Welcome to our daily transfer news roundup from across Europe. With the transfer window set to open only four days from now, the rumour mills are in full swing as clubs finalise their targets. The big news of the day comes from Barcelona, where two Bundesliga midfielders have caught the eye of the Catalan giants.
Here is a roundup of all the news, views and whispers from around Europe:
Serie A
Juventus to wait on James
The Serie A champions will wait until the summer transfer window before submitting a bid for Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez. The Colombian has been the subject of interest for many clubs following his statement which said that he couldn’t give any assurances about his future at Real Madrid.
His agent later went on to state that James will stay with Real at least until the end of the season. Juventus CEO, Beppe Marotta has said that his club will wait until June before they submit a bid for the Colombian star’s services.
Suso dreams of Barca or Real move
AC Milan midfielder Suso, who has firmly established himself this season, says he is confident that his ability will one day enable him to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Suso claimed that he has the ability that is required to operate at the highest level of European football.
He told Marca, "I think so, I am showing it gradually. It's early, but I have been with Barca and Madrid players in the national team [at junior levels]. I have always shown that the level is there. Maybe it's a bit early because I have to continue growing over a longer period of time.”
Suso has six assists in 17 games this season and has really announced himself for Milan after finding himself on the fringes since his move from Liverpool last summer.
Bundesliga
The big boys chase Pozuelo
Genk’s midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo is the subject of a transfer battle between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
But the former Swansea City man was not willing to divulge too many details about a potential transfer. He said, "I'm having a good season and it's normal that clubs show an interest. What I can say is that I've had clubs and agents get in touch with me and I've passed on the contact details of my agent.”
Koln to offer Wimmer Spurs escape route
FC Koln have zeroed in on Tottenham’s Kevin Wimmer to replace their centre-back Mergim Mavraj, who is moving to Hamburg in January. Wimmer has barely featured for Spurs this season and is desperate for a change.
The Austrian is set to have talks with manager Mauricio Pochettino to decide on his future in the next three days.
Premier League
Manchester clubs rival each other for Juve left-back
Calciomercato are reporting that Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have both made Juventus’s Alex Sandro their primary target in the January transfer window. The Old Lady are likely to demand in the region of £25 million for the services of the Brazilian.
United have a variety of options – Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian, who are all capable of playing at left-back. So it is puzzling why United need Sandro. City, on the other hand, have only Gael Clichy, given that Aleksandar Kolarov has been played more as a centre-back this term.
City and Chelsea to clash for Sevilla midfielder
Steven N’Zonzi has been a reborn player since he moved to Sevilla from Stoke and the European powers are beginning to take note of this. According to Marca, both Manchester City and Chelsea will make offers for the Frenchman in January.
Chelsea are planning to use N’Zonzi in a box-to-box role as some kind of replacement for Oscar, who has moved to China to play for Shanghai SIPG.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have got to sign a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan after the German was ruled out for the rest of the season. N’Zonzi is a very similar midfielder to Gundogan. If City cannot land him, they also have Julian Weigl lined up as an alternative target.
Everton hope to sign Berahino
Ronald Koeman is desperate to increase Everton’s firepower by signing Saido Berahino from West Bromwich Albion. The English striker has hardly played for the Baggies this season, and Koeman is determined to offer him a way out.
According to The Birmingham Mail, Everton could land Berahino at a cut-price of around £8 million.
Everton desperately need a backup option if Romelu Lukaku misfires and having been reasonably successful in the Premier League before, Berahino will hope to be that option.
La Liga
Weigl is the prime Barca target
Barcelona’s struggles in midfield this season have been well-documented. Now, Luis Enrique is determined to set things right by buying Borussia Dortmund’s young star Julian Weigl. The 19-year-old has been a revelation for Dortmund since he signed from 1860 Munich and hasn’t looked back since the beginning of last season.
Sources at Camp Nou say Barca are prepared to pay up to €45 million for Weigl. The Catalans are also plotting a move for Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Munich.
Loan spell for Odegaard imminent
Real Madrid’s young Norwegian sensation Martin Odegaard is likely to move to the Dutch Eredivisie on loan. Both Ajax Amsterdam and Heerenveen have made contact with the Spanish giants over the availability of the youngster and it looks like Real will accept the offer.
Rest of the World
China move beckons for Serie A striker
Croatian Nikola Kalinic could soon be on his way to China after Tianjin Quanjian made a €40 million bid for his services. The former Blackburn striker has been in good form for Fiorentina this season and according to Corriere Dello Sport, the Italian club has rejected the bid.
Kalinic’s best moment of 2016 came at the Euros, when he scored Croatia’s equaliser in their victory over Spain.
Cavani will stay at PSG
Edinson Cavani will not leave Paris St. Germain in January despite interest from potential suitors in England. Manchester United were said to be interested in signing the Uruguayan star, but PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has denied all rumours linking Cavani with a potential switch to England.
