A Manchester United flop could be in line for a return to a familiar stomping ground, while a European heavyweight have laid down a crucial marker in the Kylian Mbappe sweepstakes.
Meanwhile, a trio of attacking stars in the Bundesliga could find themselves in the crosshairs of a misfiring Premier League giant.
Catch up on all of the latest transfer whispers in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!
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$136M FLOP IN LINE FOR SHOCK RETURN
Just two-and-a-half years after signing Jadon Sancho for $AUD136 million, Manchester United could be sending the troubled star back to where they initially signed him from.
Multiple outlets report Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund are willing to take Sancho back, which at this stage appears to be a loan.
Sancho enjoyed three stellar seasons with Dortmund and quickly emerged as one of the best young talents in Europe.
It was United who won the race for Sancho with a monster bid but since arriving at Old Trafford the England international has thus far failed to replicate his form.
Such is the strained relationship between Sancho and United boss Erik ten Hag that the former has been forced to train away from the first team since September 14.
Speaking on Transfer Show, Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth was uncertain as to how the transfer might be structured but felt it could be one that suits all parties.
“What will be under discussion right now will be a loan fee potentially and the salary situation because he’s on big wages,” Sheth said.
“Can Borussia Dortmund afford to pay the full wages of Jadon Sancho? Or will they hope that United can help them out and pay a portion of those wages as well?
“This could be a move that could work for everyone, though. Erik ten Hag obviously has fallen out with the player, so he will have a player that he’s fallen out with no longer in the squad for the rest of the season.
EURO GIANTS IMPOSE DEADLINE AS CRUNCH MBAPPE CALL NEARS
With the January window now open, French superstar Kylian Mbappe is free to negotiate with rival clubs over a move in the summer.
Mbappe’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer and will become the hottest commodity in football if he sees his contract through.
The World Cup winner has constantly been linked with Real Madrid in recent years and came agonisingly close to joining Los Blancos in the summer of 2022, only to turn around and sign a fresh deal with PSG to stay.
But his future once again came into focus last summer once it emerged he would not extend his deal and was sent to train among PSG’s unwanted players while the rest of the club went overseas to continue pre-season preparations.
Saudi club Al-Hilal bravely tested the waters with a $485 million bid for Mbappe, but the French international turned it down.
Real Madrid are set to make yet another approach for Mbappe but, according to The Athletic, they have imposed a mid-January deadline for the 25-year-old to make up his mind.
ATTACKING DUO IN MISFIRING RED DEVILS’ CROSSHAIRS
Although Manchester United may not have much financial wriggle room to work with in January due to FFP, it won’t exactly stop them from operating in the market.
The Athletic claims the Red Devils could bring in one or two players on loan and it’s looking likely they will be attacking signings.
Manchester United have managed just 22 goals this season — one fewer than 18th-placed Luton Town — as Rasmus Hojlund continues to struggle to acclimatise to the Premier League.
The report claims United have a trio of stars in the Bundesliga in the crosshairs including Bayern Munich duo Thomas Muller and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as well as RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner.
Werner has already had a taste of life in the Premier League with Chelsea, although he struggled heavily to make his mark.
Muller recently signed a contract extension with Bayern but has previously been linked with United, while Choupo-Moting has largely been consigned to the bench as Harry Kane’s backup.
Time will tell as to whether United advance talks with any of the trio, but they don’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence.