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CaptionFootball clubs around the world are keeping a close tab on their respective transfer targets as we fast-approach the opening of January transfer window. The clubs are steadily getting aware of the players who could add more quality to the existing squad.Some ridiculously unbelievable, others crafted with some sense and perhaps some truth behind them, as always, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.Here are the transfer news and rumours for December 6.
#1 Serie A
- AC Milan midfielder Keisuke Honda might leave the club in the January transfer window, Tutto Mercato reports. The Japanese might move back to Russia or to West Ham United, who are reportedly interested in the attacking-mid.
- Sky Sports reports that Juventus are interested in the signing of Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva, according to a news in Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo. The 21-year old still has about five years to go on his contract with the Ligue 1 club, however, the Bianconeri might try and lure him to Turin in the January transfer window itself.
- Alexander Pato is reportedly being monitored by more than one Italian clubs according to his agent Riccardo Napolitano.
“Alexandre is back and determined to establish himself as one of the best strikers in the world,” Napolitano said.
“We're evaluating several options for him, he's a striker admired by many, and he's completely overcome the muscular problems he suffered in the past few years. In Italy there are at least two or three teams among the possible destinations, but of course we can't say any more. The only thing that is certain is that Pato will be the undoubted star of the winter transfer market.”
#2 La Liga
- Barcelona are supposedly tracking Lazio midfielder Antonio Candreva, according to reports in El Mundo Deportivo. The Catalan club will make a move for the Italian if they fail to lure in Nolito from Celta Vigo who is reportedly their prime target. Candreva has scored three goals for Lazio this season and has a contract with the Biancocelesti till 2019.
- New Valencia boss Gary Neville has urged his board to sign Jamie Vardy from Leicester City, Daily Star reports. Neville is reportedly mesmerised by Vardy’s lightning quick pace and his immaculate positioning and feels that he will be a perfect fit for the Los Che. Clubs from all over Europe have turned their eyes towards the 28-year old who made a new Premier League record of scoring in 11 back to back PL matches.
- Atletico Madrid are keeping tabs on Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan, A Bola reports. The Rojiblancos were linked with the winger during the summer transfer window but were not able to bring him to the Vicente Calderon. The Spanish club will face Benfica on Tuesday and club’s board will want to make full use of the chance to hold talks with the Argentine and his representatives.
#3 English Premier League
- Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp wants to bring in AC Milan shot-stopper Diego Lopez to the Merseyside club, Fichajes reports. The ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper has fallen down the pecking order at the San Siro after the meteoric rise of 16-year old Gianluigi Donnarumma. Simon Mignolet is currently the first choice goalkeeper at Liverpool and Klopp would definitely want a top quality second choice player in front of the goal.
- Arsenal are again being linked to a striker, this time Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi, Gazzetta World reports. The Gunners reportedly have already submitted a €40 million bid for the Argentine which the Nerazzurri turned down. However, Arsene Wenger wants to submit another bid for the 22-year old in the January transfer window and if rejected will move for him in the summer window then.
- Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is in no rush to add reinforcements in the January transfer window. He signed Wilfried Bony last year but thinks he the team does not need new players in the winter window.
Pellegrini said: “We made the decision last year because we had three players injured and Kelechi (Iheanacho) was one year younger and he was not the player he is today.
“(Stevan) Jovetic and Aguero had a lot of injuries in the first half of the season and that was why we decided to bring in Bony. But we are okay with this - we have Kelechi and we have got to give time to the young players. They are not 100 per cent ready to play every game but he is doing very well.
“So I am not concerned that we didn't bring in another player because we have Kelechi and we also have Sterling who can play as a central striker.”
- Manchester United are again being linked with Tottenham striker Harry Kane and are ready to make a massive £50m bid for him, Daily Star reports. The Red Devils will make a move for the 22-year old only in the summer transfer window as it is questionable that Daniel Levy will allow his star player to leave the club in January.
#4 Rest of Europe
- Turkish club Galatasaray want to sign Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse in the January transfer window, The Mirror reports. The Turkish giants want to strike the deal as soon as possible for the striker who has scored just two goals in 10 games.
- Mario Gotze has said that he hopes Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola extends his stay at the club and he would be happy if the Spaniard decides to stay amidst heavy rumours linking the ex-Barcelona manager to Manchester City.
Gotze said: “You can’t look into his head, the coach and the club have to decide. It’s difficult to give a prognosis.
“We would be happy if he stayed. He’s got a philosophy that suits as very well and that’s why it would be a good thing if he stayed.”
- PSG manager Laurent Blanc has cast further doubts on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future with the Ligue 1 champions by admitting he is not sure if the Swede will stay at the club after this season. The 34-year old has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United over the past few months.
“His contract will run until June 2016 so it’s more about what the player wants to do,” said Blanc.
“We are all focused on the league right now but that is a question we will ask ourselves.
“At 34, Zlatan is showing that he has still got it.”
