Football rumours: Chelsea eyeing double raid on Sporting in January

What the papers say

Chelsea are looking at a double January raid on Lisbon side Sporting, according to the Evening Standard. Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande, 20, and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, 25, are in the Blues’ sights.

Manchester City are in talks with River Plate midfielder Claudio Echeverri. The Times reports City plan to loan the 17-year-old back to the Argentinian side, who have a £21.4million release clause in his contract.

Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah, 21, is catching the eye of several Premier League clubs, reports the Evening Standard. Sunderland are keen to keep the French youngster but Crystal Palace, Fulham and Nottingham Forest are all circling.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is close to making a return to management, according to the Daily Mirror. The former Manchester United manager, 50, is the front runner to take over at Turkish club Besiktas.

Social media round-up

Ten Hag on if there is a possibility that Anthony Martial is sold in January:

“When we have news, then of course I will tell it. But that is not our aim”. pic.twitter.com/xUHEADiU3T

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 25, 2023

Julian Alvarez insists he is “very happy” at Manchester City amid links with a transfer to Real Madrid https://t.co/343fq08e9S pic.twitter.com/qneIwq5AbU

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 25, 2023

Players to watch

Said Benrahma: West Ham’s 28-year-old Algeria winger is interesting Lyon, according to talkSPORT.

Roberto Firmino: Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq could takes the former Liverpool forward, 32, from Saudi Pro League rivals Al-Ahli.