Man Utd & Arsenal eye Croatia striker - Sunday's gossip
Retold by Oddsrama · 3 October 2026
The Premier League's big guns are circling Freiburg's Igor Matanovic, the 23-year-old Croatian striker making waves in Germany. Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea have all joined the scouts' notebook on the forward, who's catching attention with his finishing and physical presence. It's a sign of how heavily these clubs are investing in their attacking depth as the winter window approaches—expect the competition for his signature to intensify quickly.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are quietly preparing for change in midfield. Joe Willock, now 27, hasn't yet agreed fresh terms at St James' Park with his current deal expiring come summer. The Magpies are open to letting him depart in January rather than risk losing him for nothing, which could create opportunities for other suitors looking for experienced, proven Premier League quality. Tottenham, on the other hand, aren't budging—they've made clear Micky van de Ven stays put despite Liverpool's expected interest in the Dutch defender next year.
Abroad, the activity is just as frantic. Juventus are eyeing Liverpool's Giovanni Leoni, the 19-year-old centre-back they see as a long-term replacement option. AC Milan are shopping around for Brighton's Yasin Ayari to potentially cover Luka Modrić's eventual retirement, while Roma are pushing for a loan deal that would see Real Madrid's Endrick head to Serie A for regular minutes. Brighton and Bournemouth, meanwhile, have scouted Colombian prospect Neider Parra in Medellín—a sign of how deep European clubs are now digging into overlooked talent markets.
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