The transfer market is just 2 days away from opening and New Year cheer is being spread across countless clubs as they rush to tie up deals in the hope of presenting their fans with a New Year present.
Aside from the end-of-the-year matters, there are plenty of clubs hoping that reinforcements will be the difference between trophies and failure, between survival and relegation.
Here are the transfer news and rumours of the day:
Serie A
- Inter Milan’s new Chinese owners are set to back Stefano Pioli with a massive €150 million spending spree, with Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez, PSG stars Marco Verratti and Marquinhos in their transfer list. The trio are reportedly unsettled at their present clubs, and Inter could pounce as they chase a return to the glory days.
- Juventus have all but completed the signing of Venezuelan defensive midfielder, Tomas Rincon, from Genoa. The highly-rated 28-year-old made the short trip from Genoa to Turin to undergo a medical, with the Bianconeri expected to officially announce their new signing as soon as the window officially opens on January 1st.
- Patrice Evra is reportedly frustrated at Juventus according to Il Corriere dello Sport. The Frenchman’s agent has not ruled out a move back to the Premier League, although Evra will not likely be making a return to Manchester United, although the agent did confirm that there was interest for the legendary left-back.
Bundesliga
- Borussia Dortmund face a tough battle to keep Julian Weigl, with the defensive midfielder apparently the subject of a transfer rumble between Manchester City and Barcelona. Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of the youngster, while Barcelona are hoping to sign Wiegl as a long-term successor to Sergio Busquets.
- Christian Pulisic has refused to rule out a move to the Premier League and MLS in the future, with the Borussia Dortmund starlet saying, “I think with soccer you never really know what's going to happen in your career -- I think that's the beauty of it -- but right now I'm with Dortmund and I'm very happy.”
- Bayern Munich are bracing themselves for a bid for Arturo Vidal from Chelsea. The Premier League giants are likely to offer £38.2 million, according to German news outlet Bild, with the Chilean being the back-up option for Antonio Conte after having a bid for Radja Nainggolan rejected by Roma.
Premier League
- Manchester United are interested in bringing in Bayer Leverkusen pair Julian Brandt and Hakan Calhanoglu in a bid to add some youth and creativity to their midfield. Jose Mourinho sent scouts to watch the duo before the Bundesliga broke away for the winter break.
- Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij might be the subject of a massive transfer battle between Bayern Munich and Chelsea, according to reports in Italy. The Dutch centre-back is out of contract in the summer of 2018, and the Aquile are expected to cash in, especially with Chelsea’s coffers being heavy after the sale of Oscar.
- Liverpool have rebuffed rumours of a move for Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, after some claims were made in the British press. Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger is also looking to sanction the sale of Carl Jenkinson, who is fielding offers from 5 Premier League clubs, according to the Mirror.
La Liga
- Barcelona could miss out on signing Croatian legend Darijo Srna, according to El Mundo Deportivo. The Shakhtar Donetsk captain was said to have been extremely excited at the prospect of being Barcelona’s right-back, but has been left bemused by a low wage offer from the Catalans, which could scupper the deal.
- Isco is keen on forcing through a move away from Real Madrid, having cancelled contract talks, at least until June. The midfielder is fine with Madrid’s monetary terms, but wants assurances about playing time, which Zidane cannot guarantee. This has left the door open for Juventus, Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur, who are all ready to pay big money for the midfielder.
- Valencia have backed new boss Cesare Prandelli in the transfer market, with the Italian hoping to bring Branislav Ivanovic from Chelsea. Simone Zaza is also in negotiations for a loan move from West Ham, as Los Che hope reinforcements in January will propel them up the table.
Rest of Europe
- PSG have put in a bid for River Plate striker Lucas Alario, in a bid to replace Jese, who is almost certain to leave the club. The former Real Madrid winger could make a move back to La Liga with Las Palmas, whose president poured cold water on chances of the move going through, revealing that Liverpool, AC Milan and AS Roma were interested.
- Highly sought after AS Monaco midfielder Tiemouye Bakayoko has dismissed rumours of a move away from the principality, claiming he has no interest in a move abroad in this transfer window. Chelsea and Manchester United were some of the giants chasing Bakayoko, but Monaco can be pleased that he still has his focus on the Ligue 1 title race.
- Unai Emery is set to authorise a move for Grzegorz Krychowiak away from Paris St-Germain, according to reports in Italy. Juventus are rumoured to be the club interested in prising the Polish destroyer away from Paris, as he has underwhelmed after a big-money move from Sevilla last summer.
