Balde exit talk links Man Utd with Barcelona left-back as Liverpool draw up defensive shortlist
Manchester United are reportedly monitoring Barcelona's Alejandro Balde, Liverpool have shortlisted two defenders as long-term options, and Real Madrid are said to be tracking Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in Monday's transfer gossip.
Manchester United are reportedly on alert over Alejandro Balde, with the Barcelona left-back said to be a possible January departure. The 23-year-old Spain international has drawn interest from United, according to a report relayed by Marca. The same speculation suggests that if Balde were to leave Barcelona, the La Liga club could move for Manchester United's 28-year-old Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez.
Liverpool have reportedly identified Nottingham Forest's Murillo, 24, and Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck, 26, as eventual replacements for Virgil van Dijk. The 35-year-old Netherlands defender is the benchmark the club are said to be planning around. Murillo is a Brazil international, while Schlotterbeck represents Germany.
Real Madrid are said to be considering Brighton's Bart Verbruggen, 24, as a future successor to Thibaut Courtois. The Belgium goalkeeper is 34. Elsewhere, Manchester United could choose to sell Bruno Fernandes rather than allow the 32-year-old Portugal midfielder to depart on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer.
At Old Trafford, Marcus Rashford's situation is also in focus: the 29-year-old England forward would reportedly explore a move away if he does not receive regular starts after returning from injury. Tottenham retain an interest in Nottingham Forest's England midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, 26, and could act in January.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly still pursuing Tottenham's Pedro Porro, 27, and are not deterred by an asking price of around £62m. Monaco's United States striker Folarin Balogun, 25, could leave in January, with Manchester United among the possible destinations. Arsenal are said to face competition from AC Milan, Aston Villa and Roma for 20-year-old Brazil forward Endrick, currently at Real Madrid. Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United are among the clubs reportedly tracking Villarreal's 22-year-old United States defender Alex Freeman.
