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Welcome to Sportskeeda's daily transfer roundup.
We're well within the winter transfer window and the sheer volume of transfer speculation has been overwhelming, to say the least. Today, again, a whole new set of transfer news and rumours have emerged, involving some giant clubs and superstar players.
Today's top stories feature heavyweight clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Chelsea, among others. They also feature some significant players from across the world.
On that note, here is a look at the top transfer news, rumours and updates for the day:
Bayern Munich eye Alvaro Morata
As Alvaro Morata continues to struggle at Chelsea, the Blues have reportedly begun to search the market for potential replacements. Earlier this week, the club held talks with Gonzalo Higuain's brother, who also happens to be the player's agent. Although no developments have taken place in that aspect, Morata's future at the club could be approaching its end.
Now, according to reports from The Daily Express, the former Real Madrid striker is reportedly being eyed by Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich, who have already been in close contact with Chelsea over a potential move for 18-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi. Notably, Bayern have reportedly submitted as many as 4 bids for the English teenager.
However, despite hitting a roadblock in that deal, the Bavarian giants are reportedly keen on asking Chelsea to borrow Morata on a loan deal until the end of the season. The report suggests that Bayern seek to assess him in Bundesliga conditions before planning an offer to make him theirs permanently.
When asked about Morata's situation at the club, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri admitted that the Spaniard could be allowed to leave if a replacement could be secured. Speaking about it, Sarri said
“If Morata goes to another club we need a replacement. At the moment Morata is here, so he has to think only about playing. In this moment in Europe, there are 300 players involved in the market."
Manchester United decide on a summer move for Kalidou Koulibaly
Manchester United's desperation to sign a quality centre-back has been well publicised over the past few months. Ahead of the start to the season, the Red Devils were heavily linked with the likes of Toby Alderwerield and Harry Maguire. However, no move materialised and United have struggled defensively thereafter.
According to reports from The Mirror, United have kept a close eye on Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly, and reportedly even made an offer worth £95 million earlier in the summer, but were shot down by Napoli.
The report claims that United have remained interested in the defender despite the indifference from Napoli, and are reportedly set to launch an effective bid in the coming summer transfer window.
Chelsea consider £40 million offer for former defender Nathan Ake
One of Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri's primary missions will certainly be to bolster the defence for the long-run. With Gary Cahill set to leave the club, and David Luiz's contract drawing to a close, the Blues are expected to be on the lookout for replacements.
As per reports from The Sun, Chelsea have identified their former defender - Bournemouth's Nathan Ake as the perfect candidate. The Dutchman graduated from Chelsea's academy, but lack of play time saw him spend time at Reading, Watford and Bournemouth on loan before he was finally sold to the Cherries for a fee of £20 million in 2017.
The 23-year-old has since become one of the best defenders in the Premier League, prompting Chelsea to consider triggering their buy-back option on Ake, which could see him return to Chelsea for a fee of £40 million.
Real Madrid to make moves for Eden Hazard and Christian Eriksen
Amid their struggles, Real Madrid have reportedly identified the personnel change required in order to turn their fortunes around. As per reports from The Daily Express, Los Blancos have locked down on Premier League superstars Eden Hazard and Christian Eriksen.
Hazard's and Eriksen's contracts with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, expire in June 2020 but both superstars have refused to sign contract extensions, thereby allowing Madrid to narrow in on them.
As a result of the contract situations, Madrid allegedly plan on offering bids worth £50 million for both players. The aforementioned report claims that Madrid expect both bids to be rejected, but plan on using that value as a launchpad for further negotiations.
Notably, Hazard is being viewed as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, while Eriksen is being slated to replace Luka Modric in the long run.
PSG plan stunning raid for Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho and Real Madrid's Isco
Ever since the recruitment of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe - the world's two most expensive players, all eyes have been on Paris Saint-Germain. As per several reports, that includes the eyes of UEFA pertaining to FFP violations.
Subsequently, there has been a consistent generation of rumours that suggest the Parisians could lose at least one of these two superstars. Now, according to reports from Don Balon (via Goal.com) claim that PSG are reportedly eyeing moves for Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho and Real Madrid's Isco, should they have to sell Neymar or Mbappe.
Isco and Coutinho have allegedly grown unhappy at their respective clubs and PSG could attempt to make the most of it by luring them away.
