Manchester United‘s midfield reinforcement search continues as they turn to AC Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Barcelona midfielder Marc Casadó, while Barcelona, Real Madrid and Arsenal are among the sides keen on NK Kustosija forward Rafael Belinho. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United‘s midfield reinforcement search continues as TalkSPORT says that they have been offered the chance to sign AC Milan‘s Ruben Loftus-Cheek. It is reported that United are weighing up a potential loan move for the 29-year-old this month to improve their chances of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League, with talks at an “exploratory” stage, though The Telegraph says that Aston Villa are also keen. Loftus-Cheek, who has made 19 Serie A appearances this season, is reportedly keen on a return to England. Elsewhere, Ajax have emerged as potential suitors for Manuel Ugarte, 24, but the Eredivisie side have seen their opening loan offer dismissed according to The Athletic.

– An inquiry has also been made by United regarding Barcelona midfielder Marc Casadó, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Premier League club are believed to hold interest in the 22-year-old alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have also placed him on their shortlist. The Red Devils have been linked with several midfielders of late, and The Sun reports that Sunderland‘s Noah Sadiki, 21, has caught their attention

– Multiple top sides in Europe are tracking NK Kustosija forward Rafael Belinho, according to The Mirror. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester United are all reported to be interested in the 17-year-old, who is hopeful of securing a move to a big club when he turns 18. Barcelona sporting director Deco is reportedly a huge admirer of the teenager, while Borussia Dortmund are also keen. Belinho recently left Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb to join Kustosija after being unable to agree to a new contract.

– Liverpool are among multiple top-six Premier League sides keeping tabs on the situation of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. TEAMtalk reports that Palace are open to parting ways with the 21-year-old at the end of the season, and they are expected to demand an initial fee of at least £65 million before add-ons. Wharton, who is also on the radar of Real Madrid, Man United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle, has been a key player at Selhurst Park since arriving from Blackburn Rovers in February 2024.

– Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Al Ahly forward Hamza Abdelkarim, per Sport. It is reported that the LaLiga side are now reviewing the final documents before finalizing the move, with the 18-year-old Egypt youth international set to be added to the Barcelona B squad. Abdelkarim has been a standout player for Egypt U17s, having scored 12 goals and provided six assists in 19 matches across all competitions.

– Internazionale are interested in Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, reports Sky Sports. The Nerazzurri are reportedly exploring a summer move for the 33-year-old, having identified him as a potential replacement for current starter Yann Sommer if he would be prepared to accept a salary reduction. Martinez, whose contract at Villa Park isn’t set to expire until 2029, has made 18 Premier League appearances this season, while he also remains the No. 1 choice for Argentina.

DONE DEALS

To follow…

EXPERT TAKE

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OTHER RUMORS

– Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is “one step away” from sealing an agreement to extend his contract at the Allianz Arena until the summer of 2029. (Nicolo Schira)

– Borussia Dortmund are optimistic of reaching an agreement over a new contract with defender Nico Schlotterbeck. (Bild)

– Fulham are interested in a move for AZ Alkmaar and Republic of Ireland international striker Troy Parrott. (Independent)

– Paris Saint-Germain winger Lee Kang-in has no interest in leaving the club this month, having recently been linked with Atletico Madrid. (Le Parisien)

– Juventus are lining up an approach for Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri. (Tuttosport)

– Marseille have agreed a deal in the region of €4.5 million to sign Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Officials from Aston Villa have been sent to Turkey amid hopes of sealing a deal for Besiktas striker Tammy Abraham. (Daily Mail)

– Everton and Crystal Palace are among the Premier League teams interested in Fulham attacking midfielder Harry Wilson. (TalkSPORT)

– Negotiations have progressed between Valencia and West Ham regarding a deal for midfielder Guido Rodriguez, with an agreement close to being finalized. (Marca)

– A move for Marseille striker Neal Maupay is being considered by Sevilla. (Foot Mercato)

– Manchester United have added Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac to their shortlist of potential future managers. (Sky Germany)

– Crystal Palace have placed Coventry City manager Frank Lampard on their shortlist of potential future successors to Oliver Glasner. (TalkSPORT)

• PCB intervention believed to have little bearing on ICC’s position. 
• ICC remains firm on maintaining existing tournament schedule.
• No public statement from PCB on the matter made so far.
  

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) expressing support for Bangladesh’s concern regarding travelling to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, just ahead of the governing body’s meeting on the matter, ESPNcricinfo reported.

In its correspondence, the PCB backed the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) reluctance to play matches in India amid regional political instability. Sources said that the letter was also circulated among ICC Board members.

The ICC is reportedly set to make a final decision on Bangladesh’s involvement in the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup in its board meeting today (Wednesday).

The ICC will deliberate on Bangladesh’s request to relocate its World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns in India. However, it remains unclear whether the PCB’s correspondence prompted the ICC to convene the meeting.

While the timing of the PCB’s intervention has drawn attention, it is believed to have little bearing on the ICC’s current position. The governing body has so far stood firm on maintaining the existing tournament schedule, not allowing Bangladesh to play its matches in Sri Lanka, one of the event’s co-hosts alongside India, as requested.

The ICC reiterated this stance to the BCB during discussions held last week.

Backed by the Bangladeshi government, the BCB has maintained its refusal to travel to India for the group-stage fixtures. Despite multiple rounds of talks between the ICC and the BCB, including a recent meeting in Dhaka over the weekend, neither side has shifted its position. 

The ICC continues to insist that the matches proceed as scheduled, while the BCB remains unwilling to send its team to India.

The PCB’s entry into the issue follows days of speculation about its potential role in resolving the deadlock. Unconfirmed reports suggested that Pakistan had offered to host Bangladesh’s matches and that the PCB was even reconsidering Pakistan’s own participation in the World Cup, depending on the outcome of Bangladesh’s case.

The PCB has so far made no public statement on the matter.

With the T20 World Cup scheduled to begin on February 7, Bangladesh are currently slated to play their opening match against West Indies in Kolkata, followed by two more group games at the same venue, before concluding their group-stage fixtures in Mumbai.

The dispute traces back to the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), without any official explanation.

This development was followed by the Bangladesh government banning the broadcast of the IPL in the country, after which the BCB formally informed the ICC of its refusal to play T20 World Cup matches in India — a position it has maintained since.

Earlier reports suggest that Pakistan was expected to reassess its participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India-Sri Lanka, following increasing concerns related to the Bangladesh cricket team.

The Bangladesh government had reached out to Pakistan for support over its decision to skip travelling to India for the tournament, citing security concerns, sources told Geo News.

They added that Pakistan supports Bangladesh’s legitimate concerns, emphasising that they should be addressed and acted upon.

Pakistan has also stressed that no country should face pressure or threats from India, assuring Bangladesh of its full support on the matter.

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy told reporters Tuesday night that he has no plans to move Jimmy Butler‘s contract prior to the Feb. 5 trade deadline, despite Butler’s torn ACL and the team’s desperate need for a roster upgrade to realistically compete in the Western Conference.

“I don’t envision that,” Dunleavy said. “Now that you’ve brought it up, I’d say my vision for him is to give us a boost next year the same way he did last year when he arrived.”

The Warriors had a lower profile but relatively similar situation manifest last regular season. Veteran guard De’Anthony Melton tore his ACL in November. In December, Dunleavy traded Melton’s contract to the Brooklyn Nets for Dennis Schroder. In February, he flipped Schroder as part of the package to the Miami Heat to acquire Butler.

On Monday, Butler tore his right ACL on an awkward landing against the Heat. The injury ends his season, and his absence, as Dunleavy admitted, is expected to bleed into next regular season.

Butler is owed $54.1 million this season and $56.8 million next in the final year of his current deal.

As the Warriors sort through the aftermath of the devastating injury news, there has been a thought that they could use his contract out on the trade market — presumably attached to draft picks — as an avenue to upgrade this win-now roster around Stephen Curry. Dunleavy, though, shot that down.

“At his age, to have the year he’s had is impressive,” Dunleavy said of Butler, who will turn 37 before next season. “I think he’s got a style of game that can play for a long time with his skill, his physicality, his mind for the game. So I guess my vision for him is him returning at some point between now and this time next year.”

Butler’s injury has a domino effect on Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors’ embattled young wing who entering Tuesday has played only 10 minutes in the past month and issued a trade demand to the franchise last week as the DNPs pile up.

“I’m aware of [the trade demand],” Dunleavy said. “In terms of demands, when you make a demand, there needs to be a demand on the market.”

Butler’s absence could reopen a path to playing time for Kuminga, as Warriors coach Steve Kerr said prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Raptors. Kuminga has been buried in the rotation and disgruntled before, only to return to a high-usage role — most notably during the second round of the playoffs last May against the Minnesota Timberwolves after Curry strained a hamstring.

“I’m disappointed it hasn’t worked out better [with Kuminga],” Dunleavy said. “But it is what it is. …There’s still time left here. He’s on our roster. I know a trade has been requested, but nothing’s imminent and things in this league can change in a heartbeat, as they did last night. So he’s got to be ready.”

The Warriors are expected to pursue Kuminga trades up until the deadline, but Dunleavy did say he will use the next two weeks to assess where the Warriors stand in the aftermath of the franchise-altering Butler injury.

He said the Warriors could opt to use some of their future first-round picks to search out immediate help, but the threshold for a push-the-chips-in deal is high.

“If we’re talking about trading draft picks that will be going out when Steph isn’t here, it’s going to have to be a player that we think we’ll be getting back that is going to be here when those picks are going out,” Dunleavy said. “That player’s going to have to be pretty impactful. It would take a good amount — positionally, play style, archetype, all that. I would leave it pretty broad and open.

“But if there’s a great player to be had, we’ve got everything in the war chest that we would be willing to use.”