'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We are just two months away from January Transfer season and transfer gossip is gradually gathering pace. The elite clubs in Europe have been sending their scouts abroad to monitor the situation of their respective transfer targets and are looking to add more quality to their current squad.Some clubs have been dealt with injuries to their top players in recent weeks and are in dire need to bring in replacements as soon as possible. The next transfer window couldn’t come at a better time for these teams struggling to keep their players fit before the winter break commences.Here are the rumours making the rounds in today’s transfer mill.
#1 La Liga
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema could be set for a move to England amid fears at Madrid that he has damaged the club's reputation after he was charged for his role in the Mathieu Valbuena sex-tape scandal last week.
The 27-year-old had admitted in the summer that he had no intention of leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, insisting that those who said he was leaving Los Blancos to join Arsenal were ‘clowns’, but things might have changed after the recent incident. According to Fichajes, Benzema’s move to the North London club could be back on, and could even happen in January.
Their rivals FC Barcelona are eyeing up a move for last season’s Premier League Player of the Year Eden Hazard in January. The Belgian international and his teammates at Chelsea have been poor this term and this could lead to a surprise exit.
The Spanish champions are ready to pounce and place a bid of £43 million for Hazard, following the recent rumours that he has instructed his agent to listen to offers to leave Chelsea, as per the reports on Don Balon.
One of the big personalities in La Liga is set to quit in summer, according to Mirror. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is set to leave the La Liga club and Chelsea are on high alert, as Blues’ owner Roman Abramovich may look up to the Argentinian to resolve the issues at the club if Jose Mourinho fails to turn things around at Stamford Bridge.
Simeone’s contract at Vicente Calderon Stadium runs until 2020 but it is understood to contain break clauses on both sides with the manager is ready to activate his at the end of his fifth season in the hot seat.
#2 Serie A
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu may make his exit from Parc des Princes in January and join Italian outfit AC Milan on the suggestion of Italy coach Antonio Conte, as per Corriere Dello Sport. Sirigu has been second choice to Kevin Trapp this season and has made just one league appearance for the French champions.
The Italian shot-stopper, who is now 28 years old, could consider his option of joining Milan in the upcoming transfer window and receive more game time at the San Siro.
Reigning Italian champions Juventus will be given a huge boost after reports emitting from Germany that Borussia Dortmund’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan wants to leave the Bundesliga club, with the Armenian’s agent a good friend of the decision makers at Turin, as per the reports on Calciomercato.
Juventus failed to sign a playmaker in summer and Julian Draxler was their primary target, who joined Wolfsburg from FC Schalke. Mkhitaryan could be a good option to add more quality in Juventus’ midfield as they continue with their title defending campaign.
Inter Milan are keen on a move for Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, whose contract expires next summer at Stamford Bridge, according to Mirror. Ivanovic has been woeful for the English champions this season and, as he approaches the twilight of his career, he could follow in the footsteps of fellow Serbian Nemanja Vidic who joined the Italian side from Manchester United.
#3 Premier League
Manchester United are lining up a shock move for PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose contract ends with the French champions at the end of the season, as per the reports on TalkSport. Clubs in Major League Soccer and the middle-east have also expressed their interest in the Swedish striker, but United have joined the race to land the striker in England.
Louis van Gaal’s strikers have been poor in front of goal this season but adding the likes of Ibrahimovic in the squad could help ease Wayne Rooney’s goalscoring burden. The former AC Milan forward could be secured on a free next summer. However, one potential stumbling block is the 34-year-old striker’s high wages, which is currently £230,000-a-week.
Arsenal full back Mathie Debuchy has hinted at an exit from the Emirates in the January transfer window, according to Sky Sports. The French international joined the Gunners in the summer of 2014 from Newcastle United but several injuries have seen him sidelined and even benched in Arsene Wenger’s side with youngster Hector Bellerin prefered at right back since last season.
“I am dealing with it. I am trying to stay strong. We are going to remain concentrated until December, after that I will see,” said Debuchy in an interview.
Manchester City are targeting Benfica’s highly rated midfielder Nicolas Gaitan who has been priced at £24 million by the Portuguese club, but they are set to be faced with stiff competition from rivals United and Arsenal, as per Mirror.
The Argentina international has been impressive for Benfica this season and his ability to play either in central midfield or on the wing has benefited the club. Gaitan’s performance in midweek was praised by many, but he was dismissed late on after receiving two yellow cards.
#4 Rest of Europe
Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich are keeping a close eye on Brazillian forward Willian, who has been saving the Blues the blushes in several matches this season. The 27-year-old is easily Chelsea’s best player this season and his performance in recent games has grabbed the attention of Europe’s elite clubs like Bayern and PSG, according to Mirror.
Willian’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires in 2018 and the English champions are keen to extend his contract furthermore.
The Bavarians are also keen on keeping Pep Guardiola at the Allianz Arena and they are ready to offer him a pay rise from €11 million per year to €15 million, as per Sport. Guardiola arrived from Barcelona having won three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies in his 5-year tenure at the club.
Bundesliga side Hoffenheim are looking to bolster their attack in the January transfer window with Galatasaray’s Lukas Podolski and Schalke’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, according to Aksam. An addition of these players could benefit the German club and both the veteran strikers could go on to form a formidable partnership up front.
