Welcome to our daily transfer news roundup from across Europe. We are a week into the transfer window and the rumour mills are going haywire. The big news of the day is Barcelona targeting Tottenham Hotspur duo, while a La Liga giants have entered the race to sign Arsenal superstar Alexis Sanchez.
Here are all the transfer news and rumours from 8th January 2017:
Serie A
Juventus want Branislav Ivanovic and Gael Clichy
According to reports in the Daily Express, Serie A giants Juventus are interested in signing Chelsea’s Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic and Manchester City full-back Gael Clichy. The Premier League duo have entered the last 6 months of their contracts with their respective clubs and the Old Lady want to capitalise on this and sign them on a free in the summer.
Roma interested in West Ham’s Sofiane Feghouli
Serie A side Roma are interested in signing West Ham United winger Sofiane Feghouli, according to Sky Sports. The 27-year-old signed for the Hammers on a free in the summer after his contract with La Liga side Valencia expired.
However, the Algerian has failed to establish himself in Slaven Bilic’s starting XI and the Premier League club are open to his departure. The report adds that the move will most likely be on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy when the season culminates.
Roma target Tottenham Hotspur winger
Roma are once again linked with a Premier League winger and this time it is Tottenham Hotspur’s Georges-Kevin N'Koudou. According to Romagiallorossa.it, the Serie A side are looking to secure a loan deal for the 21-year-old, who has struggled to cement a first-team place this season.
Bundesliga
Arjen Robben leaves door open for exit
Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has insisted that he will stay with the Allianz Arena outfit but only after admitting that he has kept his options open in case he decides against staying.
The Dutchman has admitted that a return to his homeland is as likely an outcome as is a move to either USA to China.
Speaking in an interview with Goal, Robben said: "Everyone has to personally assess this. You must never say that this is not an option. But also do not say that you want to go.
"I am now at Bayern. Of course, I plan a little, I talk to my wife. I am now at the top level. You must see what comes next.
"My family comes first, but the life experience, living elsewhere - in the USA, in China - might come. But maybe not. Maybe I'll go back home [to the Netherlands]. I do not rule out anything."
Bayern Munich looking to beat Manchester United to Nelson Semedo’s signing
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are looking to pip Manchester United to the signing of Benfica defender Nelson Semedo, according to reports in O Jogo. The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, along with teammate and central defensive partner Victor Lindelof.
The 23-year-old is reported to have a €60m buy-out clause in his contract but the Portuguese side are expected to entertain an offer in the region of €40m. The Allianz Arena outfit had pipped the Red Devils to the signing of Benfica wonder-kid Renato Sanches.
Premier League
Everton want Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere
According to reports in the Sunday Mirror, Everton manager Ronald Koeman wants to sign Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere – who is currently on loan at Bournemouth – in the summer transfer window. The Dutch manager is said to be a long-term admirer of the English midfielder but is expected to face competition from big-spenders Manchester City.
Wilshere is in the last 18-months of his contract with the North London outfit but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reiterated the club’s desire to extend the injury-prone midfielder’s contract.
West Ham’s £10m bid for striker Scott Hogan rejected
According to Sky Sports, West Ham’s second bid for striker Scott Hogan has been rejected by his club Brentford with the Championship outfit valuing the striker at around £15m.
The Championship outfit had also thwarted the Hammers’ first approach for the 24-year-old, who has managed to score 14 goals in 26 appearances this season. Hogan has only 18 months left on his contract with the Bees, having signed for them from Rochdale in 2014 for a meagre £750,000.
La Liga
Barcelona eye double swoop for Tottenham Hotspur duo
According to reports in England, La Liga giants Barcelona are eyeing a double swoop for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli and their manager Mauricio Pochettino. The Sunday Mirror claims that the Catalan outfit will battle with bitter rivals Real Madrid for the signature of the English midfielder and will have to fork out £70m for his transfer.
However, the Daily Star claims that in addition to Alli, Barcelona are also targeting Mauricio Pochettino as a potential replacement for Luis Enrique – whose contract with the Camo Nou outfit expires in the summer.
Atletico Madrid enter race for Alexis Sanchez
According to Spanish daily Don Balon, Atletico Madrid are the latest club to enter the race to sign Arsenal superstar Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean sensation has entered the last 18-months of his contract with the North London outfit and talks have stalled between the two parties over a new deal.
The report adds that Atletico manager Diego Simeone eyes Sanchez as a replacement for superstar Antoine Griezmann, who is expected to leave the club in the summer for Manchester United.
However, Atletico are not the only club interested in the Chilean, who is on red-hot form this season. PSG, Inter Milan and a host of Chinese clubs are also reportedly in for the 27-year-old.
Arsenal to battle with Real Madrid for Andre Silva
Arsenal will have to trump Real Madrid if they are to sign FC Porto striker Andre Silva. According to the Daily Star, the Gunners are plotting a £20m bid to sign the Portuguese sensation this month, especially considering the financial storm that Porto currently find themselves in.
Silva has found the back of the net on 14 occasions so far this season and is being eyed by the Gunners as a potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez – who is yet to pen a new contract with the Emirates outfit.
Real Madrid, whose transfer ban expires in the summer, will have to wait and watch how this one pans out and if the Gunners are unable to conclude a deal before the end of the ongoing transfer window then Los Blancos will enter the race to sign him in the summer.
Rest of the World
Aleix Vidal not interested in Galatasaray move
According to Spanish daily Sport, out-of-favour Barcelona full-back Aleix Vidal is not interested in a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray. Vidal has failed to establish himself under Luis Enrique with midfielder Sergi Roberto being preferred to him at right-back and is expected to leave Camp Nou in the ongoing transfer window.
The report adds that Galatasaray wanted the defender on loan but the talks broke down as Vidal didn’t favour a move to Turkey due to the terrorism situation there.
Speaking in an interview with Sport, Galatasaray’s sporting director Levent Nazifoglu said: “Terrorism [in Turkey] also affected the negotiations with [Aleix] Vidal.”
Wilfried Bony wanted by China
Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony – who is currently on loan at Stoke City – is the latest Premier League player to be linked with a move to China, according to reports in the Daily Star. The Ivorian has been offered £210,000-a-week – excluding taxes – by a Chinese Super League outfit to leave the Premier League.
