Welcome to our Daily Transfer Roundup which sees Mario Balotelli return to the headlines with a controversial statement regarding his future putting both Milian clubs on alert. Luis Suarez appears to be the next big name player to get a new contract extension after Barcelona’s club president dropped the big news earlier today. On that note, here are the best transfer news and rumours from December 8, 2016.
Serie A
AC Milan ready to sell Luiz Adriano
AC Milan will sell Luiz Adriano to raise funds for new buys in the January transfer window, according to reports from Tuttomercatoweb. Reports claim that the Milan owners will put forward a £100million budget in January to revive the squad and continue their push for Champions League football next season.
Luiz Adriano tops the list of players to be axed from San Siro after making just 1 start this season.
Mario Balotelli rules out Inter return
Italian striker Mario Balotelli admits it would be “very complicated” for him to return to Inter after claiming his affection for Inter’s rivals AC Milan, where he had two spells. In an interview with the Italian press, the controversial striker said, “I’ve always been a Milan fan, even though I played for Inter. Never say never, but Inter is very complicated. If I return to Italy I’d think of Milan.”
Barcelona after Juventus’ out of favour right back
Barcelona have expressed their interest in signing Juventus’ out of favour right back Stephan Lichtsteiner, according to reports from Spanish outlet Sport. The report also indicates that with Dani Alves’ long-term injury, Juventus may have their doubts about selling Lichtsteiner, who has had a role from the bench this season. Barcelona are still struggling with their right back slot with Alves’ exit and failing to find a proper replacement.
Bundesliga
Pulisic is Liverpool’s number one target
Liverpool’s American owners are desperate to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic in January, according to reports from The Sun. As per the reports, FSG group want to sign an American player to open up Liverpool’s ways into US market. Currently, Pulisic is one of the best American players and a £30 million bid will most likely be submitted by the Reds in January.
West Ham beat Spurs to sign Bundesliga’s upcoming star
West Ham United have agreed a deal to sign Wolfsburg youngster Murat Saglam on a free transfer next summer. As reported by The Times, West Ham have beaten Spurs and agreed to a five-year deal with the Turkish midfielder, bringing him to the London Stadium at the end of the season on a free on the recommendation of under-fire manager Slaven Bilic.
Premier League
Everton 100% confident to sign Memphis
Everton have made Memphis Depay their number one January transfer target after losing Yannick Bolassie for several weeks due to an injury. The Guardian received a direct quote from Ronald Koeman which claimed that the manager is ready to buy a winger and will do so in January. Everton and Koeman have followed Memphis’ developments in recent weeks and will propose an initial loan deal with a view to sign him permanently next summer.
Lazio star to join Manchester United in £30 million deal
Jose Mourinho has sanctioned a move for Lazio defender Stephan De Vrij, according to reports from Calciomercato. Manchester United are still struggling to find the right defensive combination due to injuries to Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling. Victor Lindelof is another defender linked with a move to Old Trafford but De Vrij is seen as a more realistic target after Lazio have said that it will cost United at least £30 million to bring De Vrij from the Serie A club.
Alexis Sanchez responds contract stall talks
Alexis Sanchez has dropped a concrete hint towards his immediate future and it seems that the Chilean is ready to pledge his future with the North London club. Daily Mirror posted a story last night which claimed that Chelsea are ready to make a move for Alexis if he agrees to quit Arsenal, however, the dynamic forward posted a video on Instagram today where he paid homage to Arsenal's Invincibles, saluting a picture of the unbeaten 2003/04 side.
Alexis has 18 months left on his current contract during which he needs to sort out his next move.
La Liga
Barcelona confirm Luis Suarez extension
Barcelona will offer Luis Suarez a new deal in the summer which will keep the prolific striker at Camp Nou until 2022. The news was confirmed by the club President Josep Maria Bartomeu when he spoke with Uruguayan radio station, Cadena Celeste. Bartomeu said, “Suarez is going to get a renewed contract very soon, it's done, just a few small details need to be sorted and we'll announce it in the next few days or weeks.”
Atletico Madrid join Chelsea to sign Napoli defender
Atletico Madrid have joined Chelsea in the race to sign the highly impressive Napoli defender Faouzi Ghoulam, according to reports from Football Italia. The report claims that manager Diego Simeone wants to bring depth to his squad and sees Filipe Luis as the only left-back option. Ghoulam is tracked by Chelsea as well with a January bid looking likely. Ghoulam will command a transfer fee of £30 million and is expected to quit Serie A football in January.
Real Madrid to sign next Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Real Madrid are closing in on the signing of Swedish wunderkind Alexander Isak. Marca ha e reported that the Spanish giants have been tracking the player nicknamed the ‘new Zlatan Ibrahimovic’, since he made his debut for AIK in February. Real can sign Isak despite their transfer ban as the striker would not go into the first team and will be sent to Castilla for next 18 months.
Other European Leagues
PSG star to leave on loan in January
West Ham are confident of agreeing a deal to sign PSG attacker Jese Rodriguez on loan in January, according to the Daily Star. The former Real Madrid man was offered to a number of European clubs in the summer, including West Ham before ultimately completing a £21 million move to Ligue 1 champions PSG. Jese has failed to impress during his PSG stay and will leave PSG in January.
Wolves to sign the forgotten Celtic defender
According to reports from The Chronicle, Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers could sign out of favour Celtic defender Efe Ambrose. Wolves manager Paul Lambert was a former Celtic player and has strong ties with the club which will help him to close the deal in January as he aims to achieve promotion to Premier League next season.
