December 12th 

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The transfer market remains closed until January but clubs are still extremely busy behind the scenes as they plan for future arrivals. There’s now less than one month until the winter window opens and clubs are already working tirelessly behind the scenes on identifying targets to sign or loan.

Managers will be constantly assessing their squads with sporting directors and recruitment staff scanning the market for potential deals in the upcoming market. A plethora of players will be unhappy with their lack of minutes with their agents aiming to secure them a move to ensure first-team football for the second half of the season. The rumour mill is beginning to pick up pace and we’ve collated some of the biggest current transfer stories.

Today’s biggest transfer stories 

Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund reportedly both want to sign Jobe Bellingham, younger brother of Jude. The midfield is currently impressing for Sunderland in the English Championship and Dortmund want him to follow his older sibling’s career path to Dortmund, while Madrid want to reunite the brothers.

According to reports in Spain, Madrid are losing hope of signing Alphonso Davies from Bayern Munich and will switch their full attention to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool are yet to agree contract terms with the right-back and his deal expires at the end of the season with Madrid known admirers.

Meanwhile, Manchester United will entertain offers for Marcus Rashford in January around €50m. PSG have a long-standing interest in the attacker, while Saudi Arabia remains a potential destination. Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah is on the shortlist of Crystal Palace, Everton and Fulham.