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Welcome to Sportskeeda's daily transfer roundup.
We're well into the winter transfer window and with less than a week to go until the end of the window, the sheer volume of transfer speculation has been overwhelming, to say the least. Today, as usual, 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, Chelsea, and Manchester United, among others. They also feature some significant players from across the world who have been linked with potential moves away from their current clubs.
Also See: EPL Transfer News | EPL Table
On that note, here is a look at the top transfer news, rumours and updates for the day:
Bayern Munich to make another offer for Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi
Over the recent past, Callum Hudson-Odoi's future at Chelsea has continued to grow uncertain, with the 18-year-old refusing to sign a new deal, allegedly in favour of a move away from the club.
Several reports had claimed that Bayern Munich were believed to be the leading contenders for him, having submitted an offer of £35m that Chelsea were quick to reject. Now, according to reports from Sky Sports, the Bavarian giants are expected to make an improved offer of about £40m for the Englishman before the end of the ongoing transfer window.
Sky Sports' Kaveh Solekhol weighed in on the situation as he spoke to their transfer centre, and he said
"If the player had a choice he would go to Bayern. We may see some developments on this story in the coming days due to the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain and the need to balance the books. I'm expecting a busy last few days at Chelsea."
Arsenal make an approach to sign Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic
After being shown the door in the FA Cup following their defeat to Manchester United, Arsenal seem to be wasting no time in pursuing reinforcements, as per reports from BBC. The Gunners' primary agenda for the ongoing transfer window reportedly was to secure reinforcements for the midfielder and winger positions.
Getting to business, Arsenal have reportedly contacted Inter Milan over a potential loan deal for Croatian winger, Ivan Perisic, who was previously, and repeatedly, linked with a move to Manchester United. However, no move materialised and Perisic remained at Inter Milan and signed a five-year extension in 2017.
The 29-year-old is understood to be open to a move away from the club, as Arsenal seek to hash out a loan deal until the end of the season, with an option to permanently buy Perisic in the summer for a fee of £35 million.
Barcelona eye move for Matthijs de Ligt
Earlier this week, Barcelona announced the signing of Ajax's Frenkie de Jong after a €70m deal was completed. Having allowed the Dutch star to remain at Ajax until the end of the season, Barcelona are now reportedly plotting another raid of the Dutch club, as per reports from The Daily Mail.
This time, the Catalans are allegedly targeting centre-back, Matthijs de Ligt, who is widely touted to become one of the best defenders over the next few years. Barcelona are believed to view him as the perfect successor to Gerard Pique in the heart of the team's defence.
The report also claims that the only obstacle preventing this deal from taking place is reportedly the player's agent, Mino Raiola, who believes that the 19-year-old should play elsewhere and develop further before joining the likes of Barcelona.
Manchester United set to hijack deal for Chelsea target Nicolo Barella
21-year-old Nicolo Barella has steadily been making waves in the Serie A, as a result of his performances for Cagliari. This season, he has become a key member of Cagliari's side and subsequently found himself linked with potential moves to Chelsea and Inter Milan, who are also believed to be interested in him.
However, the Italian media are now suggesting that while a move to the Premier League may be on the cards for Barella, it is more likely to be to Manchester United and not Chelsea. Reports from Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Goal.com) claim that despite Chelsea viewing him as a potential long-term replacement for Cesc Fabregas, it is United who currently stand a better chance.
The Italian midfielder will reportedly cost as much as £50 million, thereby forcing Inter out of the race, who are believed to be unwilling to pay such a hefty fee for such a young player. The two Premier League giants are expected to fight it out for the promising youngster.
Real Madrid withdraw from race for Christian Eriksen
Amidst their ongoing struggles, Real Madrid have been linked with moves to a number of high-profile superstars, including Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen. The Danish midfielder - whose current contract expires in 2020 - has refused to sign a new contract with Spurs, and is believed to be keen on a move.
While it is understood that Madrid were hoping to buy him for a fee close to €85 million, according to reports from Football Espana, Spurs' chairman, Daniel Levy, has now reportedly slapped a €250 million price tag on the 26-year-old, following Barcelona's €75m purchase of Frenkie de Jong.
As a result, Madrid have reportedly decided to temporarily end their pursuit for Eriksen and to wait until his contract expires in order to sign him as a free agent. However, with the likes of Manchester United, Juventus, Chelsea and Bayern Munich believed to be interested in recruiting him as a free agent, Madrid will almost inevitably have to deal with a battle on their hands.
