Real Madrid linked with Van Dijk as Bayern pursue Olise and Kounde — Wednesday's gossip

On Wednesday's transfer gossip, Mundo Deportivo reported Real Madrid are considering a move for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish). The item featured among a round-up of reported transfer and contract developments published on Wednesday.

Bayern Munich figures prominently in the round-up, including reports they will offer Michael Olise a long-term deal and that they have shown interest in Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, while the club reportedly downplayed a move for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (Bild - in German; Sport - in Spanish; TeamTalk). Manchester United-related items in the column include a reported target in Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and plans to offer new terms to Luke Shaw (TeamTalk; Football Insider). Tottenham Hotspur were linked with Bayern centre-back Kim Min-jae in the same collection of rumours (Sport - in Spanish). Former Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian was reported to be preparing to train with Bologna after leaving Inter Milan (Gianluca Di Marzio - in Italian).

Bild reports Bayern Munich are set to offer French striker Michael Olise a new contract until 2032 (Bild - in German). The article states the 24-year-old's current deal expires in 2029. The information appears in the German outlet's transfer coverage.

TeamTalk reports Manchester United have targeted Crystal Palace and France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 29, as they seek attacking reinforcements (TeamTalk). Separately, Football Insider says United plan to offer new terms to English defender Luke Shaw, 31, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season (Football Insider). The two items were listed separately within the Wednesday round-up.

TeamTalk says Bayern Munich played down the prospect of signing Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 32 (TeamTalk). Sport reports Bayern are also eyeing Barcelona's Jules Kounde, 27, and adds that Kounde started the season out of favour at Barcelona (Sport - in Spanish). Sport further links Tottenham Hotspur with an interest in South Korean defender Kim Min-jae, 29, who is at Bayern Munich according to the same report (Sport - in Spanish).

Gianluca Di Marzio reports former Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian, 36, was released by Inter Milan at the end of last season and is set to begin training with Bologna on Wednesday (Gianluca Di Marzio - in Italian). The piece places his move to Bologna as an immediate post-release step. Di Marzio's account appears in his Italian transfer coverage.

Mundo Deportivo adds that Virgil van Dijk, 35, will become a free agent at the end of the season (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish). That detail was included in the same Wednesday transfer gossip column that carried the Real Madrid link.