Battle for Bournemouth ace Leicester title-winner open to Premier League return

De Zerbi has been in talks for several weeks about extending his current deal, due to expire in the summer of 2026.

The Italian is highly thought of in the corridors of power at Spanish giants Real Madrid, and Napoli in his home country of Italy, while new Manchester United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is understood to be an admirer of his work on the Sussex coast.

However, the 44-year-old has given positive indications to the Seagulls hierarchy that he wants to stay after leading Brighton to their highest ever Premier League finish of sixth last season and into the last 16 of the Europa League.

The new deal will include a substantial release clause, currently set at around £10million.

Return of a legend?

Kasper Schmeichel would be open to a return to the Premier League with a number of clubs looking to bolster their goalkeeping ranks.

Read more transfer news

Arsenal told to be ruthless and sell academy star to fund Premier League title bid

Man City give Kalvin Phillips green light to join Premier League rivals on loan in January

Schmeichel left Leicester City to join French club Nice in the summer of 2022 after an 11-year spell at the King Power Stadium, where he wrote his name in Foxes folklore by winning both the Premier League title and the FA Cup.

It seems it is more than a coincidence that Schmeichel, 37 and now playing for Anderlecht, gave an emotional interview earlier this month in which he admitted he never wanted to leave Leicester.

talkSPORT understands Sheffield United are among the top flight teams in the hunt for a new 'keeper after a couple if high-profile mistakes from Wes Foderingham.

Chelsea and Newcastle are also currently without regular number ones Robert Sanchez and Nick Pope due to injury.

Most read in Football

Thierry Henry is every Arsenal fan after Jermain Defoe makes bold Tottenham prediction

Jack Grealish's house burgled while he played for Man City as '£1m of jewellery stolen'

Ange Postecoglou delivers sarcastic verdict on costly VAR call as Tottenham fall to defeat

Inside the Bellingham family Christmas celebrations in Sunderland including festive darts

Battle for Brooks

Bournemouth winger David Brooks is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Championship promotion rivals Leeds and Southampton.

Wales international Brooks, 26, has started only two Premier League games this season and the Cherries could decide to allow him to leave on loan to build up more minutes.

Leeds and Bournemouth have a recent history of trading players after the Cherries signed Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra in the summer with Jaidon Anthony swapping the Vitality

Stadium for Elland Road.

Brooks will be keen to get more game time before Wales' crucial Euro 2024 play-off campaign in March.

Wolves want more firepower

Wolves will consider reviving their interest in Southampton ace Che Adams after missing out on top target, Viktoria Plzen striker Rafiu Durosinmi.

talkSPORT reported on Thursday that Nigerian Durosinmi has turned his back on a potential £7m move to Molineux to join Frankfurt.

The Midlanders were close to signing Adams on loan in the summer before Saints pulled the plug at the 11th hour and the Scotland international is now in the final six months of his

contract.

Wolves have already allowed Fabio Silva to join Rangers on loan while another striker, Sasa Kalajdzic, has been told he can leave.