Welcome to our daily transfer news roundup from across Europe. And the huge news today is regarding the uncertainty surrounding the future of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi with a huge u-turn from earlier reports.
Here are all the transfer news and rumours from 18th January 2017:
Serie A
AC Milan extend Giacomo Bonaventura’s contract
Serie A giants AC Milan has confirmed that midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura has extended his contract and will stay with the San Siro outfit until at least the summer of 2020. The 27-year-old was linked with a move to Premier League favorites Chelsea.
Andrea Ranocchia to leave Inter Milan
According to Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio out-of-favour defender Andrea Ranocchia has many admirers in the Premier League and might leave the club in the ongoing transfer window. The 28-year-old wants to stay in Italy but with the lack of concrete interest he might have to move to England to further his career.
Ausilio said: “If he want to find more space, we will find a solution together. He has many admirers in the Premier League. There are some possibilities.”
Bundesliga
Xabi Alonso to announce retirement
According to German daily Bild, Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso is expected to announce his retirement from football at the end of the season when his contract with the Allianz Arena outfit expires. The report adds that the Spaniard communicated his decision to the club hierarchy before the winter break in Germany.
Alexis Sanchez might join ‘friend’ Arturo Vidal at Bayern Munich, admits Arsenal legend
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has admitted that superstar Alexis Sanchez might leave the Emirates outfit to join good friend and national teammate Arturo Vidal at Bayern Munich. However, the Frenchman wants Alexis to stay with the Gunners and extend his contract.
Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Henry said: “If he ever leaves then you would think the likes of Bayern are going to come, Paris Saint-Germain. Maybe joining his friend Vidal at Bayern Munich so we’ll see. But stay… don’t listen to anyone, find a way, stay!”
Premier League
Chelsea to lure Arsenal superstar Alexis Sanchez to Stamford Bridge
According to reports in the Daily Mirror, Chelsea will look to lure Alexis Sanchez to Stamford Bridge, should Diego Costa leave the Blues in the summer. Sanchez is yet to renew his contract with the Gunners and has just 18 months left on his current deal. While Costa is reportedly keen on a move to the Chinese Super League.
Luke Shaw to leave Manchester United
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is frustrated by the lack of development of full-back Luke Shaw during his term and is willing to allow the Englishman to leave in the summer transfer window. According to the Independent, the club are still willing to afford the left-back a chance to turn things around until the end of the season but the chances of it remains slim. Shaw has failed to establish himself in Mourinho’s starting line-up and has not featured for the Red Devils since November of last year.
La Liga
Reports of Lionel Messi admitting he wants to stay at Barcelona are fake
In what can be termed as a massive u-turn in Lionel Messi’s contract situation, Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo have claimed that reports suggesting that the diminutive Argentine has expressed his willingness to stay at Barcelona are fake.
It was earlier reported that Messi has admitted in an interview with the magazine – Coach – that he wants to stay at Barcelona as long as the Catalan giants want him. However, his father and agent – Jorge Messi – has rubbished these claims and has even said that the interview is a hoax.
Speaking in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Jorge Messi said: "This interview doesn't exist, it is a lie.”
The author of the original piece published on Coach magazine, Diego Jokas, has also claimed that he doesn’t work for the magazine nor has he ever interview Messi. He tweeted: "I want to make clear that I don't work, and have never worked, for Coach magazine, and never participated in the Messi interview that they have attributed to me.”
Jese Rodriguez to join Las Palmas
According to Spanish daily Marca, PSG forward Jese Rodriguez will leave the Parc des Princes outfit only for La Liga side Las Palmas. The former Real Madrid man has flopped in France following his big-money move in the summer and despite interest from clubs including AC Milan, Roma and Liverpool, the Spaniard wants to join his hometown club Las Palmas.
Rest of the World
Marseille want Yohan Cabaye
Marseille are planning a huge rebuilding job at the club as they look to challenge for top honors once again. The Stade Velodrome outfit want to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye but his £ 16m valuation will prove to be a big stumbling block, if reports in Daily Mirror are to be believed.
Marseille preparing third bid for Dimitri Payet
According to Sky Sports, West Ham United have rejected Olympique Marseille’s second bid of around £ 20m for superstar Dimitri Payet and the Stade Velodrome outfit are planning a third bid for their former midfielder. Payet has informed the Hammers that he wants to leave and he has been training alone since. Reports have even suggested that the Frenchman is homesick and wants to return to his former club.
