With the winter window opening soon, the rumour mill is beginning to gather pace. Who will be moving where come January? Transfer Talk has the latest.
TOP STORY: De Gea demands big money to stay at United
Manchester United might have secured David De Gea‘s short-term future by triggering the year extension in his contract on Thursday, but the Red Devils still have a lot of work to do if they are going to tie down the Spain No. 1 beyond the summer of 2020, according to the Daily Star.
The tabloid claims De Gea has demanded the same salary as their highest-paid player Alexis Sanchez, who is on £500,000 a week including bonuses, and added that the 28-year-old will not sign long term until he knows what is happening with the future of manager Jose Mourinho.
De Gea has been the club’s best and most consistent player for several years, and demands for parity with Sanchez are understandable.
And with the likes of Paris Saint-German and Juventus lurking in the background, plus the majority of Europe’s powerhouses no doubt interested, United will be desperate to tie down one of the world’s best goalkeepers or run the risk of losing him on a free or a cut-price deal.
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08.25 GMT: Paris Saint-Germain have joined the race to sign Manchester City’s Spanish starlet Brahim Diaz in the January window, according to AS.
However, the 19-year-old midfielder is keen to move to Real Madrid, having reportedly agreed to sign a pre-contract with Los Blancos ahead of joining the club for free next summer.
Diaz is in the final year of his contract at the Etihad stadium and has attracted the attention of several clubs in Europe, including Madrid.
AS claims that the player’s entourage have asked Diaz to take some time to consider all the options, including that of signing a contract extension with City. Diaz’s agent is Pere Guardiola, the brother of City coach Pep Guardiola.
The Spain under-21 international joined City from Malaga in 2013 and made his first-team debut in 2016. He scored twice in a 2-0 win over Fulham at the Carabao Cup fourth round earlier this month.
PAPER TALK: Juve pressure Ramsey to sign
Juventus have told Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey he needs to agree to sign for them soon or risk missing out on a move to the Italian champions, the Sun claims.
Juve are willing to offer the Welsh star a package worth £200,000 a week over four years when his deal expires in seven months’ time.
But the Sun state Massimiliano Allegri is also keen on PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot, and he too is available for free in the summer.
So it is claimed Ramsey has been told he needs to sign in January or a potential move to Turin is off.
The clock is ticking, Aaron!
Arsenal and Spurs still want Amiri
Hoffenheim midfielder Nadiem Amiri might not have featured at all this season, but that hasn’t stopped Arsenal and Tottenham from eyeing up a move for the 22-year-old, according to German publication Bild.
It is claimed the Gunners see Amiri as a possible replacement for Ramsey, while Spurs also look like they will need a new midfielder next summer with Mousa Dembele’s future perilous.
Both clubs have been long-time admirers of the Germany under-21 international, but Bild claim they will also face competition from Schalke.
And at a time of wildly inflated transfer fees, it is claimed clubs will be able to sign Amiri next summer for just £15.1 million due to a clause in his contract.
Arsenal will hope their existing relationship with Hoffenheim — with youngster Reiss Nelson starring on loan at the Bundesliga side this season — could give them the edge.
Isco fallout opens the door for Europe’s elite
It is being widely reported in the Spanish media that Isco has had a high-profile fallout with his manager Santiago Solari and that can only be a good thing for his army of suitors.
Isco is recognised as one of Europe’s premier midfielders, but despite being integral to Real Madrid’s success in recent years, he has found himself on the sidelines of late.
Marca has claimed Isco refused to shake hands with Solari following Real’s 3-0 defeat at Eibar at the weekend after being on the bench once more, and that resulted in him being left out the squad entirely for the victory over Roma on Tuesday.
Mundo Deportivo has described Isco and Solari’s relationship as a “ticking time bomb” and he will not be short of possible destinations, with Manchester City, Juventus and Barcelona among those said to be interested.
Italy starlet set for move?
Federico Chiesa is quickly developing a reputation that suggests he could end up having a career that would surpass his dad Enrico’s, so it is hardly surprising to learn that Inter Milan are among the clubs hoping to sign the youngster, according to Tuttosport.
The Fiorentina star may only be 21, but he already has 11 Italy caps, and the forward has the talent to reach the very top.
Giuseppe Marotta was integral to Juventus’ success as their CEO between 2010 and 2018 and was known as a huge admirer of Chiesa, and with the 61-year-old expected to be appointed by Inter in the next few days, Tuttosport expect him to make the Italy international one of his first targets.
Football Whispers’ transfer algorithm gives the likelihood of rumours happening a score out of five.
Mousa Dembele to Inter: 2.8
The Spurs midfielder is stalling on signing a new contract, and Inter and Juventus are the front-runners in the bid to land the Belgium international. The 31-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has rejected all of his current club’s offers, so he looks set for a move.
Dominic Iorfa to Rangers: 2.7
Steven Gerrard has already expressed interest in Wolves’ Dominic Iorfa in the past, and he is set to return for the right-back in January. The 23-year-old has not been in a single first-team squad this season for Wolves following their promotion and would be available for around £500,000, according to reports.
Abdoulaye Doucoure to Everton: 2.3
Marco Silva is desperate to reunite with his former player from Watford, Abdoulaye Doucoure. The 25-year-old was the Hornets’ player of the year last season, and with their owner Gino Pozzo known as a tough negotiator — not to mention the two clubs’ frosty relationship after the Merseysiders’ relentless pursuit of Silva — the Toffees would have to pay an extremely high price to land the Frenchman.
Joe Lolley to Watford: 1.9
Nottingham Forest winger Joe Lolley is a £5m transfer target for Watford, according to multiple reports. The Hornets have bought very well in the English market in recent years after acquiring the likes of Nathaniel Chalobah and Will Hughes on the cheap, and Lolley could be another. The 26-year-old has seven goals and seven assists in all competitions already this season and is also a target for Cardiff and West Bromwich Albion.
Xherdan Shaqiri to Inter: 1.4
One of the more bizarre whispers to show up of late, Xherdan Shaqiri’s comments about being keen on a move back to Serie A one day triggered multiple reports. But with the Switzerland international becoming a key player for Liverpool in recent months, a potential departure from Anfield seems highly unlikely any time soon.