Real Madrid agree deal for £135 million Premier League superstar, Barcelona agree terms with top transfer target and more: Transfer Roundup, 24 December 2018

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's Daily Transfer Roundup. We are now officially just a week away from the opening of the winter transfer window. As a result, publications are all brimming with transfer rumours and updates.

Several high-profile transfer deals got finalized in January 2018 and we expect more of the same this time around. Some big clubs across Europe including the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are looking to strengthen their respective squads over the course of the coming weeks.

Without wasting another second, let's take a look at the top transfer news, rumours and updates that made headlines on 24 December 2018.

Juventus reject Manchester United's €60 million offer for Douglas Costa

Douglas Costa has started only thrice for Juventus in the league this term

Manchester United are trying to strengthen their right flank and to this end, they had launched a €60 million offer for Juventus superstar Douglas Costa. However, that bid has now been rejected by the Old Lady, according to Rai Sport via Calcio Mercato.

Juve's Sporting Director Fabio Paratici is not convinced by the amount that the Red Devils offered and hence refused to agree a deal.

Manchester United have been trying to find a right winger for a long time. Under Jose Mourinho, they had been using Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard interchangeably. However, none of them are specialist wingers and prefer a more central role.

New caretaker manager Ola Gunnar Solskjaer wants to find a specialist right winger and the 28-year-old Brazilian is an exciting prospect. The Red Devils are expected to return with a better offer. Costa has started merely 3 times in the Serie A this term for the Bianconeri and could thus be tempted to move away from Turin.

Arsenal favourites to sign Gary Cahill from Chelsea

Gary Cahill has been sidelined under Maurizio Sarri

In a surprising turn of events, the Gunners are now leading the race to sign Chelsea veteran Gary Cahill in January, according to The Sun. Arsenal's backline has often looked quite shaky this season. With Rob Holding getting ruled out for the season owing to an injury, Unai Emery is reportedly looking to sign a centre-back to help mitigate the situation.

Gary Cahill has only appeared once in the league this term. His other 7 appearances have come in cup competitions and could very well be eyeing an exit in the winter transfer window.

The report adds that Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said,

"It's a deal that would suit all parties.

"As we edge closer to the winter transfer window, it's looking increasingly likely Cahill will end up an Arsenal player."

Juve in pole position to sign Aaron Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey looks to be on his way out of Arsenal

According to Calcio Mercato, Juventus are leading the race to sign Aaron Ramsey as a free agent in the summer. The publication's journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Juventus Sporting Director Fabio Paratici has begun negotiations with Ramsey's entourage.

Aaron Ramsey is expected to leave Arsenal in the summer after contract talks broke down between the player and the club. Despite putting in some really good performances, it looks unlikely that the Gunners will offer the Welshman a fresh contract.

Inter Milan and AC Milan have also been linked with Ramsey. However, Juve are now in pole position to strike a deal with the midfielder. The report adds that Inter have been put off by Ramsey's wage demands. The Welshman reportedly wants to be paid more than Mauro Icardi.

Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest in Aaron Ramsey.

Barcelona agree terms with Frenkie De Jong

Frenkie

De Jong in action for Ajax

According to Don Balon, Barcelona will sign Frenkie De Jong in the summer. The Ajax youngster who was chased by several high-profile clubs all across Europe has reportedly agreed terms with the player whilst also launching a €68 million bid to the Dutch club.

Although the negotiations are expected to close this January, the transfer will not take place until June. The report adds that Barcelona have agreed terms with the 21-year-old midfielder.

Barcelona have been eyeing up a deal for De Jong as a potential long-term replacement for the ageing Ivan Rakitic. The report claims that De Jong will now reject all other offers including those that have come from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

Chelsea players believe that Eden Hazard has agreed terms with Real Madrid

Eden Hazard has said time and again that Real Madrid is his dream destination

It looks like the inevitable has surfaced. According to transfer guru Ian McGarry via The Express, Eden Hazard's Chelsea teammates believe that the Belgian has already agreed terms with Real Madrid.

Hazard has insisted multiple times that Real Madrid is his dream destination. On the Sunday Supplement, McGarry said,

“Something that’s affecting Chelsea now is Eden Hazard,

“There’s a feeling in the dressing room that he’s agreed a deal to go to Real Madrid and the reason he’s so calm about everything and not having contract negotiations with Chelsea is he has this option and he’s just waiting to exercise it.

“And now Chelsea are definitely a striker away from being Premier League contenders. Morata and Giroud are not scoring enough goals and they’re not good enough to give you the 20-odd goals you need.

“Hazard’s playing at a false nine and while he’s a brilliant player, is he going to get you 24 goals? Probably not.”

Hazard teased a move last summer but ended up staying in Chelsea as an exciting new project got underway at Stamford Bridge under Maurizio Sarri. However, Chelsea now find themselves 11 points behind league leaders Manchester City and it looks like the Blues cannot do much to convince the Belgian to stay anymore.

But it looks like only one question remains and that's whether Hazard will move in January or in June.