What we’re hearing in the transfer window: Rashford to Barcelona? Girma’s WSL move

The transfer window is open across Europe as clubs look to do some midseason business. But what are ESPN’s reporters hearing about some of the deals that could be done, and which clubs are hoping to make moves?

Every Friday during January we’ll bring you the latest updates and insights on the biggest transfer news.

Could Marcus Rashford join Barcelona on loan?

Barcelona are certainly the first choice for Marcus Rashford and his representatives if he leaves Manchester United this month, but there’s an acceptance that it’s hard to do from a financial perspective. United would be keen, too, because if Rashford performs well at a club the size of Barcelona then his transfer value will go up ahead of the summer.

Milan are out of the question now that they’ve signed right-back Kyle Walker from Manchester City. Borussia Dortmund have asked to be kept informed of developments over Rashford and there are lots of other interested clubs, but the finances involved are proving problematic for everyone. United will have to drop their demands if they really want him to leave, which means this one could go right down to the wire on deadline day. — Rob Dawson

Barça would like to sign Rashford, but hopes of raising or saving enough money to register him within their spending cap imposed by LaLiga are decreasing. Winger Ansu Fati has had the door open to leave, but remains reluctant to depart for now, while defender Eric García is also currently set to stay despite interest from Girona and Como.

Barça were also hoping Celta Vigo‘s Óscar Mingueza would join Aston Villa this month — as they retain 50% of any future transfer the defender makes — but the Premier League club’s signing of Levante’s Andrés García has closed that avenue. — Sam Marsden

It’s pretty simple: Rashford has been offered to every top club in France, Spain and Italy. In Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco and Marseille have been contacted. L’OM are managed by Roberto De Zerbi — who knows the England international well since facing him in the Premier League with Brighton — so they looked into whether it was feasible, but Rashford’s wages proved to be a big stumbling block. The winger would also rather join a team playing in a Europe, which is not the case for Marseille this season. — Julien Laurens

– Nottingham Forest are looking to aid their Champions League charge by bolstering their forward options. They have been heavily linked with Yoane Wissa at Brentford and will continue exploring other options to add some competition up front. — Tom Hamilton

– Liverpool forward Ben Doak will remain on loan at Middlesbrough for the rest of the season despite interest from Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town. — Lindop

– Westerlo and United States men’s national team defender Bryan Reynolds continues to draw interest from European teams, including those from Czechia, the Netherlands and the English Championship. But Westerlo, having prevented Reynolds from taking part in last summer’s Olympic games, is reluctant to let the former FC Dallas product leave. Reynolds has made 22 league and cup appearances this season, scoring two goals. — Jeff Carlisle

– Reynolds’ American teammate, Griffin Yow, is also on the radar of European clubs, but Westerlo are reluctant to move him on because of the difficulty of finding a replacement given that the club are mired in a relegation battle. A summer move now seems more likely. An injury slowed Yow’s progress during the first half of the year, but the midfielder has still managed to make 16 appearances, scoring three goals. — Carlisle

– Frankfurt have stepped up their chase to sign Marseille forward Elye Wahi, which could mean more disappointment for West Ham, who were keen on the France U21 international after not reaching a deal for Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán. The German club, who sent Omar Marmoush to Manchester City for €70m this week, are nearing an agreement to land Wahi on a 4½-year contract for a fee of around €30m. — Laurens

– Juventus’ Brazilian centre-back Danilo agreed to Flamengo’s offer and will negotiate his release with the Italian club, where he is under contract until the end of the 2024-25 season. Santos also showed interest in the veteran defender, but Flamengo’s wage offer was higher. He is expected to be available for coach Filipe Luis’ squad ahead of the Supercopa do Brazil final, against Botafogo, on Feb. 2. — Daniela Boaventura, ESPN Brazil

– Former Barcelona forward Louie Barry‘s stock is high after a superb loan spell at Stockport County, and Aston Villa are keen not to err with their next move. The youngster has been recalled for now and will sign a new deal at the Premier League club, who must then decide whether to keep him or loan him out again this month. Celtic and Lens have both made offers of over €5m, but Villa are not considering a permanent transfer. At some point, all 24 Championship sides have asked to be kept informed of Barry’s situation and Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday currently lead the way if Unai Emery does decide to send him out again this month. — Marsden

– Palmeiras have rejected a bid (reportedly around €8m) from Torino to sign 19-year-old striker Thalys. City Football Group had also shown interest, but the Brazilian club, who are in good financial shape after Vitor Reis’ move to Manchester City, have set a fee in the region of €25m. Thalys has a contract with Palmeiras until July 2028. — Vinicius Nicoletti, ESPN Brazil

– Owen Gene, a 21-year-old French midfielder from Amiens in Ligue 2, is going to sign with Minnesota United in MLS, sources have told ESPN. The Paris-born talent has impressed this season in France’s second tier, and while a few German clubs were interested, he decided to go to the U.S. instead. The transfer fee will be around $3m. — Laurens

– Reports in the Italian media claimed this week that there is an agreement in principle between AC Milan and Feyenoord to sign Mexico forward Santiago Giménez, though sources told ESPN Netherlands that there is still nothing between the two clubs. Milan are keen to sign a striker after poor seasons for Álvaro Morata and Tammy Abraham in front of goal so far. — ESPN NL.