Latest transfer news and rumors: Schlotterbeck can bring Barca balance
The transfer window may be closed, but the rumor mill never stops. Check in every day for the latest transfer buzz around the soccer world.
Top story: Nico could Schlot in at Barca
Barcelona are on the lookout for a left-footed center-back to balance Hansi Flick's rearguard. The club is lacking in that department since Inigo Martinez's move to Al-Nassr in August. Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck appears to fit the bill, and his aerial ability and comfort in possession increase his appeal for the Catalonian club.
Dortmund are determined to keep hold of one of their best players, but Schlotterbeck would like to move next summer to further his career. Bayern Munich are also keeping an eye on the 25-year-old's status at the Westfalenstadion. (Fichajes)
Other rumors
Oct. 3
Deco discussions: Barcelona sporting director Deco recently met with notable agents to discuss Benfica's Goncalo Oliveira, a 19-year-old defender who's tipped to become a major figure for Portugal. (Diario Sport)
Marc and/or Max: Marc Guehi isn't the only Crystal Palace defender catching the eye of Liverpool's recruiting department. Maxence Lacroix is considered a potential under-the-radar signing for next summer. (Football Insider)
Jesus walks: Arsenal are willing to sell Gabriel Jesus for £30 million in January. Everton have been identified as a possible destination for the out-of-favor Brazilian forward. (TEAMtalk)
Trying to nail down Timber: Arsenal are in talks with Jurrien Timber over a new contract. Bayern Munich and another unnamed club approached Arsenal "a while ago" to ask if Timber was available. (Caught Offside)
Bargain backline addition: David Affengruber's Elche contract expires next summer. Atletico Madrid have highlighted the surprise La Liga star as an affordable signing for their defense. (Fichajes)
Smitten over Smit: Crystal Palace hope they can pitch a career pathway to AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit that encourages the 19-year-old to join them. He's also being watched by scouts from Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. (Daily Mail)
Giants in for Collins: Nathan Collins' performances for Brentford are attracting numerous top clubs. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur could battle it out for the Irish defender. (Football Insider)
Vasco da Gama exploration: Tottenham are scouting Rayan Vitor. However, representatives from Barcelona, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, and Zenit St. Petersburg have also watched the 19-year-old forward in action for Vasco da Gama. (Daily Mail)
Oct. 2
WZE uneasy with lack of minutes: Intermediaries have approached Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and others about the possibility of signing Warren Zaire-Emery next summer. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder's asking price is around €90 million. (Defensa Central)
Dani's drop-off: Dani Olmo's future at Barcelona is in doubt after a difficult to start to the season. The club is also focusing on promoting young talent to the first team. Bayern Munich are considering an approach for Olmo. (Fichajes)
De Jong belongs: Barcelona reached a verbal agreement with Frenkie de Jong over a new contract that will run until 2029. The 28-year-old's current terms expire next summer. (Diario Sport)
Mora furor: Gilberto Mora's impressive performances for Club Tijuana and Mexico have caught the attention of Europe's biggest sides. Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid are monitoring him closely. (TEAMtalk)
Palace protect future: Crystal Palace are prepared to insert a release clause of at least £75 million to encourage in-demand midfielder Adam Wharton to sign a new contract. (BBC Sport)
Spending in Spain: Manchester City are eyeing La Liga for a new right-back, with Atletico Madrid's Nahuel Molina and Espanyol's Omar El Hilali on their radar. Manchester United are also tracking Molina. (TBR Football)
Gonzalo's goals wanted: Club World Cup star Gonzalo Garcia isn't getting much game time at Real Madrid. Celta Vigo and Real Oviedo want to sign him on loan in January to help solve their goal-scoring issues. (Defensa Central)
Joshua to jump in January: Manchester United are open to selling or loaning out Joshua Zirkzee in the winter window. Como and Juventus could offer him a return to Italy. (The Sun)
United's Bogota bargain: Seventeen-year-old midfielder Cristian Orozco will arrive at Manchester United from Fortaleza CEIF next summer. The English outfit will pay just $1 million for the promising Colombian. (Fabrizio Romano)
Yehor draws interest: Tottenham hope Thomas Frank's relationship with Yehor Yarmoliuk will push them to the front of the race for the Brentford midfielder. Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, and Napoli are also linked with the 21-year-old Ukrainian. (Caught Offside)
Oct. 1
Bayern barge to front of Dusan line: Bayern Munich and Dusan Vlahovic's agent are anticipated to meet so the German club can find out the Juventus striker's financial demands. He's out of contract in June. (Corriere dello Sport)
Ferni-Fede swap: Chelsea would consider offering Enzo Fernandez to Real Madrid as part of a deal to sign Federico Valverde. Valverde hasn't been in the best form so far this season, but he doesn't want to leave and the club currently doesn't want to sell him. (Defensa Central)
City covet Kounde: Deco revealed that Manchester City approached Barcelona in the summer to ask about Jules Kounde. The sporting director told the English club that he wasn't for sale, so no offers or negotiations followed. (Mundo Deportivo)
Firm on Fermin: Deco stressed that there was never any chance that Barcelona would've sold Fermin Lopez to Chelsea over the summer. Letting him go would've weakened the squad, he added. (Mundo Deportivo)
Silva sorted for next season: Bernardo Silva knows "exactly" what he'll do when his Manchester City contract expires in June. He was linked to Benfica and Juventus in September. (BBC Sport)
Laid-back Bayern: Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen is "relaxed" about Michael Olise's future at the club despite interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City. (Bild)
Running from Ruben: Kobbie Mainoo appears likely to leave Manchester United if Ruben Amorim is still in charge in January. The midfielder wanted to join Napoli after he requested a loan move near the end of the summer window. (Daily Mail)
Go for Joe: AC Milan are preparing to move for Joe Gomez in January. Liverpool's backup defender could also attract offers from Crystal Palace, Juventus, and Tottenham. (Caught Offside)
Hannover and out: Hannover are expected to trigger their €1-million option to buy for 19-year-old Noel Aseko once his loan from Bayern Munich expires. But Bayern are allowed to sign the promising midfielder back for a small fee, and the Bavarians seem increasingly likely to do so. (Bild)
Sept. 30
Alvarez the answer for Barca: Barcelona president Joan Laporta considers Julian Alvarez, whom Atletico Madrid value at around €200 million, as his top target to replace Robert Lewandowski. (Diario Sport)
Raise for Saka: Arsenal are prepared to make Bukayo Saka one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League. After signing defender William Saliba to a new five-year contract, the Gunners will try to do the same with their star winger to fend off any transfer rumors. (Daily Mirror)
All eyes on Antoine: Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo only recently signed a new contract, but that isn't stopping a host of Premier League clubs from pursuing a deal. Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Aston Villa are all interested. (TBR Football)
Going for Guler: Tottenham are interested in signing Arda Guler from Real Madrid. The Turkish playmaker, 20, is also being tracked by Arsenal and Newcastle. (Fichajes)
Barca in no rush: Barcelona will wait to make a final decision about triggering Marcus Rashford's purchase option. The Catalan club remains hopeful that a discounted fee can be negotiated with Manchester United to make his loan permanent. (Football Insider)
France's next phenom: Juventus are among the clubs interested in signing 17-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Juve general manager Damien Comolli has an excellent relationship with Lille, which could help the Italian side beat several other suitors to the French U21 international. (Nicolo Schira)
Sept. 29
Back for Bernardo: Manchester City's Bernardo Silva is once again on the radar of multiple Saudi Pro League clubs. Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah are prepared to offer him a four-year contract next summer, while Al-Nassr could also enter the mix if they're unable to land top target Bruno Fernandes. (talkSPORT)
Madrid's midfield targets: Real Madrid will be keeping a close eye on Chelsea's matches this season to monitor the performances of star midfielders Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. (TBR Football)
Rodri's successor: Manchester City are considering a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic. Pep Guardiola views the 21-year-old Germany international as a potential replacement for Rodri. (Caught Offside)
Akanji staying in Italy: Inter are planning to make Manuel Akanji's initial loan move from Manchester City permanent in the summer. The Italian club is very happy with the veteran defender's performances so far this season and will put around €15 million aside to seal the deal. (Fabrizio Romano)
Talking to Tomori: AC Milan and defender Fikayo Tomori have started discussions about a new contract. Multiple Premier League clubs showed interest in January, and the Rossoneri want to avoid a similar situation in the summer by locking down the center-back beyond 2027. (Fabrizio Romano)
Sept. 28
Reunited, and it feels so good: New Benfica boss Jose Mourinho wants to reunite with Karim Benzema. The Al-Ittihad striker is considering leaving Saudi Arabia in January, and Benfica are among the clubs interested in bringing him back to Europe. (Marca)
Branthwaite battle: Liverpool and Manchester United will compete to sign Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, who's valued at £65 million. The Red Devils have long been linked with the center-back, but the reigning champions could enter the mix after missing out on Marc Guehi. (Sunday Mirror)
Gallagher grab: Manchester United will make a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher if they're unable to land Carlos Baleba. The 25-year-old Englishman has fallen down the order at Atleti this season, and could be available for around £50 million. (Sunday Express)
Rashford's role: Manchester United are hoping Barcelona will make Marcus Rashford's loan move permanent so they can turn around and use those funds to beat Chelsea to the signing of Juventus' Kenan Yildiz. The Turkish international would cost at least £80 million. (Caught Offside)
Love for Locatelli: Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli is no longer a guaranteed starter under Igor Tudor, which has alerted several clubs across Europe. Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, West Ham, and Bayer Leverkusen are all interested in the 27-year-old midfielder. (Caught Offside)
Adeyemi's new deal: Karim Adeyemi is close to extending his Borussia Dortmund contract. The 23-year-old was linked with a transfer away from the club this past summer, but now looks set to extend his stay until 2030. His current deal expires in 2027. (Nicolo Schira)
Sept. 27
Vlahovic wanted in England: Multiple Premier League clubs are lining up to sign Dusan Vlahovic for a cut-rate price in January. The Juventus striker's contract expires at the end of the season. Chelsea and Manchester United are monitoring the situation. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Zaire-Emery urged to leave: Manchester City are keeping tabs on Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery. The 19-year-old isn't part of Luis Enrique's first-choice midfield, and could seek a move away from the European champions. (Jeunes Footeux)
Hands off: Manchester United, Tottenham, Newcastle, and Liverpool are all interested in rising star Elliot Anderson, but Nottingham Forest have informed all of them that the 22-year-old isn't going anywhere. (TBR Football)
Isidor turning heads: Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor's strong start to the season is catching the attention of Premier League clubs seeking more firepower up front. Aston Villa are considering a January move for the 25-year-old. (Football Insider)
Stones staying put: Manchester City are set to open talks with defender John Stones over a new contract. The 31-year-old's current deal expires this summer, but City are prepared to offer him an extension. (The Mirror)
PIF interference: Newcastle's majority owner, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, pulled the plug on William Osula joining Eintracht Frankfurt on loan with an option to buy on deadline day of the summer transfer window. The loan fee exceeded £6 million. (Daily Mail)