Gabriel Martinelli appears to back up ex-Arsenal star’s pointed view on Virgil van Dijk​

Manchester United are keen on Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies, while PSV Eindhoven are braced to receive bids from the Premier League for USMNT forward Ricardo Pepi in January. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours, and gossip from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United are interested in Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies, Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg reports. The Red Devils are said to see the 24-year-old Canada international as a “dream” transfer for next summer when his contract at the Allianz Arena will expire. Davies, who is yet to show any indication of wanting to remain in Germany, has made nine appearances in the Bundesliga this season, and he has also been linked with both Real Madrid and Barcelona.

– PSV Eindhoven are expecting a bid from Premier League clubs for forward Ricardo Pepi in January, reports AS. “Several” clubs are reported to have made enquiries to the Eredivisie side regarding a move in the next transfer window, while it is expected that a bid worth €15 million would be enough to land the 21-year-old United States international. Pepi has been in impressive form of late with six goals in his last nine games for club and country.

– Liverpool are keeping close tabs on Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki, reports RMC Sport. It is believed that manager Arne Slot is interested in a move for the 21-year-old, who the Reds are expected to “intensify” their approach for in the coming weeks. A bid worth less than €30m would reportedly be enough for the Ligue 1 side to agree to part ways with him, amid recent positive form that has seen him contribute to five goals in 11 matches across all competitions.

– A move to reunite with Lille midfielder Angel Gomes is under consideration by Manchester United, reports the Sun. The 24-year-old is reported to be seen as a potential successor to Casemiro, with the Red Devils convinced that he will be a strong fit for new manager Rúben Amorim’s system. Gomes is set to be out of contract next summer, and it is believed that Tottenham Hotspur are also in the running to sign him should he not join the club where he started his professional career.

– Centre-back Andreas Christensen could be moved on by Barcelona in January, reports Sport. The Blaugrana are unsure whether they can promise the 28-year-old regular first-team football with several options available in his position, and set to enter the final year of his deal next summer, they are considering parting ways with him permanently. It is said that the Denmark international would prefer to stay at the club, but there is the belief that could change if manager Hansi Flick informs him that he is not in first-team plans.

The winningest team in Costa Rica is asking FIFA for a spot in next summer’s Club World Cup and is willing to take legal action if denied.

Alajuelense, which has won 30 league titles, wants FIFA to enforce the rule that forbids clubs from the same ownership to participate in the tournament.

“The claim is based on the principles of eligibility set in the rules of the tournament,” the club said in a press release.

Team spokesman Marco Vazquez noted that Mexican clubs Leon and Pachuca belong to the same owner, Jesus Martinez, of Grupo Pachuca.

“Those are the rules that FIFA established — there cannot be multi-ownership,” Vazquez said Wednesday. “There are two Mexican clubs from the same owner and the rulebook is clear. What we are asking is to review what FIFA itself established.”

The FIFA-run competition has been expanded from seven teams to 32 and will be staged in the United States from June to July next year.

“We hired a law firm in Spain, and they have all the details,” Vazquez said of potential legal action.

FIFA has not publicly reacted to the team’s announcement and didn’t immediately answer a request for comment.

Alajuelense is the best-ranked team in Central America for the Concacaf, but 40th overall in the region.

Concacaf has four spots in the Club World Cup. The teams that qualified are: the Seattle Sounders FC, Monterrey, Leon and Pachuca. Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami CF will participate as a guest of the host.

All five clubs were announced for the Dec. 5 draw in Miami.

In Mexico, besides Leon and Pachuca, there are another two companies that own two or more clubs in the first division. Grupo Caliente owns Tijuana and Queretaro, while Grupo Orlegi controls Atlas and Santos. TV Azteca owns Mazatlan and has partial ownership of Puebla.

On May 2023, the Liga MX announced that multi-ownership will be forbidden, but gave owners four years to sell.

Jesus Martinez Murguia, who runs the Leon club, said they will sell part of the team to comply with the rules but will still have a partial ownership.