Lecce are reportedly making concerted efforts to retain their promising young left-back, Patrick Dorgu, amid interest from Manchester United. The 20-year-old Danish defender has garnered significant attention, prompting Lecce's president, Saverio Sticchi Damiani, to assert that the club is "trying to resist" the pressure from the Premier League giants. With a transfer fee estimated at around €40 million (£33.8 million), Dorgu's value to Lecce is clear as they strive to fend off advances from one of Europe’s elite clubs.
In other transfer news, Brazilian forward Neymar is contemplating a substantial pay cut to facilitate a potential return to Santos from Al-Hilal, as reported by Footmercato. The 32-year-old has expressed a strong desire to rejoin his former club in Brazil, reflecting a growing trend of players seeking to reconnect with their roots.
Chelsea's Portuguese centre-back, Renato Veiga, is set to join Juventus on loan, with no option to buy included in the agreement, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. This move underscores Juventus' ongoing efforts to bolster their defensive options as they navigate the latter stages of the season.
Aston Villa have also made headlines by securing a one-year contract extension for 28-year-old Argentine midfielder Emiliano Buendia. This decision comes amid interest from various clubs across Germany, Italy, and Saudi Arabia, highlighting Buendia's significant value in the transfer market.
In a further development, Aston Villa are actively pursuing Argentine defender Juan Foyth from Villarreal after their attempts to sign French defender Loic Bade from Sevilla fell short. Additionally, Villa have set their sights on Chelsea's Axel Disasi, a 26-year-old French centre-back, as they aim to strengthen their defensive line ahead of the winter transfer window closure, as noted by Football Insider.
Meanwhile, Timo Werner, currently on loan at Tottenham from RB Leipzig, is reportedly in discussions regarding a potential transfer to Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, according to Footmercato. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has also voiced uncertainty about his future, with his contract set to expire this summer. He remarked that he does not know "what the future will bring," as highlighted by the Liverpool Echo.
Brentford right-back Mads Roerslev is preparing for a medical with Wolfsburg after both clubs reached an agreement for a six-month loan that includes an option to buy, as reported by Sky Sports Germany. Strasbourg are expected to make another attempt to sign Brentford’s 22-year-old Portuguese forward Fabio Carvalho, following the rejection of an initial loan offer.
AC Milan are preparing to submit a revised bid of approximately €33-34 million for Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez, although Feyenoord are holding out for a fee of €40 million for the 23-year-old, according to Calciomercato. Leicester City's Hamza Choudhury, 27, is nearing a loan move to Sheffield United, which includes an option to purchase, as reported by Athletic.
Lastly, Southampton are open to offers for Kyle Walker-Peters after Galatasaray expressed interest in the 27-year-old English defender, who is poised to be out of contract this summer, as indicated by Fabrizio Romano. The transfer landscape remains dynamic as clubs seek to enhance their squads ahead of the winter window closing, with Aston Villa's proactive approach particularly noteworthy in this bustling market.