We’re almost halfway through the January transfer window and quite a few deals have been completed in Europe. While clubs are not really looking to make big signings unless one an opportunity presents itself, they are still on the lookout for players to add to the squad depth.
Here are the major transfer news and rumours for the day.
Serie A
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- Adam Lallana is also a target for Juventus but they have competition from Paris Saint-Germain. The 28-year-old has had his best season in a Liverpool shirt so far with 7 goals and 7 assists in the league with Jurgen Klopp bringing out the best in the midfielder.
- Mattia Caldara has been signed by Juventus for €15m but he is a signing for the future as the defender will stay at Atalanta until the end of next season. The 22-year-old signed a five-year contract but will stay at Atalanta not only to develop his skills but also because there is no scope to play at Juventus as of now.
- Ever Banega could be set to move away from Inter Milan but the club will sell only if they receive an offer of at least €25m. The 28-year-old midfielder had been signed from Sevilla for free and Inter will make a huge profit from his sale.
Bundesliga
- Niklas Sule has been all but confirmed by Bayern Munich in a deal worth £17.5m and it represents a coup for the German champions. The 21-year-old centre-back has impressed with Hoffenheim this season (the side are the only side yet to be defeated in the league) and Bayern have beaten Chelsea to the signing.
- Gideon Zelalem was linked with a move from Arsenal to Borussia Dortmund but Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that they were not in for the promising youngster. “Right now? No. Not as far as I'm concerned,” said the Dortmund manager when asked about Zelalem.
- Hakan Calhanoglu was linked with a move to Chelsea but the 22-year-old free-kick specialist looks set to stay at Bayer Leverkusen at least until the end of the season. The Blues may attempt to sign the playmaker in the summer transfer window instead.
Premier League
- Yannick Carrasco is a now target for Arsenal with the Premier League side interested in signing the Belgian winger. The 23-year-old has already scored 10 goals for Atletico in all competitions this season but he has a release clause of £85m.
- Gabriel Jesus may have made a move to Manchester City but he has not yet been registered by the club. Hence, he cannot make his debut when Pep Guardiola’s side take on Everton.
- Simone Zaza will leave West Ham and join Valencia. The Juventus striker joined the Hammers on loan but has not impressed Slaven Bilic to stay on for the rest of the season.
- Carl Jenkinson looks all set to join Crystal Palace on loan from Arsenal. Arsene Wenger confirmed a possible move, saying: “With Carl, yes, there is a possibility that he will move, in the next two or three days.”
- Patrice Evra could also join Crystal Palace after he lost his place in the side at Juventus. The French left-back is deciding on his future and could make a return to the Premier League.
- John Terry is not a target for Bournemouth and Cherries manager Eddie Howe has confirmed the same, saying that he admired Terry as a footballer but that there were “no negotiations with Chelsea at all”.
- Dimitri Payet is intent on leaving West Ham and his agent will discuss the player’s future with West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan. The France international is keen on moving back to Marseille whose bid of £19m was rejected by the Hammers.
La Liga
- Lionel Messi is yet to renew his contract at Barcelona and it has been a cause for worry. His current contract runs out at the end of next season and three Premier League clubs – Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly ready to pounce should he not sign an extension.
The issue surrounds Barcelona’s wage budget and the Catalan club are not willing to spend over the cap to ensure Messi stays at the Camp Nou.
“Barcelona has to analyse this situation with a cold head and common sense. Barca can't exceed 70 percent of its budget on wages and therefore we have to make the numbers add up.” – Barcelona CEO Oscar Grau
The club have already extended deals for Luis Suarez and Neymar and only Messi’s deal remains to be signed. The fact that they have not yet started negotiations with Messi will be alarming for the fans and welcome news for the EPL clubs.
- Cheick Tiote looks set to sign for Sporting Gijon this month after Rafa Benitez admitted that there were clubs chasing the Ivorian. “Cheick has had a lot of clubs asking for him,” Benitez said. “Now we have two or three and they are really interested. Hopefully, we can find the best for him.”
- Tiago has been denied a move to the Chinese Super League by Atletico Madrid. The club are currently under a transfer embargo and do not want to let go of any players until they are allowed to sign replacements.
Rest of Europe
- Didier Drogba may be 38 years old but he has no plans to retire yet and a move to South America may be on the cards. He was linked with a move back to Marseille but Corinthians made a bid to bring him to Brazil. The move could go ahead after Marseille coach Rudi Garcia claimed he was not interested in signing a striker.
- Memphis Depay was a target for Ligue 1 club Lyon but Manchester United rejected a bid of £13m. Having signed him for £25m from PSV Eindhoven, Mourinho is ready to let him leave on a permanent deal but only if the price is right.
- Luciano Narsingh has signed for Swansea City and has become new manager Paul Clement’s first signing since he was appointed the third manager of the Welsh club this season. The Dutch winger was signed for a transfer fee of £4m from PSV Eindhoven.
