Kante pushes for Barcelona switch

N’Golo Kante is set to sign for Barcelona.

Spanish outlet Sport detail the Chelsea midfielder’s determination to wrap up his future as soon as possible, with his Stamford Bridge deal expiring in the summer.

Barcelona are therefore set to seal Kante’s signature on a pre-contract agreement in January.

That is, if the LaLiga giants commit to the signing with it claimed that they are still mulling over whether they want him.

Jorginho and Youri Tielemans are also on their radar for free transfers while Ruben Neves of Wolves and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is liked at the Camp Nou – but would cost £51m.

Cristiano Ronaldo picks next club

Cristiano Ronaldo will sign for Al-Nassr before the end of the year.

That is according to Marca, who claim the 37-year-old has been considering his future in Dubai since leaving Manchester United.

Standard Sport previously revealed Ronaldo’s hope that a Champions League club make him an offer.

But Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr are now reportedly confident that he will sign on the dotted line for a two-and-a-half-year deal boasting an annual wage of £173m.

Ronaldo turned down Marseille offer

Marseille held talks with Cristiano Ronaldo over a sensational summer transfer, it has been revealed.

Basile Boli, an ambassador for the French club, has claimed that the former Manchester United star was offered the chance to depart Old Trafford before leaving under a cloud in the aftermath of his bombshell rally against the club.

It would have meant reigniting his old rivarly with Lionel Messi, who plays for Marseille’s adversaries Paris Saint-Germain.

“Cristiano Ronaldo was in talks with Olympique [Marseille], I think he should have come,” Boli told NW Sport.

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Arsenal identify cheap Mudryk alternative

Arsenal could swoop for Atletico Madrid frontman Matheus Cunha if they cannot agree a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Gabriel Jesus’ injury has prompted the Gunners to search for an attacker in the January window and Atletico Madrid forward Cunha is available for just £30m, according to Goal.

Wolves, Leeds and Aston Villa are also tracking him after he was offered to Chelsea. However, Cunha is yet to score this season.

Arsenal are in talks over a deal for Mudryk but Shakhtar Donetsk want £86m for the winger, with transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano suggesting time is running out for them to get that deal over the line.

Chelsea make Rafael Leao decision

Chelsea’s imminent deal for Christopher Nkunku has prompted them to pull out of the running for Rafael Leao.

That is according to SportsMediaset with AC Milan in contract talks with the Portuguese forward.

Coach Stefano Pioli told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Rafa is happy and serene, and he has developed incredibly, but he has a lot to work on, he can have even more quality and intensity.

“Clearly, he must do it with us, because he already knows all situations, which can be helpful.”

Spurs still keen on Bastoni

Inter Milan have offered Alessandro Bastoni a 50 per-cent pay rise in a bid to ward off Tottenham and Manchester City.

The Premier League clubs are looking on as Inter attempt to sign Bastoni up to a new, £75,000-a-week contract past his current 2024 expiry date.

La Gazzetta dello Sport state that the player remains keen to stay in Milan but now has to sign on the dotted line to back that claim up.

Enzo Fernandez wants Liverpool

Enzo Fernandez, who on Sunday was named Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup, wants to join Liverpool.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a stunning World Cup as Argentina claimed the game’s biggest prize, and is now expected to be courted by the world’s biggest teams.

Fernandez only moved to Benfica in the summer so the Portuguese giants are under now pressure to sell, but it is the Reds who would be top of his wishlist should a transfer materalise.

ICYMI: Chelsea lead Gvardiol race

Chelsea are confident of winning the battle to sign Josko Gvardiol.

Real Madrid and Manchester City have both contacted RB Leipzig over the Croatian defender, as reported by 90min.

Chelsea are said to be in more advanced discussions and even want a deal done in January – even if a summer switch has greater chance of happening.

Liverpool and Manchester United are monitoring the situation.

New deal for Iling-Junior

Just days after playing a key role in Juventus’ friendly win over Arsenal, England youth international Samuel Iling-Junior has signed a new contract and been promoted to the first-team squad.

Congrats, Samuel!

Mbappe to announce PSG exit

Kylian Mbappe could in a matter of weeks announce his intention to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.

According to Spanish publication Sports, Mbappe “seems to be determined to change scenery” just a few months after signing a remarkable contract to stay at PSG, which saw him handed more control any player has ever had at a club.

Real Madrid expected to sign him over the summer, before the shock contract renewal.