Ronaldo to leave Real Madrid in the summer, Liverpool target wants Barcelona move: Transfer round-up, 21st January 2018

Good evening and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer need and rumours roundup. The final week of the transfer window is fast approaching and with that, we can expect all the top clubs to up the ante. But the wait for the swap deal to be announced between Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan still goes on.

So without wasting further time, let's take a look at the major transfer stories from around the globe which made headlines on January 21, 2018:

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La Liga

Real Madrid ready to let Cristiano Ronaldo go in the summer

According to Yahoo sport, Real Madrid have told Ronaldo that he is free to negotiate a transfer away from the Bernabeu at the end of the season. It is believed that the relationship between the player and Florentino Perez has reached an all-time low after Ronaldo's demands over an annual salary hike.

Ronaldo's salary has been eclipsed by the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi with the Portuguese wanting a paycheck as big the duo. Real Madrid do not feel the same way and are ready to let him go, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United interested.

Valencia eyeing a reunion with Juan Mata

The folks at Daily Star have reported that Valencia are looking to capitalise on Juan Mata's uncertainty at Manchester United by offering him a return to his former club. Mata has just six months remaining on his current contract and the club have not yet activated another year's extension in his deal.

Valencia and Mata go a long way back with the playmaker spending four successful years with the club before making a move to Chelsea in 2013.

Serie A

Back to Italy?

Inter Milan closing in on Rafinha

Inter Milan have finally cracked a deal with FC Barcelona for the services of midfielder Rafinha. The 24-year-old will join the Nerazzurri in the next 48 hours on an initial loan spell with an option to buy for €30 million. Rafinha was contracted with Barcelona until 2020 but the lack of first-team chances made the academy graduate take this decision, Gazzetta Dello Sport understands.

The move was all but confirmed by his father, Mazinha in an interview with Globe Esporte. His father said, "Rafinha wants to join Inter because he simply wants to play. It's very difficult to get into the side in Barcelona, as there are so many players. He also had the bad luck of getting that knee injury over the last two years."

AS Roma enter Matteo Darmian race

Matteo Darmian is a man wanted by many in Serie A. The Mirror has reported that AS Roma are set to approach Manchester United over a possible deal for the full-back this month. But Roma only want the former Torino star on a six-month loan spell before making it permanent in the summer.

But the point of conflict is that United are keen on offloading Darmian in January and want to make at least £4 million profit on the £13 million that they paid for him back in 2015.

Bundesliga

Closing in a move to Arsenal

Borussia Dortmund name their price for Pierre Emerick Aubameyang

After Arsenal's first bid of around £44 million was rejected by Dortmund's top brass, the German side have now named their price for the wantaway striker. Kicker reports that Dortmund will not budge down from their valuation of £53 million for Aubameyang which will make him Arsenal's most expensive signing of all time, eclipsing the previous record set by the £52 million which the Gunners paid for Alexander Lacazette.

Hamburg dismiss Marko Gisdol

After a fourth consecutive Bundesliga defeat, this time at the hands of FC Koln, Hamburg have sacked Marko Gisdol with immediate effect. Gisdol was hired in September 2016 where the manager saved the side from relegation and finished 14th.

But a terrible run of form this season has made the authorities take the extreme step. Hamburg currently sit second from rock bottom with just 15 points on board from 19 games.

Premier League

Luke Shaw was on Arsenal's agenda before agreeing upon Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Arsenal wanted Luke Shaw to be a part of the Alexis Sanchez deal

The Sun has claimed that Arsenal wanted Luke Shaw and not Henrikh Mkhitaryan to be included in the much talked about swap deal including Alexis Sanchez. Wenger was keen on signing the talented left-back but his approach was swiftly rebuffed by the United's management who see Shaw as the club's long-term option at his position. After the straight rejection, it is believed that Arsenal had to settle for the Armenian forward.

Watford identify Marco Silva's replacement

In the biggest news of the day so far, Watford have sacked Marco Silva after a recent string of poor results which has made the Hornets stay just five points away from safety. But Sky Sports can reveal that the real reason behind the dismissal was that the board and the players had lost trust in the manager after he wanted to join Everton last month.

Meanwhile, Watford have lined up Javi Garcia to take over the reigns from the Portuguese boss. The former Rubin Kazan and Malaga manager is expected to arrive in the UK tonight, according to Sky Sports.

Rest of Europe

Dreaming of a move to FC Barcelona

Thomas Lemar wants to join FC Barcelona

The French midfielder has long been courted by Arsenal and Liverpool. But it is now expected that both the Premier League giants will have to look for other options because if the Daily Star is to be believed, Lemar has let his representatives known that he only wants a move to FC Barcelona.

This will come as a big blow to both Arsenal and Liverpool as the £92 million-rated midfielder was a top summer target for the duo. But Lemar's wish seems to be a little far-fetched at the moment with FC Barcelona not currently needing a player of his ilk.

Manchester City hold talks with Fred

The Telegraph reports that Manchester City are close to agreeing upon a deal for Fred and have been in continuous negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk. City's boardroom wants to have a deal wrapped up as soon as possible but will see the player play the rest of the season in Ukraine.

Fred, a defensive midfielder, is seen by Pep Guardiola as a replacement for the departing Yaya Toure who will now provide quality competition for Fernandinho next season. Meanwhile, Fred is set to cost Manchester City a whopping £40 million.