Barcelona and Real Madrid set to battle it out for €65 million-rated defender and other transfer news and rumours of the day - 24th November, 2017

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. Today's stories feature the latest update on some of the major happenings in world football which may change the complexion of a few clubs. So let's head right in and take a look at the major happenings across Europe that made headlines on November 24, 2017:

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La Liga

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona set to go head to head for Aymeric Laporte

An El Clasico is ready to be fought off the field in the transfer market as FC Barcelona enter the race for Real Madrid's long-term target, Aymeric Laporte. The Bilbao centre-back has long been on Madrid's wish list and was tipped to join the European champions next summer. But the entry of Barcelona into the scene may change the picture altogether.

The Daily Express has claimed that Ernesto Valverde wants a reunion with his former Athletic Bilbao man and is ready to pay his release clause of €65 million. The Catalans have a centre back high on their agenda this January with Javier Mascherano and Thomas Vermaelen ready to be offloaded this winter. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are looking for a replacement for Pepe with Zinedine Zidane reportedly unhappy with Nacho Monreal and Jesus Vallejo.

Mesut Ozil's high wage demands may put off Barcelona

Barcelona's interest in Mesut Ozil has hit a roadblock after the club got to know of the German's wage demands. AS understands that Ozil will only join the Catalans if he is guaranteed a weekly wage of €370,000 which translates to €19 million a year. The club can afford such a high wage demand only if they sell Arda Turan in January who is the club's sixth highest earner on their payroll.

Serie A

Gianluigi Buffon's successor?

Juventus want Thibaut Courtois

After learning of the recent advancement that Thibaut Courtois has stalled his contract talks with Chelsea, Juventus have entered the race for the Belgian shot-stopper. Real Madrid and PSG are keen on landing the custodian with Juventus being the latest club to register an interest.

The Bianconeri want a successor to Gianluigi Buffon next season with the legend set to call it a day after the current campaign. The club is not happy with having Wojciech Szczesny as the no.1 custodian and have hence joined the race for Courtois.

Inter Milan monitoring Yohan Benalouane

The Serie A title contenders are looking to sign a defender in January and have identified Leicester City's Yohan Benalouane as a potential target. Calciomercato understands that Benalouane is open for a move to Italy after not making a single appearance for the Foxes this season.

The Tunisian joined Leicester from Atalanta in 2015 for £5 million. Inter Milan want Benalouane as a replacement for Zinho Vanheusden who is out with a long-term knee injury.

Bundesliga

Liverpool beat FC Barcelona to the signing of Naby Keita

Barcelona were in the race for Naby Keita

RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has revealed that the Catalans were very much in the race to sign Naby Keita before Liverpool stole a march on them. But the CEO has revealed that the Spanish giants did not try to sign the Guinean international as hard as Liverpool did.

Mintzlaff told Bild, "Barcelona were also interested in Naby Keita. This was confirmed to us by Barcelona, but obviously, they didn't try as hard as Liverpool." Keita will now join the Reds next summer after Jurgen Klopp agreed to meet his €48 million release clause.

Arjen Robben hints at retirement after this season

In an interview with Kicker, Arjen Robben has revealed that he may call it a day after the end of the current season. The 33-year-old winger is in the last year of his contract and there has been no indication from Bayern Munich over an extension for the Dutchman. Retirement seems to be the best option for Robben at the moment which will enable him to bid adieu to the Munich faithful while being at the top of his game.

Premier League

Jurgen Klopp is keen on adding the German to his attacking unit

Liverpool contact PSG over a loan move for Julian Draxler

L'equipe has claimed that Liverpool have approached Paris Saint-Germain over a possible January loan deal for Julian Draxler. The 24-year-old has slipped down the pecking order at the club with the Parisians also looking to trim their squad size.

Liverpool have long been linked with the German attacker and may finally get their man in the winter transfer period. But Jurgen Klopp's side will face competition from Arsenal and Inter Milan who are also interested in the former Schalke star.

Slaven Bilic turns down West Bromwich Albion job

Former West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic has turned down an approach to take over the Baggies, the Daily Mail can reveal. Bilic is currently on a vacation with his family and wants a proper break from management before returning. West Brom's owner, Guochuan Lai was keen on the Croatian but will now have to look for other options.

Rest of Europe

Will Ighalo leave the riches of Far East to make a return to England?

Four Premier League clubs fighting for Odion Ighalo

The Stoke Sentinel has reported that former Watford striker, Odion Ighalo is on the radar of as many as four Premier League clubs. The Nigerian is currently playing for Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai on a weekly wage of €190,000.

The English daily claims that Stoke City, West Ham United, Everton and Southampton are the club's interested in bringing Ighalo back to the Premier League. Since his move to the Far East, Ighalo has scored 15 goals in 27 appearances.

PSG open negotiations with Marouane Fellaini

The Belgian midfielder is out of contract this summer and has rejected Manchester United's latest offer. Le10 Sport has now reported that Paris Saint-Germain have contacted Fellaini's representatives over a potential deal after the World Cup. The Parisians are set to offer Fellaini a four-year deal and will also offer him double the wages than what he is currently earning.