Transfer Rumours of the Day: 28 December

With only two days to go for the beginning of the Winter Transfer Window, most of the clubs will have already prepared their bids for their targets this January. Even though the mid-season window doesn’t attract the same number of players switching clubs, but it offers teams to make their final additional upgrades to the team.The Winter transfer window in Europe starts from the 1st of January and lasts a whole month, two days longer in Spain, Italy, Germany and France. Bringing you all the latest rumours from newspapers and agencies all across Europe, here are all the biggest and the latest transfer rumours of the day:

#1 Manchester United

• Manchester United looking to bring back former captain Nemanja Vidic, a move that could solve both the players and club’s problems. United have been very fragile with their defensive show this season, and the Serbian’s transfer to Inter Milan before the start of the season has rather turned into a nightmare. According to the Daily Star, Inter Milan are more than willing to let Vidic leave for free so as to avoid his hefty weekly wage of £50,000.

• The rumours of Gareth Bale’s move to Manchester United at the end of the season continues to get strong as it appears now that Real Madrid will be asking for their Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea in an exchange of the Welshman. As Mirror reports “the Spanish giants are ready to hand an ultimatum to the Red Devils by telling them that including De Gea will be the deal-maker.”

• Nicolas Gaitan of Benfica is said to be back in United’s shortlist for the window this January on Angel Di Maria’s recommendation to Louis van Gaal. According to Express, the Argentine is keen to see his former Benfica teammate and fellow countryman join the Red Devils.

• Another story from the Express appeared to have linked Benfica midfielder Enzo Perez to the Red Devils after Spanish club Valencia who were interested in him backed out from meeting his £23million release clause.

#2 Arsenal

• Rumours linking Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski’s move to Serie A side Inter Milan grows stronger as the German insisted that he will discuss matters over his future with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger soon. "I am not 20 or 21 years old and satisfied to wait for a chance," he was quoted by ESPN. "I am 29. I want to play, play, play!

• Arsenal target Stephan Lichtsteiner whose contract with current club Juventus runs out in six months is now being monitored by rivals Manchester United, reports Express.

The Daily Express reports that the Gunners are edging closer to a 50 million-pound deal for the Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani, with manager Laurent Blanc apparently resigned to losing the Uruguayan.

• A £6m bid awaits for Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin from Arsenal who is being targeted as a cover for Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, confirms IBTimes.

• According to EuroSport, Arsenal are willing to offer Yaya Sanogo on loan for the remainder of the season with Inter Milan tipped as the likely destination who will also be offered the option to buy him on a permanent basis at the end of the season.

#3 Other Premier League rumours

• Rumours of Chelsea placing a £24million bid for Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has been confirmed by Metro and several other Ghanian agencies.

• According to Express, Manchester City midfielder James Milner’s contract with the club runs out at the end of the season, and he is being linked with a free transfer to Liverpool and Arsenal next summer if they fail to persuade him to stay at the Etihad Stadium.

• Queens Rangers Park boss Harry Redknapp has set his sight on out-of-favour Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair and will be looking to sign him for a cheap price, reports Mirror.

#4 Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid

• After rejected Manchester United’s early approach of a €125m bid for Gareth Bale, Real Madrid are now willing to negotiate a move only if David De Gea, who has always been linked with Real Madrid as a possible successor to legendary keeper Iker Casillas, is part of an exchange. This has been confirmed by several big agencies including the Telegraph and Mirror.

• Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema is being touted as Brendan Rodgers’ prime choice in his pursuit to solve Liverpool’s attacking woes. According to Express, Liverpool are willing to spend as much as £50m bid for his services.

• Martin Montoya’s situation at Barcelona continues to worsen as it is now being suggested that his chances to secure a move away from the Catalan side are now slim. According to Marca, his high pay salary cap of €3 million is one of the reasons since that is more than what other clubs can afford. Barcelona’s ban in the transfer win by FIFA is depicted to be another reason as Luis Enrique will be looking to hold onto as many players in his team as possible during the transfer embargo period.

• Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic is subject to a €42m bid from Premier League champions Manchester City, reports Express. AC Milan, who had recently confirmed the signing of Fernando Torres from Chelsea on a permanent basis, have decided to the loan out the Spaniard to his former club in an exchange deal with Madrid’s Alessio Cerci.

• Atletico Madrid Cristian Rodriguez is another player QPR boss Harry Redknapp is looking at with the Uruguayan having featured in only a few matches for Diego Simeone’s side and itching for a move away.

#5 Other major rumours

• According to Spanish website AS, Real Sociedad boss David Moyes has made Premier League stars Adnan Januzaj, Emre Can and Charlie Adam his primary targets for the January Transfer window.

• Tottenham are set to make a €12.5 million bid for West Brom striker Saido Berahino, confirms the Telegraph. West Brom could sanction the move as it will help them fund their move for Burnley's Danny Ings.

• Hatem Ben Arfa’s £60,000-a-week wages is what is preventing the Spaniard from moving away from Newcastle, reports Express.

Edited by Staff Editor