Welcome to our Daily Transfer Roundup which sees Bayern Munich dominate the headlines with news of the club agreeing new long-term contracts with two of their premium attackers. The Bavarians are also poised to beat Liverpool to sign one of Bundesliga’s premier midfielders.
Arsenal are once again linked with a new striker and this time it looks more than just a rumour as a £20million January bid is expected from the North London side. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has finally given his answer regarding Alexis Sanchez’s transfer rumours.
All that and more as we bring to you the best transfer news and rumours from December 5, 2016.
Serie A
Inter Milan put price tag on Kondogbia
Inter Milan have Chelsea and Liverpool on high alert after putting midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia on sale after a poor start to the season for the Frenchman. Kondogbia joined Inter last summer from AS Monaco but has not been a regular for the Nazzuris. As per reports from Calciomercato, Kondogbia is certain to quit San Siro in January with the Premier League looking the more likely destination.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is still looking to strengthen his midfield and is expected to turn to Serie A to sign an ideal replacement for Cesc Fabregas or Nemanja Matic. Kondogbia is eyed as the popular choice and has been priced in the region of £17.5million.
Arsenal in talks to sign AC Milan striker
Arsenal’s hunt to sign a new striker is set to continue in January after Football Italia linked AC Milan’s Carlos Bacca with a January move to the Emirates. Arsenal signed Lucas Perez earlier this summer but the Spanish forward has failed to perform in the Premier League and is being tipped to quit the club in January. With Perez’s exit looking likely, Wenger wants to sign a goal-scorer in January to share Alexis Sanchez’s load.
Brozovic in talks to extend his contract until 2021
Gazzetta dello Sport report that Marcelo Brozovic‘s contract renewal with Inter Milan is in its final stages and an announcement is expected before the end of December. Brozovic was linked with a move to Juventus and Chelsea in January but Inter are keen to tie the Croatian to a long-term deal. As per the report, Brozovic’s new contract will run until 2021 and will have a release clause of £50million.
Bundesliga
Bayern Munich duo nearing contract extensions
Bayern Munich forwards Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski are hopeful of signing new long-term contracts to extend their stay at Allianz Arena. Premier League clubs along with Real Madrid have been linked with a move for Lewandowski while Robben has been plagued by injuries and has not been a regular in recent weeks.
Despite the uncertainties, Bayern are prepared to offer the duo a long-term contract which is expected to run until 2020.
Aubameyang continues to toy with his Dortmund future
Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has once again sparked rumours of his exit by claiming that he is uncertain if he will stay in Bundesliga next summer. Real Madrid have always been Aubameyang’s dream club while Manchester clubs have continued to follow the striker’s developments as well.
Aubameyang was on target during Dortmund's 4-1 win last week and when asked to comment on his future, the Gabonese said: “I don’t know if I will stay. I just think about playing good football right now. I want to give my best and win titles. I just think about the sport and nothing else.”
Bayern Munich to beat Liverpool to sign Dahoud
Bayern Munich are hopeful of signing Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud, who is also linked with Liverpool. As per the reports from Daily Star (via talksport), Bayern are the latest to join the long list of admirers for the 20-year-old midfielder who is widely expected to move next summer. Bayern are hopeful of using their Bundesliga prowess to lure Dahoud from Liverpool’s clutches.
Premier League
Everton to make double raid on Manchester United
Premier League side Everton have made Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin their priority targets in January after the duo have struggled to find game time under new manager Jose Mourinho. Everton boss Ronald Koeman wants to bring a winger to support Romelu Lukaku and a dynamic midfielder to bring stability to the midfield. Daily Star claim the Toffees will make a 50million pound bid to sign Memphis and Schneiderlin in January.
Sakho staying put at Liverpool .. for now
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho could yet stay at Anfield after West Brom have backed out of signing the Frenchman in January. Sakho has struggled to break into Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI after being charged with the use of a banned substance. As per reports from Express, Sakho’s future is still uncertain, however, we may see him stay at Anfield in January before a club comes forward to sign him next summer.
Guardiola responds to Alexis Sanchez rumours
As per the reports from El Mercurio, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed away from signing Alexis Sanchez in January and claimed that the journalist responsible for this story is a liar. Pep addressed the Alexis rumours following his side’s 3-1 defeat against Chelsea. Pep claimed that Alexis would fit into any side’s starting XI but City are not in the running to sign him.
La Liga
Real Madrid keep their hopes of signing Hazard alive
Real Madrid are stepping up their efforts to sign Eden Hazard once their transfer ban is over in 2018. Hazard was linked with a move to Bernabeu earlier this summer but Los Blancos opted not to sign the Belgian forward after his horrible 2015/16 season.
However, seeing Hazard regain his form this season, Marca are convinced that Real Madrid are once again favourites to sign the Chelsea midfielder which can happen only after their transfer ban is over in 2018. Hazard is currently valued at €62 million according to Transfermarkt, but Los Blancos will surely have to pay more!
Valencia back away from signing Simone Zaza
West Ham striker Simone Zaza is yet to find a solution to his nightmarish stay in the Premier League after Valencia backed away from signing the Italian striker in January. As per the reports from Gazzetta, Napoli and Inter Milan have already said no to the chance of signing Zaza and given his torrid run of form at the moment, Zaza is not expected to start for West Ham anytime soon.
Martial-James swap on the cards?
Anthony Martial’s frustrating run at Old Trafford could soon come to an end after Daily Star reported an audacious swap deal between Manchester United and Real Madrid which could see James Rodriguez make his way to Old Trafford. United are still in the hunt to sign a playmaker in January and selling James to United will allow Real Madrid to reach a pre-transfer agreement to sign Martial when their transfer ban is over in 2018. Martial is valued at €32 million, although United could ask for a player plus cash deal since James’ stock has fallen.
Rest of Europe
PSG deny Payet rumours
PSG have backed away from the claims of making a move to sign Dimitri Payet in January or in the summer, according to reports from L’equipe. Payet has suffered a terrible season at West Ham and has constantly entertained the idea of quitting Hammers in favour of a more lucrative offer elsewhere.
Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barcelona have been previously linked with Payet but the Frenchman could stay in the Premier League until the end of this season.
Palace and West Ham want Mitrovic in January
After failing to sign the likes of Mario Mandzukic, Michy Batshuyayi and Daniel Sturridge, West Ham have now turned their attention to the in-form Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to reports from The Sun. However, West Ham are not the only side chasing Mitrovic in January as Crystal Palace have also joined the race to bring the Serbian striker back to Premier League.
