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Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's Daily Transfer Roundup. We are now just 3 days away from the January transfer window. All hell is expected to break loose when the winter transfer window opens as the world ushers in a new year.
Top clubs across Europe are looking at the next month as a period in which they can strengthen their squads by cutting off the deadwood and getting some much-needed reinforcements in place.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the top transfer news, rumours and updates that made headlines on 28 December 2018.
Manchester United will not sell Paul Pogba in January
The Manchester United top brass have decided that they will not sell their star man Paul Pogba in January, according to The Telegraph. The report claims that Ed Woodward expects Paul Pogba to become an integral part of the Manchester United setup for years to come and has no plans of offloading him.
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Pogba had received much flak during the final few days of Mourinho's regime. His sub-par performances drew a lot of criticism and had irked the fans. Subsequently, he was heavily linked with Juventus. However, following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment as Manchester United's caretaker manager for the rest of the season, Pogba's form has risen considerably.
He has scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists in the 2 games since and was United's best player on the pitch on both occasions.
Juventus are not the only club who have been credited with an interest in the Manchester United midfielder. He was linked with FC Barcelona in the summer but a move failed to materialize.
The report claims that the Manchester United hierarchy wants the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba- all young players yet to reach their peak- to usher in a brand new era at the club that has been struggling ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired from management after winning the Premier League in the 2012-13 season.
Tottenham to trigger Alderweireld contract extension; could leave the club for £25 million in the summer
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Spurs are set to trigger the extension clause in Toby Alderweireld's contract. Alderweireld is currently tied to the North London outfit till the end of this season and would have thus become a free agent in the summer.
However, now that Spurs will extend his contract, they could still cash in on the big Belgian with Manchester United eyeing up a move for him. If Spurs extend his contract, he will have a release clause of £25 million.
Spurs had recently extended Alderweireld's fellow countryman Jan Vertonghen's contract as well.
Pochettino said,
“Yes, for sure. It is obvious. It is the same situation as Jan [Vertonghen].”
The 29-year-old had to prove himself and win back his place in the side after falling out with the Tottenham top brass after they refused to up his wages in the summer. Alderweireld's form has been instrumental in Spurs climbing to the 2nd spot on the Premier League table ahead of Manchester City.
Luka Modric rejects a contract renewal at Real Madrid
Luka Modric, whose current contract at Real Madrid will run out in 2020 has rejected an offer to renew it, according to AS.
The Ballon d'Or winner was heavily linked with Inter Milan over the summer but a move did not materialize. There are still suggestions that Il Nerrazurri are still pursuing the World Cup finalist.
Inter are, therefore, expected to make a move for Modric in the summer. However, the report adds that Real Madrid are prepared to offer the 33-year-old a more lucrative wage package.
De Jong gives the green light to join Barcelona
Frenkie De Jong, admired and pursued by quite a few high-profile clubs in Europe has agreed to join Barcelona, according to Sport. The Ajax starlet has been on Barcelona's radar for and had been widely tipped to leave the Dutch club for Camp Nou by the end of the season.
Barcelona have managed to convince the 21-year-old to sign for them. Now they have to agree on a transfer fee with Ajax.
De Jong has been a revelation and has starred for both club and country this term. His impressive performances have made him one of the most coveted youngsters plying their trade in the top European leagues.
The report adds that Ajax have put a €75 million price tag on the young midfielder. Barcelona are reportedly willing to cough up €60 million and this disparity in valuation remains the only stumbling block in an exciting potential transfer deal.
Real Madrid and Manchester City agree fee for Brahim Diaz
Real Madrid have agreed a deal for Brahim Diaz with Premier League giants Manchester City, as per Marca. The report claims that the youngster will join Los Blancos on a 6-year deal.
The 19-year-old's current contract at Manchester City runs out next June. However, Real Madrid have decided to sign him right away for €15 million.
As per the contract, Brahim Diaz will receive €3.5 million per season at Real Madrid. After Jadon Sancho, Diaz will be the second promising youngster that Manchester City will have sold in subsequent transfer windows.
The Spaniard, who is yet to feature in a Premier League game for Pep Guardiola's side this season, will reportedly join Real Madrid in January.
