Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern circle for Juventus’ Federico Chiesa

The summer transfer window is closed for the top leagues in Europe! After a summer full of international football, countless clubs waited until the last minute to pull off their transfers. See all the major deals here and check out how we graded the biggest signings. But just because the window is shut until January, that doesn’t mean the rumours won’t keep coming.

TOP STORY: Juve’s Chiesa attracting attention from top clubs

Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are keen on Juventus winger Federico Chiesa but the Italian club view the 23-year-old as untouchable, according to Calciomercato.

It has been reported that Chelsea offered €100 million to sign the Italy international in the summer, but Juventus turned down the proposal and don’t fear holding onto the player in the future. They signed the winger on loan from Fiorentina in 2020 for a €10m fee over two years, with a €40m option to permanently secure his services in 2022.

The Blues are set to make a move for him again but are closely followed by Liverpool and Bayern Munich. However, it doesn’t change the plans for Juventus, who aren’t worried about losing him.

Chiesa was a key player for Italy in their victory at Euro 2020, helping turn the tide against England in the final. His seven appearances and two goals at the tournament has attracted interest but his season so far with Juventus has been stop-start, suffering with injuries and only managing 184 minutes so far in four appearances with one goal in a key 3-2 win over Spezia midweek.

– ESPN+ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more (U.S.)
– Dortmund vs. Union Berlin: Stream LIVE 9/19 on ESPN+ (U.S.)
– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access

LIVE BLOG

09.00 BST: Manchester United’s scouts have been instructed to identify alternative options to Declan Rice in the club’s search for a defensive midfielder next summer, sources told ESPN, amid concerns over West Ham’s valuation of the player and contrasting opinions within Old Trafford over his ability to significantly improve the team.

Rice, 22, emerged from England’s Euro 2020 campaign as one of the key figures in Gareth Southgate’s team as the Three Lions reached their first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup. His performances for England have been followed by an impressive start to this season for David Moyes’ team, who have faced United in their last two senior fixtures in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

Though United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains an admirer of Rice, sources told ESPN the club’s recruitment team is yet to be convinced the former Republic of Ireland youth international possesses the qualities to take the team to another level.

play

Janusz Michallik reflects on Liverpool’s thrilling 3-3 draw away vs. Brentford.

PAPER GOSSIP (by Luke Thrower)

– Chelsea are preparing a €120m deal for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt after failing to land Sevilla star Jules Kounde in the summer, according to AS. The 22-year-old De Ligt’s contract runs until 2024, however it has been reported that there is a release clause inserted into his deal that activates next year and has that attracted some European clubs into trying to tempt him into a move away from Juventus.

– West Ham United are eyeing a move for Clermont striker Mohamed Bayo, according to the Sun. The 23-year-old is said to be unsettled at the Ligue 1 club, which wants €12m in order to let the him leave. Hammers boss David Moyes is hoping to bring in the Guinea international as competition for star striker Michail Antonio.

– Barcelona are set to offer Ousmane Dembele a new two-year deal according to Sport. The 24-year-old could talk to non-Spanish clubs as of January due to his deal expiring at the end of the season, however the Catalan side believe the injury-hit winger wants to stay and see him as an important part of their rebuild if he can stay fit.

– Atletico Madrid are hoping to sign Napoli and Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz, reports Calciomercato. Diego Simeone is said to be keen on the 25-year-old to bolster his central ranks, whilst Marcos Llorente could go the other way if the Madrid boss wants to land his top target.

– West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen is of interest to Liverpool as they look to bolster their attack amid the potential exit of Divock Origi. That’s according to AS, which reports that the 24-year-old Bowen was a target in the summer window but with Origi unable to find a new club, it shut the door on a potential move until January.