Real Madrid's €150m Cristiano Ronaldo replacement to join in January, Arsenal and Chelsea to battle it out for Manchester United star: Transfer Roundup, November 25, 2018

Florentino Perez looks to have pulled off a stunner
Florentino Perez looks to have pulled off a stunner

Well, we're just over a month away before the January transfer window rolls up and all hell breaks loose. The January transfer window could prove to be a breather for several clubs that have had a tough start to the season.

It affords them a chance to make things right by investing wisely in the transfer market. Real Madrid are one of the big teams that are expected to break the bank in January as their poor start to the season seems to be stretching for longer than anybody with the club's best interests in mind would want it to.

And today, we have quite a huge update regarding their situation. Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the top transfer rumours and updates that made headlines on November 28th, 2018.

Jose Mourinho wants Manchester United to sign Marko Arnautovic in January

Could Arnautovic join the Red Devils this winter?
Could Arnautovic join the Red Devils this winter?

Several pundits have, over the past few weeks, weighed in on the matter of whether or not Marko Arnautovic is good enough to be playing for the Top 6 of the Premier League. With most of them agreeing that he should, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

As per Metro, Manchester United boss wants the board to sign Marko Arnautovic from West Ham United. The Red Devils' gaffer believes that this will help ease the pressure on Romelu Lukaku who is struggling in front of goal and hasn't scored at Old Trafford since March.

The Sunday Mirror adds that if the opportunity becomes available, Arnautovic would be open to making the switch. The report claims that Manchester United could be preparing a £50 million bid to bring the Austrian international to Old Trafford.

Arnautovic, who joined the Hammers from Stoke last year has scored 16 goals in 42 Premier League appearances and has been quite reliable up front.

Marcelo told that he can't join Juventus in January

Looks like Marcelo will have to stay put
Looks like Marcelo will have to stay put

Marcelo reportedly wants out of Real Madrid. But Calcio Mercato has now claimed that Real Madrid have made a decision on the player's future. The report states that Florentino Perez has told Marcelo that they do not plan on selling him halfway through the season in January.

Calcio Mercato's transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano says that Perez has told Marcelo's representatives that the Brazilian will stay at the club till the end of the season.

Perez believes that Marcelo's presence is crucial in Europe as Los Blancos target a 4th consecutive Champions League crown.

The report further adds that Juventus will only sign Marcelo if they are able to offload Alex Sandro. So the chances of Marcelo departing Real Madrid to once again join hands with his friend Cristiano Ronaldo are pretty low right now.

Barcelona and Juventus to battle it out for Matthijs De Ligt and Adrien Rabiot

Time to step up?
Time to step up?

Barcelona and Juventus seem to be eyeing the same prospects. Calcio Mercato (via Rai Sport) claims that Barca will have to fight off competition from the Bianconeri if they're looking to sign Ajax youngster Matthijs De Ligt and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

Ajax will not let go of De Ligt for cheap and are reportedly asking for €50 million. Rabiot, meanwhile, is reportedly open to joining Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of the season as his current contract at the Parisian club runs out next year.

The report adds that Juve are leading the race to sign De Ligt and underscores it by claiming that the youngster had travelled to Turin with his agent Mino Raiola in the summer.

Arsenal and Chelsea eyeing bargain deal for Andreas Pereira

Pereira is a very talented and versatile midfielder
Pereira is a very talented and versatile midfielder

Andreas Pereira, who seems to be struggling to break into the first team at Manchester United, could very well sign for another Premier League giant this January. Chelsea and Arsenal are eyeing a bargain deal for the midfielder, according to the Metro.

Pereira has only appeared 5 times for the Red Devils this season and with Jose Mourinho having plenty of midfield options at his disposal, it does not seem likely that he will get to feature for the Old Trafford outfit on a regular basis.

The report adds that Manchester United are open to selling him in the January transfer window. Pereira returned to Manchester United this summer after serving two loan periods with Granada and Valencia.

As per the report, Sven Mislintat, head of recruitment at Arsenal, has identified the Brazilian as the perfect solution to the Gunners' squad.

Eden Hazard to join Real Madrid in January

This is the stuff of nightmares for Chelsea fans
This is the stuff of nightmares for Chelsea fans

Stunning reports in Spain suggest that Eden Hazard could move to Real Madrid, his dream destination, as early as this January. OkDiario claims that a big development has happened on this front as Chelsea are growingly increasingly resigned to the prospect of losing their star man.

As a result, the Chelsea board wants to cash in on the Belgian and hopes to make a profit by selling him for a hefty amount this January with Hazard's potential suitors Real Madrid in dire straits and desperately looking for a boost.

Hazard's contract runs out at the end of next season and hence they do run the risk of losing a top player, whose sale could earn them a lot of money, for free. Hazard's eagerness to join Real Madrid has been well documented and now, it looks like it could just be a matter of a few weeks before the move actually materializes.

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Edited by Sripad