Transfer Rumours of the Day: 29th December

With only two days to go for the beginning of the Winter Transfer Window, most of the clubs will have already prepared their bids for their targets this January. Even though the mid-season window doesn’t attract the same number of players switching clubs, but it offers teams to make their final additional upgrades to the team.The Winter transfer window in Europe starts from the 1st of January and lasts a whole month, two days longer in Spain, Italy, Germany and France. There have already been some early dealings done including the sale of Torres from Chelsea to Italian side AC Milan who has just recently agreed to a loan move to Atletico Madrid.Bringing you all the latest rumours from newspapers and agencies all across Europe, here are all the biggest and the latest transfer rumours of the day:

#1 Arsenal

• Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski is set to join Inter on a six-month loan, confirms the Telegraph. The Italian side have agreed to a deal with the Gunners for the Germany international for his move to Serie A in January. As Arsenal are searching for fresh striking options, it is almost acceptable that this is not just a rumour. If the deal happens, it will be good for both the player and the club as the German has not got enough games at Arsenal this season. It is understood that he is unhappy with less chances and he wants a temporary move from the club.

• Arsenal who sold their main defender Vermaelen to Barcelona in the summer are yet to buy a replacement for the Belgian which is clearly visible in the results. Gunners are hoping to steal a march on a host of Premier League rivals by bidding for Winston Reid in January, reports Mirror. Reid will soon be out of contract and available on a free in the summer with Arsene Wenger looking to test West Ham's resolve.

• According to Metro, Wenger would be willing to loan out Yaya Sanogo to give him game time to boost his confidence and also ready him for the Premier League with Crystal Palace touted as the most likely destination for the striker.

#2 Liverpool

• Liverpool are close to completing the signing of West Brom striker Saido Berahino in a deal worth £23.5 million, reports Express. Since the start of the season, none of the Liverpool forwards has made any impact in the scoreline as they were supposed to. With Sturridge injured for the last few months, it was an advantage for summer signing Mario Balotelli to show his talent. But with all the forwards including Balotelli failing to score goals, manager Brendan Rodgers will be surely looking for a new option.

• Liverpool are also understood to be interested in signing Virgil van Dijk, the Celtic defender, though they face competition from Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, according to the Express.

• Both Liverpool and Tottenham have been made alert of the situation of PSG's Ezequiel Lavezzi who is currently unhappy with the club not willing to offer him a new deal. According to the Express, the club have offered striker Fabio Borini to Lazio in exchange for Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi.

#3 Manchester United, City and Chelsea

• Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is interested in acquiring the services of Everton right-back Seamus Coleman, and a £25 million bid is said to be on the cards, according to reports in the Daily Star.

• Matija Nastasic and Scott Sinclair are two players who might be sold this season as manager Manuel Pellegrini has been finding it very hard to fit them in the team. Several websites have confirmed Schalke’s interest in the Serbian defender including WinnerSports.uk who insist that Roberto Di Matteo is said to be a keen admirer of Nastasic’s abilities.

• Manchester City are looking to beat rivals United to the signing of Atletico Madrid centre-back Miranda, reports GiveMeSport. Manuel Pellegrini remains keen to find a defensive partner for Vincent Kompnau with Eliaquim Mangala having failed to impress this season.

#4 Barcelona and Real Madrid

• Martin Montoya is a target for Serie A champions Juventus, confirmed manager Massimiliano Allegri who was quoted by Goal saying, “Montoya is a good defender and he’s technically sound, but he still plays for Barcelona and furthermore, we have other players we are targeting that we are considering.”

• Youngster Lucas Silva recently spoke about his possible move to Real Madrid stating that anything could happen at this stage. The Cruzeiro star was quoted by Marca saying, “Playing for Real Madrid is a dream and in my thinking it would be a step forward".

• According to reports from InsideSpanishFootball, Real Madrid are keeping a close track on the development of young Tenerife goalkeeper Carlos Abad who is being touted as a favourite to replace long-serving goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

#5 Other rumours

• Massimiliano Allegri has made it clear he would like a playmaker to arrive at the Etihad in January, with speculation linking Juventus with Xherdan Shaqiri and Wesley Sneijder. “Who would I sign for January?” Allegri told Football Italia. “Well, a trequartista wouldn’t go amiss in this squad...”

• According to Sky Italia, Juventus are targetting Rolando as a temporary cover for Andrea Barzagli who is out injured for a long period.

• Even though Inter Milan are close to signing Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski, Roberto Mancini interest to sign Ezequiel Lavezzi of PSG in January. The Argentine is currently thought to be valued at around £17m, but Liverpool and Spurs, as well as Italian admirers Inter Milan, may go in with lower offers in the hope of landing a bargain.

• Queens Rangers Park boss Harry Redknapp has set his sight on out-of-favour Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair and will be looking to sign him for a cheap price, reports Mirror.

• Juventus are keen to complete their loan signing of Egyptian Salah from Chelsea, reports Football Italia who is also said to be a target for Sunderland and Atletico Madrid.

Edited by Staff Editor