Here are the top transfer stories and rumours from 24th October 2016 featuring Manchester United’s January signing and Chelsea’s next defensive target.
Inter Milan chasing Pablo Zabaleta
Inter Milan are preparing a January bid for Manchester City right-back Pablo Zabaleta after the Argentine international has been limited to very few opportunities in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI. According to Daily Star, Zabaleta is already in talks with a couple of Series A clubs (including Inter) and wants out of the club in January.
Inter manager Frank De Boer is still looking for a solution to his right back position and sees Zabaleta as the ideal fit given his tactical understanding of the game.
Chelsea chasing Middlesbrough defender
Chelsea have asked their scouts to keep a close eye on Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson, according to reports from The Sun. Antonio Conte is still looking for a dependable option at the back after switching to a 3-man defense tactic.
Chelsea see Gibson as one of the best young defenders in Premier League who is capable of playing at the highest level. According to The Sun, Chelsea will submit a January bid for the 23-year-old defender.
Joe Gomez to go out on loan
Liverpool left-back Joe Gomez has asked the club to send him out on loan in January once he returns from his knee ligament injury. James Milner has made the left back position his own in recent weeks with Alberto Moreno as the second choice defender in that position.
Gomez enjoyed a steady start to the last season but suffered a setback with the knee injury, Jurgen Klopp wants to assess Gomez’s development before giving him a regular place in the starting XI.
Guardiola prepares to axe Aguero and Kompany
Pep Guardiola is prepared to let Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany walk away from Manchester City as he aims to get the right mix at The Etihad. Aguero was left on the bench for the Champions League game against Barcelona and then was very ineffective in the 1-1 draw against Southampton last night.
As for Kompany, he is yet to fully recover from the recent injury concerns which has not gone down well with the new manager. Guardiola has kept the door open for his star players to leave the club if they want to.
Berahino to be awarded a new deal
West Brom contract rebel Saido Berahino has been offered a new 3-year deal despite not being fully happy with the club. Berahino has been in the headlines for last 2 transfer windows after publicly declaring his wish to join Tottenham.
However, West Brom did not let him leave and Spurs ended up signing Vincent Janssen which brought an end to Berahino's White Hart Lane dream. Daily Mail are certain of a new 3-year deal offered to Berahino which the striker is most likely to accept in coming few weeks.
Manchester clubs to go to war for Fabinho
Manchester United are ready to sign AS Monaco right-back Fabinho in the January transfer window. Jose Mourinho wants a solid presence in the defene after United’s 4-0 defeat against Chelsea and sees Fabinho as the best option to play at the right-back position.
However, United’s plans could be ruined by Manchester City who are also interested in signing the Brazilian man who can play at rightback as well as in a central midfield role.
