Manchester United win race to sign Barcelona target for over €80 million, Chelsea make bid for Hazard replacement and more Premier League transfer news: December 3, 2018

Hello and welcome to the Premier League latest transfer news and rumours. December has arrived and winter is here. With this, not only do we need clothes to keep ourselves warm but also someone to keep us updated about the happenings in the rumour mill.

While we can’t help you with the first part, we certainly can do something about the second as we bring to you the biggest stories in the Premier League transfer mill here…

#5 Mourinho refuses to rule out move for defender

Manchester United went the entire summer transfer window without signing any central defender, much to the frustration of manager Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese never hid the fact that he wanted better defenders and Woodward’s inability to bring one in actually resulted in a problem in their relationship.

However, it seems as though the Red Devils will go back into the market for a central defender in the winter. There have been a few names linked and one of them is Kalidou Koulibaly.

According to Jose Mourinho, however, he can’t reveal anything about the club’s supposed interest in the player. His reasoning was that he doesn’t talk about players that don’t play for Manchester United.

“He is a Napoli player,” Mourinho told reporters. “And I don’t speak about players from other clubs.”

He then stated that regardless of the situation – whether the stories be true or false – he simply can’t answer them and predicted that he would be asked more about this in the upcoming press conferences.

“I cannot answer your question. If is true, if it’s not true, I cannot answer to your question.

“Maybe your question is the first one about the market and maybe the next press conference I have two more questions, and maybe the next press conference I have three more.”

#4 Newcastle and Southampton

Signs a new deal with the Magpies

Newcastle United starlet Sean Longstaff has been awarded a new contract of four years. The youngster is a product of Newcastle’s academy and has expressed his delight at being able to sign an extension.

He stated that being a childhood Newcastle fan makes him feel “great” about the new deal.

“I’m a local lad, I’m from Newcastle and they’re the team I supported growing up. The fact they’ve seen enough in me – and the manager has seen enough in me – to give me a new deal is great,” he said.

Meanwhile, Southampton forward Manolo Gabbiadini is set to stay at the St. Mary’s, according to his agent Silvio Pagliari.

“He should remain in the Premier League, the coach has changed and we’ll see,” he said.

Southampton have only just sacked manager Mark Hughes as he failed to turn around their fortunes.

#3 Ramsey over Ozil

Ramsey was important against Spurs

Aaron Ramsey might be on the verge of leaving the Emirates as his contract expires at the end of the season, but former Arsenal star Ray Parlour has stated that he would rather keep Aaron Ramsey and let Mesut Ozil go.

The German was absent against Spurs as Arsenal crushed them 4-2 at the Emirates with Aaron Ramsey playing a pivotal role after coming off the bench. As a result, Parlour believes that Arsenal can do without the German but should keep Ramsey because of how he impacts their game.

“My personal decision would be that I’d rather keep Ramsey than Ozil,” he said.

“I think Aaron brings a little bit to the team.

“Mesut Ozil is a great player, I’m not doubting that, but you can leave him out. We didn’t miss him yesterday, whereas I thought Ramsey made an impact in the second half.”

#2 Maldini speaks on signing Fabregas from Chelsea

Maldini hopeful about him

Milan’s sporting strategy and development director Paolo Maldini has opened up about the club’s possible move for Cesc Fabregas. The Chelsea midfielder has been linked with a move to Italy and now, Maldini has made a claim on it.

According to the legendary former defender, Milan will try to sign Fabregas and should do it if it is possible. He, however, also added that he is happy with the squad that the Italian outfit possess right now.

“We’ve got our ideas, which is normal since it’s already December,” he said.

“We want to do everything we can to finish in the top four and if we can do it [sign Fabregas], then we will, but we’re also happy with the squad we’ve got. There are several players whose contracts are up for renewal who are showing great professionalism.”

#1 Manchester United ft. Chelsea

United win race for him

For the second day in a row, Manchester madness has been accompanied by Chelsea. The Blues and the Red Devils have been two of the most active clubs in the rumour mill and today is another testament of that.

The Stamford Bridge outfit have, according to a report from Evening Standard, made an official £70 million bid for Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic – a potential Hazard replacement. The offer, however, seems to be below the asking price of the German outfit.

Meanwhile, according to Don Balon, Manchester United have won the race to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who is also being targeted by Barcelona. The report adds that United are willing to pay over €80 million for him.

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