Here are the top transfer stories and rumours from 31st October 2016 featuring Inter Milan’s massive bid to sign the highly rated Chelsea and Arsenal transfer target.
Manchester United and Juventus battle for Real Madrid’s defender
Manchester United and Juventus are going against each other to sign the Real Madrid defender Pepe, who is currently pushing for a new 2-year deal with the La Liga giants. United are in desperate need to sign a quality defender after the recent injury to Eric Bailly and Daley Blind’s failure to take charge of United’s defense.
Mourinho knows Pepe very well from their time in Madrid and is willing to offer him a lucrative deal to bring the Portuguese to Old Trafford in January.
£40 million chase for Moussa Dembele
Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United have joined the race to sign the highly-rated Celtic striker Moussa Dembele who has started the 2015/16 season on a real high. Dembele scored twice against Manchester City in the Champions League earlier this month and forced entire Europe to stand up and take note of his abilities.
According to The Sun, Chelsea will lodge a formal bid in January but Real Madrid and Manchester United are also expected to make a move for the talented striker.
Inter Milan to sign PSG’s midfield star
Inter Milan are ready to splash close to £58.5million to sign PSG’s Marco Verratti who is looking for a new club next summer. The news was confirmed by Gazzetta dello Sport who got a direct quote from Verratti’s agent who specifically mentioned that the Italian is not happy in Ligue 1 and is ready to quit the club.
Chelsea and Arsenal are also interested in signing the midfielder but will face serious competition from the Serie A side.
Chelsea going back for PSG’s Javier Pastore
Chelsea will make a move for PSG’s Javier Pastore in January after the Argentine international has been asked to find a new club by the new manager Unai Emery. Pastore joined PSG from Palermo back in 2011 but has failed to get a place in PSG’s starting XI this season.
Antonio Conte is eager to sign a new midfielder who can carry a goal threat from midfield. Cesc Fabregas is expected to quit Stamford Bridge in January with Pastore being seen as the ideal replacement.
Ronald Koeman has sights set on Strootman
Everton are expected to make a move for AS Roma’s Kevin Strootman in January as Ronald Koeman is keen to sign new players to strengthen his midfield. Gareth Barry’s age and James McCarthy’s inconsistency has forced Idrissa Gueye to be the main man for Toffees.
Strootman has been on a comeback trail this season and has played consistent football for the first time in many seasons. According to Gazzetta, Everton will make a £15million bid for Strootman in January.
Shinji Okazaki on his way out of Leicester?
Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki is a January target for Serie A side AC Milan, according to reports from Football Italia. Okazaki has been largely reduced to a role from the bench after Islam Slimani and Ahmed Musa’s arrival at the club.
Okazaki is frustrated at his substitute appearances and is open to the idea of quitting King Power Stadium in January. AC Milan are keen to sign a new striker after a sluggish start to their season and Carlos Bacca’s constant exit rumours.
Joe Hart happy at Torino and not thinking of Man City
Manchester City’s on-loan goal keeper Joe Hart is happy at Torino and is not thinking of a possible return to the Premier League. After a horrible start to his Serie A career, Hart has regained momentum in recent weeks and has cemented his position as Torino’s number one choice goal keeper.
Man City have also experienced mixed results with their new goal keeper Claudio Bravo which led to the rumours of Guardiola thinking of recalling Hart back to Manchester.
