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Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's Daily Transfer Roundup. With the rumour mill buzzing ahead of the January transfer window, we have a raft of transfer rumours to bring to you.
Some of the big clubs in Europe are expected to break the bank in order to land reinforcements this January. If the last winter deals are anything to go by, we could see some high-profile players switching loyalties.
We are just 11 days away from the opening of the winter transfer window and here we bring you the transfer news, rumours and updates that made headlines on 20 December 2018.
Manchester City interested in Lyon's Houssem Aoua
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Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has garnered interest from Manchester City, according to The Sun. Pep Guardiola is reportedly impressed by the 20-year-old midfielder who starred twice against City already this season in the Champions League.
Pep has identified the youngster as a replacement for the ageing Fernandinho. The report adds that City have already made enquiries to Lyon about Aouar.
Aouar is not the only midfielder that Manchester City have set their sights on. Ajax wonderkid Frenkie De Jong is also top on Guardiola's wishlist. But there are quite a few teams that are keeping De Jong on their radars and hence, the competition for his signature may act as a deterrent to City.
The report, however, also adds that Pep is not too keen on doing business in January. As such, if at all they make a move for the Olympique Lyon midfielder, it will be in the summer. Aouar could cost the Cityzens almost £50 million.
Houssem Aouar has turned quite a few heads this season and already has 6 goals to his name in the league. The France under-21 international is currently contracted to Lyon till 2023.
Arsenal open to selling Mesut Ozil in January
According to The Independent, Arsenal are open to the idea of selling their playmaker Mesut Ozil in January. The decision comes on the back of Unai Emery's inability to find a suitable role for the former German international in his new setup at Arsenal.
The report adds that there are suggestions that there has been a fall out between the player and manager over Ozil's tactical role in the side. Ozil has regularly been left out of the squad and did not feature for the Gunners as they crashed out of the League Cup against Tottenham Hotspur.
Emery refused to rule out the possibility of a winter transfer deal for Ozil. The disagreement between Emery and Ozil is understood to have stemmed from the midfielder's inability to contribute defensively. Emery demands great work rates from his players and Ozil is known to switch off sporadically.
Arsenal are also willing to offload him as he reportedly earns around £300,000-per-week. That's a lot of money for deadwood.
Atletico Madrid brush aside claims that Lucas Hernandez will join Bayern in January
After Marca ran a report yesterday that Bayern are all set to trigger Lucas Hernandez's release clause and sign him in January, Atletico Madrid have come out and denied it.
The club released an official statement:
"Following the story published by the Marca newspaper on an alleged deal between Bayern Munich and our player Lucas Hernandez, according to which the German club is to trigger the Frenchman's buyout clause in the January window, Atletico de Madrid wishes to state that, in conversation with our club, Lucas Hernandez has denied any deal with Bayern Munich and also any intention to exit our club.
"Additionally, the excellent relationship between Atletico de Madrid and the German club has led Bayern Munich to deny said operation during a conversation between officials of both clubs."
Manchester United to launch £162 million bid for Gareth Bale
As per Eduardo Inda of Ok Diario (courtesy: The Daily Star), Manchester United are all set to place a £162 million bid for Gareth Bale. Manchester United have for long been interested in signing the Welshman and have had multiple offers rebuffed by Real Madrid.
Eduardo Inda revealed,
"Bale will be sold next season, it's a decision that's been made,
"They would sell it for €180m (£162m), it's their starting price.
“They want to sign a centre-back, a left-back, a midfielder and two players in attack.”
Manchester United haven't had a player who can play down the right wing for years now and hence believe that the Welshman can address this problem for them.
Real Madrid and Chelsea to pull off swap deal for Isco and Hazard
According to El Gol Digital, Real Madrid outcast Isco could head to Chelsea and Hazard could head the other way as the clubs are eyeing up a swap deal.
Chelsea are keen on signing Isco as early as January. With Eden Hazard's interest in joining Real Madrid nothing but a poorly kept secret, Real Madrid are hoping that sending Isco the other way will help them secure the Belgian.
Isco has fallen out of favour at Real Madrid and is reportedly looking for a way out. After being denied a meeting with Florentino Perez, the Spaniard is closer to an exit than he has ever been. Eden Hazard, on the other hand, has proclaimed his love for Los Blancos multiple times and the move is widely considered inevitable.
