Transfer Talk: Man United could move for Brighton centre-back White

Published on: 11 December 2020

The coronavirus pandemic made the summer transfer market unlike any before it, but there were still plenty of deals done, and you can check out the major ones here. The window might be closed across the top leagues in Europe, but here are the best rumours from around the globe.

TOP STORY: Man United 'huge admirers' of White

Manchester United have added Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Ben White to their list of centre-back targets, reports the Manchester Evening News.

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It is suggested that Raphael Varane and Dayot Upamecano, of Real Madrid and RB Leipzig, respectively, are the other names on the list.

The Red Devils are reportedly "huge admirers" of White, who spent last season on loan at Leeds United, as they prepare to bring in a centre-back in 2021.

There might be some competition for the 23-year-old's signature, as Liverpool and Leeds have also been linked.

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08.00 GMT: Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font said he can persuade Lionel Messi to stay at Barcelona if he's elected and says Xavi Hernandez will play a key role in getting him to sign a new deal.

Messi, 33, is out of contract with Barca in June and is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club next month.

Font, one of nine hopefuls running for the presidency, says the immediate priority if he wins the election on Jan. 24 is getting the Argentina forward to extend his 20-year stay at Camp Nou.

"I'm convinced that with a competitive, exciting and, especially in Messi's case, long-term project -- one that could even go beyond the day that Messi retires -- we will convince him to stay," Font told ESPN in an exclusive interview.

"Messi is the best player in the history of the No. 1 sport in the world. Imagine what that means. For that reason, the Messi-Barca association is a strategic one and we must do everything possible to guarantee the association lives on.

"Keeping in mind he can speak with other clubs in January, phoning Messi [if I win the election] must be one of the priorities."

play1:17 Barcelona presidential candidate convinced Messi will stay

Victor Font believes he will be able to convince Lionel Messi to stay if he wins the presidential election.

PAPER TALK (by Danny Lewis)

Atalanta could sell Ilicic

Atalanta might be set to sell Josip Ilicic as soon as January, according to a report from Sky Sports Italia.

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This comes after the striker appeared to back Alejandro Gomez in a disagreement between the Argentine and manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

The report says that Ilicic is not performing at the level he reached during his golden period and could be allowed to leave Bergamo.

There is no indication that Gomez will be joining him in walking through the exit door.

Man United still interested in Grealish

As a part of The Athletic's mailbag feature, Laurie Whitwell was asked by one Manchester United fan whether the Red Devils still have an interest in Jack Grealish.

The journalist responded: "I believe they do. His new contract protects his value for Aston Villa, but Grealish still has admirers at United. Personally, I love his style."

The Aston Villa captain has built on his performances last season to earn himself a place in Gareth Southgate's England national team squad.

It seems as though the 25-year-old's stock is set to rise further, so there might be a move expected from the Red Devils in the summer, following on from the club's previous attempts to sign him.

Tap-ins

- Fulham loanee Joachim Andersen has told Foot Mercato that he intends to return to Lyon once his spell with the Cottagers comes to an end. When asked about the possibility of staying at Craven Cottage, the Dane replied: "My goal is to have a good season with Fulham and help them stay in the Premier League. Then we will see my situation in Lyon this summer."

- Wolverhampton Wanderers are showing an interest in signing Mainz youngster Marlon Roos-Trujillo, reports Bild. The 17-year-old's contract comes to its culmination at the end of the season, but things could be complicated by laws associated with Brexit.

Source: espn.co.uk

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