January brings with it a lot of mid-season crisis as well as solutions. The transfer mill is expected to be the same this time around with many seeking reinforcements and many seeking a new start. There has been a buzz around many players and clubs, with players seeking moves away from their respective clubs for various reasons from playing time to better contracts.
Nonetheless, the January window is poised to give us some interesting news. Here are the transfer news and rumours for the day:
Premier League
- Chelsea have set their eyes on grabbing Antoine Griezmann from Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid according to reports. With Oscar’s big money move to China looking imminent, the Blues are expected to have a lot of money in their transfer kitty for January and Antonio Conte seems very keen in acquiring the services of the Frenchman. The player pledged his loyalty to the club until 2021 this year and it will take serious amounts of money if Diego Simeone is to consider the deal.
- According to reports in England, Manchester United are plotting a move to bring back former academy defender Michael Keane to Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho is set to miss out on Eric Bailly in January due to the AFCON and the Portuguese has identified the 23-year-old as a perfect replacement in January. The defender has won an impressive 63.6 percent of his aerial duels as well as making 11 tackles and 34 interception in 1350 minutes of action.
- Swansea and Southampton are ready to rival Everton for CSKA Moscow playmaker Alan Dzagoev. The midfielder scored for CSKA in their 3-1 defeat by Tottenham as Everton’s director of football Steve Walsh sat alongside the Russian club’s representatives in the stands. CSKA are expected to accept bids in the range of £15M.
Dzagoev’s agent, Anton Astafiev, told Sportsmail, “He is a top player and he is ready to play in England. I’m sure that after signing, his new club will be very impressed and positive about him because he is a great professional.”
Serie A
AS Roma are reportedly planning to launch a bid for Manchester United outcast Memphis Depay according to Italian website Calcio Mercato. It is said that Depay will provide cover for Mohamed Salah who will represent Egypt at the African Cup of Nations next month.
Mourinho admitted yesterday that he is open to letting players leave next month. I am always open to listen to offers for every player," Mourinho said.
Inter are very much interested in signing Benfica shotstopper Ederson Moraes according to Portuguese paper Abola. The 23-year-old Brazilian is considered the Nerazzurri’s transfer priority for the January transfer window after persistent rumours about Handanovic leaving the club to join Manchester City. Moraes has only played 18 league games for the Eagles, and is already considered to be a very promising prospect for the future.
Juventus have extended the contract of their central defender Daniele Rugani until 2021. Rugani's previous contract with Juve was due to expire in 2020. He has therefore added a year, reportedly on improved terms. Rugani has become more of a regular feature in Allegri's side, playing in each of their past four Serie A fixtures after all three of Bonucci, Chiellini and Barzagli are side-lined with injuries.
"At the age of just 22, Rugani still has plenty of time on his side to keep growing into the world-class defender he's destined to become and, thanks to today's contract renewal, [he can] do so in the colours of Juventus," a statement on Juventus’ website read.
Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has rejected transfer rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid. Talking to the CNN, ahead of the beginning of the Africa Cup of nations that will be held in his home country, Aubameyang has denied that he’s considering a move to the Bernabeu.
“There are rumours linking me with a move to Real Madrid, but I want to stay at Borussia Dortmund for very long time, there are amazing fans here,” he said.
Ajax have confirmed that Wolfsburg are close to completing a deal for midfielder Riechedly Bazoer. The Dutch club’s manager Peter Bosz told their official website that Bazoer is in the “final phase” of his move to Bundesliga. He also confirmed that the player will not play a part in the club’s remaining fixtures until the player switches clubs in January. The midfielder has not been a regular under Bosz this season and has started just three out of 14 Eredivisie games this campaign.
Bayern Munich are currently monitoring Eric Dier’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur according to reports. Dier has endured a tough season after being displaced by Victor Wanyama at Tottenham and the 22-year-old is concerned that his lack of game time will hamper his progress.
La Liga
Shakhtar Donetsk right-back Darijo Srna is said to be preparing a "final meeting" with Barcelona officials ahead of a January free agent move. Mundo Deportivo claims both parties have already agreed a deal in principle for the 34-year-old defender to switch to the Nou Camp, and are now ironing out terms on his salary.
Shakhtar Donetsk head coach Paulo Fonseca said, “I know of the interest, It is not for me to make this decision. We know the importance of Srna on our team and we also know of his importance to the club. [Srna] has spent many years with us. I sincerely hope he doesn't go."
Ivan Rakitic is set to snub Manchester United and sign an extension with Barcelona according to reports. Juventus and Chelsea are also said to be interested in signing the midfielder but Rakitic's agent has denied speculation surrounding an exit.
Spanish publication Don Balon claim that Real Madrid could turn to Mesut Ozil if James Rodriguez leaves in January. He is yet to sign a new deal at the club with his current contract expiring in 2018 which means that Arsenal could be powerless to prevent the Germany international leaving if Europe's big guns come calling.
Rest of the world
Paris Saint-Germain are in pole position to sign Julian Draxler from Wolfsburg, according to Le Parisien. PSG are aiming to expand their attacking options after Jese had a poor start to his spell in France. Unai Emery’s side made contact with the German in the summer, a €30m fee is expected.
Chinese side Shanghai SIPG have almost completed the signing of Chelsea midfielder Oscar according to reports. The 25-year-old Brazil international was quoted in the Brazilian media as saying a deal with Shanghai SIPG is "90 per cent right - it just depends on some bureaucratic details."
The midfielder is out of favour under Antonio Conte and Chelsea may look to cash in on the player in January, with reports suggesting the Chinese club could offer as much as £52m for him.
