Love them or loathe them, transfer rumors are an important part of the football landscape. But not all gossip is created equal. We are here to help you separate the wheat from the chaff. Here you will find a selection of today’s football transfers, ranked.
Fulham want to extend Marco Silva’s contract
Rumor Rating (out of 10): 9
Well, duh. The bigger surprise would be if Fulham were to take a shot at Marco Silva, who the Premier League club has established as a solid player in mid-table since arriving at Craven Cottage in July 2021.
Before the Portuguese took over the reins, Fulham bobbed up and down like a buoy on the nearby River Thames. The club, which had been relegated from the Premier League twice in the previous three seasons, was crying out for a period of stability. Silva delivered exactly that. The 48-year-old won the championship at the first time of asking and hasn’t looked back since, a substantial achievement considering the increasing tendency of promoted teams to drop straight back.
Fans have occasionally complained about the rigidity of his tactics and longed for the free-flowing style that characterized Silva’s promotional campaign, when Aleksandar Mitrovic scored 43 goals, breaking the English league record for a 46-match season. Yet the ends justify the means, with Fulham finishing in 10th, 11th and 13th in the past three seasons – the last of those campaigns yielding a club-record Premier League points tally of 54.
With Silva’s contract set to expire next summer, Fulham’s concern to secure his future is understandable, especially given the long list of clubs who have shown interest in his services. Fortunately for Fulham owner Shahid Khan, who has said the Portuguese is “in our long-term plans”, Silva seems receptive to the idea, despite his well-documented frustration at the club’s sluggishness during the summer transfer window.
“I have always felt part of this football club from day one,” said Silva. “I’ve been here for five years, why not longer?”
Why indeed.
Arsenal want to extend Jurrien Timber’s contract
Rumor Rating: 9
Just like with Marco Silva, this is a no-brainer.
Since his £38.5million move from Ajax two summers ago, Jurrien Timber has become an integral part of one of the best defenses in Europe. At 24, his best years are ahead of him, and although the Dutch right-back’s existing contract does not expire until 2028, Arsenal have shown they are keen to keep their backline together for the foreseeable future.
William Saliba signed a new five-year contract last month, while Gabriel Magalhães also reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal this summer, penning a deal that will keep him in North London until 2029. Retaining Timber, a right-back who can also play as a centre-back, would ensure that the defensive core around which Mikel Arteta has built his side remains intact.
Despite his relatively short time at the club, the Dutchman has amply demonstrated his resilience and tenacity. He recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered during his Premier League debut in August 2023, making him a key figure.
“Jurrien is a very good example of someone who, especially in very difficult circumstances, with an injury very early in his career, with a very difficult injury, the way he comes back and what he does for the team is phenomenal,” Arteta said earlier this season.
No wonder Arsenal want to keep him.
Manchester United want Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand
Rumor Rating: 7
Given Manchester United’s well-documented personnel problems, it is unsurprising that the club has taken renewed interest in Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand.
To be effective, Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system requires the presence of two deep-lying midfielders. One of those roles was shared between Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro, while the other was filled by club captain Bruno Fernandes. Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, has been relegated to the sidelines, with Amorim questioning his tactical discipline as a No. 8 and his ability to set the pace in midfield as a No. 6.
In reality, however, none of the options available to the Portuguese manager appear ideal. At 33, Casemiro is no longer a man for all seasons, while Ugarte, although an excellent ball winner, lacks passing range and is less comfortable on the ball than Amorim’s tactics require. That last criticism hardly applies to Fernandes, yet the feeling remains that he is a square peg in a round hole, with United lacking his creativity further up the pitch.
Enter Hjulmand, who United were also linked with this summer after Brighton’s £120m asking price for Cameroon international Carlos Baleba was deemed a little too rich by the Old Trafford club. The 26-year-old Sporting midfielder is five years older than Baleba, but lacks none of the younger man’s dynamism and spark. Amorim is a great admirer of Hjulmand’s “monster mentality” and leadership qualities, and appointed him captain during his time at Sporting. The midfielder, whose contract expires in 2028, has won two Primeira Liga titles with the Lisbon club.
While the Denmark international undoubtedly fits the current profile of a United midfielder, he is yet to feature in one of Europe’s top five leagues. For that reason, a move for Baleba or Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton seems to make more sense for United in the long term, although Amorim’s relationship with the player should not be underestimated any more than the possibility of Sporting reportedly considering doing business with their former manager for less than the official asking price of £70 million.
Barcelona and Real Madrid want Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi
Rumor Rating: 5
Ah yes, this old chestnut. Marc Guéhi’s next destination has been the subject of ongoing speculation since deadline day the collapse of Liverpool’s £35million bid for the Crystal Palace defender.
Long story short: yes, Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Guéhi will leave the club when his contract expires next summer; yes, Real Madrid are looking for a defender in preparation for the expected departures of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba at the end of the season; yes, a move for a free agent would appeal not only to Madrid, which specializes in such deals, but also to Barcelona, given their financial situation and the desire to strengthen manager Hansi Flick’s defensive options; and yes, Guéhi will be able to sign a provisional contract with a foreign club in January.
None of this changes the fact that reports closer to home continue to suggest Guéhi remains interested in a move to Anfield next summer, while supporting evidence is scarce when it comes to stories linking him with La Liga.
Everton’s Vitalii Mykolenko is wanted by La Liga and Serie A clubs
Rumor Rating: 3
With Everton manager David Moyes seemingly unconvinced by 19-year-old Moroccan international Adam Aznou, who joined from Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee this summer, Ukraine international Vitalii Mykolenko remains Everton’s first-choice left-back.
While a significant offer from La Liga or Serie A could change the picture, the departure of Mykolenko, whose contract expires next summer, appears unlikely. The full-back has done well under Moyes and Everton have an option in their favor to extend his contract for another year. Furthermore, no clubs have been specifically mentioned in reports originating from France.
Barring an offer that Everton cannot refuse, Mykolenko may remain on Merseyside for the time being.
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