PALMEIRAS, FLAMENGO FIGHTING TO SIGN GABRIEL JESUS

Palmeiras and Flamengo are the major contenders for Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus ahead of the future window, with the striker likely to be allowed to leave.

According to Fichajes, Gabriel Jesus continued to attract big interest from clubs in his homeland, Brazil. It appears Flamengo and boyhood club Palmeiras are the prime contenders for the 28-year-old Arsenal utility man, who could be allowed to leave the North London side for the right offer.

Gabriel Jesus suffered an unfortunate Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury back in January, and he continues to recover from the problem ahead of a possible return at the end of the year. The Brazilian has been a key star for Mikel Arteta, but his influence has waned over the last 12 months or so.

Arteta would be open to selling him, and the club are open to offers if the right proposal arrives on their table. Due to his injury, there weren’t a host of clubs keen on him, but Arsenal are reportedly demanding at least £30-35 million to offload him.

Whether that is something that interested parties will pay remains the question, as the major interest continues to evolve from Brazilian giants Flamengo and Palmeiras. It was the latter where Jesus came through as a player before his move to Manchester City and then to Arsenal.

Flamengo have been interested back in the summer, and they could make a concerted effort to bring him back to Brazil in January, if they can get a deal in place with Arsenal. The prospects of it are a little challenging, given the player’s wages and what the Gunners might demand for his sale.

Palmeiras could be the favourites to land Gabriel Jesus

Palmeiras have the obvious advantage in the race for Jesus, given their past association with the player, and the 28-year-old Arsenal utility man could be open to the idea. However, it may be the finances that play a crucial role, as the Brazilian giants will certainly look at leveraging a deal, given Arsenal does not want the player anymore since the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres in the summer.

It remains to be seen how Arteta plans for the 28-year-old Arsenal utility man’s future, given that he could still integrate him if there is a lack of offers. However, on the front of him moving away, right now, there are only the two Brazilian sides that are keen, although that could change if Jesus proves his fitness in the coming months.

- TheHardTackle 

CHELSEA READY TO MAKE €50M PLUS OFFER FOR BARCELONA MIDFIELDER

According to reports in Spain, Chelsea are willing to make a €50 million-plus offer for the FC Barcelona midfielder.

FBL-EUR-C1-BARCELONA-SHAKHTAR | LLUIS GENE/GettyImages

Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final on Sunday night, securing their title as world champions. The Blues are now looking to further bolster their squad ahead of next season after finishing the 24/25 campaign with two trophies under Enzo Maresca's leadership. Even though they have already made some major signings, they are now pursuing a few more.

Chelsea are believed to be currently looking to add more quality to their midfield. And they might look towards Barcelona for that.

As reported by Fichajes, Chelsea are willing to make an offer exceeding €50 million for Fermin Lopez, convinced that the competition he will face at Barcelona with players like Dani Olmo could open a window of opportunity. The Spaniard is fully focused on succeeding at Camp Nou, but he is also open to considering alternatives if his prominence diminishes.

Since being promoted to Barcelona's first-team, Lopez has only gotten better. The 22-year-old made a name for himself with his outstanding performances last season, despite not being a regular starter under Hansi Flick. He scored 8 goals and provided 10 assists in 46 matches across all competitions. He only featured for 2039 minutes. Elite output for a midfielder.

Chelsea ready to make €50m-plus offer for Barcelona midfielder

Lopez has four years left on his contract with Barcelona, and they have no plans of discussing his departure. The club believe he might become one of their pillars in the future.

However, it appears that Chelsea are hoping to capitalise on the fact that the Spanish club cannot guarantee him a starting role, and there is no immediate prospect of that improving next season. Remember, Olmo dealt with multiple injuries this season and is only expected to feature more often moving forward.

Furthermore, everybody is aware of the La Liga club's ongoing financial difficulties. As a result, they are always likely to consider satisfactory offers.

There is no doubt that Lopez would be an excellent addition to the team, but convincing Barcelona will be difficult because they are aware of the player's potential. And the 22-year-old is unlikely to leave his boyhood club unless absolutely convinced that it is the right step. Can Chelsea pull it off?

- Sayak Biswas

MAN UNITED 'WANT TO SELL' TOP STAR 'TO COVER COST' OF ONE 'BLOCKBUSTER SIGNING' IN THE SUMMER

Alejandro Balde could replace Alejandro Garnacho in the summer transfer window.

Man Utd will look to sell Alejandro Garnacho in the summer transfer window in order to fund a move for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, according to reports.

The Red Devils are currently 13th in the Premier League table as they continue their terrible form this season with a crucial clash against 14th-placed Tottenham coming up on Sunday.

Man Utd have failed to improve under new boss Ruben Amorim after the Portuguese coach replaced Erik ten Hag in November with the Red Devils winning just four of their 14 Premier League matches during his tenure.

The Red Devils, who had Erik ten Hag in charge at the time, spent around £180m on new signings in the summer transfer window with Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte arriving.

However, that recruitment drive negatively impacted the January transfer window with new manager Amorim afforded one new player in Patrick Dorgu from Lens.

Man Utd are reportedly close to their Premier League profit and sustainability (PSR) limit with the Red Devils even considering sales of young players like Kobbie Mainoo and Garnacho to balance the books.

And now Spanish publication Fichajes claims that Man Utd ‘have a plan to sign a Barcelona star’ in the summer transfer window as they look to give Amorim more balance to his squad.

It is understood that Man Utd ‘want to sell’ Garnacho ‘to cover the cost of a blockbuster signing’ in the form of Barcelona left-back Balde.

The Red Devils are ‘planning an ambitious strategy to strengthen their squad in the upcoming summer transfer market’ with the Spain international becoming ‘a priority target’.

Man Utd are ‘willing to part’ with Argentina international Garnacho ‘whose sale could provide the necessary funds to complete the arrival of the left-back from FC Barcelona’.

Garnacho has proved effective in spells off the bench but is struggling to find a long-term place in Amorim’s starting XI as the Man Utd boss could look to better suited players for his system and style of play.

It is claimed that Amorim ‘highly values his impact on the team and his performance in key moments’ but that ‘United’s delicate financial situation and the need to strengthen the defence could mean the Argentine is the sacrificial piece in the summer’.

On Balde, Amorim ‘believes that his incorporation would strengthen the left wing, where the team is still looking for solutions despite the recent arrival of Patrick Dorgu’.

Barcelona ‘will not let him go easily’ with Balde valued at around €50m by the Catalan giants, while a Garnacho sale shouldn’t be a problem after January interest from both Napoli and Chelsea.

- Joe Williams