Let’s see some of the transfer news around the football world.
Chelsea in talks to sign Badiashile from Monaco
Chelsea is looking to reinforce the middle of their defense by attempting to recruit Benoit Badiashile from Monaco.
The 21-year-old France international is the Blues’ main candidate as they prioritize the acquisition of a new defender.
According to The Athletic, they are already discussing with Monaco as they try to reach an agreement for the upcoming weeks.
The center-back, who went through Monaco’s junior academy and has made 135 appearances for the senior club in all competitions, is estimated to cost Chelsea about €35 million (£31m/$37m).
The Stamford Bridge club has other targets besides Badiashile as well. According to reports, RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, Evan N’Dika of Eintracht Frankfurt, and Piero Hincapie of Bayer Leverkusen were all observed.
After coming to a personal understanding with the Croatian star, the Blues had tried to sign Gvardiol over the summer but were unsuccessful in their negotiations with Leipzig.
🚨🇫🇷 Chelsea are trying to sign Monaco's Benoît Badiashile for €35m as things stand in their LCB pursuit.
Other options also include Gvardiol, NDicka & Hincapie, reports @David_Ornstein. pic.twitter.com/sJRr6zwNje
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 24, 2022
Arsenal making progress in Mudryk talks
Mykhaylo Mudryk’s transfer from Shakhtar to Arsenal is still being discussed, according to Nicolo Schira. Newcastle is allegedly also interested in the winger, with whom the Gunners have already agreed on a deal in principle.
In 49 games for three clubs in the Ukrainian Premier League, Mudryk has nine goals and 12 assists. He has participated in 29 of those games for Shakhtar, and so far this season, he has contributed to six assists and scored seven goals.
The final stages of negotiations for a new, long-term contract between Gabriel Martinelli and Arsenal are now being reached.
Charlie Patino, a teenage midfielder for Arsenal, has activated a clause in his contract that will keep him with the team through 2025.
According to GOAL, Patino’s current deal, set to expire in the summer of 2023, has been extended by at least two more seasons. If Arsenal wanted to keep the player for a longer term despite interest from multiple European clubs, they had to activate the clause by the end of December.
🚨 "Arsenal have a feeling that Shakhtar could maybe accept €60m/€65m [£52m/£57m] to find the right package to include maybe some add-ons to find some smart formula to sign Mudryk.”
– @FabrizioRomano
🌕 via @GiveMeSport pic.twitter.com/T31CfRZQNY— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) December 25, 2022
Manchester United is in talks with PSV to sign Gakpo in January
The Mirror claims that Manchester United has spoken to PSV Eindhoven about bringing in star forward Cody Gakpo in January.
Gakpo has been linked to Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Newcastle United. Still, United appears to be the best-positioned club to sign him, given that they have already begun talks with PSV about a winter transfer.
As they attempt to balance their accounts, PSV is currently having some financial issues and may be forced to sell Gakpo next month.
United made contact with the Dutch team this week, and they may pay less than £50 million to sign the 23-year-old dynamic forward. If the two clubs agree on the transfer fee, personal terms should be only formalities.
