Real Madrid identify Zinedine Zidane replacement, Manchester United receive huge boost in star forward's pursuit: Transfer round-up, February 9, 2018

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. Though the January market is now closed, it has not stopped the clubs from looking at potential summer recruitments.

And as always, there are stories which make headlines irrespective of the transfer window being open or shut. On that note, let's take a look at all the top transfer news that made headlines on February 9, 2018:

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La Liga

Zinedine Zidane's successor identified

Real Madrid's horrid season has seen them bow out of the title race, crash out of the Copa Del Rey and they are not tipped to succeed further in Europe at the expense of PSG.

Club supremo Florentino Perez believes that change is needed in the summer and has decided that along with a major squad overhaul, a new manager is needed to take over from Zinedine Zidane.

Mundo Deportivo understands that Joachim Low has emerged as Real Madrid's top candidate to be the next boss at the Bernabeu.

Low has impressed during his time with the German national team and the club's owners are impressed with his coaching methods and personality which is why he leads the race to be the next Madrid manager ahead of the likes of Massimiliano Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino.

Angel Di Maria admits he was close to joining FC Barcelona

Angel Di Maria was a summer target for the Catalans. But a move reportedly fell through which has now been acknowledged by the player himself. As quoted by the Daily Mail, Di Maria revealed, "I was really close to joining Barcelona but in the end, it wasn't to be."

The Argentine winger has had a turn of fortune at the Parc Des Princes since the turn of the year and has now become an integral part of Unai Emery's outfit. Di Maria scored a hattrick in his side's win over Sochaux last weekend.

Serie A

Next on Pep Guardiola's wishlist

Manchester City contact Juventus over Paulo Dybala

The Mirror reports that Manchester City have opened negotiations with Juventus over the summer transfer of Paulo Dybala. Pep Guardiola is reportedly keen on a striker after missing out on Alexis Sanchez last month.

Don Balon also believes that Dybala is interested in training under Guardiola who he feels can bring him Champions League success. But Juventus are keen to hold on to their most prized asset as the Argentine forward will have to force his way in order to get the move done.

Juventus confident of landing Emre Can

The Mirror claims that Juventus sent a delegation to watch Emre Can over the weekend and has made a huge offer to the player's representative. The Italian giants are looking to sign Can on a Bosman transfer and may sign him now on a pre-contract agreement. But Liverpool are still hopeful of making the German midfielder signing an extension at Anfield.

Bundesliga

Lewandowski puts Real Madrid rumour to bed

Christian Pulisic reveals he is a childhood Manchester United fan

This revelation can be taken as a huge boost for the Red Devils in their pursuit to sign Christian Pulisic in the summer. The American forward has stepped up a notch since Ousmane Dembele's departure and is being monitored closely by Manchester United.

Speaking to ESPN, Pulisic said, "Yeah, I was definitely a big fan. Of course, right now I am under contract with Dortmund and I'm not looking around or doing anything like that so I'm very focused there. But, yeah, it's cool to hear all this stuff! You never know in football what can happen, so right now, I'm focused with Dortmund, and yeah, that's that."

Robert Lewandowski denies any truth in Real Madrid links

Bayern Munich hitman Robert Lewandowski was reported to be eyeing a move to Real Madrid in the summer and was said to be already dreaming of life in Spain. But the striker has ended all the speculations about his future by revealing that the Real Madrid links do not interest him.

Lewandowski was quoted by Bild as saying, "I hear this speculation every year. These rumours do not interest me. I do not have to say that anymore."

Premier League

Arsenal confident over Jack Wilshere's extension

Arsenal confident about Jack Wilshere signing a new deal

Arsenal are hopeful that Jack Wilshere will soon sign on the dotted line and end all the talks over his exit from the club. The Gunners have offered a new deal to Wilshere which involves a pay cut. Wilshere currently earns £100,000 per week but the club has now offered him a £80,000 per week offer based on performance and appearance-related bonuses.

Wilshere's representatives are looking to secure a better deal for the 26-year-old but the Daily Mail reports that Arsene Wenger is confident about Wilshere extending his stay in North London.

Riyad Mahrez has returned to Leicester training

After his failed transfer to Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez has finally returned to first-team training today with the Foxes.

The Algerian winger has not trained with the team for the past two weeks. Mahrez last played for Leicester on January 20 in a 2-0 win over Watford in which he scored the second goal in added time.

Claude Puel has already admitted that Mahrez will not be available for selection against Manchester City on Saturday, as reported by Sky Sports.

Rest of the world

Next stop - MLS?

Liverpool cool their interest in Thomas Lemar

Liverpool Echo has revealed that the Reds have ended their chase of Thomas Lemar and will look for other targets in the summer. Despite making a move for the AS Monaco midfielder last summer, Liverpool have now cooled their interest in the 22-year-old.

Liverpool's transfer committee headed by Michael Edwards reportedly believe that other targets at the same price can prove to be a better fit than Lemar.

LA Galaxy not ruling out Zlatan Ibrahimovic transfer

Sigi Schmid, LA Galaxy head coach has not ruled out a move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, saying he will only talk about the Swede 'when it happens'.

The 36-year-old has struggled with injury issues since last April and has made just seven appearances this season. The MLS outfit has long been linked with Ibrahimovic but may finally get their man soon.

However, talking to the league's official website, Schmid remained coy on the Ibrahimovic issue. He said, "If it happens, it happens, and once it happens, then we'll give thought to it."