'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Charlie Austin is back in the Premier LeagueAs January reaches it’s midway point, the transfer market is in full swing, with clubs searching high and low to solve their problems or augment their challenges near the top of the table. The transfer mill continues to churn out rumours at full pace, as agents work day and night to get the best deal for their clients.With players seeking out pastures anew, the reasons range from more money to greater playing time, resulting in a January transfer window that will definitely supply us with intriguing deals.Here are the transfer news and rumours for the day.
#1 Serie A
- Italian giants Juventus are interested in signing Mario Gotze from Bayern Munich in the summer, according to reports in Tuttosport.
The Turin-based club are in the market for an attacking midfielder, and the unsettled German playmaker is their prime candidate, as Gotze searches for greater playing time than the paltry seven appearances he has made for the Bavarian giants this season.
- Carpi and former Italy striker Marco Borrielo is off to the MLS, according to reports in SportiItalia.
His agent, Andrea d’Amico revealed that the 33 year old is considering offers from Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, saying “Marco has several different possibilities. He's a professional sportsman and has earned 7/10 ratings for several of his performances and he is still very hungry and can still achieve a lot yet. [MLS] is a possibility.”
- Stephan El Shaarawy is in talks with a ‘big Italian club’ and might return to AC Milan after his season long loan deal with Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco ends, according to L’Equipe.
Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev confirmed the news, saying “We're making progress with a big Italian club. I hope it will be finalised in the next few days because we want to find the best solution for Stephan too.”
- Roma and Ashley Cole have mutually agreed to terminated the left-back’s contract which will allow him to move to MLS outfit, LA Galaxy, according to reports in Il Tempo.
Cole moved to Roma on a free transfer in 2014, and his contract was set to run out at the end of the season, but with the left-back not making a single appearance this term, decided to terminate his contract with the Italian outfit.
#2 La Liga
- Barcelona are close to completing moves for Denis Suarez and Nolito, according to reports in Spanish newspaper Sport.
The Blaugrana will have to shell out €3.5 million to facilitate Suarez’s return to Barcelona from Villarreal taking advantage of a buyback clause, while having to pay substantially more for Celta Vigo forward Nolito, to the tune of €18 million.
- Real Madrid will rebuff Liverpool’s attempt to sign their Norwegian wonderkid, Martin Odegaard, according to Marca.
Jurgen Klopp is keen to offer Odegaard a prominent role in Liverpool’s lineup, but Real Madrid are insistent that Odegaard will stay with Los Blancos. The 17 year old has made one appearance for the senior team, while appearing 28 times for Real Madrid Castilla, scoring 1 goal.
- Atletico Madrid are desperate to sign Argentine winger Nicolas Gaitan from Benfica, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola.
As Diego Simeone’s side are banned from registering any new players from the next two transfer windows, Atletico are keen to conclude their long-standing pursuit of Gaitan in this transfer window itself. Benfica aren’t too keen on letting Gaitan go, and it will take a fee in the range of €35 million for the Spanish club to gain Gaitan’s signature.
#3 Premier League
- Southampton have confirmed the signing of QPR striker Charlie Austin for a reported fee of £4 million.
The 26 year old striker signed with the Saints on a four and a half year contract, and was delighted to sign, saying “I'm delighted to have got it over the line so soon into January. I can't wait to get started now. For me, it was important to come to a club that's on the up and that's what I've got here.”
- Watford are set to complete the signing of Morrocan winger Nordin Amrabat from Malaga. Malaga President, Abdullah N Al Thani, tweeted his confirmation,
- Arsenal and Liverpool are set to compete for Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams, according to the Telegraph.
The Spanish U-21 star has already created history by becoming the first black player to score for the Basque club, and his speedy displays in La Liga have meant that the Premier League giants are vying for his signature.
#4 Rest of World
- Ezequiel Lavezzi is likely to leave Ligue 1 giants Paris St. Germain and join Chelsea, according to a report in The Mirror.
Lavezzi is in the final six months of his contract with PSG, and his agent, Alessandro Moggi revealed the Argentine’s options, saying “Inter are certainly showing the greatest interest in the player, but there are also many other clubs in Europe keen on him, including Chelsea and Barcelona.”
- Saint Ettiene have resigned French left-back Franck Tabanou from Swansea, as confirmed by the club’s Twitter account.
“There is an agreement in principle between Swansea and #ASSE #Tabanou Franck wants to come back and I want to see Frank,” Saint-Etienne coach Christophe Galtier said on club's Twitter account.
- Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Galatasary winger Armindo Bruma, according to El Mundo Deportivo.
The Germans have been impressed with the 21-year-olds performances in La Liga, where Bruma is on loan with Real Sociedad, and Thomas Tuchel is keen on adding pace to the wings, with the Portuguese prodigy being a perfect candidate.
