Real Madrid set to bid for Salah
Mohamed Salah’s early-season success with Liverpool has led to interest from Real Madrid, OK Diario reports.
Zinedine Zidane’s men have misfired offensively this season and are looking for solutions in front of goal, with the Egypt star touted as a possibility after an explosive beginning to life at Anfield.
Madrid are aware that a deal during January will be complicated but are set to return in the summer.
Man Utd activate Shaw clause
The England international left-back was due to see his current deal expire in the summer, but will now be tied to the Red Devils until 2019.
Reports had suggested that the 22-year-old was heading towards the exits at Old Trafford, with United eyeing Danny Rose, Ryan Sessegnon and Kieran Tierney as possible replacements, but he has played his way back into favour.
Giroud wanted by Besiktas
The Turkish side have seen their top marksman leave for Everton and are now in the market for a proven successor.
Giroud has struggled for starts this season and is eager to find regular football ahead of a possible World Cup quest with France this summer.
Five Premier League sides watching Marega
The Paris-born stirker has 12 goals in 15 games in the Portuguese top flight this season and is being watched by Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as Brighton and Leicester.
Porto do not wish to sell, but the centre forward has a release clause of €40 million.
Aubameyang to Guangzhou Evergrande a done deal?
Dortmund have failed to pour cold water on reports linking striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande.
Speaking to Kicker, chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said:
“The speculation surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will circle for as long as he plays here.
“We do not comment on that anymore.”
Coutinho deal will be €120m fee + €40m
Barcelona will sign Philippe Coutinho for a €120 million up-front fee in January with €40m of potential bonuses included in the deal with Liverpool, according to Sport .
At least €10m will be easy clauses for Coutinho to meet at Camp Nou, while the other €30m depends on the Brazilian’s performances and Barcelona’s achievements.
The €160m deal would make Coutinho the third-most expensive player of all-time behind Paris Saint-Germain pair Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
‘Keeping Kane will be difficult’
Tottenham may see their hand forced by Harry Kane at some stage if Real Madrid and Manchester United rumours persist, Christian Ziege has warned.
“He has the option to change [clubs] in the Premier League or if he wants to have experience away from the Premier League. At some stage, if he wants to move on, it will be difficult to keep him.”
Aubameyang signs Chinese deal
Guangzhou Evergrande have agreed terms with both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of the Gabon international this summer, Sina Sports reports.
The Chinese Super League side swept in with a bid of €72 million to snatch the striker from Beijing Guoan, who had offered €60m.
A spokesman for Beijing Guoan said: “It is unprofessional to poach other club’s target and drive up the price so carelessly and recklessly, which will ultimately put the Chinese football and the national interest in jeopardy.”
Conte reveals three transfer lists
Antonio Conte has admitted to having three lists of transfer targets at Chelsea, having previously moaned that he has “rarely been given the players I asked for”.
In an effort to avoid a repeat in 2018, the Premier League title-winning coach is leaving no stone unturned.
“There isn’t just one list, there’s two, three lists and sometimes you can’t get the first name on the list,” Conte said.
Mourinho sorry for Mkhitaryan HT hook
Jose Mourinho has apologised to Henrikh Mkhitaryan for unfairly hauling him off at half-time during Manchester United’s FA Cup clash with Derby County.
“I didn’t like what I did. He didn’t deserve it, he was playing well, he wasn’t playing bad,” the Man Utd boss said.
Lemar to replace Alexis at Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hasn’t ruled out a January exit for Alexis Sanchez and, if the Chilean does depart for Man City in January, he is ready to make Monaco’s Thomas Lemar his replacement, according to L’Equipe .
The Gunners failed with a £90 million bid for Lemar in the summer and though Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim has insisted the France international is not for sale, Wenger could test his resolve should Alexis move on in January.
With Monaco out of the Champions League and PSG cruising to a Ligue 1 title, the principality side could be convinced to cash in on the highly rated 22-year-old.
Coutinho to PAY to join Barcelona
Philippe Coutinho is ready to pay €15m from his own pocket to allow his move from Liverpool to Barcelona to take place, Mundo Deportivo reports.
The Brazil star has already turned down more lucrative bids from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but has his heart set on moving to Camp Nou.
Liverpool have recently bumped the price of their star player up following a leaked Nike advert showing the 25-year-old as a Barca player – and Coutinho is ready to pay the difference himself.
Newcastle United consider Hart loan move
Newcastle United have targeted Joe Hart as a January transfer candidate after the goalkeeper lost his first-team place at West Ham under David Moyes, according to the Daily Mirror .
The England international, who is on loan from Man City, is admired by Rafa Benitez and would be a cheap option to bolster the Magpies’ squad without significant budget.
Man City to make £35m Alexis bid
Manchester City are poised to make an opening January bid of £35 million for wantaway Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, according to the Daily Mail .
Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury has forced Pep Guardiola to reconsider a winter move for the Chilean, whom he had originally preferred to sign at the end of the season.
Arsenal turned down a £60m offer in the summer from Man City but, with fewer than six months left to go on his contract, they could lose him for free in July.
Wenger admits to Arsenal transfer problems
Arsene Wenger admits that Arsenal are experiencing teething problems as a new transfer team finds its feet at Emirates Stadium.
There has been a major overhaul behind the scenes in north London, with the Gunners eager to ensure that they remain competitive in their recruitment.
Tevez exits China nightmare
Shanghai Shenhua have terminated the contract of Boca Juniors-bound Carlos Tevez by mutual consent, the Chinese Super League (CSL) side announced on Saturday.
The former Manchester United and Manchester City forward had another 12 months to run on his deal, and long-drawn negotiations with the struggling giants led to the decision.
David Luiz to be shown the Chelsea door
Chelsea centre-back David Luiz will be sent out on loan for the second half of the season, The Express states.
The Brazil international has had a bust up with manager Antonio Conte, who is now willing to offload the experienced defender.
Andreas Christensen has kept him out of the starting XI lately, and Juventus could seek to profit by snatching him on a temporary basis this winter.
Arsenal set Walcott asking price at £30m
Arsenal will allow attacker Theo Walcott to depart this January – but not for a fee less than £30 million, The Sun believes.
The 28-year-old has not started a Premier League game all season and is of interest to struggling Southampton, who wish to reinvigorate their campaign by signing their former youth star.
Everton and Newcastle are also interested in the England winger.
WBA want Debuchy
WBA wish to sign Arsenal full-back Mathieu Debuchy, L’Equipe reports.
The France international has featured only in cup competitions for the Gunners this season and still believes that if he plays regularly he could feature at World Cup 2018 for his country.
As a result, he could be willing to move to the Hawthorns six months before his deal at the Emirates expires.
Hazard rejects second contract offer
Eden Hazard has rejected Chelsea’s second offer of a new contract, according to RMC .
The Belgium international’s current deal runs through 2020, but the Blues are offering fresh terms to prevent Real Madrid from swooping for Hazard.
Antonio Conte is reportedly furious with Hazard’s refusal to sign a new deal, which would have made the Belgian the highest-paid player in Chelsea’s history.
Man Utd to swoop for Kane
Manchester United are ready to hijack Real Madrid’s move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, according to Don Balon , via the Manchester Evening News .
Kane is in high demand after establishing himself as one of Europe’s best goalscorers, and the Red Devils have emerged as the main rivals for a potential Madrid bid.
Chelsea and Manchester City are also reportedly interested in signing Kane, but Man Utd are seen as the biggest threat to Madrid.
Barca and Palmeiras far apart on Mina
Barcelona and Palmeiras are “far apart” in negotiations over defender Yerry Mina, according to Gianluca Di Marzio .
The 23-year-old has requested an immediate move to the Blaugrana after impressing with the Brazilian side since a 2016 move from Santa Fe in his native Colombia.
Mina’s agent and the two clubs will continue to negotiate in order to seal a January move.
Chelsea targeting Mahrez after Barkley deal
Chelsea aren’t planning on ending their signings with the capture of Ross Barkley, as the Blues are now targeting Riyad Mahrez, reports The Sun .
The Algerian has impressed in 2017-18, scoring seven goals and adding eight assists in the Premier League so far.
Arnaiz threatens Premier League transfer
Barcelona forward Jose Arnaiz will demand a move to the Premier League if he doesn’t get more first-team opportunities, according to Diario Gol.
The 22-year-old has impressed when given the chance with the first team this season, scoring three goals in three Copa del Rey games, but the rest of his appearances this term have been with Barcelona B.
A host of Premier League teams, including Arsenal, Tottenham and Southampton are willing to pay Arnaiz’s €20 million release clause should he move to England.
Juve wanted to sell Marchisio to Chelsea
Juventus were disappointed by Chelsea’s signing of Ross Barkley, as they had hoped to offload Claudio Marchisio to the Blues, according to calciomercato.com.
The 31-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Juve, and enjoyed some of his best seasons in Turin under current Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
Though Chelsea were an enticing option for a sale, the signing of Barkley likely closes the door on any chance Juventus had to send Marchisio to London.
Suarez could make shock return to Liverpool
Barcelona may be nearing a move for Philippe Coutinho, but Liverpool could use some of the funds from the Brazilian’s sale to make a move for Luis Suarez, according to Don Balon.
The Reds are set to net around €160 million from Coutinho’s move to Barcelona, and could be tempted to turn around and spend some of those funds on their former striker.
Though Suarez is happy at Barca, Coutinho’s arrival along with Ousmane Dembele’s return from injury and a potential summer move for Antoine Griezmann could push the Uruguayan out of the lineup.
Brandt set for summer tug-of-war
Bayer Leverkusen star Julian Brandt may have his pick of German clubs in the summer, according to Der Westen .
The 21-year-old has a €12.5 million release clause that can be activated when he enters the last year of his contract, which is an enticing option for Bayern Munich as the Bavarians continue aiming to stock up on young German talent.
Borussia Dortmund have also been credited with an interest, and Brandt is also expected to listen to renewal offers from Leverkusen.
Arda in talks over MLS move
Out-of-favour Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan in talks over a possible move to Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer, according to the Daily Mail.
The 30-year-old has not featured for the Blaugrana this term as the club have looked to offload him to several teams around Europe.
But Turan could be tempted by a new challenge in the U.S. with Chicago, who signed Bastian Schweinsteiger for a $4.5 million deal last season.
Liverpool line up Mahrez as Lemar contingency
Liverpool will turn to Riyad Mahrez if they can’t sign Thomas Lemar to replace Philippe Coutinho, according to The Independent .
The Reds are bracing for Coutinho’s departure for Barcelona, and have identified Lemar as a top option to replace the Brazilian.
Monaco turned down a £75m bid from Liverpool for Lemar in the summer and if the France international’s price is too high, the Reds will move for the Leicester City midfielder instead.
Inter to offer Icardi new deal
Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio says the club could offer Mauro Icardi a new contract to fend off interest from Real Madrid.
Icardi signed a five-year contract at San Siro in October 2016, but his red-hot form could mean the Serie A side will have to offer another raise to keep him at San Siro.
The Blancos are reportedly planning to trigger a €110 million release clause in the 24-year-old’s contract this summer to seal his signature.
