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Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's daily transfer roundup. December is going to be a pretty busy month for all the clubs as they all play a great number of games over the festive season. As football fans, we wouldn't complain.
And when December draws to a close, the January transfer window will open. The rumour mills are buzzing right now. With European giants like Manchester United and Real Madrid struggling, a lot of high-profile transfer activity is expected to happen in January.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the top transfer stories that made headlines on 2nd December 2018.
Fred annoyed with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United
Fred has lost his place in the Brazil squad and has revealed his annoyance in an interview with the Sunday Mirror (via Sky Sports). The Brazilian was Manchester United's most expensive signing in the summer. However, he has failed to nail down a spot in Manchester United's starting XI following his arrival.
Mourinho has chosen to persist with Fellaini and Matic and as a result, creative players like Fred and Andreas Pereira have been condemned to warming the bench at United.
Fred told Sunday Mirror,
"I've played very little at United, so it's normal for Professor Tite not to be able to evaluate me, even though I've worked hard with him before.
"Of course, I was annoyed, but I have to know how to deal with the sadness to be able to help me take a step forward.
"The coach (Mourinho) has chosen not to put me in the team. That's his choice. I still do my job and I can't let it affect my mindset, I cannot let that shake me. I have to be patient."
"It's been a bit of a difficult start for me at United because I have not been ¬playing so much."
Despite Fred going on to claim that he is focused on his work at Manchester United, the situation that the Red Devils find themselves in, nothing is certain and we won't be surprised if Fred decides to ship out at the end of the season.
Manchester United to launch £70 million move for Jordan Pickford
Despite the reinforcements regarding De Gea's contract situation that Jose Mourinho provided in the build-up to the Red Devils' Saturday game against Southampton, Manchester United are keeping a back-up plan ready, as per Express.
De Gea has reportedly been approached by PSG and wants £350,000 a week to stay put at Old Trafford. In the light of these circumstances, Manchester United are plotting a £70 million move for Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
De Gea's departure will be a hammer blow to Manchester United and they will want to sign one of the top goalkeepers in the business to replace him and Pickford looks like a worthy contender given that the other big names all seem pretty well settled in their club setups.
Chelsea rejects Barca's approach for Andreas Christensen
The LaLiga champs are interested in offering a way out for out-of-favour Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen. However, according to the Mirror, Chelsea have rebuffed Barcelona's move for the defender.
Barcelona are on the lookout for a defender as Samuel Umtiti remains sidelined due to an injury and the prospect of signing Christensen in January certainly got them excited.
Christensen was a regular in Chelsea's starting XI under Antonio Conte. However, Sarri has preferred Rudiger and David Luiz over the Dane and this has led to the youngster keeping his options open with regards to moving away from Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia has rejected the Catalans' approach and has told them that Christensen will not be sold in January.
Real Madrid contact Aaron Ramsey as they plot a sensational January move
Aaron Ramsey, who is all set to depart Arsenal at the end of the season, has attracted interest from a whole bunch of top European clubs. Arsenal decided to call off contract talks and Ramsey ca enter into a pre-contract agreement from January.
It is in this backdrop that Real Madrid have upped their interest in the midfielder. According to Daily Mail, Real Madrid appear to have stolen a march on Bayern Munich and Juventus and have contacted Aaron Ramsey pondering over the possibility of a January move.
Another factor that helps Real Madrid's cause is Ramsey's interest in linking up with fellow countryman Gareth Bale. Ramsey has spent 11 years at Arsenal and has been one of their most effective midfielders over the past few years.
However, Unai Emery has deemed him surplus to requirements and as a result, the Gunners' beloved midfielder is certain to depart at the end of the season or maybe even before that.
Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to sign Kylian Mbappe from PSG
Ousmane Dembele's move from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona was celebrated nearly as much as Kylian Mbappe's move to PSG from AS Monaco. However, while Dembele has only impressed in fits and starts, Mbappe has already become a world beater of sorts.
Now, according to Diario Gol, Messi wants Barcelona to sign Kylian Mbappe whose current transfer market value stands at a whopping £162 million. Mbappe, who will turn 20 this December, could go on to be the star of the new generation and by signing him, Barcelona can ensure that Lionel Messi has a worthy successor when he leaves.
Neymar has also been linked with a move back to Barcelona but chances of that happening are very slim with the relationship between the player and his former club waning over the circumstances of his move to France.
