Juventus plan stunning £125m January offer for Premier League superstar, Real Madrid demand more than £100m for superstar, and more: Transfer Round-up, 18th December 2018

Welcome to Sportskeeda's daily transfer roundup.

Another weekend of intense footballing action has passed us in the build-up to the winter transfer window, and transfer rumours are beginning to proliferate at an astonishing rate. Top clubs and players are being linked with potential January transfers, as several clubs are expected to do business - either to fill in gaps or to get rid of deadwood.

A number of significant transfer news and rumours have emerged today, and the top stories feature giant clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, and Manchester City, among others.

Quite a few high-profile superstars have been named in today's stories, as well. On that note, here is a look at the top transfer news, rumours and updates for the day:

Arsenal lead race for Lille's Nicolas Pepe

Nicolas Pepe has been in sensational form for Lille this season

Lille's star performer, Nicolas Pepe, has already scored 12 goals and assisted 6 more in Ligue 1 so far, and has resultingly begun to draw plenty of attention. According to reports from The Daily Star, the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be interested in the 23-year-old.

However, the report claims that Arsenal are, in fact, believed to be leading the race, but will have to hurry in order to seal the deal for the French-Ivorian star. Despite claiming that they wouldn't sell him, Lille are reportedly open to negotiations at the moment but will demand as much as £45 million for the winger.

Earlier, Lille's owner, Gerard Lopez had said

"What if Barcelona gives me €100million to buy Pepe? He will not leave this winter. I want him to continue here, we want him to stay, he wants to stay."

Now, however, the club's stance has allegedly softened now, as they are reportedly willing to listen to offers for the star.

Adrien Rabiot refuses to sign new PSG contract

Adrien Rabiot is set to leave PSG as a free agent at the end of the season

After extensive talks about a potential contract extension, Adrien Rabiot has reportedly refused to sign a new deal at PSG, as per reports from ESPN. The Barcelona target's current contract expires at the end of the season, after which he will be allowed to leave as a free agent.

The club's sporting director, Antero Henrique, spoke about the matter, confirming the same. He said:

"At this point, no [discussions will not continue]. The club decided this after a meeting that I had with the player.

"The player informed me that he will not be signing a new contract and that he wants to leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season [also the end of his contract].

"For the player, the consequences are clear -- he is indefinitely benched.

Anthony Martial's long-term future at Manchester United remains uncertain

Future in doubt

Anthony Martial's contract at Manchester United was set to expire at the end of this season. However, the Red Devils have triggered a one-year extension, which will see the Frenchman remain at the club until the end of the 2019-20 season.

However, according to reports from Goal, the 23-year-old's agent remains 'pessimistic' about a long-term stay at the club, after the player and club failed to reach common ground on a reported five-season contract.

Speaking about the issue, Martial's agent, Philippe Lamboley, told RMC Sport:

“I am very pessimistic about a positive outcome from the discussions."

“They have already sent us offers that are very far from our wishes. We are far from an agreement for the time being.”

Manchester United are expected to continue negotiations to tie Martial down to a long-term contract.

Real Madrid to demand more than £100m from Manchester City for Isco

Soon-to-be member of the £100 million club?

Under Real Madrid's new manager, Santiago Solari, Isco has been extensively sidelined and is believed to have grown extremely unhappy with the current situation at the club. As a result, the Spanish superstar has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, with Premier League champions, Manchester City, believed to be extremely keen on signing him.

Reports from AS (via The Daily Mail) now claim that Madrid could be willing to allow Isco to leave, but only if they receive an offer in excess of £100 million for the 26-year-old. City were previously interested in Isco in 2013, and could successfully lure him away from Spain now, but only if they cough up more than Juventus did for Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the summer.

Notably, Isco's current contract at Real Madrid expires only in 2022.

Juventus plan stunning £125m January offer for Paul Pogba

Juventus are reportedly very interested in reacquiring Paul Pogba

While the world comes to terms with Jose Mourinho's exit from Manchester United, Juventus are reportedly plotting a stunning January offer worth £125m for superstar Paul Pogba, as per reports from The Daily Star.

Despite Ed Woodward and Manchester United insisting that Pogba will not be sold halfway through the ongoing season, Juventus are reportedly set to test their resolve with a massive bid in the January transfer window.

Pogba was earlier believed to be keen on an exit, after falling out with Mourinho. However, the Portuguese tactician's exit from the club could now change the 25-year-old's mind.