gossip

Barcelona cool their interest in Marc Guehi after meeting his agents, but Marcus Rashford wants to remain at the Spanish club, and Crystal Palace rival West Ham for Wolves‘ Jorgen Strand Larsen

Barcelona have met with the agents of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, but have cooled their interest in signing the 25-year-old England international, who will be out of contract in the summer, because of the finances involved. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish), external

England forward Marcus Rashford, 28, says his “ultimate goal” is to stay at Barcelona, who he joined on loan from Manchester United in the summer. (Sport, via Mirror), external

Crystal Palace are likely to rival West Ham in signing 25-year-old Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves in January. (Telegraph, subscription required), external

Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin, 23, is a target for Roma, who could try to sign the Romania international on loan with an option to buy. (La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia), external

With Antoine Semenyo preferring a move to Manchester City, Liverpool have turned their interest to 23-year-old Paris St-Germain and France winger Bradley Barcola. (CaughtOffside), external

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, 29, says he is enjoying “the best period of my life” since joining Turkish side Trabzonspor on loan from Manchester United in September. (Goal), external

Barcelona are trying to sign promising English winger Ajay Tavares, who turns 16 on 28 December, from Championship side Norwich City. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish), external

Bournemouth and Chelsea are both interested in Lazio’s 25-year-old Spanish defender Mario Gila. (Il Messaggero – in Italian), external

West Ham‘s 19-year-old winger Luis Guilherme is the subject of interest from Sporting, with the Portuguese side wanting to recruit the Brazilian on loan with an obligation to buy. (Maisfutebol – in Portuguese), external

Boss Unai Emery faces a quiet January transfer window as Aston Villa still have concerns about the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules. (GiveMeSport), external

Cologne are interested in bringing Leeds‘ 26-year-old Belgium defender Sebastiaan Bornauw back to the Bundesliga, having previously played for the club from 2019-2021. (Bild – in German), external

Manchester United open talks with Antoine Semenyo but Kobbie Mainoo keen to leave Old Trafford, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace in for Brennan Johnson and three Premier League clubs interested in Denzel Dumfries.

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 20, sees no future for himself at Manchester United under manager Ruben Amorim and would consider a permanent move away from his boyhood club in January. (Mail – subscription required), external

Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham have opened talks with 25-year-old Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo over a £65m move but must wrap up a deal with Bournemouth by 10 January to secure his services. (The i – subscription required), external

Manchester United believe Semenyo could strengthen their left side with Amorim having doubts over Denmark international Patrick Dorgu, 21, who was signed for £25m in February from Leece. (Sun), external

Bournemouth view Tottenham and Wales winger Brennan Johnson, 24, as an option to replace Semenyo. (Teamtalk), external

However, the Cherries are likely to face competition from Crystal Palace, who have registered an interest in signing Johnson from Spurs. (Guardian), external

Barcelona are increasingly likely to trigger a £26m clause to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United with the 28-year-old England forward rediscovering his form on loan in Spain. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish, external)

Sassuolo’s 27-year-old French forward Armand Lauriente is set to push for a January exit amid ongoing speculation linking him with Sunderland. (Sunderland Echo), external

Real Madrid have emerged as a possible January destination for Al-Hilal and Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves, 28. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

AC Milan want Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, 41, to return to the club in the winter transfer window, after he terminated his contract with Fluminense by mutual consent. (ESPN), external

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk, 34, has triggered an appearance-related one-year contract extension that will keep the England centre-back at the club until 2027. (Sky Sports, external)

Manchester United, Newcastle and Aston Villa are all interested in Inter Milan and the Netherlands wing-back Denzel Dumfries, 29. (Teamtalk), external

Barcelona are set to seal a sensational deal to sign 15-year-old Norwich starlet Ajay Tavares, who has played for England at Under-17 level. (Sun), external

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, Strasbourg’s Liam Rosenior and Como boss Cesc Fabregas are among the candidates Chelsea are looking at if Italian head coach Enzo Maresco leaves Stamford Bridge. (Caught Offside, external)

Manchester United target Antoine Semenyo in January transfer, Ruben Neves wants Premier League return, Bruno Fernandes’ release clause revealed and Bukayo Saka on the verge of signing ‘record-breaking’ Arsenal contract.

Manchester United will go all-out to sign Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo in January and hope the uncertainty over Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City could boost their chances of landing the 25-year-old. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Portugal international Ruben Neves, 28, has rejected a new contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and wants a return to Europe with Manchester United a possible destination for the former Wolves midfielder. (Times – subscription required), external

Manchester United will only consider selling Kobbie Mainoo, 20, in the January transfer window if they receive an exceptional offer and the club are equally reluctant to let the England midfielder leave on loan. (Sky Sports), external

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, 45, is high among the candidates Manchester City are considering if Spanish manager Pep Guardiola, 54, leaves the Etihad Stadium next summer. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Saint-Etienne have rejected an initial offer of 8m euros (£7m) from Chelsea for Djylian N’Guessan, 17, but would consider selling the French striker for 12.5m euros (£11m). (L’Equipe – in French), external

AZ Alkmaar’s talented Dutchman Kees Smit, 19, is one of four midfielders being monitored by Newcastle, while Toulouse’s French defender Dayann Methalie, 19, is also thought to be high on their wishlist. (Mail – subscription required), external

Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes, 31, has a clause in his contract that means clubs outside the Premier League can buy him for £56.6m. (Mail – subscription required), external

Atletico Madrid are interested in signing England forward Marcus Rashford, 28, who is currently on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

It is very unlikely Bayern Munich will exercise the option to make Nicolas Jackson’s loan move from Chelsea permanent in the summer, with the 24-year-old Senegal striker used as a back-up for England international Harry Kane, 32. (Bild – in German), external

Bukayo Saka, 24, will become the first player in Arsenal’s history to earn a weekly wage of £300,000, with the club close to announcing a record-breaking new deal for the England winger that will run until 2031. (Teamtalk), external

West Ham winger Luis Guilherme wants to stay and fight for his place at the club, despite reports linking the 19-year-old Brazilian with a move in January. (Sky Sports), external

National League side Morecambe are interested in extending the loan of Arsenal defender Maldini Kacurri, with the 20-year-old Albania international also attracting interest from clubs higher up the football pyramid. (Sun), external

The ITV period drama boasts an impressive 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

A period drama boasting a recognisable face from Outlander has landed on Netflix, with viewers insisting it’s a must watch.

Victoria originally premiered on ITV in 2016 and spanned three series before concluding in 2019. Crafted by bestselling author and screenwriter Daisy Goodwin, the show stars former Doctor Who actress Jenna Coleman in the title role of Queen Victoria.

Coleman, who audiences will recall as Clara Oswald from the time-travelling series, appears alongside fellow Doctor Who alum Tommy Knight, plus Tom Hughes (About Time), Adrian Schiller (Tolkien), and Jordan Waller (The Gilded Age).

The series follows the 19th-century monarch’s rule, spanning from her ascension to the British throne aged merely 18 through to her union with Prince Albert (portrayed by Hughes).

The ensemble also includes Outlander star Nell Hudson, known for playing Laoghaire MacKenzie, who takes on the part of Queen Victoria’s lady’s maid, Nancy Skerrett, reports the Daily Record.

Hudson was utterly charmed by her fellow performers and sang their praises enthusiastically. In a chat with Town and Country, she revealed: “I made such good friends on Victoria, and luckily I’ve forced them all to stay friends with me, and I make them all hang out with me a couple of times a month. [laughs]”.

“I really couldn’t have been around a better bunch of people. It was such a privilege, going to set everyday and hanging out with a bunch of brilliant people, who were also so talented.”

It seems the cast’s behind-the-scenes camaraderie translated brilliantly on screen, as audiences found themselves utterly captivated.

One fan took to IMDb, sharing their emotional journey: “This has been the most amazing series since Downton Abbey I have watched. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. I felt every emotion humanly possible through watching it.

“My mother and I binge watched it together and couldn’t believe how much it draws you in from beginning to end.”

Someone else raved: “The settings, costumes, and general production values were first rate, the show felt incredibly plush and lavish, I shudder to think of the budget for this series. Totally engaging, this was first rate viewing 9/10.”

A third fan added: “If you love period drama and English history, you will be enthralled by Victoria. I wish there were more shows like this on television. A definite must for fans of this genre.”

Victoria, with its impressive 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, continues to garner praise. Another fan noted: “This production seems to strive for a cross between Gossip Girl and Downton Abbey, and is thus an amusing trifle.”

Victoria is streaming now on Netflix and ITVX

Crystal Palace want Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson, Chelsea lead the way for AZ Alkmaar’s teenage midfielder Kees Smit, while AC Milan want Niklas Fullkrug.

Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson is on Crystal Palace’s list of potential January signings, with the Eagles wanting the Wales international, 24, to help their bid to qualify for the Champions League. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Tottenham are prepared to smash their wage structure to sign Bournemouth and Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo, 25, ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool. (Teamtalk), external

Chelsea are emerging as the frontrunners in the race for AZ Alkmaar’s highly rated midfielder Kees Smit, 19, with the Netherlands international also on the radar of Newcastle, Manchester United and Tottenham. (The I – subscription required), external

Newcastle’s interest in Toulouse’s French defender Dayann Methalie, 19, could spell the end of 33-year-old Swiss defender Fabian Schar’s time at the club with his contract expiring next summer. (Football Insider), external

West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug is one of the names AC Milan will consider in the January transfer window as the Germany international, 32, wants to leave the London Stadium. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Crystal Palace are keen on Bayern Munich right-back Sacha Boey, 25, who is expected to leave the Bundesliga side in January. (Fabrizio Romano), external

West Ham, Lazio and AC Milan are all interested in 26-year-old Italy and Sassuolo striker Andrea Pinamonti. (Calciomercato – in Italian), external

Everton midfielder James Garner is admired by Nottingham Forest although a January move for the 24-year-old Englishman is unlikely given he has been starting regularly for the Toffees. (Mail), external

Chelsea and Manchester United are accelerating efforts to sign Sunderland and DR Congo midfielder Noah Sadiki, 20, after his fine start to life in English football. (Football Insider), external