Welcome to our daily transfer news roundup from across Europe. The race is hotting up for the capture of some of the biggest names in the business. While PSG have confirmed the signing of Julian Draxler, Juventus have beaten competition from other Serie A clubs to sign Tomas Rincon for £6.8.
Here are all the transfer news and rumours from 3rd January 2017:
Serie A
Alberto Aquilani joins Sassuolo
Former Liverpool and Roma midfielder has joined Serie A side Sassuolo from rivals Pescara. The 32-year-old’s was able to complete the move after he was released from his contract after making only 9 appearances for the newly promoted side. The former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder's deal will last until the end of the season.
Alvaro Morata open to Juventus return
It looks like Alvaro Morata’s life is trapped in a cycle between Santiago Bernabeu and the Juventus Stadium. He returned to Madrid in the summer of 2016, having departed for the Turin outfit only 2 years earlier.
According to Corriere dello Sport, the Spaniard is open to a return to Italy having found first-team opportunity hard to come by ever since Karim Benzema’s has been restored in the starting line-up by Zinedine Zidane. The striker has scored 9 goals in 21 appearances for the Santiago Bernabeu outfit.
Napoli sign Leonardo Pavoletti from Genoa
Napoli have completed the signing of 28-year-old striker Leonardo Pavoletti from Genoa for a reported fee of €13m. The former Sassuolo man took to Facebook to confirm his transfer.
"I'm saying goodbye to Genoa after two intense years full of excitement, enthusiasm and hard work.
"Since then the memories have become a patchwork of faces, smiles, autographs, training sessions, defeats, wins, sadness, joy, words, goals.
"Today I'm being called to a new adventure, but I won't forget those I loved and who loved me, because they're part of me.”
Bundesliga
Julian Weigl not leaving Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Weigl is set to stay put at Westfalenstadion after his agent has refuted claims that the 21-year-old was offered to any clubs. Earlier reports had suggested that Real Madrid, Manchester City and Barcelona were interested in the services of the German.
However, his manager has confirmed that Weigl signed a contract with Dortmund until 2021 only recently and wishes to stay there.
Speaking in an interview with Goal, he said: ”The claim, we were offering him to other clubs, is simply wrong. We consciously decided to renew his contract at Borussia Dortmund until 2021 even though there was a known interest from top clubs. We consider this the best decision for all parties
"For a player with Julian Weigl’s quality there is no need to offer him to anybody.”
Holger Badstuber to leave Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber is set to leave the Allianz Arena with Pep Guardiola interested in signing the German international, according to reports in The Sun. The 27-year-old’s contract with the German giants is set to expire in the summer and a host of clubs are interested in his services, including Bundesliga outfit Hamburg.
Badstuber is reportedly available for as little as £3m in the ongoing transfer window and Manchester City are looking to sign him as they look to salvage the season.
Premier League
Chelsea in pole position to sign Ricardo Rodriguez
Chelsea have the first-mover advantage in the pursuit of Wolfsburg full-back Ricardo Rodriguez, if reports in The Sun are to be believed. The Stamford Bridge outfit have the edge over rivals Arsenal as the pursuit of the Swiss international heats up.
The reports adds that Chelsea have already contacted the representatives of the 27-year-old and are hoping to seal a deal in the region of £21m for his transfer.
Arsene Wenger lining up £28m bid for Juventus star Miralem Pjanic
According to the Sun, Arsene Wenger wants to sign Juventus star Miralem Pjanic as he sees the Bosnia and Herzegovina international as the successor to injured midfielder Santi Cazorla. Cazorla has been plagued with injuries since last season and that has really forced Wenger’s hands in his side’s pursuit for the Premier League title.
The Frenchman has already called up Pjanic to coarse him to move to the Emirates and the North London outfit are preparing a £28m bid to prize him away from Turin.
La Liga
Antoine Griezmann declares he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid star and #1 target of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, Antoine Griezmann, lost his cool when quizzed about his future. The Frenchman insisted that he is happy at the Vicente Calderon outfit and demanded journalists to treat him akin to Messi, Ronaldo or Bale.
Speaking in an interview with AS, he said: "I'm very happy at Atletico, I'm very proud to play for these fans, with these players and with this coach. I want to try and pay back the confidence and care that the people at Atletico have always shown me.
"I don't like this question, don't hit me with these questions about my future because for players like Ronaldo, Messi or Bale nobody asks them what is going to happen next year or where they are going to play.
"That's why I don't like it when they ask me, either. I'm happy and enjoying myself at Atletico, don't ask me about my future anymore."
Real Madrid want to exchange Alvaro Morata for Paulo Dybala
Spanish giants Real Madrid are prepared to offer striker Alvaro Morata plus cash for the services of Juventus striker Paulo Dybala. According to Bleacherreport, Morata is keen on a return to his former employers and Los Blancos plan to take advantage of the situation to sign Dybala ahead of arch-rivals Barcelona.
However, it is understood that the Old Lady are not prepared to let go of their prized asset without a fight and are willing to offer him a bumper wage hike. Morata and Dybala played together at Juventus last season and helped them do the domestic double.
Rest of the World
Marseille enter Morgan Schneiderlin race
Olympique Marseille have entered the race to sign out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin. According to Sky Sports, the Stade Velodrome outfit are keen on bringing Schneiderlin back to France – where he has previously played for Strasbourg.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that the midfielder will be allowed to leave should the right offer be made, however, reports have suggested that the Red Devils have recently rejected a £19m bid from Everton as they are eyeing a fee in the region of £24m.
The Old Trafford outfit had also rejected West Bromwich Albion’s bid of £18m earlier.
Paris Saint-Germain complete Julian Draxler signing
Ligue 1 giants PSG have confirmed the signing of Wolfsburg midfielder Julian Draxler on a four-and-a-half year deal. Draxler had fallen out with his previous club after explictly expressing his desire to leave the Volkswagen Arena.
Speaking to PSG’s official website, Draxler said: "It is with great joy and great anticipation that I join Paris Saint-Germain.
“For the first time in my career, I'm going to discover a new country, a new league, and I'm very proud to take this new step at a club which has become a benchmark in Europe and has signed a lot of great players in recent years.
“I will do everything to help PSG win new trophies and continue to grow internationally."
