Transfer news and rumours of the day: January 26 2016

El Shaarawy Italy

The Italian is set to return to Serie A

Neymar could cross the clasico divideThe January transfer window is winding down, with only five days left till the window slams shut. Despite many clubs being in desperate need of reinforcements, this January trasfer window has seen relatively little transfer activity. However, as clubs and agents keep up their poker faces to negotiate a better fee in their favour, we might soon witness an end to the standoff.The last week of the January window usually witnesses clubs scramble to sign players and the mad dash to reinforce their teams usually results in inflated fees and hasty decisions.Here are the transfer rumours of the day:

#1 Serie A

El Shaarawy Italy

The Italian is set to return to Serie A

- Roma have signed Stephan El Sharaawy on loan from AC Milan, with the Italian winger returning midway from a season long loan at Ligue 1 Monaco.

The Giallorossi are looking to revitalize their faltering Scudetto campaign, and with Gervinho reportedly off to China, are hoping that El Sharaawy’s signing can get their season back on track. El Sharaawy tweeted the confirmation from Rome’s Fiumincino airport, and is set to undergo a medical.

“I feel ready, and I hope to give my contribution. I think there's not much to talk about, and a lot of work to be done. I'm fired-up, motivated and enthusiastic,” El Shaarawy told reporters at the airport.

- Paulo Dybala has rebuffed rumours that he will move to Barcelona, according to a report in Corriere dello Sport.

The Juventus forward has been the subject of speculation that he will follow his fellow Argentine, Lionel Messi to Barcelona, but came out today to quash those rumours.

“I am happy in Turin. I’ve been here six months and have not considered leaving. Today more than ever I’m happy with what I’m doing, it is beginning to feel like it did in Palermo a while ago. I feel great. Messi is on a different level and only a few players come near to it. I am just hopeful that I can play alongside him for Argentina.”

- Inter Milan have identified Ever Banega as their prime target, hoping to bring the Sevilla midfielder to Italy, Il Corriere dello Sport reports.

Inter are well stocked in defensive midfield, with the likes of Geoffrey Kondogbia, Gary Medel and Felipe Melo, but hope to add a creative spark from deep in the form of Banega. The Argentine has shone for Sevilla in La Liga, but the Italians hope to tempt him away with the promise of a greater wage packet.

- Former Barcelona winger Christian Tello has joined Fiorentina on loan, the Italian club confirmed on their official website.

The statement on the website reads :

“ACF Fiorentina is pleased to announce that all formalities have now been completed for the loan signing of Cristian Tello Herrera from FC Barcelona until 30 June 2016. The agreement includes an option to purchase the player outright as well as a counter-option.”

#2 La Liga

Neymar Perez

Will Neymar be the next Luis Figo?

- It’s the rumour that refuses to die. Real Madrid will lure Neymar to the Santiago Bernabeu by meeting his €190 million release clause, according to Diario Sport.

Florentino Perez has resigned himself to the fact that Real Madrid will have to meet Barcelona’s release clause to have any hope of signing the Brazilian, with a staggering €35 million a year personal terms on offer as well. With Cristiano Ronaldo’s powers on the wane, Perez is desperate for a superstar to replace him and has identified Neymar as obtainable, for the right price.

- Barcelona are hoping to sign PSG defender Marquinhos to strengthen thier backline, according to Spanish outlet El Mundo Deportivo.

The Brazilian youngster is highly rated by the Parisians, but they cannot offer him a guaranteed first team spot, with David Luiz and Thiago Silva ahead of him in the pecking order. With Barcelona having trouble in the centre of their defense, Marquinhos would be quite tempted to join the Catalan giants.

- Atletico Madrid have joined the chase for Lazio forward Keita Balde Diao, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Spaniards have been hit hard with a transfer ban, and hope to sign the highly rated 20 year old before the end of the January transfer window. Keita has thrilled Seria A with his dazzling skills and with Lazio languishing in mid-table, the Sengalese youngster might be tempted to ply his trade in La Liga.

#3 EPL

Townsend Newcastle

Andros Townsend has agreed to move to Newcastle

- Newcastle United have signed Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend for a reported fee of £12 million.

The England international has been excluded from the first team setup at Spurs, after being disciplined for an altercation with a fitness coach. Having already splurged to buy Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet, Newcastle acted swiftly to make Townsend their third major signing of this window, ending the winger’s 16 year spell at the North London Club.

“As soon as I knew of Newcastle’s interest they were the only club I wanted to join,” Townsend revealed to Sky Sports.

- Arsenal have been rebuffed in their attempt to sign Jorginho from Napoli, according to a report in Tuttomercato.

The Gunners are in the market for a defensive midfielder and have eyed the 24 year old for quite a while. However, with Gonzalo Higuain propelling the Naples club to the top echelons of Serie A, the Italians are reluctant to sell midway through a viable Scudetto challenge, especially after the Brazilian signed a new deal in the summer.

- Leicester City are have joined the chase for unsettled Juventus striker Alvaro Morata, according to Spanish outlet AS.

The Foxes are top of the Premier League, and were recently rumoured to have turned down a deal for Loic Remy, raising eyebrows. A deal for Morata would firmly cement the Premier League upstarts as title challengers, while also giving the Spaniard a viable exit option since his place in Juventus’ starting lineup has been usurped by the in-form Paulo Dybala.

- Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor, on their Twitter account.

Adebayor joins Palace on a free transfer, having been released by Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year. The Togolese striker is just 8 goals shy of Didier Drogba's record of most goals scored by an African player in the Premier League (104).

#4 Rest of World

Gabbiandini

The Italian striker is being chased by Wolfsburg

- German giants Wolfsburg are looking to sign Italian striker Manolo Gabbiandini from Napoli, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Wolfsburg are in desperate need of a striker, with Bas Dost injured and Nicklas Bendtner wanting to move, and are prepared to offer €25 million for the services of the 24 year old Italian international. Gabbiandini has fallen down the pecking order at the Naples club due to Gonzalo Higuain’s form, and will be keen to move having only started once this season for Napoli.

- FC Porto will have to fend off the advances of Manchester United for the services of youngest Champions League captain Ruben Neves and Bruno Martins Indi, according to the Daily Mail.

Louis van Gaal is keen to sign Dutch centre-back Bruno Martins Indi, as the 23 year old can offer much needed defensive reinforcement for the Red Devils. As for Ruben Neves, the 18 year old is one of the most exciting defensive midfielders in the world, with United willing to pay his release clause of £29 million.

- Borrusia Dortmund are keen to sign Chelsea youngster Bertrand Traore on loan, according to French publication Foot Mercato.

The Germans recently sent back Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj from a loan spell, and hope to replace the gap in the squad with the Burkina Faso international. The 20 year old set alight the Dutch Eredivisie last season, but has been on the fringes of Chelsea’s first team this season.

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Edited by Staff Editor