Football rumours: Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid…but not until the summer

Manchester United v Paris Saint Germain – UEFA Champions League – Group H – Old Trafford
(Image credit: Martin Rickett)

What the papers say

Real Madrid will not move to sign Kylian Mbappe from Paris St Germain in January but will instead wait until next summer when the France international is a free agent, Spain’s Mundo Deportivo reports. The 22-year-old striker’s future has been one of the hottest topics in Europe. Speculation around a move to Real intensified due to his strong pairing with Karim Benzema up front for France again at the weekend, but it appears the Spanish giants are content to wait six months and save themselves a hefty transfer fee.

Tottenham Hotspur v Barcelona – UEFA Champions League – Group B – Wembley Stadium

Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho wants to stay with the Catalan club rather than join Newcastle (Mike Egerton/PA)

Philippe Coutinho will not be lured to Newcastle in January, Spanish outlet Sport reports. The Brazil playmaker has been linked with a move to Tyneside after the Premier League club’s purchase by cash-rich Saudi owners, but the 29-year-old former Liverpool man says he has no intention of leaving Barcelona.

Adama Traore looks certain to leave Wolves in January and former club Barcelona have stepped in to become rivals to Liverpool for his signature, according to 90min. The 25-year-old Spain winger appears set to leave Wolves after talks over a new deal stalled. He has 18 months left on his current contract.

Champions League Final Preview Package

Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard could be switching to another club in blue (Andy Rain/PA)

Frank Lampard is keeping tabs on Leicester as he seeks a return to Premier League management, Eurosport reports. The former Chelsea boss recently took himself out of the running for the Norwich job, since taken by Dean Smith. Lampard is said to be keeping an eye on Leicester as rumours continue to suggest Brendan Rodgers will leave the Foxes to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United.

Manchester United midfielder Donny Van De Beek could be off to Real Madrid in January, according to Fichajes. The 24-year-old Holland international could be prised away on a low transfer fee given his lack of game time in recent months.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

James Tarkowski: Burnley are set to resist the temptation to cash in on the 28-year-old England centre-back – a target for West Ham and Newcastle – in January, and are willing to let his contract expire next summer, Football Insider reports.

Manchester City v Arsenal – Premier League – Etihad Stadium

Arsenal’s Calum Chambers could be set to join Everton in January (Nick Potts/PA)

Calum Chambers: The 26-year-old Arsenal defender could be off to Everton in January, according to The Sun.

Conor Hourihane: Aston Villa’s 30-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder has been linked to reunite with boss Smith at Norwich, Football Insider says.

Read more
Randal Kolo Muani of Paris Saint-Germain runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid at Parc des Princes on November 06, 2024 in Paris, France.
January transfer window: One player every Premier League club could sign this month
Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti and Fede Valverde pictured after Real Madrid's LaLiga win over Cadiz in May 2024.
Real Madrid persistent in attempts to complete hugely controversial transfer: report
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe
Liverpool report: Has Kylian Mbappe just put Trent Alexander-Arnold move in doubt, with bombshell request?
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia presented as a Paris Saint-Germain player in January 2025.
Players who moved in January 2025
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United looks dejected after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 07, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Manchester United report: Marcus Rashford could be stopped from leaving - by BREXIT
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid launching mega-move for Leicester City star: report
Latest in
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold won't be allowed to wear No.66 at Real Madrid as transfer edges closer
Ipswich Town third kit for 2024/25 season
'The pink kit was quite divisive to begin with: a lot of people were unsure of it but I think the Tottenham game has cemented it as this epic kit' Ed Sheeran talks about designing Ipswich shirt - and how it ties into his music
Stuart Pearce Non-League Day
'It’s absolutely essential that funding drips down from the top end of the game – there is a disconnect' Stuart Pearce takes the Premier League trophy back to his non-league roots
Latest in News
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold won't be allowed to wear No.66 at Real Madrid as transfer edges closer
Ipswich Town third kit for 2024/25 season
'The pink kit was quite divisive to begin with: a lot of people were unsure of it but I think the Tottenham game has cemented it as this epic kit' Ed Sheeran talks about designing Ipswich shirt - and how it ties into his music
Stuart Pearce Non-League Day
'It’s absolutely essential that funding drips down from the top end of the game – there is a disconnect' Stuart Pearce takes the Premier League trophy back to his non-league roots
Dejan Kulusevski celebrates after scoring for Tottenham against Ipswich Town in February 2025.
Tottenham chasing Premier League star to help unlock Dejan Kulusevski: report