The transfer window for all of Europe’s big five leagues is closed, but that doesn’t stop Transfer Talk from rummaging around about who will be moving where come January.
TOP STORY: Man City track Alex Sandro
Manchester City are weighing up a move for Juventus left-back Alex Sandro after sending scouts along to watch him in action against crosstown rivals Manchester United in midweek.
The Brazil international kept Marcus Rashford quiet as the Bianconeri ground out a dominant 1-0 win at Old Trafford in the Champions League.
According to the Sun, Juve are keen to sign Marcelo from Real Madrid in January, which would open the door for City to lodge their offer for Alex Sandro, who is valued somewhere around the £50m mark.
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09.50 BST: Manchester United are keen to improve their squad in the transfer window, we know this. But you might be shocked by the player who is best priced by one bookie to return to Old Trafford.
It’s… erm… Angel Di Maria. That worked out well the first time round.
09.11 BST: Barcelona wanted €40m for Denis Suarez during the summer after approaches from Inter and Napoli, say Mundo Deportivo. But given that he is yet to play a single minute this season, perhaps a slightly smaller offer might get accepted in January?
08.51 BST: Antonio Conte‘s brother and agent, Daniele Conte, has denied the Italian coach has been contacted by Real Madrid with a view of replacing under-fire Julen Lopetegui.
Lopetegui heads into Sunday’s Clasico at Barcelona with his side having taken just one point from a possible 12 in their last four league games, while the Spanish press consider the former Chelsea coach as the main candidate to replace him.
“Antonio is on holiday, he has not received a call from Real Madrid,” Daniele Conte told Cadena Ser radio. “Real Madrid is a great team, although there hasn’t been any contact.”
08.00 BST: Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been linked with a move, but it may be his off-pitch value that keeps him at Old Trafford.
The Daily Mail reports that United club chiefs are unwilling to let the France international leave unless they can bring in another superstar player who can match his commercial value.
Pogba has been linked with interest from Barcelona and former club Juventus, although representatives of both clubs have publicly played down those reports.
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Zlatan odds on to rejoin Man United
The odds of Zlatan Ibrahimovic signing for Manchester United in January have been shortened once again amid reports that the Swede could rejoin his former side on loan.
The 37-year-old wants to return to Europe to help retain his match fitness during the MLS offseason, and according to the Sun, Old Trafford is his preferred destination.
It is posited that Jose Mourinho would welcome the arrival of Ibrahimovic to back up and provide competition for shot-shy striker Romelu Lukaku, who hasn’t scored in his last eight outings for United.
City turn to Japan
Japanese midfielder Ritsu Doan has caught the eye of Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola ready to spend £5m on the Groningen star in January, say the Mirror.
Doan, 20, moved to Europe from Gamba Osaka in 2017 and has scored 10 times in 34 games, while also earning a call-up to the Japan national side this year.
Juventus and Atletico Madrid are also reportedly monitoring the situation, but Doan might be wise to think about where he would play most. In a midfield bursting with world-class talent? Or one in the Dutch league?
Tap-ins
– The Express reports that Manchester United are favourites to sign Victor Moses from Chelsea when the transfer market reopens this winter, though Crystal Palace are also interested in acquiring the Nigerian wing-back.
– With Chelsea purported to be mulling over a January bid, Genoa have set their asking price for 23-year-old striker Krzysztof Piatek at £35m, or so claims the Sun.