The Premier League transfer window has closed, but the rest of Europe remains open for business. Plus, it’s never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers and keep up to date with the latest gossip below.
PSG line up Zaha as shock Neymar replacement
Paris Saint-Germain are set to launch a shock bid for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, with the French side identifying the 26-year-old as a potential replacement for unsettled Brazil star Neymar, according to the Mirror.
With the European transfer window shutting in just eight days’ time, the Parisians are preparing to send a team of delegates to London to discuss a deal with Palace, with a £100 million package set to be offered to the Eagles.
Although they acknowledge Neymar is virtually irreplaceable, Thomas Tuchel’s side believe Zaha is the ideal candidate to provide the style and flair that would be lost if Neymar is to leave the French capital, with Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid both vying for the 27-year-old.
In addition to a move for Zaha, the Ligue 1 champions remain interested in Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.
Red Devils to move for Maddison
Manchester United are plotting another raid on Leicester City following the big-money signing of Harry Maguire, with the Red Devils reportedly interested in Foxes midfielder James Maddison, according to the Mirror.
Reports claim the Old Trafford club will make initial enquiries for the 22-year-old in January, although it is unlikely that Leicester will enter serious negotiations until the summer, with a fee similar to the £80m they received for Maguire believed to be the potential price again this time around.
Any move is likely to represent a big profit on Maddison, who only signed for Brendan Rodgers’ side a year ago in a deal worth £20m from Norwich City.
Maddison’s value is set to rise further in the next few weeks, with Gareth Southgate set to name the playmaker in his next England squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.
Napoli set to beat competition to Llorente capture
Napoli are set to beat Serie A rivals Fiorentina and Premier League giants Manchester United to the signing of free agent Fernando Llorente, according to reports at Calciomercato.
The Spaniard has been available on a free transfer since his contract expired at Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season, and the past few days have seen him heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.
However, it is now believed that Llorente is edging closer to a move to Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli — who completed the signing of PSV winger Hirving Lozano on Friday.
Llorente, 34, has previous Serie A experience thanks to a successful two-year spell at Juventus, where he won two league titles and scored 23 times in 66 domestic appearances.
Tap-ins
– Turkish giants Galatasaray are set to make a last-ditch attempt to sign Arsenal outcast Mohamed Elneny. The Egypt international has been told by Gunners boss Unai Emery that he is free to leave the north London club, but the Mirror claims talks have stalled with interested parties thus far due to the 27-year-old’s wage demands.
– Reports at Calciomercato claim Inter Milan are closing in on the signing of Fiorentina full-back Cristiano Biraghi. A deal for the 26-year-old could see Inter left-back Dalbert move to Tuscany as part of a player-swap deal, although there is also competition from Nice for the Brazilian.
– League One duo Ipswich Town and Sunderland are set to go head-to-head for the signing of highly-rated Aberdeen forward Scott Wright. Ipswich had previously had a bid for the 22-year-old rejected, with the Dons reportedly looking for a fee in the region of £500,000, according to the Sun.