Welcome to our daily transfer news roundup from across Europe. With the January transfer window less than 10 days away the rumour mills are hotting up and clubs are closing in on their targets.
The big rumour today is of Real Madrid wanting a Premier League superstar to guard their goal. Considering that their transfer ban has been halved this makes complete sense.
Here are all the transfer news and rumours from 21st December 2016:
Serie A
Roma want Gylfi Sigurdsson
Italian Serie A giants Roma are interested in signing Swansea City attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. According to Daily Express, the Iceland international has caught the attention of the Serie A title hopefuls.
Sigurdsson has been Swansea’s stand out player for a couple of seasons now but the Welsh outfit are unlikely to let their star man go as they need all hands on deck, and especially their talisman, to help them fight relegation. Losing Sigurdsson now could prove detrimental for the Swans.
Marco Verratti has offers from Italy
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti is a wanted man, at least according to his agent Donato Di Campli. The Italian was recently involved in a rumoured verbal altercation with manager Unai Emery after getting substituted. However, according to his agent, Verratti has offers from many Italian clubs while he is also garnering interest from the Premier League.
Speaking in an interview while talking about Inter Milan’s new investors, the Suning Group, he said: "Suning can hope for any player in the world, not only Marco.
"There are a lot of teams interested in him, but you would have to ask PSG.
"Will he stay in Paris for life? I can assure you - no. I can confirm that he has had offers from Italy, but I have no news at the moment.
"Suning want to revolutionise the market, but, so far, they have not spent well."
Bundesliga
Stuttgart sign Bayern Munich forward
Second-division outfit Stuttgart have signed United States forward Julian Green from reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year contract but has struggled to find a place in Carlo Ancelotti's side. Green’s contract with Munich was expiring at the end of the current season.
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed in a club statement: "Julian wants to have a new experience at a club where he'll be a first-team regular. It was tricky at FC Bayern due to a lot of competition. I wish Julian all the best for the future. He always was a hard-working, reliable and very likeable player for FC Bayern."
Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg targeting Tottenham’s Kevin Wimmer
Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg are on the trail of Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Kevin Wimmer. The Austrian has struggled for game-time under Mauricio Pochettino and has made only 5 appearances for the White Hart Lane outfit this season.
According to Standard Sport, Premier League outfit Southampton are also interested in the services of the 24-year-old. Currently, Wimmer is fourth-choice at White Hart Lane behind the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen.
Premier League
Dimitri Payet to stay at West Ham despite expressing admiration for Arsenal
Dimitri Payet recently expressed his admiration for Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal, citing that it would be fun playing in that team. However, according to Sky Sports, the Frenchman is not for sale and hence will not be leaving the Hammers in January.
Payet had said: "I read that Wenger considers me the missing piece of the Arsenal's game, but he's never told me that. We conceded five or six at home against them. When you see them playing, as a technical player, you could only have fun in that team. They're candidates for the title every year."
West Ham want to loan Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial or Michy Batshuayi
West Ham are prepared to do whatever it takes to salvage their season. After a horrific start to their league campaign, the Hammers currently find themselves in 13th place and are hoping that reinforcements in January can help them inch towards a Europa League place.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Slaven Bilic’s side are interested in loan moves for Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. However, they are not the only two targets in their mind with Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi at the top of their wishlist. Simone Zaza has failed to impress the London outfit ever since his move from Juventus in the summer.
Manchester United want to sign Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann recently finished 4th in the Ballon d’Or list and as expected, is wanted by big clubs around the world. However, according to The Sun, the Red Devils have asked “a leading agent” to broker a deal with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Griezmann in the summer.
The move is expected to be in the range of £60m but will not eclipse the £89.4m the Old Trafford outfit shelled out for Paul Pogba.
Arsenal look to scupper Real Madrid’s move for Valencia left-back
Arsenal have Valencia left-back Jose Gaya at the top of their winter wishlist to strengthen the side for a Premier League title push. According to the Daily Mirror, Gaya is seen as a successor for Nacho Monreal – who has struggled to perform at his highest level this season.
Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea are also reportedly interested in the services.
La Liga
Real Madrid want Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid are interested in completing a sensational transfer for Chelsea shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian has been on fire this season and has kept 11 clean sheets in 17 games already.
After Los Blancos had their transfer ban halved they are now interested in signing a custodian for the long-term and after failing to sign David De Gea on deadline day more than a season ago, they have now shifted their focus to Courtois.
According to the Sun, Courtois is also open to a return to Madrid, where he had a successful stint with Atletico Madrid previously. However, to tempt Chelsea to let go of their first-choice shot-stopper, Real would have to come up with a bid in excess of £50 million.
Valencia in discussions with Simone Zaza
Simone Zaza’s loan move to West Ham has failed miserably – to put it plain words. The Italian striker is expected to return to Juventus as soon as the Winger transfer window starts and according to Sky Italia, Valencia are prepared to jump in with a £1.5m offer to offer him a way out of Turin.
However, money seems to be a stumbling block as Juventus would want the Spanish outfit to trigger his £17m clause after a certain number of appearances or at the end of the season, compulsorily.
Valencia manager Cesare Prandelli has admitted interest in the Italian. He said: “The ownership knows everything that I think. I asked for four players to start a new project, we’ll see if we can sign them in January.
“Zaza? When I came here I spoke to Suso about him. I know him very well and he could be important for us, but it’s something the directors will take care of.”
Rest of the world
PSG want Wolfsburg duo
According to Goal, Ligue 1 giants PSG are interested in completing the signing of Wolfsburg duo Julian Draxler and Ricardo Rodriguez in the January transfer window. The Parc des Princes outfit have struggled under new manager Unai Emery and are hoping that the €50m signing of the duo would help propel them to greater heights.
Antoine Griezmann wants to finish career in MLS
While the whole world wants to sign Antoine Griezmann, the Frenchman is busy making retirement plans. The 25-year-old admitted that he wants to finish his career at the MLS and specifically for Beckham’s side Miami.
He told France Football: "The United States is where I want to finish. I love the States. I want to have a subscription to NBA and go with my children to every game. I can already see myself there.
"I do not yet know the city but why not play for Beckham’s franchise in Miami? Playing under Beckham would be the best."
