TRANSFER RUMOURS: Man Utd pick Amorim replacement as Xavi agrees sensational return

Robin Bairner

Updated: 29 Sept 2025 11:31 BST
5 min read

Ruben Amorim, Xavi Hernandez, Transfer rumours — © IMAGO

The transfer window may be over, but teams are already planning for January and beyond. Here are some of today’s biggest rumours.

Southgate tops Man Utd’s three-man shortlist

Manchester United have created a three-man shortlist of options to replace Ruben Amorim if and when he is sacked.

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The pressure is building on Amorim after a 3-1 loss to Brentford on Saturday.

Gareth Southgate is the Red Devils’ first preference but there are also two current Premier League managers they are interested in should the Portuguese leave.

Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner have both attracted covetous glances from Man Utd and could emerge as frontrunners for the role.

Chelsea launch €80m Real Madrid hijack

Chelsea are trying to thwart Real Madrid’s plan to sign Nico Paz on a permanent basis, with the Stamford Bridge side plotting an €80m offer to snap up the young Argentine playmaker.

Paz has been in outstanding form at Como for more than a year but Real Madrid have a firm grasp on the player’s future due to a triple lock they put on him when he made the move from the Bernabeu to Italy last summer.

Nevertheless, Chelsea are hopeful of pulling off a sensational long-shot deal.

Current ETV

Nico Paz

AM, M (C)

Como

Nico Paz

AM, M (C)

Como

ETV Range

€39.8M - €48.7M

Real Madrid transfer list Vini Jr

Real Madrid have taken decisive action with regard to the future of Brazil attacker Vinicius Junior and have decided to sell him at the end of the season.

Contract talks between the 25-year-old and Los Blancos have established there is a rift between the pair. The club is particularly unhappy about what is perceived to be a lack of focus on his on-field form.

Clubs from the Saudi Pro League are likely to take an interest in the forward.

Current ETV

Vinicius Junior

F (CL), M (L)

Real Madrid

Vinicius Junior

F (CL), M (L)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€92.2M - €112.6M

Ronaldo replacement wanted at Al-Nassr

Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr are looking beyond the Cristiano Ronaldo era at the club and have started the search to find an heir to the Portuguese.

Ronaldo is not expected to sign another extension to a contract that expires in 2027 with the Riyadh side, and possible replacements have already been clearly earmarked.

Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes is the top target, followed by Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.

Other transfer rumours

Arsenal summer signing Kepa Arrizabalaga could leave the club just weeks after joining Mikel Arteta’s side. Serie A side Como want to sign him.

Man Utd are worried that Liverpool will attempt to hijack their move for Brighton star Carlos Baleba.

New Benfica manager Jose Mourinho is targeting a shock move for Karim Benzema.

Xavi Hernandez is close to agreeing a sensational return to management, with the former Barcelona boss set to take over at Al-Ittihad. (Fichajes)

Man Utd are ready to make a January transfer move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. (Gazetta dello Sport)

AC Milan are ready to move again for Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez during the January transfer window. (Calciomercato)

Real Madrid want to raid Chelsea for both Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in a bid to totally overhaul their midfield. (TBR Football)

Read more about: Premier Liga Serie A Liga Portugal Bwin Premier League Pro League Al-Ittihad Al-Nassr Arsenal Atlético Madrid Barcelona Benfica Brentford Brighton C. Palace Chelsea Chelsea Como Juventus Liverpool Man City Man Utd Milan Real Madrid Real Sociedad Arrizabalaga Bernardo Silva Bruno Fernandes Carlos Baleba Cristiano Ronaldo Dušan Vlahović Enzo Fernandez Joe Gomez Karim Benzema Moises Caicedo Nico Paz Vinicius Junior