Football
Juventus eye Premier League talent as player deal nears completion
Juventus is poised for a significant overhaul in their defense this winter transfer window, with Jean-Clair Todibo possibly leading the charge for more acquisitions from the Premier League.
The Italian club, having already brought in Portuguese defenders Alberto Costa and Renato Veiga, is now focusing on strengthening their defensive line further.
According to Calciomercato, Todibo, the 25-year-old French center-back currently on loan at West Ham from Nice, is at the top of Juventus’ wish list. After failing to secure his signature last summer, Juventus is now pushing for a temporary move. This renewed effort follows their unsuccessful attempts to sign other defenders like Antonio Silva, Ronald Araujo, Fikayo Tomori, and David Hancko, with Hancko still being considered for a future transfer.
Todibo’s potential signing could open the door for Juventus to look into other players with British passports. Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka and Ben Chilwell have been mentioned as possible targets. Chukwuemeka might be in Juventus’ sights if Nicolò Fagioli leaves, especially with interest from Marseille, Fiorentina, and Parma. Chilwell could be an option if Andrea Cambiaso, who is on Manchester City’s radar, decides to move on.
Juventus’ sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, is working diligently to equip coach Thiago Motta with an additional central defender. This defensive restructuring is driven by injuries to key players Gleison Bremer and Cabal, alongside Danilo’s transfer back to Flamengo in Brazil.
Juventus player pushing for club to sign West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo
In recent days, Serie A powerhouse Juventus has been linked once again with West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo, keeping the transfer rumors alive.
Juventus attempted to secure Todibo during the summer transfer period, but when they couldn’t negotiate a lower price, West Ham managed to sign him on a loan with an obligation to buy clause.
Now, Todibo has re-emerged as a target for Juventus. According to Alfredo Pedulla, Khephren Thuram, who played alongside Todibo at Nice, is actively working to persuade his former teammate to join him in Turin. There’s talk that the two might have a conversation, with the defender reportedly open to the move.
However, any deal hinges on West Ham’s consent and the specifics of the agreement they’re looking for. Additionally, Nice, Todibo’s parent club, is aware that there’s no guarantee West Ham will exercise their option to buy. Juventus is only interested in a loan arrangement, so the coming weeks will reveal how this situation unfolds.
English Premier League
Brighton and Hove Albion close to £10m deal for Derby County player
Brighton & Hove Albion are on the brink of securing a £10m transfer for Derby County’s Eiran Cashin, with the move appearing increasingly probable before next week’s transfer window closes.
According to The Telegraph, the young centre-back has become unsettled due to Brighton’s interest and seems keen on a switch to the south coast.
Derby, currently languishing in the Championship’s relegation zone with a string of six consecutive losses, are in dire need of squad reinforcements. Selling Cashin could provide the funds for new signings, but the club is aiming to maximize the transfer fee.
Despite Derby’s desire to retain the 23-year-old this transfer window, Brighton’s persistent pursuit has influenced Cashin’s decision. The Seagulls are firm on not allowing a loan-back arrangement for the season, pushing Derby to demand as much as £15m for the deal.
Brighton has had their eye on Cashin for some time, having made several offers in the 2023/24 season. Although a £4m agreement was reached on the last day of the previous transfer window, the deal fell through.
Cashin, who signed a contract extension last February keeping him at Derby until 2026/27, is now eager to leave the struggling side.
For Derby, losing their only fit centre-back is far from ideal, especially with relegation looming, but the financial boost could help manager Paul Warne in his quest to strengthen the squad, particularly in attack where goals are scarce. With Curtis Nelson out for the season, additional defensive options are also a priority.
Club owner David Clowes continues to support Warne in his attempts to keep Derby in the Championship. The team’s lack of points in 2025, combined with an upcoming match against the in-form Sheffield United, presents a challenging scenario for Derby.
English Premier League
Wolves transfer interest in centre-back target heats up, representatives ‘impressed’ by his quality
Wolves are racing against time to secure at least two more signings before the January transfer window closes.
Vitor Pereira is keen to add two new players to his squad before the deadline, highlighting the urgency as the clock winds down.
Despite having already bolstered their defense with the signing of Emmanuel Agbadou, Pereira feels the squad needs more.
He’s specifically looking for another centre-back and a midfielder, pressing the club’s higher-ups to act swiftly.
Agbadou, early in his Wolves tenure, has been receiving glowing reviews, fulfilling the club’s urgent need for defensive reinforcement.
It’s clear that Wolves desperately need another central defender, especially with the recent underwhelming performances by players like Santi Bueno.
The search for a new defender is on, with Wolves scouts spotted in France, potentially identifying a left-sided centre-back.
According to GIVEMESPORT, Wolves have set their sights on Clement Akpa from Auxerre.
At 23, Akpa can play both as a left-back and centrally in defense, fitting the profile of the left-footed defender Wolves are eager to acquire.
Having contributed significantly to Auxerre’s promotion last season, Akpa has established himself in Ligue 1, now facing some of the top attackers in the world.
Two Wolves players know about Clement Akpa
After the success of Emmanuel Agbadou, Wolves are likely eager to tap into the French market again, with Clement Akpa emerging as a notable prospect from their recent scouting missions.
Interestingly, Akpa already has two connections to Wolves. He’s currently playing alongside Ki-Jana Hoever, who is on loan from Wolves and doing well at Auxerre.
Clement Akpa 2024/25 Ligue 1 |
2.08 tackles |
1.26 interceptions |
1.77 blocks |
4.67 clearances |
Moreover, Akpa has faced off against Agbadou in Ligue 1, giving Wolves an insider’s perspective on his abilities beyond just scouting reports.
GIVEMESPORT’s latest on Wolves’ interest in Akpa indicates that the club’s scouts have been ‘impressed’ by his performances this season.
With the transfer window nearly closed, it’s a race against time to see if Wolves can finalize their interest in Akpa and secure their desired reinforcements.
English Premier League
Man City are now open to selling player who Pep Guardiola thinks is a ‘special talent’
After a busy January transfer window where Manchester City spent around £120 million on new signings, the club might now shift focus to managing their squad by offloading some players.
City welcomed three new faces, with the standout being Omar Marmoush from Frankfurt, alongside the promising young defenders Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov.
This influx of talent means the door is now ajar for certain players to depart, including a forward who has previously received praise from Pep Guardiola.
According to Florian Plettenberg, Bayer Leverkusen are actively pursuing a deal for Manchester City’s James McAtee. The Bundesliga champions have initiated direct negotiations with City and have tabled an initial offer for a loan with an option to buy.
The signing of Omar Marmoush appears to have influenced City’s willingness to let McAtee go, as the young forward has only started twice this season and is seeking regular playing time.
Guardiola hopes this isn’t a repeat of the situation with Cole Palmer, where another highly-touted academy player was allowed to leave. McAtee was part of a notable City Academy group that also featured Morgan Rogers, Palmer, Liam Delap, Romeo Lavia, and Jadon Sancho.
Guardiola has previously spoken very highly of the 22-year-old, telling the media after his hat-trick against Salford City: “He’s an exceptional guy and he has a special talent. When he plays close to the opposition, he has an incredible sense of goal. His work ethic is unbelievable and he is aggressive.”
The midfielder has scored five goals for City this season, so it’s no surprise that a major club like Leverkusen is interested in him.
Could Manchester City’s next move in the market be coming together?
Manchester City have already brought in three new players this transfer window – Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis. However, it seems their spending spree isn’t over yet. Adding a full-back and another midfielder could make this a near-perfect transfer window for the world champions. There’s now talk that Juventus might be willing to lower their asking price for Andrea Cambiaso, which could hint at City’s next transfer target.
According to Michel Sakr’s report from JuventusNews24 via JuveFc.com, Juventus has reduced their price tag for the versatile full-back Andrea Cambiaso. It’s suggested that Manchester City might make an offer in the range of €60-65 million. The sale could help Juventus either strengthen their team or manage their finances better.
Looking at Manchester City’s full-back positions, there’s a clear opportunity for Cambiaso. At right-back, Pep Guardiola has been using Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis. Nunes has demonstrated his capability in recent matches, while Lewis, who started the season brightly, has seen a dip in form. Cambiaso could offer a high-quality alternative to both.
Similarly, at left-back, Josko Gvardiol has been a regular, but Cambiaso’s versatility to play on either side could be a valuable asset for Guardiola. If Manchester City can secure Cambiaso in the coming days, he might prove to be a wise investment.
With Juventus potentially dropping their asking price, Manchester City seem poised to make a move for Cambiaso. This potential transfer is something to keep an eye on in the next few days, as based on Sakr’s report, City could be close to signing a player who would significantly enhance Guardiola’s squad.
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