Manchester United add Niko Kovač to the summer manager shortlist
Manchester United are already working behind the scenes as they plan for next season, and one of the names on their shortlist for the head coach role is Niko Kovač. The Croatian coach, who is currently at BVB, is considered a profile to watch closely in the coming months. At this stage, there are no direct contacts or negotiations between Man Utd and Kovač.
The English club does not plan to open formal talks until late spring, when a clearer picture of the future technical project will be defined. Even so, Kovač remains one of the coaches being carefully monitored as United evaluate different options for the summer. Kovač’s name has also been linked to the Premier League in recent weeks. Chelsea seriously considered him before appointing Rosenior as the replacement for Enzo Maresca.
During that process, Chelsea made contact to understand if there was any chance of bringing the Croatian coach to London. The interest was driven by sporting director Laurence Stewart, who knows Kovač well from their time working together at Monaco.
However, those initial talks made it clear very quickly that Kovač had no intention of leaving BVB during the season. The coach is under contract until 2027, and a winter or mid-season move was never realistic. Despite this, the situation could change in the summer. The Premier League is seen as a possible destination for Kovač, and English clubs continue to follow his progress in Germany.
Everton asked for info regarding Estoril defender Kevin Boma
Everton have shown interest in Kevin Boma, as the English club continues to monitor promising defensive profiles across Europe. The 23-year-old centre back, currently playing for Estoril Praia, has attracted attention after a solid start to the season in the Portuguese Primera Liga.
Boma has already made 16 league appearances and scored one goal, becoming a regular presence in Estoril’s defensive line. His physical strength, reliability, and ability to contribute on set pieces have not gone unnoticed, with Everton recently asking for updated information about his situation.
The defender is under contract with Estoril until June 2028, which gives the Portuguese club a strong position in any negotiations. However, the growing interest around the player could open the door to a possible move with a suitable offer on the table.
A transfer in the January window cannot be completely ruled out, although a summer departure appears more likely at this stage. Everton are not the only club keeping an eye on Boma. Several other European teams have also requested fresh details in recent weeks, showing that competition for his signature is increasing. For now, Everton are the latest club to make contact, but the race for Kevin Boma could intensify in the coming weeks as he's on the list of several sides that are looking to strengthen their defensive options.
English and European clubs monitoring Tiago Gabriel, but Lecce blocking exit
Tiago Gabriel is becoming one of the new names to watch in Serie A. The central defender of Lecce, who has just turned 21, is attracting the attention of many clubs around Europe. Top sides from Italy, Germany and Spain are monitoring his performances and collecting reports about his potential.
The young player has shown personality and good defensive skills, and this has increased his reputation during the first part of the season. Interest is also strong in England. Tottenham and Newcastle, in particular, appreciate his profile and will continue to follow his progress in the coming months. Recently, Crystal Palace and Everton asked about his situation and about the possible terms of a future deal.
The Premier League clubs see Tiago as a defender with room to grow and adapt to a higher level. For now, one point seems clear. Tiago Gabriel will not move in January and will stay at Lecce until the end of the season. The Italian club wants to protect his development and avoid distractions in the winter window. However, the scenario should change in the summer.
Lecce are ready to listen to generous offers of around €35 to €40 million to consider his exit. With so many admirers still on his tracks, the summer transfer session could be decisive for the future of the promising Lecce defender.
Çalhanoğlu-Galatasaray, a real option for the summer
The possibility of Hakan Çalhanoğlu leaving Inter in the summer is becoming more and more realistic. The 31-year-old Turkish midfielder is currently sidelined with an injury, but his future is already a key topic inside the club.
Çalhanoğlu has a contract with Inter until June 2027, and while the Italian side is open to discussing a contract extension, the player is looking in a different direction. In fact, Çalhanoğlu is not keen on renewing his deal with Inter and is unlikely to change his mind. His main desire is playing in Turkey for Galatasaray, a club he has always felt strongly connected to. Contacts between the player and Galatasaray have been active for months, and reaching an agreement on personal terms is not expected to be a problem.
The key step will be negotiations between the two clubs. Inter are aware of the situation and, compared to last summer, they could be more flexible in their demands. With the contract running until 2027, Inter do not want to risk losing a key player on a free transfer in the future.
A sale in the summer could therefore be the best solution for everyone involved. If no major changes occur, the next few months could be the final part of Çalhanoğlu’s journey in the black and blue shirt. His time at Inter may be coming to an end, with Galatasaray ready to land to Turkey.
European clubs monitoring Mathys Tel as Tottenham weigh his future
Several clubs across Europe are closely monitoring the situation of Mathys Tel. Teams from Spain, France and Italy have shown interest in the young French forward and see him as a strong opportunity for the winter transfer window.
A short-term loan is being discussed, as many clubs believe Tel could make an immediate impact if given regular playing time. The 20-year-old is open to a loan move, mainly to play more and continue his development. Tel dreams of being part of France’s squad for next summer’s World Cup, and regular minutes are key for that goal. For this reason, he is carefully evaluating his options.
Tottenham, however, are not fully convinced about letting him leave. The club still believes strongly in Tel’s potential and considers him part of their long-term project. Earlier this season, the player faced a difficult moment when he was left out of the registered squad, shortly after joining the club for €35 million. Despite this setback, Tel stayed focused and worked hard. His efforts are starting to pay off.
Tel has scored three goals in five Premier League starts and has recently played four matches in a row, showing clear progress. For now, his priority is simple: to play regularly, grow with confidence and continue his journey at Tottenham, whether that is immediately or after a short loan spell.