Latest transfer news and rumors: Liverpool, Barca battle for Leao

The January window may be closed, but the rumors never stop swirling. Check in every day for all the latest transfer buzz from across the soccer world.

Top story: 2-horse race for Leao

Liverpool and Barcelona are set to battle for Rafael Leao's signature this summer. AC Milan want €100 million for the Portuguese winger, down significantly from the €175-million price that teams were once being quoted.

Liverpool view Leao as a potential replacement for Luis Diaz, who himself continues to be linked with a transfer to Barca. (TEAMtalk)

Other rumors

March 5

Vini's salary demands: Contract talks between Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior are expected to resume this summer. The Brazilian, who earns €17 million per season, is looking for an annual increase of €5 million. (AS)

Nunez wanted out: Darwin Nunez told Liverpool that he was unhappy and wanted to leave the club in January, but the Reds, unable to find a replacement in time, blocked a potential transfer to Al-Hilal. (Football Insider)

Chelsea call about Reijnders: Chelsea are monitoring Milan's Tijjani Reijnders. Any potential move would be difficult, though, as the Dutch midfielder just signed a new five-year deal with the Rossoneri. (Calciomercato)

Spurs in driver's seat: Tottenham are confident they're in prime position to beat several other clubs to the signing of Tyler Dibling. The 19-year-old is unhappy with Southampton's latest contract offer. (talkSPORT)

Coman allowed to leave: Bayern Munich will lower their asking price for winger Kingsley Coman in order to offload the Frenchman this summer. Arsenal have been linked with the 28-year-old. (BILD)

Nothing BVB can do: Borussia Dortmund are resigned to losing rising star Jamie Gittens this summer. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham are all interested in the 20-year-old winger. (Sky Sport Germany)

March 4

Joao Pedro's plea: Brighton forward Joao Pedro wants to join Liverpool and informed both clubs that he'd like to make a summer transfer. The Brazilian is on Arne Slot's shortlist of options to bolster the attack. (Football Insider)

Inter enter the race: Inter have emerged as contenders to sign impending free agent Joshua Kimmich, providing competition for Liverpool. Kimmich and Bayern Munich still haven't agreed to a contract extension. (TEAMtalk)

Chelsea change tack: Despite previous reports that Enzo Maresca would stand pat with his goalkeeping situation, the Blues are considering a summer move for Brighton netminder Bart Verbruggen. (GiveMeSport)

Arsenal's new guru: Arsenal are in talks to hire former Atletico Madrid executive Andrea Berta as their sporting director. The Gunners are looking to replace Edu Gaspar, who relinquished that role in November. (The Telegraph)

Sesko's price tag: Manchester United, Tottenham, and Arsenal are interested in signing Benjamin Sesko. The RB Leipzig striker has an €80-million release clause that can be activated in the summer. (Sky Sport Germany)

Kerkez paves the way: Coveted Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who's being tracked by Liverpool, recently set the stage for a summer move by switching agents and joining Fali Ramadani's agency. (Fabrizio Romano)

March 3

West Ham push for David: West Ham United are trying to bully Barcelona out of the race for pending free-agent striker Jonathan David with a massive contract offer worth up to €20 million per year. (Sky Sport Switzerland)

Onana won't quit: Andre Onana intends to stay at Manchester United despite Ruben Amorim's plans to sign a new goalkeeper. Onana could miss a chunk of next season if he opts to play at AFCON. (Manchester Evening News)

Arsenal fight to keep Saliba: The Gunners are prepared to give standout center-back William Saliba around £250,000 a week to renew his contract and ward off interest from Real Madrid. (TBR Football)

Upamecano staying put: Bayern Munich are close to renewing Dayot Upamecano's contract until June 2030. The French international defender's current deal only runs until next summer. (Florian Plettenberg)

Madrid monitoring Wharton: Los Blancos' shortlist of summer recruitments includes Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who's back in the lineup after missing three months with a hernia. (Daily Mail)

Spurs bail on Werner: Tottenham won't take up the option to permanently sign on-loan RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner for £8.5 million at the end of the season. Werner has just one goal in 27 games this term. (Daily Mirror)

March 2

Isak won't go cheap: Liverpool are the latest team to be linked with Newcastle's Alexander Isak, joining Arsenal and Chelsea. The Magpies are expected to demand around £120 million for the 25-year-old. (GiveMeSport)

Reduced role for KDB?: Manchester City want to keep Kevin De Bruyne, but any agreement would likely mean the midfielder has to accept a reduced role and lowered wages to continue his career in Manchester. (The Mirror)

Monaco midfielder being scouted: Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea are among top European clubs that are keeping tabs on AS Monaco's Lamine Camara. (TBR Football)

Reds eyeing Baleba: Liverpool are monitoring Carlos Baleba's situation at Brighton ahead of a potential pursuit this summer. The Premier League leaders won't be deterred by Brighton's high demands. (Football Insider)

Bayern track Brighton goalie: Bart Verbruggen is on Bayern Munich's radar. The club is keeping track of the £50-million-rated 22-year-old, who used to play for Bayern boss Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht. (The Mirror)

March 1

Arsenal chase Kimmich, Zubimendi: Arsenal are hopeful over signing Joshua Kimmich on a free transfer this summer after contract talks stalled at Bayern. The Gunners are also still interested in Martin Zubimendi. (Metro)

Villa enter the equation: Aston Villa have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbian striker, 25, is expected to leave Juventus this summer after failing to win over manager Thiago Motta. (TEAMtalk)

Defensive recruits: Liverpool are planning to sign a new central defender and right-back in the summer, regardless of what happens with impending free-agent stars Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk. (Football Insider)

Moving pieces: Arsenal view RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko as a more affordable alternative to Newcastle's Alexander Isak. If they move for the Slovenian, it'll pave the way for Liverpool to land the Swede. (Liverpool Echo)

Chelsea standing pat: Despite the continued struggles of unconvincing goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen, Chelsea are not planning to sign a new netminder in the summer window. (The Times)

Atleti on the scene: Luis Diaz has been tipped to leave Liverpool this summer, with Barcelona often connected. But La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid are also interested. The Colombian would cost around €70 million. (Fichajes)

Details of Roque's move: Vitor Roque's transfer to Palmeiras is complete. Barcelona will pocket €25.5 million from the sale, and could earn €5 million in add-ons. They'll also have a 20% sell-on clause. (Fabrizio Romano)

Feb. 28

Neymar eyes Barca reunion: Neymar is in talks over a sensational return to Barcelona. The Brazilian just joined Santos on a short-term deal, but he's expected to leave his boyhood club in the summer. (The Athletic)

Dilemma for Arsenal: Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard may be forced to leave this summer if Arsenal want to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle. Isak is among the Gunners' top targets alongside Benjamin Sesko. (The Mirror)

Rashford wants to stay with Villa: Marcus Rashford doesn't plan on going back to Manchester United. The forward is hoping to make his move to Aston Villa permanent after joining on loan in January. (The Sun)

Barca consider Leao approach: Barcelona are gathering information over a potential bid for AC Milan's Rafael Leao. The 25-year-old, whose contract runs until 2028, rejected an offer from Saudi Arabia in January. (Nicolo Schira)

Murillo going nowhere: Nottingham Forest are expected to retain Murillo's services despite interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea. The defender has held positive talks with the club's owner, Evangelos Marinakis. (Daily Mail)