We are nine days into the January transfer window and clubs have begun to move their feet, targeting and bidding for players across Europe. With many clubs looking to strengthen their squads following the loss of few players to the Africa Cup of Nations, agents and media outlets have claimed approaches for certain players.
Here are the major transfer news and rumours for the day.
Serie A
- Patrice Evra may be looking to move away from Juventus and there has been a lot of speculation following his omission from the squad that played Bologna. Alex Sandro is now Max Allegri’s preferred choice at left-back.
“Evra was not called up to the squad because he's thinking about his future.” – Juve chief executive Giuseppe Marotta
Reports claim former club Manchester United or Valencia could sign the French defender but a move back to Old Trafford seems unlikely.
- Carlos Bacca has revealed that he plans to stay at AC Milan. His agent claimed there were big-money offers from the Chinese Super League but the Colombian striker wants to stay at San Siro.
“Bacca is happy at Milan and the club is satisfied with his performance, there is no reason for him to leave.” – Bacca’s agent
- Antonio Cassano has been the next footballer to be targeted by Chinese clubs but the Sampdoria striker has reportedly turned down an offer of €8m per year. The 34-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season but he is looking to stay in Italy.
Bundesliga
- Gedion Zelalem has become a Borussia Dortmund target after failing to make any headway at Arsenal. The 19-year-old was born in Berlin before emigrating to the United States and he is reportedly keen to move back to Germany. His contract ends this summer and the fact that his father is a Dortmund fan may speed things along.
- Julian Brandt says he will reject a move to Bayern Munich if the Bundesliga giants come calling. The 20-year-old is happy at Bayer Leverkusen and claims he will reject other clubs to as he looks to extend his contract.
“I would not be scared to dismiss Bayern for a second time. The same goes for other clubs, too.” – Brandt
- Kieran Tierney has become a target for Bayern Munich and the Scottish player said he was flattered by the European giants’ interest. The 19-year-old from Celtic has been sidelined with an ankle injury but hopes to be back soon.
“It's flattering hearing clubs like Bayern and Chelsea mentioned. They are some of the best teams in the world but if you are a youngster playing first-team games every week for Celtic and doing well, you will get noticed by teams in Europe.” – Tierney
Premier League
- Andrea Belotti was reportedly the subject of a £56m bid from Arsenal with Torino sporting director Gianluca Petrachi claiming the Serie A club “received and refused a €65m offer from Arsenal” yesterday. However, sources at the north London club have denied making any offer for the 23-year-old striker.
- Tiemoue Bakayoko has become Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho’s primary target this window. The 22-year-old holding midfielder from Monaco is also a target for Manchester City and Chelsea but the Portuguese manager wants the Frenchman to replace his compatriot Morgan Schneiderlin.
- Memphis Depay has become another target for Everton who also want Schneiderlin. However, the Red Devils claim they will only allow Depay to move if the Toffees sign him on a permanent deal.
- Mesut Ozil has come out and said that he will stay at Arsenal, provided Arsene Wenger also extends his stay at the Emirates.
"I feel very, very happy at Arsenal and have let the club know I would be willing to extend. The fans want me to stay, and now it's only down to the club.
“The club knows I am here mainly because of Arsene Wenger, who brought me here and whose trust I have.” – Ozil
- Fernando Llorente is still a target for Chelsea as Antonio Conte looks to reunite with the striker who played under him at Juventus. However, he may have to allow Michy Batshuayi to go to Swansea on loan in return.
La Liga
- Ivan Rakitic has been identified as a target for Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. The Croatian midfielder is no longer assured of a starting spot at Barcelona and the 28-year-old is seen as Yaya Toure’s long-term replacement.
- Mamadou Sakho has become a target for Sevilla after the French centre-back has gone down the pecking order at Anfield. However, the Anfield club will only sell the defender if the La Liga side pay £20m.
- Alexis Sanchez has become Atletico Madrid’s primary target should Antoine Griezmann leave the club. The Chilean forward’s contract with the Gunners expires next season and, should he opt to leave, he may not sign an extension forcing the Gunners to sell or lose him for free in the summer of 2018.
Rest of the World
- Alexis Sanchez may be an Atletico target but Paris Saint-Germain are ready to spend £60m to sign him this summer. The Ligue 1 club have lost their way this season after the loss of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and they see Alexis as the perfect player in attack. However, Alexis may prefer a move back to Spain and would rather work with Atletico boss Diego Simeone.
- Dele Alli was reportedly a target for both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the summer. But after his 11 goals this season a Chinese Super League club is apparently ready to offer the 20-year-old midfielder £800,000 per week to get him on board.
