'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Good evening folks and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. Though the January market is now closed, it has not stopped the clubs from looking at potential summer recruitments.
And as always, there are stories which make headlines irrespective of the transfer window being open or shut. On that note, let's take a look at all the top transfer news that made headlines on February 8, 2018:
La Liga
Hebei Fortune preparing a massive bid for Lionel Messi
After seeing a €100 million offer rejected last summer, Hebei Fortune are set to return to lure Lionel Messi away to the Chinese Super League. The CSL wants Messi to be the face of the league and are eager to make a substantial bid for the Argentine forward in the summer.
Mundo Deportivo reports that Hebei Fortune signing the Argentine duo of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Mascherano was part of a massive plan to lure Messi to the CSL with the help of the two mentioned players.
Messi has a deal with Barcelona until 2021 and has a release clause worth €700 million with the Spanish daily also reporting that the financial side of the deal will not be an issue for Hebei Fortune.
Three PL clubs in the race to sign Isco
Real Madrid are planning a major transfer overhaul in the summer. Old guards will have to make way for fresh faces to arrive in the squad. Diario Gol reports that one player that may be sold at the end of the season is Isco.
It is believed that the 25-year-old midfielder has three offers on the table from Premier League clubs. Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are the clubs currently showing an interest in the Spanish playmaker.
Serie A
AS Roma interested in Matteo Kovacic
According to Calciomercato, AS Roma are preparing to bring Matteo Kovacic on board for the next season. The former Inter Milan midfielder has found it tough to garner playing time at the Bernabeu this season and may look for a move in the summer. The Croatian has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur in the past.
Benevento trying to sign Samir Nasri and Alex Song
The bottom-placed side in Serie A are currently trying their luck in roping free agents on board to avoid the drop. Benevento have already signed Bacary Sagna and according to Calciomercato, are now looking to sign the former Arsenal duo of Samir Nasri and Alex Song.
Both Nasri and Song are without a club at the moment with Nasri getting his contract terminated with Antalyaspor whereas Song mutually ended his contract with Rubin Kazan after an issue over his wages.
Bundesliga
Arsene Wenger defends Aubameyang
Before his move to Arsenal, Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke accused Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of "withholding performances" in order to force through a move to London.
His new manager, Arsene Wenger has sprung to his defence by revealing to the press that a lack of fitness may be the reason behind the striker's lacklustre performance in a 2-2 draw against Freiburg (where he had just 1 touch in the opposition box) which drew criticism from Watzke.
Renowned scout joins RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig have bolstered their scouting network by bringing the renowned English talent spotter Paul Mitchell on board. The 36-year-old has signed a two and a half contract with the Bundesliga club.
During his time with Southampton, Mitchell played a hand in the transfers of Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic while he also recommended Spurs to sign the likes of Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier.
Premier League
Luis Enrique wants to take over at Chelsea in the summer
The Telegraph reports that Luis Enrique is the favourite to take over from Antonio Conte with the Spaniard looking to end his sabbatical for sitting on the thorned chair at the Stamford Bridge. It has become a matter of when Conte will get his marching orders.
But it has emerged that Enrique is not keen on taking over in the middle of the season and wants to start afresh in the summer. Another reason for this is that the majority of his backroom staff are currently coaching at Celta Vigo.
Luke Shaw to be offered a new deal
In an encouraging turn of events for the left back, Luke Shaw is reportedly in line to receive an extension from Manchester United. The Mirror claims that Shaw has finally won over Jose Mourinho after starting five games for the Red Devils in the new year.
Shaw still has 18 months remaining on his current deal but is now on the verge of signing a bumper new contract.
Ligue 1
Fred prefers Manchester City over Manchester United
The Mirror understands that Fred is eyeing a move to Manchester City with the £50 million-rated midfielder seen as a long-term replacement for Fernandinho. Fred has also been linked with Manchester United in the past.
But Mircea Lucescu, the former Shakhtar Donetsk boss who brought Fred to play in Europe has predicted that the Brazilian will play for Manchester City next season. Another victory for the noisy neighbours over their rivals!
Liverpool still keen on Thomas Lemar
Jurgen Klopp is set to return for Thomas Lemar in the summer after facing rejection the last time around. Liverpool had made a bid of around £78 million last summer which was instantly rejected by AS Monaco.
But the 22-year-old has recently rejected a new contract offer from the French club which has alerted Liverpool to renew their efforts to try and bring Lemar to Anfield next season, the Independent reports.
