Real Madrid are becoming more confident about signing Manchester United attacking midfielder JJ Gabriel, according to TEAMtalk, with the 16-year-old's future at Old Trafford unresolved. Meanwhile, United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are considering Villarreal right-back Alex Freeman, Football Insider reports.
Gabriel has been absent for United since September, when he requested a departure and asked for his registration to be cancelled. Efforts to persuade him to stay have so far been unsuccessful. Spain has long been regarded as his most appealing destination, with Madrid and Barcelona leading the pursuit, although Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund remain competitors.
Freeman, 22, has attracted attention following a strong 2026 that included a regular role in Mauricio Pochettino's United States team at the FIFA World Cup. Football Insider says Tottenham are examining options at right-back because Pedro Porro's future remains uncertain, even though the 27-year-old signed a contract extension during the summer.
Another defender linked with England is Barcelona's Alejandro Balde. According to Mundo Deportivo, the 23-year-old accepts that a departure will be necessary to secure more playing time and finds a move to England appealing. Manchester United and other English clubs are interested. Manchester City and Bayern Munich considered him in the summer, but Bayern instead pursued Nathaniel Brown. Balde has yet to start this season, with João Cancelo and Xavi Espart preferred.
Madrid are also assessing whether to bring Como centre-back Jacobo Ramón back as a potential successor to Antonio Rüdiger, AS reports. The 21-year-old is among several players being monitored who could return through re-signing options. Others include Como's Nico Paz, Napoli defender Rafa Marín and Liverpool winger Víctor Muñoz. Madrid are expected to wait until spring before deciding on any of them.
TEAMtalk reports that representatives of Monaco striker Folarin Balogun have been testing interest in the 25-year-old United States international. Manchester United, Everton, Leeds United, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have been informed of his availability, while Juventus have also been approached. United are considering Balogun before January, with Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta still another player of interest.
Elsewhere, Caught Offside identifies Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck and Forest's Murillo as prominent centre-back options for Liverpool. Fichajes links Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen with potentially succeeding Thibaut Courtois at Madrid. Football Insider says Tottenham are monitoring Morgan Gibbs-White for a possible January approach, although Forest believe they can retain him.
Lecce intend to keep Tiago Gabriel through the end of the season despite interest across Europe, according to Nicolo Schira. Footmercato reports that Al-Ittihad are interested in RB Leipzig centre-back Abdoul Koné ahead of the winter transfer window.
