The Premier League and other European leagues return to action this weekend, and the rumour mill is abuzz with transfer rumours. Manchester United, as usual, are in the transfer news and are still on the lookout for a player to partner Pogba.
Here are the top transfer stories from 15th October 2016.
Manchester United chasing perfect Pogba partner
Jose Mourinho is yet to find the perfect partner in midfield for his £89million signing Paul Pogba. With Toni Kroos signing a long-term contract with Real Madrid, the Red Devils have now turned their attention to AS Monaco’s Fabinho as an alternative option.
The Brazilian has been linked with a move to United in the last 18 months but was seen as a right back option, however, Fabinho has been shifted to a defensive midfield role by the Ligue 1 side which could see United re-ignite their interest in the player in January.
Zaza going nowhere …. for now at least
West Ham United are a club in turmoil right now with mixed results both on and off the pitch for the Hammers. Their summer signing Simone Zaza has failed to settle at the club and has been linked with a move back to Italy, just a couple of months after his Premier League switch.
Zaza has failed to fit into Slaven Bilic's starting XI and is linked with a move to Wolfsburg in January. However, manager Bilic has put an end to all those talks and has decided to back the under-fire striker and give him an extended run in the side.
Coveted 17-year-old could sign a contract with Liverpool this week
Agustin Davila, who plays for Uruguayan side Atletico Penarol, has been offered a trial by Liverpool and is in England to seal his move to Anfield.
Clubs like Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have registered an interest in signing the player but Liverpool were quick to make their move and could end up signing the coveted midfielder by the end of this week.
Manchester United preparing Draxler-Memphis swap deal
Jose Mourinho has had enough of Memphis Depay and his awful performances and according to Bild, the Red Devils are in talks with Wolfsburg to sign Julian Draxler in a swap deal which will see Memphis move in the other direction.
Draxler has been widely tipped to quit Bundesliga in January and preferably wants a move to the Premier League. Arsenal are also interested in the German international but United are prepared to offer Memphis to speed up the transfer in January or next summer.
Liverpool to beat Arsenal in signing the £19.6m rated striker
Liverpool are set to make a £19.5m raid for Torino striker Andrea Belotti, according to reports. Belotti’s Torino contract runs until June 2020 but Klopp wants the deal done in January to fend off interest from other big teams, most notably Arsenal.
Belotti has scored 5 goals this season and managed 3 assists in 8 Serie A matches. Belotti’s fine form has seen him get a national call-up in recent weeks. Klopp is keen to sign the 22-year-old as Daniel Sturridge’s replacement.
Bale aiming to match Cristiano’s payscale
According to Marca, Gareth Bale is prepared to hold Real Madrid to ransom if he is to sign a new contract with the La Liga side. Bale could get a raise of £260,000 a week and is in line to join Ronaldo in an elite group of global sports stars who earn £20million a year after tax.
Same reports claim that Bale’s new contract will have £450million release clause to fend off an interest from any club in Europe.
