Real Madrid revive interest in Chelsea superstar, FC Barcelona scout four Serie A players and other transfer news and rumours of the day - December 12, 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 December 12, 2017:

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La Liga

Real Madrid set to go back for Thibaut Courtois

According to the Sun, Real Madrid's intention to sign a new goalkeeper next summer has led them to revisit their interest in Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois. It is believed that the Madrid club hierarchy is torn between making a selection between Courtois and Athletic Bilbao keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga.

But the English tabloid has reported that Zinedine Zidane is reportedly keen on signing Courtois and sees him as the future world no.1. The custodian has also talked about a return to Spain due to his family issues which provides Real Madrid with a perfect opportunity to sign him up next summer.

Gareth Bale's price tag revealed

Florentino Perez is keen on recovering the majority of the funds that were used to sign Gareth Bale and has hence slapped a £79.5 million price tag on the Welshman, Diario Gol reports. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are in the race for bringing Bale back to the Premier League with his Spanish stint set to come to a halt in the summer.

Serie A

De Vrij was one of the four players recently scouted by FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona scout four players in the Lazio vs Torino game

Multiple reports in Italy have claimed that two of Barcelona's top brass officials, Robert Fernandez and Urbano Ortega were present recently in a Serie A tussle between Lazio and Torino. It is reported that the Catalans were on a scouting mission to take a closer look at the Lazio trio of Stefan De Vrij, Luis Alberto, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Torino hitman Andrea Belotti.

De Vrij is being seen as a direct replacement for Javier Mascherano whereas Andrea Belotti is looked upon as the successor to Luis Suarez. Milinkovic-Savic is one of the hottest properties in world football at the moment and Barcelona are also one of the interested parties.

AC Milan monitoring the 'next Christian Eriksen'

Gennaro Gattuso has identified the need for a creative midfielder on his side and has earmarked a player for that position in January. Calciomercato understands that the Rossoneri are keeping close tabs on Ajax midfielder Donny Van De Beek who has emerged on the scene this season from the club's academy.

Van De Beek recently scored in a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven and has now scored five goals in his last four matches. The Dutch media has even dubbed De Beek as the 'next Christian Eriksen' due to the similarities in playing style between the two.

Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund looking at Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann on Borussia Dortmund's radar

The Daily Mirror speculates that Julian Nagelsmann is the top priority for the Dortmund ownership to be the club's manager after the end of the current season. The club owners are of the belief that the Hoffenheim boss is a perfect fit for the job but will face stiff competition from Bayern Munich who are also behind their former youth coach.

Liverpool favourites to land Pierre Emerick Aubameyang

After being linked with Real Madrid and Chelsea, the German media has now termed Liverpool as the next destination for Borussia Dortmund's Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabonese international is on the lookout for a new club with the club also looking to offload him because of his disciplinary issues.

Liverpool are set to sell Daniel Sturridge in the coming months and also let Danny Ings leave on a short-term loan spell. Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keen on working with Aubameyang yet again and believes that the striker can prove to be a success in the Premier League.

Premier League

Will he or won't he?

Arsene Wenger confirms talks ongoing with Mesut Ozil

The Arsenal manager has revealed that the club is trying to negotiate with Ozil and has not given up on making the German sign a new improved deal. Ozil has just over six months remaining on his current contract and has a new £275,000 per week offer on the table from Arsenal.

Talking about the contract situation, Wenger said, "Negotiations are always going on with everybody. I said that many times that we want to keep Ozil and Sanchez and that’s all we can say."

Crystal Palace plot Diego Lopez move

Champions League winning goalkeeper with Real Madrid in 2014, Diego Lopez is reportedly close to agreeing on a move to Crystal Palace, the Daily Mirror has reported today. Roy Hodgson is said to be keen on signing a shot-stopper in January and has identified the 36 year old who is currently playing his trade for the Catalan club, Espanyol.

Rest of the world

Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal - Where will Lemar go?

Chelsea enter Thomas Lemar race

Antonio Conte's Chelsea have joined the race for AS Monaco's Thomas Lemar if L'equipe are to be believed. The Blues have joined Arsenal and Liverpool in the queue for the French forward who is set to cost them a massive price of around £90 million.

Monaco were earlier adamant about keeping their stars away from the clutches of the other big guns but a horrible start to the season, domestically and in Europe has made them change their minds. Lemar's representatives are also keen on seeing their client leave France for the Premier League.

Celtic target Marvin Compper

Brendan Rodgers has decided to rope in an experienced name in the heart of his side's defence in January. And for solving his defensive woes, Rodgers has identified RB Leipzig's Marvin Compper as a potential target.

Compper is currently a backup defender at the German club and still has 18 months on his current Leipzig deal. The 32 year old is reportedly considering his options at the moment with Celtic being high on his priority list.