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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Premier League?With less than a month left to the opening of winter transfer window, the transfer rumour mill is in full swing. Big clubs all around Europe are making a note of the departments where their teams lack and if a reinforcement is needed in that area or not. The clubs are considering players who could add more quality to the existing squad inside the respective allocated budget. With the gradual progression of the 2015/16 campaign, the rumours are also coming thick and fast. Some ridiculously unbelievable, others crafted with some sense and, perhaps, truth behind them. As always, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. Here are the rumours making the rounds in the transfer mill on Wednesday.
#1 Serie A
- Paul Pogba will not leave Juventus in January, according to the 22-year-old’s agent Mino Raiola. However, Raiola has not denied the prospect of his client leaving the current Serie A champions in the summer for pastures new, Sky Sports reports.
“In January Pogba won’t leave because he has showed his wish to stay at Juve until the end of the season. It is difficult for big players to move in January.” Raiola told Radio Sportiva.
Pogba has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona along with Chelsea and former club Manchester United. The player himself has dropped hints in the past revealing his desire to play alongside Messi. But it looks like the Old Lady will get to enjoy the services of the young star for at least the rest of the season.
- Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini says the club have not made contact with either Andrea Pirlo or Lucas Biglia over a potential January move.
However, Mancini has not ruled out making other additions in the upcoming transfer window. The Nerazzurri invested heavily in the summer and have enjoyed a good season so far sitting comfortably in the second spot, one point behind leaders Napoli.
“Pirlo is strong, but we have never spoken with him,” he told Corriere dello Sport. “Biglia? I don’t think so. We may need somebody in other positions.
“Changing faces in the team in January isn’t simple. You need elements who adapt straight away and make the difference. Our scouts are very good, they work well and know all the players who will be released. We’ll see what we can do.”
Asked about Bayer Leverkusen’s Karim Bellarabi, Mancini said: “He is a good player, but he is playing in the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen and will be difficult to sign in January.”
#2 La Liga
- Barcelona are scouting a number of Europe's best young players, says Mundo Deportivo. The long list includes Everton’s young defender John Stones and Ajax’s Bazoer. The transfer ban on the Blaugrana will be lifted in January and the club appear hasty to bolster an already world-class squad.
- Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu again attracted attention with a fantastic performance in his club's 2-0 win against Middlesborough in the Capital One Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night, scoring the opener for the visitors. If the Barcelona academy product keeps up like that, then the Catalan club may take up their option to buy him back for £6.3m in the summer, Sky Sports reports.
- Atletico Madrid could add reinforcements to their squad in January, according to Diego Simeone. The Atleti manager strengthened his squad with Fernando Torres and Cani during the previous winter transfer window and he admits he might make additions again as the transfer window opens in January.
“We’ll always review our situation when the winter transfer window opens,” he is quoted in AS. “This year will be no exception and even more so with Tiago’s long-term injury.” The Rojiblancos suffered a huge blow over the weekend when influential midfielder Tiago sustained a broken leg.
- Atletico Madrid are also ready to make a move to take Diego Costa back to Spain following his bust-up with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, according to The Daily Express. Costa is struggling to reproduce the form he showed last season and was left on the bench against Tottenham at the weekend.
Reports in Spain suggest there is a £28million release clause in Costa's contract with the Blues and Atletico are willing to activate it and take him back to Madrid, where he spent four years before joining Chelsea in 2014.
#3 English Premier League
- Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a bid for Real Madrid striker Jese Rodriguez, Mirror reports. The pacey youngster can play on either wing and up front, and with injuries to Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez, Jese could add a lot of class and versatility to the Gunners attack.
The Real youth product looks set to quit his home club in the January transfer window having struggled for regular game time this season. He has not yet played a full 90-minute under Rafa Benitez. Napoli and Inter Milan have been strongly linked, but according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Arsenal are making a £21.1m offer to bring the starlet to north London.
- Manchester United have dropped in late in the battle for Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to Mirror. The in-form striker who has shined for the BVB with 22 goals in all competitions already this season has attracted the attention of a host of top European clubs including the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. The ace marksman supposedly has a £42million price tag and Louis van Gaal could easily acquire the Gabon national with the mammoth kitty at his disposal.
- After beating Manchester United to sign Pedro in the summer, Chelsea look set to compete with United yet again, but this time for German striker Thomas Muller, Mirror reports. Jose Mourinho has reportedly grown impatient of Diego Costa’s tantrums and aggression on and off the field.
The 27-year-old could be replaced if interest from his former club Atletico Madrid turns out to be real. Mourinho would be more than happy to cash in on the player and use the money to launch a bid for the Bayern Munich superstar.
#4 Rest of Europe
- Ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso insists he is happy at Bayern Munich despite being out of contract at the end of the season. Alonso has been linked with a return to the Premier League with an interest from his old club Liverpool, according to Goal.
“At the moment I am focused on the season and Bayern, I don't know what is going to happen in the future but hopefully I will know soon. My family and I are feeling very comfortable in Munich and we are happy here,” Alonso said.
- Arjen Robben says he is happy at Bayern Munich despite rumors linking him with a move to Manchester United, according to Sky Sports.
“I never thought about a transfer. I am happy in Munich – my family is happy in Munich. My contract runs until 2017. You can’t look too far forward in football, but everything is fine at the moment. I hope things continue this way,” Robben said
- Lille look set to bring in Newcastle United forward Yoan Gouffran in the January transfer window. The French club are reportedly looking for a tested striker and the French forward fits the bill, according to The Chronicle. He is expected to be available for around £500,000.
