Transfer rumors, news: Saudi Pro League eyes Vinícius Júnior

Interest in Vinícius Júnior continues from Saudi Arabia, while Manchester United could move for 17-year-old Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from the world of soccer.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Of course the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim at Manchester United means that interest in a number of his Sporting CP stars will increase. A Bola reports that 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda has already been scouted by United and could replace €95m flop Antony. Quenda has a release clause of €100m, so he won’t come cheap, while striker Viktor Gyökeres and attacking midfielder Francisco Trincão have also been identified as potential options by Amorim, reports Ekrem Konur.

– Interest from the Saudi Pro League remains in Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, reports Relevo. The Brazil international was subject to significant attention from Saudi Arabia in the summer, where an offer worth €1 billion over five years was reported to have been submitted. Vinícius is under contract at Real Madrid until 2027 and even though they are keen to extend his deal, the 24-year-old has not yet sat down to reach an agreement over new terms. It is reported that even if a deal to Saudi Arabia could not be agreed to in the summer, the SPL are set to return in 2025.

– Liverpool are looking to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush, says Bild. The Egypt international could be a replacement for his international teammate Mo Salah in the long term and he has impressed this season with 11 goals and seven assists from 13 games so far. Any deal is likely to cost upwards of €50m.

– Athletic Club are keen to get a new deal for winger Nico Williams amid Barcelona interest, reports Sport. With Williams’ contract expiring in 2027, the Catalan giants are attentive to the opportunity. However, the report says the Basque club are looking to agree to a new contract with Williams to raise his €55m release clause to fend off interest.

– Liverpool are looking to strike a deal for AFC Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, reports TEAMtalk. Liverpool are keen to add to their left-back options to give competition to Andrew Robertson. The Reds are keen to secure a long-term replacement for the 30-year-old Robertson, with the report suggesting that Kerkez has been identified as an ideal replacement. It is reported there is an expectation that Kerkez will leave Bournemouth either in January or next summer.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN writer Tor-Kristian Karlsen explores why Man United might be keen on Sporting’s 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda.

Since the start of the season, Quenda’s career has taken off. Not only did he make his first-team debut — he scored on that occasion, which made him Sporting’s youngest-ever goal scorer at senior level (beating Cristiano Ronaldo in the process) — he was also called up to the senior Portugal side last month.

Fielded as an orthodox right winger in Portugal’s U17 side at the European Championship in June, the left-footed youngster made the Team of the Tournament. But, at Sporting, Amorim entrusted him with added defensive responsibilities at right wing-back — a move that few would’ve envisaged months ago — and he rose to the challenge, putting in a string of positive performances at both ends of the pitch.

As a potential replacement for Anthony at Man United, Quenda should bring more enthusiasm, a higher work-rate and added conviction in attacking 1v1s (he’s currently the top dribbler in the Portuguese top flight at a respectable 72% success rate). And, at 17, he has a much higher developmental ceiling.

There’s still work to be done on his decision-making and end product, and the idea of using him as a wing-back in the Premier League appears premature. But Quenda’s change of pace, 1v1 skills and technical ability make him an exhilarating prospect. His €100m release clause might not match his current transfer valuation, but it gives Sporting plenty of leverage.

OTHER RUMORS

– Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is struggling now Kylian Mbappé has arrived. The Englishman has “gone from the epicentre at Madrid to being displaced” in the team and “is the main one affected by the arrival of Mbappé.” (AS)

– Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand is unhappy that Amorim is set to leave the club after rejecting a transfer himself last summer. (O Jogo)

– Liverpool, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle are interested in Chelsea’s right-back Josh Acheampong, 18, who is stalling over signing a new contract with his current deal due to expire in June 2026. (Football Insider)

– Tottenham defender Pedro Porro is a potential option for Real Madrid. Porro is a player that Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti admires, with the Spanish giants contemplating a possible approach in January, as they look to bolster their defensive options following the injury to Dani Carvajal. (Estadio Deportivo)

– Real Sociedad and Girona are both keeping tabs on Barcelona defender Eric García. The 23-year-old spent last season on loan with Girona where he impressed. Garcia sees his contract expire in 2026 and even though he wants to stay with the Blaugrana, interest from Real Sociedad and Girona could see Barcelona willing to strike a deal. (Sport)