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Will Gonzalo Higuain move to the Premier League?The transfer rumours are coming thick and fast now. The scouts of the money-laden teams and the not-so-money-laden teams around Europe have been instructed as to what type of players are required by the club in the January transfer window and the summer window as well. The scouts have started their hardwork already, which reflects in the rumours running around.Here are some of the major transfer rumours doing the rounds in Europe today.
#1 Serie A
Defending Serie A champions Juventus are reportedly interested in bringing back Mehdi Benatia to Italy, according to Tuttosport. The Bayern Munich defender previously played for AS Roma in the Serie A. The Old Lady can be hopeful that the Bavarians will let the defender leave as they already owe Juventus some money in Kingsley Coman’s loan deal. The Moroccan is expected to replace Andrea Barzagli who will cross the 35-year mark next season.
In a quest to increase more experience to a fairly young front line, Juventus will even try to lure Ezequiel Lavezzi in the January transfer window from PSG, Express reports. The winger is reported to have rejected a new contract from the Paris-based club. The Ligue 1 champions are willing to let the Argentine go for just £3.5million in the winter but according to reports in Tuttosport, the Turin-based club want him for free in the winter.
Juventus also want to sign Graziano Pelle from Southampton, the Mirror reports. The Italian striker has been in scintillating form for the Saints this season and has scored nine goals in 17 matches thus far. The £8million signing from Feyenoord has gradually grown into one of the best strikers in the Premier League and if the Old Lady comes in with huge sums of money, it will be difficult for the Saints to hold on to him.
PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that AC Milan made an offer for the striker in the summer transfer window. The Swedish revealed the details in an interview to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
"Last summer there was a great offer from Milan," he said. "If I had said yes, a deal would have been completed. However, we didn't reach that point as it wasn't what I wanted. However, I am grateful to Milan. They are the best club I've ever played for, and I've played for a lot of important teams.”
#2 La Liga
Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly on the verge of a transfer battle for the Valencia trio of Shkodran Mustafi, Jose Luis Gaya and Andre Gomes, the Express reports. Mustafi can be termed as a realistic target for both the clubs because he has developed into a top centre-back for the Spanish outfit. On the other hand, Gomes, 22 is a central midfielder who hails from Portugal whereas Gaya is a pacey left back and just 20 years old.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future is one which has been talked about the most. The Portuguese was quoted by Marca saying that he is open to work with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho again, a comment which only intensifies the transfer rumours surrounding him. "Work with Mourinho again? Why not? I've got two more years on my contract with Real Madrid, but no-one knows what the future holds," he said.
The 3-time Ballon d’Or winner is reportedly being chased by his former club Manchester United and French giants PSG.
Ex-Barcelona B player Jonathan Soriano has expressed his desire to play for his former club, Sportsmole reports. The 30-year old who plays for Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg said that if Barcelona come calling, it would be hard to say ‘no’.
“It's not easy, knowing that you come to Barca to be a reserve, to assume that you won't play,” he told Catalunya Radio. “Now I know that I play every weekend and I feel important, but if Barca called, it's pretty clear: I would say yes.”
#3 English Premier League
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is reportedly interested in three Premier League forwards – Saido Mane, Riyad Mahrez and Ayoze Perez – and also Lazio’s Felipe Anderson, as reported by various newspapers around England.
According to The Telegraph, the Red Devils are preparing themselves to launch a bid for Perez in the January transfer window. The Spaniard plays for Newcastle United as a striker or just behind him in a no.10 role. The 22-year old from the Canary Islands cost the Tyneside club £1.7m when they purchased him in 2014. However, his performances for the club has attracted a lot of attention from all around and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if he moves to a bigger Premier League club.
On the other hand, the Daily Mail reports that Lazio's Felipe Anderson, Sadio Mane at Southampton, Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City are currently on top of Van Gaal’s winter shopping list as he looks to add some pace in his wings.
"I have said already in my first year many times we need speed and creativity on the wings," he said after United’s win over West Brom.
“You have seen that now we play with Jesse Lingard and he is not the most speedy winger in the world and Mata is also not the most speedy winger in the world.”
According to reports in The Mirror, Chelsea is keeping tabs on Napoli’s star striker Gonzalo Higuain as a replacement for the out-of-form Diego Costa and the injured Radamel Falcao. The Argentine has been on their wish-list in the past few seasons but after Costa’s signing and his performance in the last season, Higuain could be approached in the next summer transfer window.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is interested in the signing of Cristian Tello, reports Spanish publication Fichajes. The winger is currently on loan at Porto and has a £11million release clause, which Klopp might be tempted to pay if his interest in the winger is real. The German manager is also keen on bringing back his former apprentice, Marco Reus to Liverpool, The Express reports.
The Telegraph reports that Arsenal are reportedly back in for Karim Benzema, according to reports in Fichajes. According to The Mirror, the Gunners are also interested in Real Madrid’s 22-year old forward Jese Rodriguez, as reported in Spanish newspaper AS.
#4 Rest of Europe
According to Sky Sports, Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola’s agent has stated that he has no idea of the Spaniard’s future. Guardiola’s contract with the Bavarian giants is set to get over at the end of this season.
"Not even I know what Pep's intentions are," Josep Maria Orobitg, Pep’s agent, told Munich's Tz newspaper. "We've had some intensive talks in the past few days, but when it comes to things like this, he's very private. He will make up his mind entirely based on his own impressions."
Everton and Crystal Palace are interested in signing Sochaux striker Karl Toko Ekambi, according to Sportsmole. Lille and Lorient have also been linked with the striker.
