Neymar's secret pact with Real Madrid, Manchester United's interest in Ajax wonderkid and more: Transfer roundup - December 2017

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. With the festive season right upon us, top clubs from around Europe are looking to plug gaps in their squads in the next one month during the January transfer market. So let's head right in and take a look at the major happenings across Europe that made headlines on December 25, 2017:

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Premier League

Mauricio Pochettino lined up as the next PSG boss

Unai Emery has reportedly lost the dressing room at Paris Saint Germain after continued troubles with the club's senior players. The owners are set to relieve him of his duties in the summer and have lined up Mauricio Pochettino as his replacement.

PSG's Qatari owners have been impressed by Pochettino's work in North London and how the Argentine has transformed Tottenham Hotspur into a notable force. Pochettino played for two years at Parc Des Princes during his career which make matters easy for the Parisians to lure Pochettino back to France.

Manchester United unsure about Jose Mourinho's future

United's bosses have been taken aback by Manchester City's storm to the top of the Premier League standings and have hence grown unsure about Jose Mourinho.

The Daily Mirror reports that doubts have begun to creep in and around Old Trafford as to whether Jose Mourinho is the right man to take United back to the top of the pile. This is why the owners are holding off on handing Mourinho a contract extension.

Serie A

Next stop - Anfield?

Liverpool given the green light to sign Stefan De Vrij

Jurgen Klopp's men have been given a transfer boost in the form of Lazio centre-back, Stefan De Vrij. The Dutchman has been linked with the Reds since the last summer and now if Radio Incontro Olympia are to be believed, he is set to join the Anfield outfit in the new year.

It is said that the Lazio chiefs have told De Vrij and his representatives that if their valuation of £30 million is met, they are ready to let him go. The quoted price should not be a worry for Liverpool who were ready to spend over £60 million for Virgil Van Dijk last summer.

Inter Milan favourites to land Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Borussia Dortmund's chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke today revealed that the club is unsure about Henrikh Mkhitaryan's valuation which has now made Inter Milan the favourites to land the Armenian.

United want at least £35 million for the estranged attacker which has irked Dortmund. Inter are keen on taking Mkhitaryan on board but only on a short loan spell, Gazzetta Dello Sport understands. It remains to be seen what Jose Mourinho's response to a loan offer will be.

Bundesliga

Is Aubameyang going to replace Griezmann at Atletico Madrid?

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang gives a hint about his move to Atletico Madrid

The Borussia Dortmund hitman has dropped a major hint over his next club as Aubameyang today revealed that he may replace Antoine Griezmann at Atletico Madrid. Griezmann is tipped to join FC Barcelona in the summer with the Colchoneros then needing a focal point up front.

Speaking to Ouest-France, he said, “(Atletico Madrid?) Everyone knows that they are looking for players around the world, I think that Antoine Griezmann could leave and many things could happen, everything could happen.” Aubameyang also rejected worldwide claims that he has signed a new contract with the Bundesliga club.

Arsenal lead Leon Bailey race

The Daily Mirror has claimed that Arsenal have beaten Chelsea and Manchester United to sign Bayer Leverkusen's Leon Bailey. The 20-year-old winger has been scouted by a number of top clubs this season with the Gunners also taking a look at him twice before the winter break. A big money move awaits the pacy winger in January.

La Liga

Will Coutinho be seen in Liverpool colours beyond January?

FC Barcelona losing hope on Philippe Coutinho

Contrary to reports of a £130 million bid from FC Barcelona for Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho, Guillem Balague, a journalist close to the Catalan club, has told Sky Sports that the Spanish giants are not optimistic over a January move for Coutinho.

It is believed that FC Barcelona are desperate to land the playmaker next month but Liverpool are reportedly unwilling to divulge in any talks over the Brazilian's future. Despite his future being uncertain, Coutinho has been in fine form this season, already scoring 11 goals for the Reds.

Neymar has a secret pact with Real Madrid

No, it is not Neymar Jr. who has gone behind the backs of his current employers. But it is his father, Neymar Sr. who has signed a secret pact with Los Blancos that his son's next club will be Real Madrid. If a report from Diario Gol is to be believed, the Brazilian superstar will be seen in Real Madrid colours for the 2019/20 season.

Rest of the world

On Manchester United's watchlist

Manchester United eyeing Justin Kluivert

Yahoo.com has claimed that the Red Devils are in pole position to land 18-year-old Ajax sensation Justin Kluivert. The teenage forward and son of Dutch legend, Patrick Kluivert has taken Eredivisie by storm after emerging on the scene last season.

Kluivert has already scored 4 goals this season with Jose Mourinho keen on adding the youngster to his attacking unit.

Kevin Trapp offered to Liverpool

After losing his place to Alphonse Areola at PSG, Kevin Trapp is eyeing a January move to keep his World Cup chances alive. Liverpool have been linked with the German custodian as Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius have not been able to solve the crisis at Anfield.

Trapp's agent has accepted that his client is looking for a move elsewhere with Liverpool being at the top of Trapp's priority list. Moreover, Trapp recently called Liverpool a "great club" when asked about the club's interest in him.