Premier League transfer news: Hazard to Dortmund opens door for Pulisic to Chelsea, Madrid to let Bale go to bring dream manager and more - December 25, 2018

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! Hello and welcome to the Premier League's latest transfer news and rumours! Santa Claus might not be real but the presents are.

And today, we shall gift you the biggest transfer stories surrounding the Premier League on Christmas day!

#5 Paul Ince wants Poch at United

The obvious choice for almost every Manchester United fan for the next permanent manager of the Red Devils is Mauricio Pochettino. While Zinedine Zidane is also a favourite, it is the Spurs boss that has the most vocal supporters.

According to legendary former Manchester United superstar Paul Ince, the Red Devils should hire a manager that endorses quality football – something that no manager has been able to do in the post-Alex Ferguson era.

“For me, whoever comes in permanently has to play football in the right style. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho are all good managers, but they have never played the United way,” he said.

As a result, the only person he sees fit for such a task is Mauricio Pochettino. Ince believes that Pochettino would not only make them play beautiful football but will also make them title challengers.

However, he wasn’t sure as to whether Pochettino would want to take over the “mess” at Old Trafford, especially with the likes of Real Madrid interested in his signature.

“That points me to one obvious choice, Mauricio Pochettino. His brand of football is exactly what Man United need, and it would allow them to compete with the likes of Liverpool and Man City.

“The major issue with Pochettino is, realistically, will he even want to go to Man United? Will he not be thinking, I could hold on and go to Real Madrid or Barcelona? Let’s be honest, the club is in a mess.

“Whoever comes in is inheriting a wreck and it’s whether Pochettino would want that hassle.”

#4 Essien on Christensen

Christensen could leave in January

Chelsea legend Michael Essien has expressed his concern on Andreas Christensen wanting to leave Chelsea. The Dane has featured in just a single Premier League game thus far this season, which is why he is looking for an alternative.

And according to Essien, it is only natural for him to do so as it is difficult to earn minutes for Chelsea. As a result, any player who wants to play regularly would want to look for other options – which is something Christensen is mulling over currently.

“Every player wants to play,” he said. “Chelsea isn’t an easy place to come and the competition is very fierce.”

“At the end of the day, all the players work but it’s the manager who will pick who he wants to play. When you’re not playing you get frustrated and you want to look elsewhere.”

#3 Van Dijk was rejected

Too nonchalant for Arsenal

To think that one of the best defenders in the world currently was actually rejected by both Arsenal and Liverpool before he finally made it to the Merseyside as the most expensive defender of all time is somewhat baffling.

But this is exactly what happened, according to former Celtic assistant manager John Collins. Apparently, he asked then Liverpool assistant manager Gary McAllister to sign Van Dijk from Celtic but then manager Brendan Rodgers didn’t rate him highly.

"Gary McAllister was the assistant to Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool and I told him I hope you’re going to come and take Virgil," Collins was quoted as saying. "But Brendan didn’t fancy him and didn’t think he was better than what he already had."

He then revealed as to why Arsenal didn’t sign him when they also had the chance: "Arsenal’s chief scout [Steve Rowley] thought he was too nonchalant.”

#2 Serie A

Off to Juventus?

So there is some interest from Serie A clubs on Premier League players – that is the effect of Cristiano Ronaldo, isn’t it? Anyway, Gonzalo Higuain has long been on the radar of Chelsea due to the Londoners' current allegiance with Maurizio Sarri, who reveres the Argentine.

The same can also be said about Alvaro Morata and AC Milan. As a result, a swap deal is on the cards. In fact, according to Sport Mediaset, a swap deal is actually done with Higuain set to move to Stamford Bridge in a 6-month loan deal while Morata moves to the other side for an 18-month loan deal.

Meanwhile, according to reports, Juventus want to sign Paul Pogba and Isco in order to strengthen their bid to win the Champions League. Both these players have been quite unsettled at their respective clubs, which is perhaps why this rumour finds life.

#1 Real Madrid

Bale to Spurs?

Yes, Real Madrid intertwine the two stories in this slide concerning two Premier League clubs. First up, according to reports, Thorgan Hazard is the key that unlocks the door for Eden Hazard to join Real Madrid.

Apparently, Borussia Dortmund want Thorgan Hazard as a replacement for Christian Pulisic. The American, meanwhile, is being eyed as a potential replacement for the Belgian at Chelsea, which opens the chance for Madrid to sign Eden Hazard.

Meanwhile, Diario Gol make an outrageous claim as they report that the Galacticos are willing to let Gareth Bale go back to Tottenham Hotspur if the Londoners agree to let the Blancos sign manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Solari, it is said, won’t be the manager of Real Madrid beyond this season and Pochettino is the first choice to replace him.

This might just be the first time a player-manager swap happens.

For more Premier League transfer news and rumours, visit our EPL Transfer News page!