Transfer Talk: Beckham joins effort to sign Modric in Miami

The summer transfer window has closed throughout most of Europe, but there are still moves in the works and plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: David Beckham involved with Inter Miami’s efforts to sign Luka Modric

Inter Miami president David Beckham is believed to have spoken to Luka Modric about a potential move in the January transfer window or at the end of the current season, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Modric is said to be frustrated by his recent lack of minutes at Real Madrid. He hasn’t played in either of Real’s past two matches, after having been substituted in the defeat against Atletico Madrid, in what is a new and unfamiliar situation for the Croatian international. It is the first time he has missed consecutive matches in Madrid colours since 2012, and there are currently 14 players who have enjoyed more game time.

Modric received multiple offers from Saudi Arabia in the summer, but a move to the MLS — which could see him line up alongside Lionel Messi — might be more realistic. Modric is already believed to have met up with Beckham in Croatia to discuss the possibility of a move.

According to former player Predrag Mijatović, a close connection to the Croatian, Modric has received multiple offers from America, but Messi himself has expressed an interest in hooking up with his former LaLiga adversary.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Italian rivals Inter Milan and Napoli are interested in signing 23-year-old winger Paulinho from Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro, according to journalist Ekrem Konur. Paulinho joined Atletico in December 2022 after an initial loan spell at German club Bayer Leverkusen, for whom he scored nine goals in 79 appearances after leaving Vasco da Gama. Paulinho is said to want a move to one of Europe’s big leagues but is contracted to Mineiro until 2027.

– Chelsea are exploring new attacking options for the January transfer window and summer of 2024, and Football Insider believes they could be best placed to seize on the situation surrounding Napoli forward Victor Osimhen. There has been a lot of talk about a possible exit for the 24-year-old Nigerian following a recent TikTok post from Napoli’s official account, which saw his agent threaten legal action against the club. Chelsea may be hamstrung by financial fair play restrictions, but manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen to explore the deal if the striker continues to express his unhappiness at the situation in Naples.

– Barcelona sporting director Deco is looking to bolster the club’s defensive midfield options with a potential move for Corinthians rising star Gabriel Moscardo. That’s according to Sport, which believes the 18-year-old fits Barca’s profile — he’s tall and offers a physical presence, can play with both feet and boasts good vision. Deco was a key player in the club’s signing of Vitor Roque and he hopes that Moscardo can also thrive at Spotify Camp Nou. Moscardo has limited experience at the top level, but Deco has seen enough to believe Barca should make a move at the end of the season.