Real Madrid planning shock recall, Manchester United identify first summer signing: Transfer round-up, February 2, 2018

James Rodriguez Officially Unveiled At Real Madrid
Florentino Perez may recall James Rodriguez in the summer

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. Though the January market is now closed, that will not stop the clubs from looking at potential summer recruitments. And as always, there are news which make headlines irrespective of the transfer window.

On that note, let's take a look at all the top transfer news that made headlines on February 2, 2018:


La Liga

Real Madrid to recall James Rodriguez

Real Madrid are set to hand a shock recall to James Rodriguez from Bayern Munich. The Colombian attacker was sent on a two-year loan spell to Germany after not being given a prominent role under Zinedine Zidane. Don Balon has now claimed that Rodriguez is yearning for a return back to Spain and has expressed his wish to his international teammate and now Barcelona player Yerry Mina.

The Spanish outlet has reported that club supremo is ready to grant Rodriguez's wish and is ready to cut short his loan spell at Munich to bring him back to the Bernabeu.

Alisson Becker on Real Madrid's radar

Serie A's find of the season and Brazil's no.1 goalkeeper Alisson Becker has emerged as a candidate to replace Keylor Navas at Real Madrid. Mundo Deportivo reports that Real Madrid are looking for a keeper next season and have identified Alisson as a potential recruit after deeming David De Gea and Thibaut Courtois too costly to chase.

Serie A

Italy Training Session And Press Conference
Will Conte go back to managing Italy?

Antonio Conte eyeing Italy return

Conte's struggle for power at Stamford Bridge is in front of the public eye. There are numerous rumours emerging now that the former Juventus manager will resign or get sacked at the end of the current season.

Roberto Fabbricini of the Italian Football Federation has today claimed as reported by Sky Sports that Conte is "eager" to return to Italy and manage the national side again. He had previously managed the Azzuris between 2014 to 2016.

Napoli ended Davy Klassen's chase due to image rights issue

According to Liverpool Echo, a dispute over the player's image rights led Napoli to end their pursuit of the Everton outcast. The Serie A league leaders were keen on taking Klassen on board for the remainder of the season but a disagreement over owning 100% of his image rights led the move to be called off.

Bundesliga

Southampton v Everton - Premier League
Lookman has joined RB Leipzig on loan

Manchester United identify first summer signing

Jose Mourinho has earmarked Arturo Vidal to become his first summer signing. Manchester United are looking to revamp their midfield with the likes of Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini set to leave the club.

Manchester Evening News have reported that Mourinho is keen on taking the 30 year old on board who he believes can perform well in tandem with Paul Pogba. Bayern Munich may also let Vidal leave for a paltry sum with his contract expiring in 2019 and also because of the arrival of Leon Goretzka.

Ademola Lookman forced a move to RB Leipzig

The 20-year-old Everton winger reportedly forced through a move to RB Leipzig on deadline day. Liverpool Echo understands that the Toffees had a deal in place with Derby County to take the youngster on board but Lookman forced to change the club's decision.

Meanwhile, the player today trained with his new teammates for the first time and is expected to be named in the squad for the weekend clash against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Premier League

Club Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona - La Liga
On Arsenal's radar

Arsenal planning moves for Malcolm and Jan Oblak in the summer

After signing three players in January, Arsenal are reportedly looking to pinpoint their targets for the summer. Evening Standard claims that the Gunners will definitely be looking to sign a goalkeeper in the summer with David Ospina and Petr Cech expected to leave the club.

Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid is a reported target whose market value is around €80 million. Meanwhile, Arsenal are also set to go back for the Bordeaux winger Malcolm after failing to land him last month. The talented attacker is set to cost around €40 million taking Arsenal's summer outlay to over €100 million.

Riyad Mahrez has gone AWOL

Sky Sports has reported that Riyad Mahrez has skipped Leicester City's training for a second consecutive day after failing to secure a deadline day move to Manchester City. It was believed that City had made a player + cash offer worth £65 million for Mahrez which was rejected by the Foxes. The Algerian is reportedly depressed by Leicester's demeanour.

Rest of the world

Celtic v Rangers - Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership
Celtic rejected a late bid for Moussa Dembele

Inter Milan win the race for highly-rated Argentine striker

Lautaro Martinez is said to be the next big thing in Argentinian football. AS reports that the likes of Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are all monitoring his progress at Racing Club. But the Spanish daily has now claimed that Inter have won the race for the 20-year-old and are now ready to pay his €18 million release clause in the summer.

Diego Milito, an Inter legend who is now in charge of Racing Club has reportedly made matters easy for the Nerazzurri to sign the striker.

Celtic rejected a late enquiry from Crystal Palace for Moussa Dembele

The Sun reports that Celtic rejected a late enquiry on deadline day for Moussa Dembele from the Eagles. Dembele was linked with a move away from the Scottish giants all winter but the Hoops managed to fend off every interest for the striker. With striker Leigh Griffiths out for a month, Celtic could not afford to lose another striker which is why Crystal Palace's approach was instantly rejected.

Quick Links

Edited by Anirudh Menon