Welcome to our daily transfer news roundup from across Europe. Barcelona have been linked with a surprise move for Serie A striker while they are also reported to be edging closer to completing the signing of a right-back.
Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpilicueta has extended his contract with the Blues and will stay at Stamford Bridge until at least 2020.
Here are all the transfer news and rumours from December 13, 2016:
Serie A
No contact between Cesc Fabregas and AS Roma
AS Roma have recently been linked with a January move for out-of-favour Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas with the Serie A side reported to be willing to include one of Radja Nainggolan or Antonio Rudiger in the deal for Spaniard, in a bid to sweeten the pot.
However, according to Sky Italia, both Rudiger and Nainggolan are expected to stay with the Stadio Olimpico side and there have been no talks between the representatives of Fabregas and the Giallorossi.
Although, Blues manager Antonio Conte has admitted that he cannot guarantee the former Arsenal man a long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
Juventus close in on Axel Witsel
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, reigning Serie A champions Juventus are reportedly close to agreeing a €6m deal for the services of Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel in the upcoming transfer window.
The Old Lady were close to completing the signature of the 27-year-old last summer but failed to do as the Russian outfit pulled out at the 11th hour. Witsel was reportedly close to signing for Premier League side Everton also in the summer but that deal also didn’t materialise. With the Belgian’s contract with Zenit St. Petersburg set to expire this summer, it looks like his future will be sorted sooner than later.
Bundesliga
Bayern Munich extend Robert Lewandowski’s contract
Robert Lewandowski has extended his contract with reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and will stay at Allianz Arena until 2021. The Polish hitman is arguably one of the best strikers in the world currently and finished 16th in the Ballon d’Or last night.
It is an achievement that the Bavarians have managed to extend the contract of Lewandowski, given he refused a new contract at Dortmund and signed for the Allianz Arena outfit on a free transfer.
Niklas Sule prefers Premier League move over Serie A
Inter and AC Milan target Niklas Sule has revealed that he would be interested in a move to the English Premier League ahead of Italy. The central defender has attracted the interest of many Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in the past.
Speaking in an interview with Gazetta dello Sport, the 21-year-old said:
"Milan and Inter? I know my agent was contacted, but in my opinion, a move to Italy wouldn’t make any sense.
"Milan and Inter have lost the magic which distinguished them. In the past they had great players, the clubs’ names have weight, it’s a beautiful city, the fans are passionate…but the clubs are in decline.
"Going to one of them from the Bundesliga would be a step back, as for years they’ve been struggling to qualify for Europe. I’d prefer the Premier League."
Borussia Dortmund issue hands-off warning to Liverpool for Christian Pulisic
Michael Zorc, who is director of sport of Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, has issued a hands-off warning to Liverpool as the Signal Iduna Park outfit intend to keep hold of the 18-year-old. The Anfield outfit were heavily linked with a move for the attacking midfielder and one of the reasons for their interest was reported to be the nationality of the 18-year-old. Pulisic is from United States, same as the Liverpool owners and they wanted to have someone from their country in the club that they own.
However, Zorc has said that the Reds need not waste their time by making an offer for Pulisic, who is under contract with Dortmund until 2019.
Speaking in an interview with Bild, Zorc said: "We have made it quite clear that we are not going to sell Christian and that we are planning with him. Liverpool can save the effort of making an offer."
Premier League
Dele Alli to stay at Tottenham Hotspur despite PSG interest
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli has squashed rumours linking him with a £50m move to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. The 20-year-old admitted that his immediate future lies at White Hart Lane having recently extended his contract with the North London club.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Alli said: "It's all just rumours to be honest with you. I have just signed a new contract with Tottenham, I am happy here. I couldn't think of a better place to be at my age.
"It has been a great year for me, I have had a lot of success in my career so far but I have got to keep improving, keep getting better, and make sure 2017 is even better."
Liverpool chasing Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Premier League title hopefuls Liverpool are planning a €27m bid to prize away Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie. The 19-year-old has also attracted the interest of Juventus but the reigning Serie A champions were going to move for the youngster in the summer.
The Reds are currently struggling following injuries to Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Danny Ings. Will the Premier League side be able to trump the Italians to his signature?
Chelsea interested in AC Milan midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura
Premier League favourites Chelsea are reported to be interested in the services of AC Milan midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura . According to Tuttomercatoweb, Blues manager Antonio Conte is a huge admirer of the Italian and the Stamford Bridge outfit are prepared to splash out up to €23m for the midfielder’s services.
However, it remains to be seen if Chelsea will sell Fabregas before attempting to sign the Italian as they already have N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic and out-of-favour John Obi Mikel in their ranks.
4 Premier League clubs chasing Yacine Brahimi
According to Portuguese daily, A Bola, Premier League outfits including Arsenal, West Ham and the two Manchester clubs are interested in the services of FC Porto winger Yacine Brahimi.
The 26-year-old has also caught the interest of Serie A giants Juventus, AC Milan and Napoli coupled with La Liga sides Atletico Madrid and Sevilla and the Premier League clubs will have to battle it out with these clubs for the services of the 26-year-old.
Leicester City close in on Wilfred Ndidi
According to reports, reigning Premier League champions Leicester City are close to completing the signing of Genk midfielder Wilfred Ndidi after the 19-year-old successfully completed his medical with the Foxes yesterday.
The Nigerian is reported to have agreed a five-year deal with the Foxes and will sign for them once the transfer window opens. However, the move can only be completed if he is granted a work permit.
La Liga
Barcelona chasing Carlos Bacca and Joao Cancelo
According to reports in Spain, Barcelona and Sevilla are keen on the services of AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca. The 30-year-old was linked with a host of Premier League clubs in the summer but opted to stay with his current employers.
Barcelona have also been linked with a move for Valencia full-back Joao Cancelo and it is expected that the Mestalla outfit will be willing to let go of their prized asset if they receive a considerable offer from the Catalan outfit. According to Sport, Valencia value Cancelo at €25m and Barca have held a long-term interest in him. However, their primary target for the winter transfer window remains Darijo Srna of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Marquinhos to snub Barcelona in favour of PSG stay
PSG defender Marquinhos has expressed his desire to stay at the Ligue 1 giants amidst strong interest from FC Barcelona. The 22-year-old has insisted that he wants to sign a new contract with the Parc des Princes outfit.
Speaking in an interview with AS, Marquinhos said: “I would like to stay here. This is my fourth year at PSG, I have adapted to life here and I speak French.
“In addition, my family feels good in Paris. Things are going well and I would love to stay here, I hope to sign a [contract] renewal. It does not just depend on me, but also on whether my performances are good.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang expresses desire to move to Real Madrid
Borussia Dortmund superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has expressed his desire to move to Real Madrid in the future but has admitted that he doesn’t know if Los Blancos are interested in his services. The Gabonese international finished at 11th position in last night’s Ballon d’Or and has been on fire for the Signal Iduna Park outfit this season.
Speaking in an interview with beIN Sports, Aubameyang said: “Real has a close connection with my family.
“The media is doing too much [speculation]. It’s a childhood dream. But, as I always said, I play at Dortmund and I’m glad to be there and it’s really good for me.
“And I don’t even know if Madrid really wants me. If Real comes one day, then that’s good. Otherwise, life goes on. This is not a problem.”
Rest of the World
Blerim Zemaili to join Montreal Impact
Former Lazio and Galatasaray midfielder Blerim Dzemaili is close to signing for MLS outfit Montreal Impact following the expiration of his contract with Serie A side Bologna.
PSG targeting Gremio’s Luan
Ligue 1 giants PSG are interested in the services of Gremio striker Luan. The Brazilian international caught the interest of the world after scoring 17 goals in Brazil last season.
Reigning Premier League champions Leicester City were interested in signing him but were put off by his £20m valuation. However, according to Globo Esporte, Unai Emery’s side are looking to sign the striker in the upcoming winter transfer window and matching the £20m evaluation of Gremio should not be a problem for the Paris based club.
