Manchester United and Man City chase Malo Gusto as Liverpool eye Vuskovic
Transfer gossip roundup: Manchester clubs compete for Chelsea's Malo Gusto, Liverpool shortlist Luka Vuskovic, Leeds track Will Lankshear and other reported January targets.
Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly both interested in Chelsea defender Malo Gusto, setting up a possible battle for the 23-year-old France international, according to Talksport. The claim places the two Manchester clubs on the same side of a pursuit rather than as direct negotiators with each other, with Chelsea's stance on any sale left unclear in the report.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have placed Brighton's teenage defender Luka Vuskovic, 19, on their shortlist for next summer, with the Seagulls said to value the Croatian at around £80m, per Florian Plettenberg. The figure, if accurate, would make any deal a significant investment for a player still in his teens, and the report frames it as forward planning rather than an immediate January move.
In other reported activity, Fulham are said to be leading the race for Real Betis winger Rodrigo Riquelme, 26, while Everton could move for Tottenham midfielder Conor Gallagher, 26, if he is made available in January, according to Football Insider. PSV have reportedly opened talks with Napoli over a January move for Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 35, as reported by Il Mattino.
Tottenham and Juventus are both credited with interest in AC Milan's French midfielder Youssouf Fofana, 27, who is on loan at Sevilla, according to Calciomercato. In MLS, Charlotte FC boss Dean Smith is reportedly interested in a reunion with Jack Grealish, 31, though the England attacker's wages – he is on loan at Everton from Manchester City – could complicate any move, per Football Insider.
Leeds United are among the clubs monitoring Middlesbrough's in-form England Under-21 forward Will Lankshear, 21, who has impressed in the Championship since a summer move from Tottenham, according to Football Insider. Newcastle United and Sunderland are both tracking Sheffield United and England Under-21 midfielder Sydie Peck, 22, per Teamtalk, while Tottenham are considering ending Mikey Moore's loan at Cologne in January, with Rangers a possible destination.
Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, 25, is being linked as Mauricio Pochettino's first signing at Manchester United, according to Teamtalk. Barcelona, meanwhile, have no interest in selling Gavi despite interest from Bayern Munich and Napoli, per Marca. These items reflect reported transfer gossip rather than confirmed agreements, and supporters' reactions to the speculation vary, with some fans treating the links as routine window chatter.
