Welcome to our daily transfer news roundup which sees Juventus making a stunning double-transfer in January to sort out their midfield instability. Manchester United, however, have found their man as Jose Mourinho looks to revamp United’s defence in January. Chelsea have also settled on to their key transfer target which could see them win the Premier League.
On that note, here are some of the best transfer news and rumours from December 11, 2016.
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Serie A
Zenit ready to sell Witsel to Juventus
As per the latest reports from Calciomercato, Zenit St. Petersburg are finally ready to sell their star midfielder Axel Witsel in January with Juventus expected to make a fresh €30 million bid for the Belgian. The transfer was very close to getting completed last summer before Zenit increased their asking price amidst Paul Pogba’s sale to Manchester United. Juventus have eyed Witsel to be their strong presence in midfield and will get the chance to sign him in January.
AC Milan chasing De Vrij?
AC Milan are ready to battle it out with Manchester United and Chelsea’s by making a big money for Lazio’s central defender Stephan De Vrij. According to Football Italia, De Vrij looks set to make a move to Premier League in January with United leading the race, however, De Vrij is open to the idea of joining a Serie A side as he wants to continue playing in Italy. It would come down to Lazio's decision to sell their best player to one of the direct rivals or if they will rather do business with a Premier League side.
Juventus to offer Sissoko an escape route
Tottenham Hotspur’s Moussa Sissoko has been linked with a move to Juventus in January to end his horrific start to the 2016/17 Premier League campaign. Sissoko has failed to find a permanent place in Mauricio Pochettino’s side and is certain to quit the club in January. As per the reports, Sissoko could initially leave on loan and later make it a permanent move in the summer.
Bundesliga
Bazoer agrees a move to Wolfsburg
As per the reports from De Telegraaf, Riechedly Bazoer is set to leave Ajax in the January transfer window and will sign a contract with Wolfsburg until 2021. The transfer deal is in the region of €12 million with Wolfsburg ready to bring able players to replace the soon to depart Julian Draxler. Bazoer has started just 5 league games this season and was linked with a move from Ajax for some time now.
A twist in Dahoud’s January transfer
As per reports from Calciomercato, Juventus have joined the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud, who is also linked with Liverpool. Dahoud has been linked with a move away from Bundesliga for several months now after narrowly missing out on a Premier League transfer last summer. The Serie A champions are looking to add creative midfield players to their ranks with Dahoud and Witsel leading their wishlist.
Premier League
Arsenal favourites to sign Draxler
Arsenal will make an official bid in the region of €30 million to sign rebel Wolfsburg star Julian Draxler. The German international has been banned from Wolfsburg’s squad and has been asked to find a new club in January. While PSG and Juventus are also in the race to sign Draxler, Arsenal are the favorites for now with fellow Germans Mesut Ozil and Skhodren Mustafi already playing for the North London club.
Chelsea settle on Bernardeschi as January target
Chelsea are reportedly preparing a €37.7 million offer for Fiorentina wideman Federico Bernardeschi, according to Calciomercato. The Italy international has been in excellent form this season, starting 12 Serie A games netted scoring 7 goals. Bernardeschi is comfortable playing in the wide role and the wing-back position which would allow Antonio Conte to get the best out of him.
Jose Mourinho names Bailly’s replacement
Jose Mourinho and Manchester United have decided to push for a January transfer move for Lazio’s Stephan De Vrij as Eric Bailly’s replacement when the Ivory Cost star leaves for AFCON in January. De Vrij has been linked with several clubs around Europe, most notably AC Milan and Chelsea which has forced United to submit a £35 million offer for the Dutch international.
Cavani to be reunited with Zlatan again?
Edinson Cavani is the subject of a £50 million bid from Manchester United in January as Jose Mourinho looks to find a solution to his team’s lack of goals. Manchester United have been playing well in recent weeks but have failed to reflect that on the scoreline as they have drawn way too many matches. If Cavani joins United he will once again go head-to-head with Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be the first choice striker.
La Liga
Atletico Madrid want Tottenham’s main man
Atletico Madrid are eying Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino as their key target next summer with Diego Simeone quitting the club. Simeone has been linked with a move to Inter Milan next summer and with Pochettino’s admiration for Atletico and dreams of achiving big things, the Madrid-based club are confident of signing the Argentine manager who has impressed everyone with his work at Southampton and Tottenham in recent seasons.
Promising defender turns down Arsenal in favour of Barcelona
According to Sport, Salzburg’s centre-back Dayot Upamecano has turned down an offer from Arsenal as he is holding out for a dream move to Barcelona. Manchester City are another side rumoured to be in the hunt for the French prodigy.
Rest of Europe
Owls to sign Premier League striker in January
Sheffield Wednesday have joined the race to sign forward Jordan Rhodes from Premier League side Middlesbrough. Reports in The Sun on Sunday says that the Owls are looking to sign Rhodes on a loan deal, with the option to make it permanent if the Yorkshire side get promoted. Aston Villa are also interested in signing the striker in January.
