2017 has begun, and along with it, the transfer window has been blown open. Top teams from the Premier League, La Liga. Bundesliga, Serie A and the Rest of Europe are hoping to strengthen themselves ahead of the second half of the season, while relegation strugglers try to do the same.
Wantaway stars and their agents fuel rumours and keep the media on their toes as the window opens up, with the clubs looking to make some purchases as well.
Here are the transfer news and rumours of the day.
Serie A
- AC Milan are on the verge of signing Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu on loan. Vincenzo Montella wants to beef up his options on the wings and is hoping that a move for the former Barcelona winger, who has barely started for Everton this season, could solve Milan’s issues.
- Juventus are preparing a massive offer to tempt Real Madrid midfielder Isco to make a move to Italy, according to Corriere dello Sport. Manchester City are also interested in the Spanish midfielder, but Juve are hoping that offering Isco guaranteed playing time in the first XI will lure him.
- Fiorentina forward Nikola Kalinic is set to reject a massive €45 million offer from the Chinese Super League, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Tianjin Quanjian offered Kalinic a €10 million salary, but the Croatian striker still feels he has much to accomplish in Serie A.
Bundesliga
- Borussia Dortmund are interested in adding to their youthful talents, by making an audacious bid for Arsenal’s teen sensation, Gedion Zelalem. The American midfielder, who represented Germany at youth level, has been frustrated by the lack of chances in the Gunners' first team and is keen on a move to play for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
- Bundesliga high-flyers RB Leipzig could lose out on one of their stars of the season, as Jurgen Klopp has made his admiration for Emil Forsberg known, according to the Mirror . The Liverpool boss has been rebuffed in his attempts to sign Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund and has now turned to Forsberg.
- Napoli left-back Faouzi Ghoulam could be tempted away by Bayern Munich. The Bavarians want a quality backup to David Alaba and are hoping that a €3 million salary could be enough to tempt the Algerian to leave Naples. However, Real Madrid and PSG are also reportedly interested, which could put a spanner in Bayern’s hopes.
Premier League
- Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling is growing unsettled with rumours of the Red Devils signing Benfica defender Victor Lindelof. Were that deal to go through, Smalling has authorised his agent to approach Everton, who are keen on bringing some youth to their ageing backline, according to the Daily Star.
- Joe Hart is desperate to return to the Premier League, and Liverpool are his #1 target, according to the Mirror. The goalkeeper was farmed out on loan to Torino by Manchester City, and with the Italian club unable to afford to sign him permanently, Hart is keen on making a move to Anfield, especially given their goalkeeping problems.
- Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is keen on reuniting with his former Juventus player, Fernando Llorente, according to AS. With Michy Batshuayi not impressing Conte, the Chelsea boss wants to bring the Swansea striker as backup to Diego Costa.
La Liga
- Real Madrid defender Pepe is seriously considering a move to China, according to reports in the Spanish media. The Portuguese centre-back is out of contract in the summer and is considering his options, having also been offered a 1 year contract by fellow countryman Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, according to the Sunday Express.
- Barcelona are making a concerted effort to bring Paris St-Germain right back Serge Aurier to the club, according to French news outlet L’Equipe. The Catalans have been rebuffed by Dario Srna in their bid for an alternative to Sergi Roberto and have thus laid their eyes on the Ivorian, although they also face comepetition from the cash-rich AC Milan.
- Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has authorised a massive £145 million bid for Atletico Madrid duo Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez, according to Marca. The Rojiblancos would naturally loathe having their heart ripped out of them, but with their season already in the doldrums, Diego Simeone could view the money as enough to seriously rebuild his squad.
Rest of Europe
- Turkish club Antalyaspor could lose star striker Samuel Eto’o to the Premier League. The Cameroonian emerged as a shock target for Hull City, who are hoping that his scoring experience with Chelsea and Everton in England could rescue the Tigers in their relegation dogfight.
- FC Porto have resigned themselves to losing Algerian star Yacine Brahimi, according to A Bola. Arsenal have reportedly sent their scouts to watch the creative midfielder and are hoping to land a cut-price deal, with Brahimi having burnt bridges in the summer by trying to force a move away from Portugal.
- Spartak Moscow have all but signed Luiz Adriano from AC Milan, according to Russian news outlet, Sport Express. Milan VP Adriano Galliani flew to Moscow to finalize the deal, which will see the Brazilian move for free, but will save the Serie A club approximately €4 million in wages.
