Latest transfer news and rumors: Real Madrid eyeing EPL defenders

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: Real Madrid shopping in England

Real Madrid are keen to add to their defensive ranks after injuries to David Alaba and Eder Militao have left them exposed this season. Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero and Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite are among their top center-back candidates, while signing Jonathan Tah on a free transfer is a possibility when his Bayer Leverkusen deal expires in June.

The Champions League holders are also in the market for a right-back. Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold remains the No. 1 target and is out of contract in the summer. Tottenham's Pedro Porro is a backup option. (TEAMtalk)

Other rumors

March 15

Chelsea keep spending: After landing Geovany Quenda, the Blues are also signing Sporting CP midfielder Dario Essugo for €22 million. The 20-year-old, currently on loan at Las Palmas, will ink a seven-year deal. (Fabrizio Romano)

Another defensive target: Real Madrid could sign Ibrahima Konate for €60 million. Liverpool's interest in Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck has raised the possibility of Konate's exit. (DefensaCentral)

Planning for life after Isak: Newcastle are keeping tabs on Randal Kolo Muani and could step up their interest if Alexander Isak leaves in the summer. Kolo Muani is on loan at Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain. (Calciomercato)

English giants keen on wonderkid: Lyon winger Malick Fofana is open to a transfer this summer. Notable admirers of the 19-year-old, who's valued at around €50 million, include Arsenal and Liverpool. (CaughtOffside)

Partey time: Thomas Partey's Arsenal contract expires in the summer and he's drawing plenty of interest, including from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, and clubs in Germany, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. (TBR Football)

Forest resist MGW interest: Nottingham Forest are ready to open talks with Morgan Gibbs-White over a new deal amid interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham. (TBR Football)

Tammy transfer: Roma's Tammy Abraham finds the prospect of playing for Graham Potter at West Ham United "hugely appealing." Everton and Leeds United are also linked with the on-loan AC Milan striker. (Football Insider)

March 14

Chelsea win Quenda sweepstakes: Chelsea beat Manchester United in the race to sign Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP. The versatile 17-year-old is expected to join on a seven-year contract in 2026. (Fabrizio Romano)

Bayern eye Williams: Athletic Bilbao are in danger of losing Nico Williams this summer, with Bayern Munich and Arsenal considering moves for the winger. Bayern want to trigger his €58-million release clause. (BILD)

Huijsen on Madrid's radar: Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has emerged as a potential transfer target for Real Madrid. He's viewed as a possible replacement for 32-year-old David Alaba. (AS)

MLS clubs want Werner: Several MLS clubs are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur striker Timo Werner this summer. He's set to return to RB Leipzig after Spurs opted against making his stay permanent. (TEAMTalk)

Felix's future in limbo: AC Milan will part with Joao Felix this summer after deciding not to buy him after his loan from Chelsea ends. The 25-year-old hasn't scored since joining in January. (Calciomercato)

Reds targeting defender: Liverpool are interested in signing Wolfsburg center-back Nico Schlotterbeck when the season finishes. The Greece international could cost as little as €15 million. (BILD)

March 13

Arteta wants Sane reunion: Arsenal are interested in signing Leroy Sane when his Bayern Munich contract expires this summer. Mikel Arteta worked with Sane while he was an assistant coach at Manchester City. (BILD)

Al-Hilal move for VVD: Al-Hilal submitted an offer to Virgil van Dijk in an effort to sign the center-back as a free agent when his Liverpool deal expires. The Saudi club is willing to pay him €20 million per season. (L'Equipe)

Liverpool scouts in the Netherlands: Premier League leaders Liverpool, on the hunt for a left-sided defender, have sent scouts to watch Jorrel Hato, the versatile 19-year-old who's turning heads at Ajax. (Daily Mail)

Berta busy already: Andrea Berta, Arsenal's newly appointed director of football, wants to make an immediate splash in the summer by signing Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad. (AS)

Barca rebuff Red Devils: Barcelona have rejected a £57.8-million offer from Manchester United for midfielder Frenkie de Jong. Hansi Flick would like to keep the Dutchman at the club. (Fichajes)

Rotating Brazilians: Atalanta midfielder Ederson is atop Manchester United's wish list. But any potential deal would cost €60 million, and United must raise funds first by selling the likes of Casemiro and Antony. (Calciomercato)

Frimpong's many suitors: Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Real Madrid are all interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong, who can operate as a wing-back or winger. (TEAMtalk)

March 12

Gyokeres prefers EPL: Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres will leave the Portuguese club this summer, and wants to play in England. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City are in the running for the Swede. (A Bola)

Courting Kane: Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown believes the club wants to sign a high-profile striker, like Bayern Munich's Harry Kane or Sporting CP's Gyokeres, this summer. (Football Insider)

... or Vlahovic: Manchester United have been alerted to the possibility of signing Dusan Vlahovic for a cut-price fee this summer. The Juventus frontman could be available for as low as £25 million. (GiveMeSport)

Retegui draws attention: Mateo Retegui is on Arsenal and Chelsea's lists of summer transfer targets. The red-hot striker only joined Atalanta last summer for an initial fee of €22 million. (Calciomercato)

Replacing VVD: Nico Schlotterbeck could be offered an escape route from Borussia Dortmund after Liverpool identified the center-back as a potential long-term successor for 33-year-old Virgil van Dijk. (Bild)

Giants jostle for Dalot: Diogo Dalot's consistency and adaptability in an underperforming Manchester United team haven't gone unnoticed. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid could compete to sign him this summer. (TEAMtalk)

Liverpool's next left-back: Andy Robertson seems to be fading, so the Reds are prioritizing signing a left-back in the summer. Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez is Liverpool's No. 1 target and is available for around £40 million. (TEAMtalk)

March 11

Salah offers himself to Barca: Mohamed Salah's representatives have reached out to Barcelona gauge their interest in signing the Egyptian star this summer. The attacker's Liverpool contract expires in June. (Diario Sport)

Pogba free to sign: Paul Pogba can now join a new club with his doping suspension officially over. The free-agent midfielder wants to return to Europe, but MLS or Saudi Arabia is a more likely destination right now. (L'Equipe)

Man City monitor Camavinga: Manchester City are actively tracking Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who hasn't yet decided if he wants to see out his long-term contract or join another club. (Sky Sport Germany)

Chelsea's Mainoo pursuit: Chelsea are ready to get serious about trying to sign Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo. Uncertainty around Romeo Lavia's future has the Blues eyeing another midfield addition. (CaughtOffside)

Lookman open to return: Ademola Lookman is expected to leave Atalanta this summer, and the Nigerian international is warming to the idea of going back to England. Chelsea and Arsenal are monitoring the situation. (TEAMtalk)

Milan's left-back plan: With Theo Hernandez expected to leave the club in the summer, potentially for around €30 million, AC Milan are considering replacing him with Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell. (TEAMtalk)

March 10

Man City watch Wharton: Crystal Palace setting a high asking price for Adam Wharton won't deter leading clubs like Manchester City from trying to make a summer move for the 21-year-old midfielder. (TBR Football)

EPL clubs track Thuram: Representatives from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool have all watched Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram this season. The trio are in the market for at least one forward each this summer. (TBR Football)

Blues want Jude's brother: Chelsea are prepared to outbid any other club attempting to sign Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham. Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in the midfielder. (The Sun)

Leao saga: Agent Jorge Mendes is trying to find a new club for Rafael Leao. The AC Milan winger, who's linked to Barcelona and Chelsea, is set to be a regular feature in transfer gossip over the coming months. (Calciomercato)

Everton must pay £40M: David Moyes is trying to reinforce his defense but may have hit a brick wall in his pursuit of Joel Ordonez. Club Brugge value the 20-year-old Ecuadorian center-back at £40 million. (Football Insider)

Bargain in South America: Neiser Villarreal, 19, could be available on a free transfer when his deal with Colombian club Millonarios expires in December. Barcelona, Porto, Newcastle, and Watford are eyeing the striker. (Diario Sport)