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.
Solskjaer now favourite for United job
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s faultless start to life in the Manchester United dugout has moved him ahead of Mauricio Pochettino in the running to replace Jose Mourinho on a permanent basis.
According to The Sun, United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been “hugely impressed” by the ease with which the Norwegian has seemingly breathed new life into the club after his appointment on an interim basis in December.
Woodward reportedly visited the away dressing room to congratulate Solskjaer after he led United to a 1-0 win over Tottenham at Wembley.
With six wins in a row, the 45-year-old has quickly won over players, fans and members of the boardroom and has thrown a spanner in the works by greatly surpassing Woodward’s expectations.
Chelsea slap £100m price tag on Hazard
Eden Hazard will cost Real Madrid at least £100 million if the Spanish giants move for him in the summer, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is keen for Hazard to make a decision on his future but it’s unclear if the Belgian is still a top target for the European champions.
The 28-year-old is out of contract at Stamford Bridge in 2020 but the Blues believe they can demand a premium fee for him given his status as one of Europe’s most talented players.
As per the report, Madrid may use Mateo Kovacic‘s potential permanent move to Chelsea as part of the deal, with the Croatian currently on season-long loan in London.
However, it’s unlikely that Real could finance deals for both Hazard and Christian Eriksen, with the Tottenham playmaker also high on the Spanish giants’ list of targets.
Conflicting reports on Chelsea target Paredes
Staying with the Blues, the club have been told they must up their offer for Zenit Saint Petersburg midfielder Leandro Paredes.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea’s opening offer for the Argentine was £26.8m but it will take £36m to seal the 24-year-old’s signature.
However, the Daily Mirror say the move is much closer to completion, with the player set to move after agreeing terms.
Sarri is keen to bolster his midfield after losing Cesc Fabregas to Monaco. Though Cagliari’s Nicolo Barella has also been linked, the Mirror claim the 21-year-old is not keen on upping sticks mid-season.
De Gea wants £300,000-a-week to stay at United
David De Gea wants to stay at Manchester United but is waiting for the club to offer him a whopping £300,000 a week before putting pen to paper on a fresh contract, according to the Daily Mail.
Negotiations between the goalkeeper’s representatives and United are ongoing but the Spaniard’s demands are a significant leap from the £200,000 he currently earns on a weekly basis.
A four-time United player of the season, De Gea reaffirmed his importance to the club with a starring display in the 1-0 over Spurs at Wembley.
Tottenham weighing up loan offer for Malcom
Spurs have become the latest side linked with out-of-favour Barcelona forward Malcom.
The Daily Star claim the north Londoners are preparing for a spell without Harry Kane after the striker limped off at the end of Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United with suspected ankle ligament damage, which could keep him out for at least a month.
Spurs expressed interest in Malcom before the Brazilian joined Barca from Bordeaux last summer. However, having failed to make an impact the Camp Nou, the 21-year-old is said to be open to the idea of getting his career back on track elsewhere.
Football Whispers’ top emerging whispers
Football Whispers’ transfer algorithm gives the likelihood of rumours happening a score out of five.
Fernando Llorente to Barcelona — 2.8
The Spaniard remains on the the Catalan side’s radar. Barca are in the market for a back-up option for Luis Suarez with Munir El Haddadi set to leave the Camp Nou this month. The reigning La Liga champions are keen to bring in a replacement immediately and Llorente, 33, may be open to a move having worked under Ernesto Valverde at Athletic Bilbao.
Fraser Forster to Leeds United — 3.2
The Championship leaders are increasingly confident of finalising a move for the Southampton keeper, who has fallen down the pecking order at Saint Mary’s. Forster, who joined the Premier League side from Celtic in 2014, is behind Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn at the Saints and may view a move to Elland Road as the chance to revive his career.
Ismaila Sarr to Arsenal — 1.3
The Gunners have stepped up their interest in the exciting Rennes winger. The 20-year-old has impressed in France this season with five goals and two assists and would add electrifying pace to the Arsenal ranks. However, with Unai Emery ruling out the possibility of signing players on a permanent basis in the current window, it’s unlikely the club will move for the Senegal international until the summer.
Marouane Fellaini to AC Milan — 2.4
Having lost his place at Manchester United, the Belgian could be on his way to Italy. The divisive Belgian, who is under contract at Old Trafford until 2020, is interesting the Rossoneri, who have been hit by injuries this season and lost out on long-time target Cesc Fabregas to Monaco.
Victor Moses to Crystal Palace — 3.1
The Eagles are interested in signing Moses on loan with the Nigerian not featuring in Sarri’s plans at Stamford Bridge. The 28-year-old enjoyed a run in the Blues first-team under Antonio Conte but has managed just 28 minutes of Premier League action under his the Italian’s compatriot and successor.