Chelsea among suitors for Brighton's Yasin Ayari in Thursday transfer gossip
On 21 October 2026, Thursday's transfer gossip column reported that Chelsea and Galatasaray have both joined the chase for Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari, according to Teamtalk. The round-up also named Barcelona and Real Madrid as followers of Aston Villa's Johan Manzambi and said Arsenal could be open to moving striker Viktor Gyokeres.
The column compiled a series of reported approaches and interests across Europe, beginning with Teamtalk's claim that Chelsea and Galatasaray are pursuing Brighton's 23-year-old Sweden midfielder Yasin Ayari. The Telegraph reported that Liverpool are not in any rush to open contract talks with Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister despite a noted upturn in his form this season. Football Insider wrote that Barcelona and Real Madrid are among clubs keeping tabs on Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi after the 21-year-old's impressive start to his Aston Villa career. Teamtalk added Sunderland are preparing a renewed bid for Sporting's Mozambique winger Geny Catamo, 25, for the January window.
Teamtalk's item on Ayari states Chelsea and Galatasaray have entered the hunt for the 23-year-old Sweden international at Brighton. That report framed Ayari as the day’s leading transfer link involving a Premier League midfielder. No fee or timetable for any approach is specified in the Teamtalk account.
The Telegraph's piece on Alexis Mac Allister said Liverpool are delaying contract negotiations with the 27-year-old Argentina midfielder despite his improved form this season. Football Insider linked Johan Manzambi, described as a Switzerland midfielder aged 21, to interest from both Barcelona and Real Madrid on the back of an impressive start to his Aston Villa career. Those reports present Manzambi as a young midfield target attracting attention from top Spanish clubs.
Other clubs and targets were listed in the gossip column: Teamtalk reported Sunderland's intention to renew a bid for Geny Catamo, 25, from Sporting in January. Football Insider said Everton are monitoring Dinamo Zagreb striker Dion Beljo, 24, as one of several January options. Marca reported that Liverpool and several top European sides have an interest in signing 18-year-old Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora from Tijuana, while The Daily Briefing suggested Arsenal lead the Premier League chase for 20-year-old Turkey midfielder Can Uzun from Eintracht Frankfurt.
On forward transfer speculation, Football Insider wrote that Arsenal want to recoup the £55m they paid for Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, 28, and that a sale is more likely at the end of the season than in January. The Mail reported that Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, 26, was strongly tempted to move to Arsenal in the summer but now hopes to spend the rest of his career with Real Madrid.
Sunderland's planned January approach for Geny Catamo is presented as a concrete next step in the gossip column, while Football Insider's reporting on Viktor Gyokeres frames any Arsenal departure as more probable at the end of the season than during the January window.
