Real Madrid to pull off stunning swap deal with Juventus, Manchester United begin talks to sign Barcelona superstar and more: Transfer Roundup, 12 January 2019

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's Daily Transfer Roundup. We are in the second week of the January transfer window.

Let's take a look at the top transfer news, rumours and updates that made headlines on 12 January 2019.

Chelsea enquire about Adrien Rabiot as they look for Fabregas replacement

Rabiot will leave PSG at the end of the season

Cesc Fabregas has left Chelsea for Monaco. Though Sarriball kicked off exceptionally well at Stamford Bridge, the Blues appear to have slowed down a bit now in no small part owing to the unreliability of their forwards namely Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata.

With Fabregas now gone, midfield could become another source of worry for Maurizio Sarri as he already considers a few potential replacements, who are at the club, not up to par.

Now according to L'Equipe, Chelsea have shown interest in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot. The Frenchman's contract with the Ligue 1 champions will run out at the end of the season and he has refused to sign an extension.

He is expected to move to greener pastures and has been widely tipped of late to join Barcelona in the summer for a free transfer with PSG sporting director Angelo Henrique confirming that the player is looking to leave the club at the end of the season.

On being asked about Rabiot's contract extension, he said,

‘At this point, no. It was a decision made by the club following a meeting I had with the player.

‘The player informed me that he would not sign a contract and that he wanted to leave the club by being free at the end of the season, at the end of his contract.

‘For the player, this will have a very clear consequence – he will remain on the bench for an indefinite period.

‘It seems that the player and his representative have misled us for several months. I must add that this situation is disrespectful for both the club and the fans.

‘Especially from a player who has played under our colours from the training centre to the first team. A player who has always received the full support of the club.’

Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest in Adrien Rabiot.

Tottenham quote Harry Kane price

Will Spurs let him go?

Real Madrid have finally made an enquiry about Harry Kane and Tottenham Hotspur have quoted a whopping €350 million asking price for the Englishman, according to AS.

Real Madrid are going through quite a rough patch following the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo with Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and the rest of the big stars failing to provide goals at the Bernabeu. As such, signing a top striker has become a thing of necessity at Spurs.

Real Madrid had enquired about Cristian Eriksen and were asked to pay €250 million. If at all Los Blancos decide to go for it and break the bank for Harry Kane who is arguably the best striker in the world right now, it will make him the world's most expensive player.

Juventus reject Chelsea's swap offer for Gonzalo Higuain

Higuain's loan move to AC Milan hasn't really worked out

As per a Calcio Mercato exclusive, Chelsea remain interested in signing Gonzalo Higuain. However, Juventus have rejected a swap deal offer made by the Blues.

The report claims that Alvaro Morata's agent, Juanma Lopez, offered the Spanish striker to The Old Lady in return for Gonzalo Higuain. But Il Bianconeri are not interested in signing Morata and want a cash offer for the Argentine who is currently on loan at AC Milan and is struggling to find his feet at the San Siro.

Chelsea are not ready to shell out more than €50 million for Higuain, who is 31-years-old now, even though Sarri is keen on reuniting with him. AC Milan signed Higuain on an €18 million loan deal with the option of making it permanent by paying €36 million more. So it is pretty obvious that Juve will not sell Higuain for anything less than €54 million.

Manchester United begin talks to sign Philippe Coutinho

Out of favour

Philippe Coutinho has hit rock bottom at Barcelona. After initially impressing following his big-money arrival back in January 2018, Coutinho has cut a frustrated figure over the past few weeks. He has fallen down the pecking order and has lost his spot to Ousmane Dembele, Arthur and Arturo Vidal.

Several reports have now surfaced that claim that Barcelona are willing to sell Coutinho for the right price. They reportedly want a sum close to the £142 million they splashed to sign him last January.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Manchester United have opened talks with Philippe Coutinho's agent over a potential deal. The Red Devils have been monitoring Coutinho's situation closely and have already registered an interest in the Brazilian.

The report, however, also claims that Coutinho doesn't want to give up on his dream just yet and wants to fight for a spot in the team. He will only decide to leave if the situation doesn't change by the end of the season.

Real Madrid to offer Juventus Isco in exchange for Dybala

Paulo Dybala is perhaps the biggest talent to have come out of Argentina after Messi

The void that Cristiano Ronaldo left when he boarded the flight to Turin seems very much capable of sucking in everything that's left at the Santiago Bernabeu. With the team struggling and top stars underperforming, Florentino Perez wants to make a 'galactico' signing now more than ever.

As such, Daily Express (via TuttoSport) reports that Real Madrid will offer Isco in order to rope in Paulo Dybala. Juventus and Real Madrid are reportedly on good terms after the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo and thus Los Blancos are hopeful of bringing the Argentine to Bernabeu in a swap deal that involves the underperforming Isco.

Juventus could be tempted to make the deal as they're short on central-midfield options. However, Dybala is one of their main weapons for the future and they are likely to do everything in their power to hold on to the player.