🔥 Liverpool Target Gordon & Ronaldo's £43M Saudi Exit Looms

Welcome back to your essential transfer news briefing! Thank you for subscribing and joining us for today's roundup. It's Monday, February 16, 2026, and the transfer market is absolutely buzzing with activity. From Liverpool's ambitious moves to Cristiano Ronaldo's potential Saudi exit, we've got all the major developments you need to know about.

Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon in what could be one of the blockbuster moves of the window. Manager Arne Slot has identified the England international as a key target to bolster an already formidable attacking lineup.

Gordon has been one of Newcastle's standout performers, and his pace, directness, and ability to operate across the front line make him an ideal fit for Liverpool's high-intensity system. Adding the 25-year-old to a forward line that already includes Mohamed Salah would create a nightmare scenario for opposition defences.

Key Details:

The transfer window is heating up with Liverpool set to rival Manchester United for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. When England's two most successful clubs go head-to-head for the same player, you know something special is brewing.

The 21-year-old has been turning heads at Selhurst Park with mature performances well beyond his years. Both Arne Slot and Manchester United's interim boss Michael Carrick have identified Wharton as a player who could make an immediate impact at the highest level.

What Makes Wharton Special:

Brighton's Bart Verbruggen is the latest goalkeeper to catch the attention of Europe's elite, with both Bayern Munich and Chelsea showing serious interest in the Dutch shot-stopper.

Manager Fabian Hurzeler will be desperate to keep hold of his number one, but when clubs of Bayern and Chelsea's stature come calling with substantial transfer fees, holding onto your best players becomes increasingly difficult.

Verbruggen has impressed with his distribution, command of the penalty area, and shot-stopping ability since arriving at the Amex Stadium. At just 24 years old, he represents both immediate quality and long-term potential for whichever club secures his services.

In related Brighton news, the club has rejected an approach for captain Lewis Dunk, making it crystal clear that their defensive leader is not for sale. The Seagulls are determined to maintain their core squad as they push for European qualification.

Aston Villa are plotting a move for Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White as Unai Emery looks to inject more creativity into his midfield ranks. The England international has proven he can perform at the highest level and would be a shrewd addition to Villa's squad.

Gibbs-White brings technical quality, vision, and goal contributions from midfield - exactly what Emery values in his attacking players. Forest won't want to lose one of their key creative forces, but Villa's ambition and financial muscle could prove tempting.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have made a £35 million bid for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. However, there's a significant complication: Mateta has reportedly already agreed personal terms with AC Milan.

Forest boss Sean Dyche will need to move quickly and convincingly if he wants to hijack this deal. The French striker has been in excellent form for Palace, and his physical presence combined with technical ability makes him an attractive option for clubs across Europe.

In positive news for Forest fans, the club has secured a new contract for Pereira, tying down a key player before the transfer window chaos reaches its peak.

Manchester United have identified Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali as a priority midfield target. Interim manager Michael Carrick sees the Italian international as the perfect addition to revitalise United's engine room.

Tonali would bring quality, experience, and tactical intelligence to Old Trafford. His ability to control tempo, break up opposition attacks, and contribute in the final third makes him one of Europe's most complete midfielders.

However, United face stiff competition from Juventus, who have also identified Tonali as a top target. The Italian giants are keen to bring him back to Serie A, setting up a potential bidding war that could push the transfer fee well beyond £60 million.

Transfer Battle Details:

Juventus are planning a major striker refresh, with Everton's Beto, Randal Kolo Muani, and Joshua Zirkzee all on their radar. The Old Lady is clearly not messing around when it comes to bolstering their attacking options.

Beto has shown glimpses of his potential at Everton, and a move to Serie A could provide the platform for him to fulfill his considerable talent. David Moyes may be tempted to cash in if Juventus make a substantial offer, especially if Everton can reinvest that money into other areas of the squad.

Kolo Muani and Zirkzee represent alternative options, giving Juventus flexibility in their striker pursuit. All three players offer different qualities, but each would add significant firepower to the Bianconeri attack.

Inter Milan have expressed interest in taking Curtis Jones on loan for the remainder of the season. The move would provide the Liverpool midfielder with guaranteed playing time in Serie A.

While regular football would undoubtedly benefit Jones' development, Arne Slot may be reluctant to weaken his squad depth during such a crucial phase of the campaign. Liverpool are competing on multiple fronts, and losing a homegrown midfielder could leave them short of options.

The decision will likely come down to whether Slot feels Jones will get sufficient minutes at Anfield versus the guaranteed starting opportunities that would await him in Milan. It's a classic loan dilemma that many top clubs face with promising young players.

In one of the most intriguing stories of the window, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to end his Saudi Arabian adventure with Al-Nassr prepared to offload the Portuguese superstar for £43 million.

Reports suggest that Ronaldo himself may request to leave the club, bringing an unexpected end to what was supposed to be a lucrative final chapter in his legendary career. At 41 years old, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner still commands global attention, and his next destination will be one of the most-watched transfer sagas of the year.

Key Questions:

Whatever happens next, Ronaldo's move will generate massive headlines and remind us that even at 41, the Portuguese icon remains one of football's biggest stories.

Raheem Sterling is apparently in discussions with seven different clubs as the experienced winger weighs up his next career move. At 31, Sterling still possesses the pace, quality, and Premier League pedigree that makes him an attractive proposition.

Sterling's experience winning major trophies, his versatility across the front line, and his proven goal contributions mean multiple clubs see value in securing his signature. Whether he opts for a fresh Premier League challenge, a move abroad, or something else entirely, Sterling won't be short of options.

The coming weeks will reveal which of the seven interested parties can convince Sterling that their project aligns with his ambitions. Expect this saga to develop quickly once he makes his decision.

These lower-league moves remind us that the transfer market operates at every level of the football pyramid, with clubs across all divisions strengthening their squads and securing their key players.

Thanks for reading today's transfer roundup! We'll be back tomorrow with more breaking news, rumours, and analysis from the world of football transfers. Don't forget to subscribe to Transfer News Podcast for daily updates delivered straight to your inbox.