Here are the top transfer stories and rumours from 20th November 2016 featuring Manchester United's ambitious January bid for Bayern Munich talisman. Elsewhere, Everton are ready to spend big in the January transfer window.
Real Madrid are confident of snapping Arsenal's midfield maestro while Manchester City are certain to sign a new left-back in January. However, the biggest news of the day comes from Cap Nou where Barcelona are about to receive a £200million bid for Lionel Messi.
£200 million reserved for Lionel Messi
Pep Guardiola could pull off the most remarkable signing of all time as he prepares to bring Lionel Messi from Barcelona to Manchester City next summer. Daily Star has claimed that City have kept a reserve of £200 million for the Argentine superstar after rumours of Messi not agreeing to a new deal with the Catalan giants.
Man City have a new left-back target
According to Calciomercato, Manchester City are confident of signing Juventus full-back Alex Sandro in the upcoming January transfer window. Guardiola has stressed on signing a new left-back to give him the much-needed balance to his squad. Sandro’s form at Juventus has been up and down and with Patrice Evra still playing at the highest level, Juve could be tempted to cash-in on their star. A £20mllion bid is expected for the Brazilian left-back.
Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy on their way to Everton?
Everton manager Ronald Koeman is reported to have scouted Hoffenheim’s Germany international duo Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy several times this season and a January bid is looking a likely prospect. Everton have started the season brightly and Koeman does not want to let the momentum drift away and is prepared to make a combined £35million bid for the German stars.
Manchester United’s love affair with David Alaba continues
Jose Mourinho is considering making a move for Bayern Munich’s left back David Alaba, according to reports from Daily Express. The report claims that Mourinho has lost faith in Luke Shaw and is willing to let the England international leave club in January and could make a £70million raid for Alaba. While Daily Express reports that a January bid is in order, but given Alaba’s Champions League involvement one has to think that Mourinho is planning well in time for next season with Alaba being his top target.
Crouch-Defoe partnership to rekindle?
Sunderland manager David Moyes is considering a January move for out for favour Stoke striker Peter Crouch to once again team him up with his former Spurs teammate Jermaine Defoe. The duo were a decent partnership at Portsmouth and Tottenham with Crouch winning the aerial duels and Defoe running down the channels. Stoke City are ready to let Crouch leave and Sunderland are leading the race to sign the English striker.
Zouma to leave Chelsea in January
Serie A side Napoli are hopeful of signing Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma on loan until the end of this season, according to The Sun. Zouma is currently sidelined with an injury and expected to be back before the second week of January. Manager Antonio Conte is happy with the current defensive partnership of Luiz, Cahill and Azpilicueta which could prompt Zouma to quit Stamford Bridge in January.
