A Socceroo could be off to a recent Serie A champion while Manchester United’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe is wasting little time in making his mark in the transfer market.
Catch up on the biggest transfer whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!
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AUSSIE ACE LINKED WITH SHOCK MOVE TO ITALIAN GIANTS
Australian defender Alessandro Circati enjoyed his best season yet as he played a starring role in helping Parma secure promotion to Serie A, the top flight in Italy.
The 20-year-old defender also closed out the campaign with a clean sheet for the Socceroos as he started the 5-0 thrashing of Palestine in Perth.
Circati’s impressive form for club and country has not gone unnoticed, as Sky Sports international reporter Gianluca Di Marzio claims the defender has caught the eye of an Italian giant.
According to Di Marzio, Napoli — who won the Serie A league title in 2022/13 — are interested in the Aussie youngster.
However, Napoli would only move for Circati should they fail in their pursuit to sign Torino’s Alessandro Buongiorno.
Napoli are coming off their worst league season since 2008/09 having finished 10th but will no doubt expect more having appointed Antonio Conte as their new manager.
$81M REUNION ON THE CARDS AS NEW MAN UTD BOSS MAKES HIS MARK
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe now in charge of Manchester United’s sporting operations, many expect the Red Devils to spend big to turn their fortunes around.
A position United desperately need an upgrade in is at centre back and according to the latest rumours, Ratcliffe is well aware.
Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports the Red Devils have held internal discussions regarding Bayern Munich defender Matthijs De Ligt.
An official approach is yet to be made, with Plettenberg claiming Bayern value De Ligt at $AUD81 million.
Should De Ligt end up at Old Trafford, he would be reunited with United boss Erik ten Hag as the two worked together at Dutch giants Ajax.
De Ligt isn’t the only centre back on United’s shortlist as the Premier League giants had a $67 million bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite rejected, per The Athletic.
Also on United’s lengthy list of transfer targets is young Dutch talent Xavi Simons.
A $96 million fee had reportedly been agreed between the Red Devils and Paris Saint-Germain for the 21-year-old last summer but the deal did not come to fruition as Simons spent the season on loan at RB Leipzig.
However, French outlet L’Equipe report United are going back in for the Netherlands international, who scored 10 goals and chalked up 15 assists for Leipzig last season.
BLUES’ SHOCK PLAYER SWAP FLOATED FOR FRENCH ACE
Chelsea’s spending is showing no signs of slowing down as they once again look to bolster their attacking ranks.
The Sun reports Chelsea are preparing a bold offer for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who has a $115 million release clause.
However, reports claim that Olise’s release clause can only be triggered by Champions League clubs, which Chelsea is not.
Instead, the Blues could offer cash and players moving in the other direction, with The Sun claiming Trevoh Chalobah and Noni Madueke may be used as a sweetener.
Olise struggled with injuries last season but lit up the league when fit, registering 10 goals and six assists from 19 games.
The 22-year-old is no stranger to Chelsea either having spent seven years in their academy before he left at age 14 to join Manchester City.