Manchester United's no.1 January transfer target revealed, Lionel Messi signs a new contract and other transfer news and rumours of the day - 15th 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 15, 2017:

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Premier League

Manchester United target Carlos Soler

After missing out on Ivan Perisic in the summer, Jose Mourinho is desperate to land a winger in January and has hence earmarked Valencia's Carlos Soler in a potential £40 million deal, the Independent reports. The United boss knows that he does not have a lot of funds to use this winter but has identified Soler as his top priority.

Soler has been crucial in Valencia's revival this season with the 20-year-old winger helping the Mestalla outfit to sit second on the league table. Despite his young age, Soler will demand a high price due to his dazzling start to the season for Valencia.

David Moyes to try and lure Lewis Dunk away from Brighton

New West Ham United boss, David Moyes is expected to be heavily involved in the January transfer market. The Daily Mirror has reported that Moyes wants Brighton's Lewis Dunk as his first signing of his West Ham career. The central defender has impressed for Brighton this season with Moyes wanting the 26-year-old to shore up his leaky defence.

Serie A

Will Conte return to Italy as the national team's boss?

Antonio Conte is Italian FA's first choice to replace Giampiero Ventura

The Italian FA wants a big name at the helm to revive the national team from it's lowest ever point. The Azzuris have failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup with manager Ventura submitting his resignation soon after. Reports in the Italian media suggest that the senior members of the Italian board want Conte to return as the manager of the national team.

Conte led Italy to the quarterfinals of Euro 2016 and was a players' favourite during his two-year stint. The current Chelsea boss is being linked with the PSG job next summer as it will take a huge financial offer from the Azzuris to make Conte return to his homeland.

Real Madrid target Andrea Belotti

Torino president Urbano Cairo has revealed that he recently had dinner with Real Madrid supremo Florentino Perez where the possibility of striker Andrea Belotti signing for Los Blancos was discussed. Belotti has been one of Serie A's best strikers in the past two seasons and has a €100 million release clause with the Turin side.

Cairo was talking at an awards ceremony where he revealed, "I was eating dinner with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and we were talking about contracts of players with huge release clauses and I mentioned Belotti. As soon as he heard of the clause for Belotti, who he didn't know, it pricked his ears."

Bundesliga

RB Leipzig favourites to land Breel Embolo

RB Leipzig lead race for Breel Embolo

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, RasenBalSport Leipzig have pipped Manchester United to the signing of Benfica forward, Breel Embolo. It is believed that Leipzig are ready to shell out £11.6 million for the attacker.

Manchester United were reported to be favourites to land the youngster but Leipzig's reported offer that is double the offer from United, has turned the tide in their favour. Embolo has scored five goals in 12 appearances for Benfica this season.

Schalke 04 still hopeful of making Leon Goretzka sign a new deal

Despite rumours suggesting that the German midfielder, Leon Goretzka has already made up his mind about leaving Schalke 04, the club officials still remain hopeful for the player's future with the club. Club director Christian Heidel believes that the Bundesliga side are moving in a new direction which may lure Goretzka into signing a new deal.

Schalke hierarchy are set to offer a new improved deal for the Liverpool transfer target which will see him become the club's highest earner. Speaking to Kicker, Heidel said, "I have faith in Leon and his advisers. We remain in the race."

La Liga

The Messiah has penned a new deal with the Catalans

Lionel Messi has finally signed a new contract

If La Liga president Marcos Tebas is to be believed, Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with FC Barcelona which will see him at the Catalan side for the foreseeable future. The Argentine had recently flirted with the idea of returning back to his boyhood club - Newell's Old Boys- but the talk of a new deal would end those rumours for good.

Tebas told the press, "Messi has a contract which has been renewed. Contracts are official when they are signed and not when it is announced that they have been signed. Messi has signed with Barcelona, if I have not been lied to, he has signed."

Three-way battle for Cedric Bakambu

Marca reports that as many as three Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on Villarreal striker, Cedric Bakambu. The forward is La Liga's third highest goalscorer with eight goals and has caught the attention of Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United.

The Submarines are keen on holding on to their star striker but may change the plan if a suitable offer comes their way.

Rest of the world

Didier Drogba to call it a day after the end of the current MLS season

Lucas Moura on Chelsea's radar

Antonio Conte is reported to be in the market for a wide forward this January and according to Le10 Sport, he has identified PSG's Lucas Moura as a potential target. The Parisians are looking to offload Moura in order to shorten their humongous wage bill.

The French daily has claimed that the Blues are desperate to land Moura and are even willing to offer Willian in a swap deal. The Brazilian winger has failed to land a regular place in the starting eleven this season (same as Moura) and has seen his place bring taken by Pedro.

Didier Drogba to retire after the end of the season

One by one the legends of the game are retiring with each passing month and this time it is the turn of Didier Drogba. The Chelsea legend is currently playing for the MLS side, Phoenix Rising and is set to call it a day after the end of the current season.

Speaking to RMC Sport, Drogba revealed, "I think next year will be my last season. At some point, you have to stop. I need to have time for my other projects. It's good to play, but at 39, it holds me back a bit."