Real Madrid earmark BBC replacements, Sanchez reportedly agrees personal terms with Manchester United: Transfer round-up, January 17, 2018

Real Madrid CF v Levante UD - La Liga
BBC is set to be abandoned in the summer

Good evening folks and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. The January transfer market is heating up with each passing day and along with it, the pressure on certain clubs to deliver the needful is on the rise.

Alexis Sanchez and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang still remain the most talked about players in the past two weeks.

So without wasting more time, let's take a look at the major transfer stories from around the globe which made headlines on January 17, 2018:


La Liga

Real Madrid earmark BBC replacements

The European champions are in trouble. Sitting 19 points behind FC Barcelona, Real Madrid have a lot to think about. Florentino Perez is looking for a major overhaul next summer and has reportedly decided to abandon the famed BBC (Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo) and replace them with his choice of superstars.

Marca has claimed that Perez is looking to make summer moves for the blockbuster trio of Neymar, Eden Hazard and Robert Lewandowski. Perez has publicly admitted his interest in Neymar whereas Madrid have been linked with Hazard since the last summer.

Lewandowski, 30, has now emerged on Madrid's radar with the club looking for a prolific scorer to put an end to their goalscoring woes.

Aleix Vidal looking to leave FC Barcelona this month

If a report in Estadio Deportivo is to be believed, Aleix Vidal has grown frustrated with life in Camp Nou and is looking for a new challenge. Vidal has made just seven starts in all competitions and has failed to make the bench on numerous occasions.

The Spanish daily reports that the full back's agent is in London at the moment and has offered Vidal's services to the likes of Everton and Arsenal.

Serie A

International Champions Cup 2015 - Manchester United v FC Barcelona
On Inter Milan's radar

Inter Milan's €25 million bid for Rafinha rejected

Luciano Spalletti has received a setback in his pursuit of FC Barcelona's forgotten man, Rafinha. Inter Milan, according to Mundo Deportivo, recently made an offer of €25 million for the versatile Brazilian.

But it has now come to light that the Catalans are holding out for a fee close to €40 million and are unwilling to do business for the Brazilian this month. The Nerazzurri may now have to look for reinforcements elsewhere.

Chelsea monitoring Emerson Palmieri

After giving up on the Alex Sandro pursuit, Chelsea have now shifted their focus towards AS Roma's Emerson Palmieri. The 23-year-old left back is now on the Blues' radar as they look for an adequate cover for Marcos Alonso this month.

Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Palmieri has fallen down the pecking order in Rome owing to the brilliant form shown by Aleksandr Kolarov. Roma are ready to let Palmieri leave this month but only for a significant sum of money.

Bundesliga

Sporting Clube de Portugal v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League
Back to Spain?

Neven Subotic and Marc Bartra looking to leave Borussia Dortmund

Many players seem to be looking to jump on the departing train from Borussia Dortmund at the moment. Along with Aubameyang, SportBild reports that the defensive duo of Marc Bartra and Neven Subotic are now looking to leave Germany this month.

Bartra has not started a league game after the change in management whereas Subotic has fallen further down the pecking order.

Stoke City closing in on Kostas Stafylidis

Sky Sports claims that Stoke City and FC Augsburg are locked in negotiations over the transfer of Kostas Stafylidis. The left-back is wanted by Stoke on a short loan spell.

He is a pacy wingback who likes to contribute going forward but has had minimum chances to impress at Augsburg. Paul Lambert wants to make Stafylidis his first signing at Stoke and is ready to pay a decent signing fee.

Premier League

Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Premier League
Otamendi will be seen in City colours until 2022

Alexis Sanchez agree personal terms with Manchester United

In the latest advancement reported by the Telegraph, Alexis Sanchez has agreed personal terms with Manchester United and is expected to be a Red Devil before their league game against Burnley. It is believed that the Chilean has signed a four and a half year deal at Old Trafford worth £14 million after tax.

But the agreement between the two clubs is still pending with Henrikh Mkhitaryan yet to make a decision on his future - on whom the entire Sanchez saga hinges on.

Nicolas Otamendi extends his contract with Manchester City

The Argentine centre-back has today penned a new two-year extension with Manchester City. Otamendi has been in sensational form for the champions-elect this season and has missed just one league game. The new deal will see the 29-year-old in City colours until 2022.

After signing on the dotted line, Otamendi said to the club's website, "I’ve enjoyed my time at City since the first day I arrived and I’m really happy to have extended my stay here by a couple more years."

Rest of the world

Republic of Ireland v Germany - UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier
Martin O'Neill extends his stay with the Republic of Ireland

Cardiff City and Middlesbrough looking to sign Marko Grujic on loan

The two abovementioned Championship clubs are looking to take Liverpool outcast Marko Grujic on loan, ESPN reports.

The Serbian midfielder is well down the pecking order at Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp keen on the youngster having ample playing time under his belt.

Meanwhile, both Cardiff and Middlesbrough are of the belief that Grujic can prove to be a smart signing in their bid for promotion to the top flight.

Martin O'Neill extends his stay with the Republic of Ireland

The 65-year-old manager has revealed to Sky Sports that he is close to agreeing to a new two year deal with the Republic of Ireland.

O'Neill was linked with the Stoke City job recently but he decided to reject it to continue his stint with Ireland's national side. O'Neill failed to take IRA into this year's World Cup but had helped them reach the knockout stages in Euro 2016.

Quick Links