Get ready. The winter transfer window is fast approaching, and with it comes a deluge of rumors that will test what fans are willing to believe about their clubs.

As ever, it's always best to approach reports with scepticism. The truth is likely more boring than the headline that says your team want to sign prime Ronaldinho.

With that in mind, let's play a quick game of "BS or no BS" on recent stories.

Marcus Rashford to PSG

It's no secret Marcus Rashford's career at Manchester United just isn't working for him or the club anymore. The rapid forward has only gone downhill since his brilliant 17-goal Premier League season in 2022-23, both in terms of output and attitude.

So much so, the 27-year-old felt the need to tell the world he fancies a new challenge after manager Ruben Amorim dropped him for United's win over Manchester City. Of course, links to Rashford's potential next club are now gaining momentum.

Paris Saint-Germain were said to be very interested in signing the England international in 2022. There are now suggestions he could be involved in a swap deal for Randal Kolo Muani, but that just isn't going to happen.

PSG's project isn't what it used to be, in a good way. Iconic names are gone. Young players are taking the club forward slowly and steadily. Rashford would no longer make sense, especially for a club that has had to deal with the somewhat challenging attitudes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé in recent times.

BS Meter: BS to PSG, but Rashford is likely to move on soon.

Martin Zubimendi to Liverpool

We know Liverpool courted Martin Zubimendi heavily in the summer, but the Real Sociedad midfielder added the Reds to the list of big-name suitors he has turned down.

Ryan Gravenberch's impressive season has slowed talk of Arne Slot needing a new midfielder, but make no mistake about it, Liverpool are keen on the Spaniard.

Football insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed the Merseyside club are still keeping an eye on Zubimendi, while the player himself has spoken openly about the difficulty of the situation at the beginning of the campaign.

The 25-year-old told El Diario Vasco (h/t Theo Squires of the Liverpool Echo) the offer "caught me by surprise" but he decided to stay in La Liga.

Liverpool, like a lot of clubs, will be there if Zubimendi ever changes his mind.

BS Meter: Not BS.

Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid

A really difficult situation is developing for Liverpool.

The club's inability to agree a new contract with Trent Alexander-Arnold essentially leaves one of the most unique attacking full-backs in the world on the table for a free transfer. Just look at his cross for Luis Díaz's opener in the win over Tottenham Hotspur; few players in the world are pulling that ball off.

Leaving Liverpool would be a life-changing decision for the 26-year-old. He would no longer be a one-club local lad who did it all for his team. Yet, could he really be criticised for taking up an offer from Real Madrid?

The Spanish side are reportedly circling. It makes perfect sense, too. Dani Carvajal's long-term injury has sped up the need for cover, with Lucas Vázquez doing an admirably committed job in a role that he will never be fully comfortable in.

Alexander-Arnold is also close friends with Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, a player whose immediate impact is likely to see more English players given a chance in Spain.

Granted, the Liverpool player's agent could be using the Madrid name to secure a better deal at Anfield for his client, but Alexander-Arnold will need to make a decision that could define his career.

BS Meter: Not BS.

Joshua Kimmich to Manchester City

Manchester City's unbelievably bad run will see them linked with a lot of players in January.

Rodri's absence also means most of those players will be midfielders, especially as Ilkay Gündoğan has looked slow upon his return from Barcelona.

So, Joshua Kimmich is on the list, according to the Daily Star (h/t Sky Sports).

This is made all the more interesting because the Germany international's contract will expire in June. He'd be an excellent signing for Pep Guardiola, and perhaps someone who could fill in across a number of roles. It's usually difficult to lure longtime Bayern Munich players away from the club, though.

Kimmich, 29, reportedly remains in talks with Bayern but has criticised their lack of appreciation for him. We may have a similar situation to Alexander-Arnold developing; the player has leverage and plenty of suitors but ultimately wants to be loved at the club he has represented for so long, even if a reunion with Pep Guardiola could be an exciting prospect.

BS meter: BS unless Kimmich is forced out of Bayern.

Dušan Vlahović to Arsenal

Gabriel Jesus' return to form may save Arsenal a lot of money in January. The Gunners recently went hours without scoring from open play, but the Brazilian's long-awaited spark has accumulated five goals in two games to lift some pressure.

Mikel Arteta is long overdue signing a striker. Arsenal have looked surprisingly blunt at times this season, a consequence of pushing Kai Havertz up front and Jesus' inability to stay fit.

Dušan Vlahović could provide the final piece to the puzzle that needs to finally come together to win the Premier League.

There's potential here, although January seems an unlikely time for him to move, even after he recently clashed with Juventus fans following the draw with relegation-threatened Venezia in Serie A.

The 24-year-old has seven goals in 15 appearances this season, and it would be a huge call for Juve to let him go while they're sixth and battling for a place in Europe.

Expect this one to resurface in the summer, a window even Arteta surely can't escape without signing a new goalscorer.

BS Meter: BS until the summer.