Transfer news and rumours of the day: 5 January 2016

Samir Handanovic has extended his stay with Inter till 2019

Gareth Bale is devastated with Rafa Benitez’s sacking and could move back to EnglandJanuary brings with it a lot of mid-season crisis as well as solutions. The transfer mill is expected to be the same this time around with many clubs seeking reinforcements and many players seeking a new start. There has been a buzz around many players and clubs, with players seeking moves away from their respective clubs for various reasons from playing time to better contracts. Nonetheless, the January window is poised to give us some interesting news.Here are the transfer news and rumours for the day.

#1 Serie A

Samir Handanovic has extended his stay with Inter till 2019

- Inter have confirmed the extension of Samir Handanovic’s contract till 2019. Handanovic's previous terms at Inter were due to expire in the summer and the Slovenian, who signed for the Nerazzurri from Udinese in 2012, said: “This is what I wanted, and when there is the same desire on both sides there are never any issues.”

- According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli have resumed their pursuit of Torino defender Nikola Maksimovic. Torino had earlier turned down a bid from Napoli in the summer for the Serbian but the Azzurri are intent on getting their man in January.

- Fiorentina midfielder Mario Suarez is set to go out on loan to Watford with an option to make the deal permanent, according to reports. The 28-year-old has managed four Serie A starts and just 12 appearances in all competitions after signing for the club in the summer from Atletico Madrid.

#2 La Liga

Nolito set for Barca move?

- According to the Mirror, Spanish winger Nolito has reportedly turned down a move to Arsenal in favour of a return to La Liga champions FC Barcelona. The player has expressed his desire to return to Camp Nou, which he left for Benfica in 2011 and Barcelona are apparently interested in the Spaniard who has been in excellent form this season.

- Atletico Madrid have rejected Watford’s bid for highly-rated midfielder Thomas according to TalkSport. Thomas is happy to stay at the club and is under contract until 2020 but that may not stop the Hornets from going back with an even higher offer as they bid to maintain their impressive start to the season with New Year reinforcements.

- Valencia midfielder Sofiane Feghouli has attracted interest from several clubs including Manchester United reports TalkSport. The Algerian is out of contract in the summer at Valencia and is free to hold talks with any club regarding a pre-contract agreement.

#3 English Premier League

Manchester United lining up a bid for unsettled Bale

- Manchester United are lining up a blockbuster £75m-plus bid for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, according to the Independent. The Welshman is reportedly upset with the sacking of Rafael Benitez and with the ongoing saga of a bust-up with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, the winger is reportedly considering a return to the Premier league.

- Arsenal are considering a shock move for Watford captain Troy Deeney, according to the Daily Star. Deeney had signed a new five-year contract in the summer. Wenger, however, is reportedly looking to strengthen his attack as he looks to end a league title drought stretching back to 2004.

- Sunderland are closing in on Bayern defender Jan Kirchoff reports Goal. Kirchhoff has played only one game for Bayern this season – as an 89th-minute substitute in the DFB-Pokal – and is looking to move in search of playing time.

#4 Rest of Europe

Pep Guardiola will move to the Premier League

- Pep Guardiola has revealed that he wants to take up a job in England. The Spaniard had earlier announced that he would step down as Bayern Munich manager at the end of the season and has now confirmed that he has offers from England and that he intends to take one of them. Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are considered to be favorites.

“I haven't decided on a new club yet. I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England. That is the reason I have taken this decision.

“I have some offers from England, but I've not signed anything yet. If I were 60, 65-years-old, I'd stick with Bayern, but I think I'm too young. I need a new challenge,” Guardiola said.

- FC Koln have completed the signing of Filip Mladenovic from BATE Borisov for a deal worth around €1.4m, the club confirmed. The Serbian defender has signed a deal through to 2019 and has been handed the number 25.

- Sofiane Boufal of Lille, dubbed as the next ‘Eden Hazard’ in France, is attracting interest from Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League according to the Express. The 22-year-old has scored five goals and assisted one so far this season and is worth a reported £18.5m.

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Edited by Staff Editor