With less than 10 days to go for the January transfer window to slam shut, top clubs across the Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Rest of Europe are desperate to get deals across the line.
Agents and players propbably pay more attention to their phones rather the pitch as the transfer window heats up.
Here are the transfer news and rumours of the day:
Serie A
- Juventus could be without Dani Alves soon, as the Brazilian is fielding offers from three Chinese Super League clubs – Hebei China Fortune, Andre Vilas-Boas’ Shanghai SIPG and Fabio Cannavaro’s Tianjin Quanjian. The legendary fullback will have to reject a €10 million salary if he chooses to stay with the Serie A giants.
- Inter Milan fans enthused by rumours that Chinese backers Suning could finance a shock move for Lionel Messi have had their hopes smashed to smithereens. Inter’s Sporting Director, Piero Ausilio rejected any such idea, saying “To speak about Messi would be to delude the fans. Of course, the club is solid, we have resources and ambitions, but there are parameters set by UEFA which we can not ignore.”
- Veteran Italian striker Antonio Cassano’s standoff with Sampdoria might come to an end as the forward will likely get an offer from Fiorentina. Many expected the 37-year-old to retire after being frozen out of the Samporia squad, but Cassano could entend his professional career atleast until the end of this season.
Bundesliga
- The chase for Wolfsburg star Ricardo Rodriguez is heating up – Juventus and Inter Milan have joined the chase for the Swiss fullback, according to Calciomercato. Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and PSG are all apparently interested in Rodriguez, which should make it difficult for Wolfsburg to hang on to him, especially as he has a €22 million release clause.
- Borussia Dortmund have beaten Real Madrid to the signing of Swedish forward Alexander Isak, dubbed the next ‘Zlatan Ibrahimovic’. The 17-year-old has already scored for his national side, and plundered 13 goals in 29 appearances for his former side AIK Solna. Dortmund also confirmed that they have extended Christian Pulisic’s contract to 2020.
- Bayern Munich could be raided by former manager Pep Guardiola in the summer. The Manchester City boss wants Juan Bernat, with Spanish newspaper AS reporting that both clubs are already in talks. Bernat has had limited appaerances this season, with David Alaba preferred in that role by Carlo Ancelottti.
Premier League
- Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has admitted that he could move to the Chinese Super League in the future. Coming soon after Jose Mourinho’s comments that he would not blame a player for choosing to move there, perhaps there is more smoke to this fire. Rooney did insist that he was happy currently, and could see out his contract.
- Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic could be on his way out of the club soon. The Serb has found game-time almost non-existent under Antonio Conte, and Everton are said to be interested in Ivanovic as a cheap replacement for club legend Phil Jagielka, who could be on his way to Sunderland.
- Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is hoping to solve his defensive problems with a move for highly rated Burnley defender Michael Keane. Leicester City and Everton were also in the race, but Manchester City could comfortably price them out of a move.
La Liga
- Manchester United and Chelsea are set to bid a massive £172 million for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, according to a report in Don Balon. The Welsh winger recently signed a 5-year contract with a massive wage increase, but the Premier League giants are hoping that Madrid will be tempted with a massive world record fee.
- Florentino Perez is set to make Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante his top target for the summer, according to reports in Kante’s native France. Real Madrid are prepared to make a world record €150 million bid to tempt Chelsea into letting Kante go, with Zinedine Zidane growing dissatisfied with Casemiro hindering the side’s attacking play.
- Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann has reportedly snubbed a blockbuster offer from Manchester United to stay in Spain. The Frenchman was pictured screaming ‘This is my home’ and gesturing to the Atletico support after scoring an equaliser against Athletic Bilbao.
Rest of Europe
- Paris St-Germain are very close to signing Benfica’s Gonzalo Guedes, dubbed the ‘next Cristiano Ronaldo’. According to reports in France, Patrick Kluivert, PSG’s sporting director, has flown to Portugal to finalize the deal, which will see the Manchester United target sold for a massive fee of €30 million.
- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has signed off of a £34.5 million move for FC Porto star Danilo Pereira. The Euro 2016 winner was watched by Arsenal scouts in Porto’s last game against Rio Ave, with Danilo impressing with his defensive skills.
- PSG have also been linked with a surprising move for Liverpool star Adam Lallana, according to L’Equipe. The Englishman has been one of the best Premier League players this season, and PSG are hoping to tempt Liverpool’s resolve with a €50 million bid.
