rome ending: Mats Hummels' tumultuous first season with Roma won't yield a second. While the veteran defender feels comfortable in the Italian capital, the 36-year-old won't receive a contract extension. (Florian Plettenberg)

March 21

Big Branthwaite barrier: Manchester United are prepared to go all out with a £50-million approach for Jarrad Branthwaite. But a big-money bid and generous pay packet might not be enough to tempt the Everton defender to Old Trafford. (The Sun)

Cut-price Rash: Aston Villa are yet to decide whether to exercise their option to buy on-loan forward Marcus Rashford for £40 million. If they turn it down, Manchester United may be forced to sell below that price. (TEAMtalk)

Dib bid: Manchester United opened talks with Southampton over the potential summer signing of Tyler Dibling after Chelsea beat them to the signing of Geovany Quenda. (GiveMeSport)

Hojlund explores options: Rasmus Hojlund isn't ruling out a fresh start elsewhere as he fights for his place at Manchester United. Napoli, Juventus, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, and Mainz are interested. (TBR Football)

Hot on Huijsen: Liverpool will need a new defender if Virgil van Dijk leaves in the summer. The Reds are among many clubs mulling over Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen's £50-million release clause. (talkSPORT)

Newcastle also want center-back: The Magpies are prepared to battle for Huijsen after missing out on Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi last year. Fellow defender Fabian Schar could get a new contract on Tyneside. (The Sun)

Big move for Mbeumo: Arsenal, Liverpool, and Newcastle are admirers of Bryan Mbeumo. The attacker's contract expires June 2026, but Brentford have an option to extend the deal another year. (Football Insider)

Mile offer miles off: Roma's contract offers to Mile Svilar are significantly lower than what the goalkeeper expects. Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and other big clubs are circling. (Tuttomercatoweb)

March 20

Der MUFC: Manchester United's lineup next season could have a Bundesliga feel. The club is interested in RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko, and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike. (Sky Sport Germany)

Another Bundesliga link: Borussia Dortmund's Felix Nmecha could be subject of a €48-million bid from Manchester United. Karim Adeyemi, Jamie Gittens, and Gregor Kobel could also leave after Der BVB's poor season. (Bild)

Zubi bid: Arsenal could outmuscle Real Madrid in the race to sign Martin Zubimendi after tabling a €60-million offer for the Real Sociedad midfielder. Madrid also have other priorities in the transfer market. (AS)

Keen on Kean: Former Everton flop Moise Kean could get another chance in the Premier League with Arsenal, Newcastle United, or West Ham United. His release clause at Fiorentina is set at €52 million. (Tuttomercatoweb)

Angel falls: West Ham's Angel Gomes pursuit may be over. The midfielder, whose Lille deal expires in the summer, believes the club's salary offer of £100,000 per week isn't enough. Barcelona is also interested in Gomes. (The Guardian)

Obando lands in Miami: Ecuadorian striker Allen Obando will soon be on the books of Atletico Madrid following a transfer from Barcelona Guayaquil. The 18-year-old will then join Inter Miami on loan. (Fabrizio Romano)

Blues' Aina aim: Chelsea could try to bring Ola Aina back to Stamford Bridge. The right-back was offloaded for less than £9 million in 2019, but he's impressed the Blues during Nottingham Forest's rise up the table. (TBR Football)

Kerkez replacement: Bournemouth are preparing for the possibility of losing Milos Kerkez in the summer. The Cherries are ready to swoop up Club Brugge left-back Maxim De Cuyper. (Football Insider)

March 19

Chelsea have Sancho escape clause: Blues could pay a significant fee to terminate Jadon Sancho's loan deal to avoid an obligation to buy the Manchester United winger for £25 million this summer. (The i Paper)

Al-Nassr prepping Magalhaes bid: Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr could throw a wrench in Arsenal's plans to extend Gabriel Magalhaes by offering their standout defender €20 million per season, more than three times what he's making in north London. (GiveMeSport)

Betis want to keep Antony: Real Betis are working on renewing Antony's loan deal for another campaign but may not have the financial resources if they fail to improve on their sixth-place position and make the Champions League. (ABC)

Bournemouth leading Kelleher race: Bournemouth are planning to swap on-loan goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with Liverpool backup Caoimhin Kelleher, who's ready to leave the Reds after failing to land the No. 1 role. Liverpool's asking price is £30 million. (talkSPORT)

Emery hoping Asensio stays: Aston Villa coach Unai Emery is pushing the club's directors to sign Marco Asensio permanently. Asensio's loan deal doesn't include a buyout clause, but PSG would be willing to accept a cut-rate fee. (GiveMeSport)

Fati available for transfer: Barcelona are trying to move Ansu Fati so they can sign a new winger in the offseason. Fati rejected four proposals in January and will continue to have the final say as he has a contract until 2027. (Fabrizio Romano)

March 18

Liverpool eye overhaul: With Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk on expiring contracts, Liverpool are prepared to spend a staggering €300 million to sign Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons, and Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni as key pieces in their summer rebuild. (Fichajes)

Isak off the market: Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan won't allow the club to sell star striker Alexander Isak at any price. Isak has three years remaining on his contract and could get a significant salary raise if the Magpies qualify for the Champions League. (Daily Mail)

Milan satisfied with Walker: AC Milan intend to activate Kyle Walker's €5-million buyout clause at the end of the season. The first months of his loan spell have quelled any doubts over the soon-to-be 35-year-old's age and fitness. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Arsenal keen to extend Saka: Arsenal are set to open talks with Bukayo Saka over a new contract. The Gunners want to prevent speculation about his future as he enters the final two seasons of his current deal. (BBC Sport)

Modric committed to Madrid: Luka Modric hopes to sign another one-year deal with Real Madrid. The 39-year-old seems happy at the club despite playing fewer minutes. (Fabrizio Romano)

March 17

Man United's huge offer: Despite ongoing reports that United need to sell before they buy, United have submitted a €70-million bid for in-demand Barcelona attacker Raphinha. (Fichajes)

London calling: Arsenal and Chelsea are beating Liverpool in the race to sign Marcus Thuram. Inter are trying to negotiate fresh terms with the forward. His current contract has a £71-million release clause. (Football Insider)

Real Madrid want hefty sum: Manchester City will need to pay at least £70 million to sign 22-year-old French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid. (Football Insider)

Arsenal tracking Ajax teen: The Gunners are considering a move for Jorrel Hato, who can play at left-back or center-back, as new sporting director Andrea Berta plots numerous summer transfers. (TBR Football)

Freeing Frimpong: Explosive Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong still wants to leave the club this summer and should be available for around €40 million. (Sky Sport Germany)

Magpies' list: Ipswich Town's Liam Delap, Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres, Leverkusen's Victor Boniface, and Porto's Samu Aghehowa are candidates to replace Alexander Isak if the Swede leaves Newcastle. (TEAMtalk)

Cremaschi clamor: Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur are all keeping tabs on 20-year-old Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi. (TBR Football)

Milan scout Burnley defender: Maxime Esteve's Burnley have recorded 27 clean sheets in 38 Championship matches this season. The center-back is attracting attention from AC Milan among others. (Football League World)