Welcome to our daily transfer news roundup which has been dominated by Manchester United's shock swap deal in January and Alexis Sanchez’s surprising demand to stay at Arsenal. Meanwhile, there have been concrete developments in Cesc Fabregas’ exit from Chelsea after a Serie A club have approached Chelsea with a lucrative offer.
Here are the best transfer news and rumours from December 10, 2016.
Serie A
AS Roma approach Chelsea for Fabregas
Italian reports claim Roma have asked Chelsea to take Cesc Fabregas on loan in January. The Spaniard has struggled for game time under new manager Antonio Conte and is currently the 4th choice midfielder at Stamford Bridge. Fabregas has been linked with the likes of Inter, Arsenal and West Ham in recent past but Roma feel they can lure the former Barcelona midfielder away from Stamford Bridge by offering him regular playing time.
AC Milan remain favourites for Kjaer
As per the reports from Calciomercato, AC Milan are confident of signing Fenerbahce central defender Simon Kjaer. Despite Inter Milan in advance negotiations with the defender, Sports Mediaset are reporting that AC Milan will put in a €12million bid for Kjaer and complete his signing in January.
Juventus eye cut-price deal for Manchester City star
As per the reports from Football Italia, Juventus are eying a move for Manchester City midfield ace Fernandinho, as their surprising January signing. Although Fernandinho has impressed under the new manager Pep Guardiola, he has not signed a new contract yet. His current deal expires at the end of this season and the Brazilian will be free to negotiate his next move in January. Juventus are eying Fernandinho as an alternative for Axel Witsel, who was close to signing for them last summer.
Bundesliga
Wolfsburg ban Julian Draxler
Easily the biggest news of the day has come from Bundesliga where Wolfsburg have banned Julian Draxler from their first team after the German international has constantly been taking jibes at the club and is certain to quit the club in January. After being axed from the club, Draxler has a price tag of €36 million with PSG, Arsenal, Juventus and Manchester City interested in signing him.
Real Madrid have first-buy option on Dortmund trio
In an astonishing report from Spanish newspaper Marca, Real Madrid have the first-to-buy option on Borussia Dortmund trio Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Julian Weigl and Ousmane Dembélé. Aubameyang has been linked with a move to Bernabeu for the last 12 months but the move has come under doubt after Real Madrid’s transfer ban. However, Real Madrid are prepared to wait for their ban to get over and make a bid in 2018.
Premier League
Manchester United to offer Fellaini to sign Payet
Manchester United are prepared to offer Marouane Fellaini to sign West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet, according to reports from Daily Star. Payet has been inconsistent this season but is understood to be unhappy by the lack of quality in the West Ham squad. Payet has kept the option of quitting Hammers and Manchester United are tipped as the favourites at the moment.
The Sun also reported a story earlier today which claimed that Payet will be available for as little as €15million if West Ham are to get relegated this season.
Alexis Sanchez names his condition to stay at Arsenal
Alexis Sanchez is reportedly in two minds over committing to Arsenal on a long-term basis, however, according to Don Balon. His decision could be made easier if manager Arsene Wenger departs the club next summer. Sanchez sees Wenger as a key hurdle towards him getting the new bumper deal at the club and the Chilean is also wary of Arsenal’s lack of transfer activities under Wenger.
Bilic confirms his interest in Sturridge
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has publicly said that he is interested in signing the out-of-favour Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge. In an interview with BBC, Bilic claimed that any team including West Ham would be interested in signing Sturridge and said: “He's one of the biggest talents, he's a great player. The talent is there, the touch, the finishing, everything is great. We're always there in contention. Most of the time it's absolutely not true, 95% of the time.”
Klopp will not send Gomez on loan
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has turned down the option of sending Joe Gomez out on loan to get much-needed game time, as per Liverpool Echo. In an interview with Echo, Klopp said: “We had a very good talk. What I think about Joe Gomez is he is an unbelievable talent, which everybody knew before. It’s a long injury and if we send him on loan, with his quality, a team will play him every game.”
La Liga
Pepe free to sign for Premier League clubs
Real Madrid have taken a strong stance on not handing Pepe a new contract as interest from Premier League clubs is now set to intensify. According to Daily Mirror, Chelsea and Manchester United are very interested in bringing the experienced 33-year-old defender to Premier League to bring an assuring figure to their back line. Real Madrid feel handing Pepe a new contract will stop Raphael Varane’s progression to the first team.
Barcelona interested in signing Shakhtar defender
Shakhtar Donetsk manager has confirmed Barcelona’s interest in right-back Darijo Srna after reports of unrest between club and current right back Aleix Vidal. The 27-year-old has been left out of Barcelona's squad for the game against Osasuna which has made him certain to quit the Catalan club in January. While Srna, 34, is an integral part of Shakhtar Donetsk, coach Paulo Fonseca admits the defender could be tempted to sign for Barcelona given their European pedigree.
Rest of Europe
Cavani wants PSG to sign Griezmann
PSG star Edinson Cavani has said in an interview with SFR Sport that he’d like to play with Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann one day. Cavani said: “I’d like to play with Antoine Griezmann one day. He’s a great striker and a great person as well as one of the contenders for the Ballon d’Or this year even if I think that the best player at the moment is Lionel Messi.”
Stoke set sights on Derby County keeper Lee Grant
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says he wants to make goalkeeper Lee Grant's loan move from Derby County permanent and it is a desire shared by the player. Grant has starred for Stoke in England keeper Jack Butland's absence but his loan deal is set to expire next month. And now Stoke have opened talks with Derby to make his loan move permanent when it ends in early JanuaryD
