Rudy Galetti Reports: Lyon Targets O’Reilly; Spurs and Inter Milan Pursue Fofana; Leonardo Heartbroken

Gustavo Sá excels in the Portuguese League; Lyon shows interest in Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly; and Bremer continues to fortify Juventus’ defense. Here are significant updates from the transfer market captured by TribalFootball transfer analyst Rudy Galetti.

Scouts Impressed by Gustavo Sá in Match Against Sporting

During the match between Famalicão and Sporting on Saturday, various scouts from across Europe took note, particularly of Gustavo Sá. The 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder had an exceptional game, netting a goal with perfect shooting accuracy, completing 72% of his passes, and contributing defensively.

Sá, who came through the youth systems of both Porto and Famalicão, made his first-team debut in 2022 and has emerged as an essential player for Famalicão. At 1.89m tall, he possesses a rare combination of technical skill and physicality among young midfielders. While he primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, he has recently displayed versatility by taking on the mezzala role for Portugal’s U21 team, where he also provided an assist against Azerbaijan during the European qualifiers.

With attributes such as keen vision, composure, and adaptability, he remains a formidable presence in aerial challenges and set-piece situations. Given his steady performance in Liga Portugal and ability to excel in various roles, Sá has caught the attention of clubs. European scouts are now closely observing him, as he appears on track to join the ranks of Portugal’s elite midfielders in a top league.

Olympique Lyon has expressed significant interest in Nico O’Reilly, informing both Manchester City and the player’s representatives of their intentions. The French club has been scouting the young midfielder and might take proactive steps in January to secure him. Presently, Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen are seen as major competitors, alongside other teams monitoring his progress.

At just 20 years old, O’Reilly is still highly regarded at Manchester City, who consider him vital to their long-term vision. However, his playing situation remains uncertain. He has only featured from the start in last weekend’s Manchester derby and played the latter stages against Brighton and Wolves.

Although this indicates he is gradually gaining footing in Pep Guardiola’s lineup, O’Reilly is aware of his need for more regular playing time to develop fully. City aims to retain him, but with Lyon’s strong interest, options are likely to emerge in the upcoming transfer window. With Chelsea and Leverkusen also looking at possibilities, O’Reilly’s potential move is set to be a compelling topic in the coming months.

São Paulo made significant efforts right until the close of the Brazilian transfer window to re-sign Marcos Leonardo, but ultimately the deal fell through. The Al Hilal striker had already given his consent to the transfer and turned down other offers to pursue his desire to return to São Paulo.

The plan was to arrange a loan until the end of the year; however, Al Hilal demanded €2m for the loan fee plus a contribution towards the player’s wages, which São Paulo found too steep. Despite Leonardo’s willingness to accept a salary reduction to facilitate the transfer, the financial demands could not be bridged. This situation has left Leonardo feeling “devastated,” as this opportunity represented more than just a career move; it was a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream, although he previously came up through the Santos academy.

The negotiations have now collapsed, but it is uncertain whether this story will conclude here. Both parties may still pursue an opportunity in future transfer windows.

Interest Grows for Malik Fofana as January Window Approaches

Malik Fofana remains a desirable target across Europe, with the January transfer window poised to be a pivotal moment for his career. Tottenham made a last-minute attempt to acquire the Belgian forward on deadline day, but Lyon rejected their offer due to insufficient time to find a replacement.

Tottenham still regards Fofana as a key target and is contemplating a renewed effort once the window reopens. Inter Milan is also in pursuit, viewing the forward as a primary attacking option and having engaged in internal discussions regarding him. However, financial hurdles are a significant consideration as Lyon is seeking a minimum of €50m and the player is under contract until 2028.

Competition from the Premier League will be intense, as various clubs that have previously scouted Fofana are expected to keep a close watch on his development in the coming months. Lyon recognizes they possess a valuable asset and plans to leverage this period to enhance their negotiation stance ahead of what could be a standout storyline in the January transfer market.

Bremer’s Defensive Prowess: A 50% Clean Sheet Rate for Juventus

Gleison Bremer has solidified his role as a cornerstone of Juventus’ defense, with statistics underscoring his influence. In the last eight matches he participated in, Juventus has not conceded any goals. At the age of 28, he is reaffirming his status as one of Serie A’s most dependable center-backs.

Since joining Juventus in the summer of 2022, Bremer has made 94 appearances, leading to 46 clean sheets—a remarkable 49% shutout rate. In contrast, in the 63 matches Juventus played without him, they achieved only 21 clean sheets, which equates to a 33% rate.

This considerable disparity illustrates why Bremer is much more than just a regular starter; he is integral to Juventus’ defensive strength. His presence significantly enhances the team’s chances of finishing matches without conceding. Interest in Bremer from top European clubs has persisted, with Liverpool closely pursuing him in the past before choosing another route. As Bremer resumes top form post-injury, elite clubs from the Premier League and beyond are again monitoring his situation with keen interest.