The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is open again. Transfer Talk has been scouring the world’s media and setting our correspondents loose to see who could be heading to/out of your club this month.
TOP STORY: Coutinho to United?
According to Calciomercato, via The Star, Manchester United are readying themselves (six months early) to splash the cash for Philippe Coutinho in the summer.
Barcelona will want to make back as much of the £140 million they spent on the Brazilian to bring him over from Liverpool, both to save face, but also for another reason: they want to bring back Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports differ on Coutinho’s compatriot. Some claim that he’s unhappy in Paris and begging Barcelona to bring him back; others that he’s not going anywhere. But United are, reportedly, revving their engines in case the first domino falls.
LIVE BLOG
09.34 GMT: Arsenal are being linked with a move to bring Belgium international Yannick Carrasco back to European football from Dailan Yifang, but the Daily Star says the Gunners will struggle to meet the huge wages he is getting out in the Chinese Super League.
09.00 GMT: We’re fast approaching the mid-way point in the January window, but what rumours will we get on a busy Saturday? Stick with us…
Willian for Malcom?
In what would be one of the more surprising moves of the window, Barcelona could make an increased bid for Chelsea’s Willian, according to the Evening Standard.
An original offer worth £50m had been proposed, with 21-year-old Malcom moving in the other direction, but Chelsea said no.
Malcom signed from Bordeaux in the summer for £38m and has struggled in Spain — it seems so much that the Catalan club want to bring in a 30-year-old instead.
From Real Madrid to Leeds
Now that the Marcelo Bielsa is in the dug-out at Elland Road, Leeds is suddenly a much more attractive proposition it seems.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Championship leaders are poised to sign Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.
The 32-year-old is due to fly to the gorgeous climbs of Leeds-Bradford airport next week to go through a medical and finalise the deal.
Sarri says pay for Pereyra
Watford’s Roberto Pereyra has been linked with his second Italian manager in as many weeks, with Tuttosport, via the Metro, reporting a link to Chelsea.
Pereyra’s agent name-dropped Maurizio Sarri in an interview while also mentioning Torino’s Walter Mazzarri (who used to manage Pereyra at Vicarage Road).
The agent was quick to cover his tracks and say that he tends to exclude the possibility of transfers in January though. Of course he does, of course he does.
Football Whispers‘ transfer algorithm gives the likelihood of rumours happening a score out of 5.
Michy Batshuayi to Monaco — 4.0
After his loan with Valencia was ended, it doesn’t look like Batshuayi will stay long in London. According to Goal, his representatives have been in Monaco to discuss a potential deal, with another loan deal looking likely.
Cedric Soares to Everton — 2.7
Southampton are looking to raise funds to give new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl some cash to spend and Everton are in the market for a new right-back. According to the Star, the Toffees are willing to bid £15m for the full-back as a replacement for 30-year-old Seamus Coleman.
Alvaro Morata to Barcelona — 2.3
Morata could have been given a route out of his unhappy time at Chelsea, according to Spanish paper Sport. According to the outlet, Barcelona are interested in bringing in a striker and have heard that the Spaniard is available on loan, but want to hear the conditions of any deal before they submit a formal offer.
Mehdi Benatia to Arsenal — 1.8
In a bid to get Arsenal to close a deal to send Aaron Ramsey to Turin, Juventus are reportedly offering Mehdi Benatia as a makeweight. Gazzetta dello Sport report that the 31-year-old could be used to sweeten the deal to get it done in January, although Calciomercato has also reported that Sami Khedira is an option.
Paul Pogba to Juventus — 1.5
Seemingly destined to be wanted by the club he’s just left, Pogba is wanted by Juventus (again, and still). Tuttosport report that the Old Lady of Serie A would be open to sending Douglas Costa, who was wanted by the club in the summer, the other way in order to secure the Frenchman.