Transfer Centre

Transfer rumours: Dan Gore to leave Manchester United, Jhon Duran to West Ham, Jonny to PAOK

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 22 January 2024

Transfer rumours: Gore to leave Man Utd, Duran to West Ham, Jonny to PAOK

Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer rumours, including Manchester United's Dan Gore to Port Vale, Jhon Duran to West Ham United and Jonny Castro to PAOK.

Manchester United starlet Dan Gore is reportedly closing in on a loan move to League One outfit Port Vale.

The 19-year-old joined the Red Devils' academy from Burnley in 2018 and has since been integrated into first-team training under manager Erik ten Hag this season.

Gore has earned his first two senior appearances for Man United this season, coming on as a substitute against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup and against Aston Villa in the Premier League, while he has also captained the club's Under-19s in three UEFA Youth League games this term.

However, the highly-rated midfielder appears to be on the verge of leaving Old Trafford on a temporary basis in search of regular game time, as the Daily Mail reports that Port Vale have won the race for his signature.

A host of EFL clubs including Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool, Shrewsbury Town and Fleetwood Town, as well as Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have all been credited with an interest in Gore, but the youngster is set to link up with Port Vale, who sit 18th in the League One table.

Gore is set to become the eighth Man United player to leave the club on loan this month after Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek, Hannibal Mejbri, Joe Hugill, Alvaro Fernandez, Maxi Oyedele and Rhys Bennett.

Aston Villa's Jhon Duran celebrates scoring their first goal on September 16, 2023 © Reuters

Staying in the Premier League and West Ham United have reportedly failed with an approach for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.

The Hammers are believed to be prioritising the addition of a new attacker this month as Michail Antonio remains sidelined through injury, while the futures of Danny Ings, Maxwel Cornet and Said Benrahma are all uncertain.

According to talkSPORT, Aston Villa have rejected West Ham's approach for Duran as Unai Emery wants to keep the 20-year-old as backup to Ollie Watkins.

However, it is thought that Villa's stance on Duran could change if they are successful in their pursuit of Middlesbrough attacker Morgan Rogers.

Duran moved to Villa Park in January last year from MLS club Chicago Fire for around £15m, but he is yet to start a Premier League game for the Lions.

The Colombia international, who has also been linked with Chelsea, AC Milan and Inter Milan, has instead made 26 substitute outings under Emery in all competitions, scoring four goals.

Jonny Castro in action for Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 29, 2019 © Reuters

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Jonny Castro is reportedly attracting interest from Greek side PAOK.

The 29-year-old has spent the last five-and-a-half years with the West Midlands club, making a total of 221 appearances across all competitions.

However, Jonny is facing an uncertain future at Molineux after being banished from the senior setup until the start of February following a training ground incident in December.

Jonny is free to leave Wolves this month and the Shropshire Star reports that PAOK have opened talks to sign the full-back.

The report adds that PAOK will attempt to sign Jonny on loan if they cannot agree a permanent transfer, and the Spaniard would be required to take a pay cut to make the move to Greece.

Jonny, who has also been linked with a return to former club Celta Vigo, is believed to be valued by Wolves in the region of £2.5m.