Latest transfer news and rumors: Madrid turn attention to Branthwaite

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

Top story: Branthwaite on Madrid's shortlist

Jarrad Branthwaite is near the top of Real Madrid's wish list ahead of a summer in which the Spanish side will try to strengthen its defense.

Everton will likely demand around £75million for the English center-back, who was linked to Manchester United last year. The 22-year-old made his debut with the Toffees under Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti during the Italian's short spell at Everton. (Daily Mail)

Other rumors

Feb. 20

Lookman exit expected: Ademola Lookman is gearing up to leave Atalanta after being publicly criticized by coach Gian Piero Gasperini following the club's Champions League exit. (Fabrizio Romano)

Kelleher interest intensifies: Chelsea are prepared to meet Liverpool's demands and pay up to £40 million for goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. The Blues recently dropped Robert Sanchez due to poor form. (Football Insider)

Determined Blues want Guehi: Chelsea won't let competition from rival clubs get in the way of their pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. Tottenham and Newcastle have also been linked to Guehi. (The Mirror)

Zubimendi deal in the works: Arsenal agreed to a set of personal terms with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi before they launch a formal pursuit this summer. He has a €60-million release clause in his contract. (TEAMTalk)

Frimpong sweepstakes heat up: Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong. He could leave this summer for a fee of around €40 million. (TEAMTalk)

Feb. 19

Palmer's escape clause: There are rumblings that Cole Palmer has a clause in his current deal that forces Chelsea to entertain offers from rival clubs if they don't secure a Champions League spot for next season. (TEAMtalk)

Delap in demand: Manchester United's long and winding search for a forward has taken them to Liam Delap. The Ipswich Town striker, 22, is also being monitored by Chelsea. (i Paper)

Liverpool-Newcastle striker swap: Premier League leaders Liverpool are prepared to offer Darwin Nunez plus cash to Newcastle in exchange for Alexander Isak, who's valued by the Magpies at over £100 million. (Football Insider)

Contingency plan: Arsenal and Chelsea are also keen on signing Isak, but should the prolific Swedish international end up elsewhere - or stay at Newcastle - they'll turn to Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike. (Caught Offside)

Brighton want to keep Mitoma: The Seagulls would like to keep hold of Kaoru Mitoma but could be forced to part with the Japanese winger as he enters the final two years of his contract. Any deal could cost around £66 million. (Caught Offside)

Feb. 18

Wirtz keen on Madrid: Manchester City and Real Madrid are interested in signing Florian Wirtz this summer. The Bayer Leverkusen star, valued at over €100 million, prefers a move to the Spanish capital. (The Sun)

Familiar surroundings for Cancelo: Manchester United are interested in signing Joao Cancelo from Al-Hilal. The former Manchester City full-back, 30, would play opposite Patrick Dorgu for Ruben Amorim. (Football Transfers)

Casemiro wants to stay: Manchester United would like to sell Casemiro to raise funds, but the veteran Brazilian intends to see out the remaining 16 months of his contract, which pays him £300,000 per week. (Daily Mirror)

BVB set price for Gittens: Arsenal, Tottenham, and Chelsea are all chasing Jamie Gittens, but Borussia Dortmund want over €100 million for the 20-year-old English winger. (BILD)

Spurs' last-ditch attempt: Tottenham tried to sign Mexican international Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord in the final days of the January transfer window, but the striker decided to join AC Milan instead. (Calciomercato)

Bayern bail on Tah: Bayern Munich are no longer in the race to sign Jonathan Tah. That's cleared the way for Barcelona to land the defender on a free transfer when his Bayer Leverkusen contract expires this summer. (Sport)

Feb. 17

Newcastle could sell Isak: Newcastle will entertain offers of more than €100 million for Alexander Isak if they miss out on Champions League qualification. Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea are interested. (Sport)

Huijsen on Liverpool's short list: Liverpool will sign another center-back whether Virgil van Dijk stays or goes and have Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen on their radar. Huijsen has a £55-million release clause. (Football Insider)

Konate wants home cooking: Representatives for Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate opened talks with PSG over a summer transfer. The 25-year-old would love to return to his hometown. (Sky Sport Switzerland)

Maignan staying in Milan: AC Milan reached an agreement with goalkeeper Mike Maignan over a new four-year contract worth around €5 million per season. (Calciomercato)

Man United eyeing Sporting star: Manchester United are in talks to sign Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda, but there's a €20-million gap between United's valuation of the player and Sporting's asking price. (Ben Jacobs)

Arsenal undecided on Sterling: Arsenal haven't decided whether to make Raheem Sterling's loan permanent or send him back to Chelsea. The Gunners are only paying 30% of Sterling's £325,000 weekly salary. (Fabrizio Romano)

Feb. 16

One Belgian for another: With Kevin De Bruyne's contract set to expire this summer, Manchester City have identified one of his compatriots, Atalanta playmaker Charles De Ketelaere, as an ideal replacement. (TBR Football)

Rashford dreams of Barca: Despite joining Aston Villa in a deal that includes a £40-million purchase option, Marcus Rashford still hopes to play for Barcelona. A solid loan spell at Villa Park could make that happen. (The Sun)

Barca have other ideas: Rashford isn't Barcelona's main priority, though. The Catalan club wants to sign a left winger who can also operate through the middle, with Liverpool's Luis Diaz currently the main target. (Mundo Deportivo)

Chelsea want Kounde: Chelsea are willing to spend up to £83 million to sign French international defender Jules Kounde from Barcelona, but the Catalan club intends to offer the 26-year-old a new contract. (Sport)

Something's gotta give: Theo Hernandez is in no rush to make a decision about his future and could run down his contract. Milan, however, could look to sell him this summer to avoid losing him for free in 2026. (Calciomercato)

Kimmich extension is close: Bayern Munich are optimistic that talks over Joshua Kimmich's contract renewal are nearing the finish line. The club views the versatile German as the future captain. (Sky Sport Germany)

LAFC turn to Turkey: In a bid to regain MLS supremacy from their city rivals the LA Galaxy, Los Angeles FC are finalizing a deal to sign Turkish winger Cengiz Under on an initial six-month loan from Fenerbahce. (Tom Bogert)

Feb. 15

Neymar's grand plan: Neymar wants to prove his fitness and quality with Santos. The Brazilian's dream, assuming all goes well in his second stint with his boyhood club, is to play for Barcelona again. (Cadena SER)

United want €150M ex-City star: Manchester United's much-publicized hunt for more firepower has led them to Atletico Madrid. The club is willing to spend big on former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez. (Fichajes)

MVDV + VVD: Liverpool are actually trying to add to their defensive ranks and would love to sign Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven regardless of whether or not Virgil van Dijk stays at Anfield. (Football Insider)

Asencio impresses PSG: Raul Asencio's performances amid a spate of defensive injuries for Real Madrid have alerted Paris Saint-Germain, but it's unlikely a €45-million offer would be enough. (Fichajes)

Reining in Reijnders: AC Milan are ready to tie Tijjani Reijnders down to a new contract amid interest from Real Madrid, Manchester City, and other top clubs. (Calciomercato)

Felix in, big names out: Milan want to extend Joao Felix's loan from Chelsea into next season with an option to buy for around €40 million. That investment could hasten sales of Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao. (Gazetta Dello Sport)

Jack in the box: Atletico Madrid are interested in Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson as they search for a No. 9 in the summer transfer window. Aston Villa and Newcastle are also keeping tabs on the former Villarreal striker. (The Sun)