Welcome to our daily transfer news roundup from across Europe. We are a few days into the transfer window and the rumour mills are going haywire. The big news of the day is regarding the future of Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez.
Here are all the transfer news and rumours from 4th January 2017:
Serie A
Roma and AC Milan interested in Jese Rodriguez
Serie A giants Roma and AC Milan are interested in the services of PSG forward Jese Rodriguez. Unai Emery, manager of the Ligue 1 giants, has admitted that the forward could leave in this transfer window.
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Rodriguez moved to the Parc des Princes outfit in the summer but has struggled to establish himself in the first team and has been linked with a host of clubs.
Emery said: “[Jese] has to play. The possibility of [him] leaving is a reality.”
Everton reject AC Milan’s bid for Gerard Deulofeu
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Everton have rejected a bid from AC Milan for forward Gerard Deulofeu. The former Barcelona man is reportedly open to the idea of leaving the Toffees and Milan are keen on his services. The San Siro outfit want to loan him first and want an option to but him at the end of the season, however, the Premier League outfit are not keen.
Bundesliga
RB Leipzig want Matty Cash of Nottingham Forest
Bundesliga’s surprise package RB Leipzig have lodged a bid in the region of £6m for the services of Nottingham Forest midfielder Matty Cash, if reports in the Guardian are to be believed. Leipzig, who are currently second in Bundesliga, want the 19-year-old despite his recent struggles with injuries.
Emil Forsberg could leave RB Leipzig
Emil Forsberg’s agent has admitted that his client could be on the move during the ongoing transfer window with a number of clubs reportedly pursuing the midfielder.
Speaking in an interview with Bild, his agent Hasan Cetinkaya said: "I'm not going to confirm any names, but after the excellent first half of the season that Emil has had, some big clubs have made enquiries.
"Leipzig are on their way to becoming a big club who will be playing in the Champions League themselves soon, but I still cannot promise that Emil will be staying in Leipzig this winter."
Premier League
Chelsea interested in Franck Kessie
Premier League leaders Chelsea are interested in signing Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie if reports in the London Evening Standard are to be believed. According to his agent, the Serie A outfit have rejected a bid of £21.3m for the 20-year-old from the Blues.
Premier League duo want Chris Smalling
According to Daily Star, Premier League duo Arsenal and Everton are interested in signing Manchester United central defender Chris Smalling. The report reads that following the recent resurgence of the likes of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, Smalling is surplus to requirements with the Red Devils and they are willing to let go of the Englishman to make way for #1 target Victor Lindelof.
The Gunners have struggled at the back so far in the season and are looking at the Old Trafford star as the race for the 4th spot heats up.
La Liga
Barcelona are interested in Benfica full-back Alex Grimaldo
La Liga giants Barcelona are said to be interested in signing former B-team player Alex Grimaldo from Benfica as they continue to look at options to strenghten their squad in a bid to challenge Real Madrid for the La Liga title.
According to Catalan daily Sport, Juventus are also interested in his services but Luis Enrique’s side could pip them to the signing of their former defender.
James Rodriguez confirms Real Madrid stay
Real Madrid winger James Rodriguez has confirmed that he will not be leaving Santiago Bernabeu in the ongoing transfer window, following his stellar display in his side’s 3-0 rout of Sevilla in the round of 16 of Copa del Rey.
Rodriguez scored a brace in the encounter and admitted in a post match interview that he will be staying with Los Blancos. He said: “I’m staying, I’m staying.”
Rest of the World
Boca Juniors interested in Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa
According to reports in Argentina, Boca Juniors are set to revive their interest in Atletico Madrid forward Angel Correa, having failed to sign him on loan last summer. The Vicente Calderon outfit rejected the Argentine club’s advances earlier and are expected to do the same this time around.
Ever Banega attracts interest from China
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan midfielder Ever Banega has been targeted by Chinese Super League outfits Shanghai SIPG and Tianjin Quanjian. The two mega-rich clubs are willing to splash up to £25.5m for the Argentine, who moved from Sevilla to Italy only last summer.
However, the midfielder’s agent – Marcelo Simonian – has claimed that there is interest from Premier League and La Liga in his client.
“[Proposals have arrived] from China, he is also wanted in the Premier League and in Spain,” Simonian was quoted as saying.
