Arsenal have stepped up their efforts to sign their key transfer target, a $A199 million Atletico Madrid flop is set to be kicked out the exit door and Liverpool have their eyes on a Premier League star who only joined his club last summer.
There’s also some big news regarding an Aussie international who could be on the move to European giants Real Madrid.
Catch up on all of the transfer whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!
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ARSENAL UP BID FOR TOP TRANSFER TARGET
After their first bid for Ukrainian star Mykhailo Mudryk was rejected, Arsenal have reportedly upped their offer for the winger.
The Gunners’ initial bid of a reported $97 million was rejected by Shakhtar Donetsk, although the club’s CEO stated they were open to negotiations as long as the price was right.
According to The Times, Mudryk has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal so it now becomes a matter of the two clubs thrashing out a deal.
The report also states Arsenal have made a new bid for Mudryk, but it remains below the $150 million price tag Shakhtar Donetsk have set.
The 21-year-old star has constantly teased a move to the Emirates and watched Arsenal’s win over Brighton with keen interest, posting an Instagram story of a screenshot featuring Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and Brighton manager Roberto De Zebri with the caption: “Two top coaches.”
Bringing Mudryk, who has three Champions League goals to his name this season, would be an almighty statement of intent from Arsenal as they look to maintain their unlikely title bid.
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RYAN FINDS ROUTE OUT OF COPENHAGEN?
It’s no secret Mat Ryan is set to exit Danish side FC Copenhagen in January given his strained relationship with fellow gloveman Kamil Grabara.
But the big question on every Aussie’s lips is where will Ryan end up next?
Well, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenburg, the Socceroos skipper has been offered to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.
Swiss star Yann Sommer is the man between the sticks for the German club at the moment, but is pushing for a move to Bayern Munich as the Bavarians search for a replacement for Manuel Neuer, who broke his leg while skiing.
Should Sommer’s request be granted, it paves the way for Ryan, who Plettenburg claims is available for a bargain $AUD783k, to join Monchengladbach.
Plettenburg also claimed clubs for England and the Netherlands are in the mix for Ryan’s services.
The 30-year-old played his part in creating Socceroos history as the Aussies kept two clean sheets at the World Cup in Qatar.
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$199M FLOP OFFERED TO PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS
In the summer of 2019, Atletico Madrid forked out a whopping $199 million to sign Portuguese wonderkid Joao Felix from Benfica.
But three-and-a-half years later, the Spanish club’s CEO stated it was a “reasonable thing” to expect Felix’s departure from the capital after a complete breakdown in relations between himself and Atleti coach Diego Simeone.
It appears Felix is, at the very least, set for a temporary exit given no club is going to pay an extravagant figure for his services in January.
Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes has also been working overtime to try and find a suitor, but it’s proving especially difficult as Atletico are asking for a $32 million financial package, per The Athletic.
It includes a $23 million loan fee and $9 million in wages, an almighty layout for what is set to be a six-month deal.
The Athletic reports a Premier League club is the most likely destination for Felix, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea all approached in regards to taking the 23-year-old.
Although no clubs have taken the initial bait given the expenses involved, The Athletic claims industry leaders believe the $32 million figure will reduce, perhaps significantly, the longer Felix stays in Madrid during the January window.
AUSSIE LINKED WITH STUNNING MADRID SWITCH
An Australian donning the famous white shirt of Real Madrid may have seemed like a dream for the longest time, but a 28-year-old star might be about to end the wait.
Matildas winger Hayley Raso is reportedly the subject of heavy interest from Los Blancos, according to MARCA’s David Menayo.
Raso’s contract with English powerhouse Manchester City expires at the end of the season, meaning she could arrive in the Spanish capital for no fee.
Up until 2020, the Queenslander had split her time across various clubs in the W-League as well as the NWSL in the United States.
But a switch to Everton in January 2020 saw Raso finally make the move to Europe and she has not looked back since.
REDS EYE WOLVES STAR JUST ONE YEAR AFTER JOINING
Wolves star Matheus Nunes only moved to the Premier League last summer in a $67 million deal from Sporting, but he might be leaving Molineux as quickly as he arrived.
According to The Telegraph, Liverpool are weighing up a move for the Portuguese star which could cost the Reds as much as $77 million.
It was the Anfield outfit who were heavily linked with Nunes before he moved to Wolves, and The Telegraph claims Liverpool even went as far as making a commitment to bid for him and will uphold it come the season’s end.
The 24-year-old hasn’t exactly adapted to Premier League life as much as Wolves had hoped, although it has been a collective struggle from the Midlands outfit who are in 19th spot on the ladder.
Nunes has also had to deal with his share of injuries and had last completed a full 90 minutes against Manchester City on September 17 until he achieved the same feat last weekend against Manchester United.
