'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The January transfer window is approaching its final week and a number of players are linked with clubs across Europe. While Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid look to bolster their squads before the FIFA enforced transfer ban, other clubs are not far behind when it comes to signing replacements or add more bench strength. Most deals usually take place on deadline day but the foundation for these deals are usually laid in the days prior. Here are some of the major transfer news and rumours in Europe today.
#1 Serie A
Trending
Serie A defending champions Juventus are said to have identified German International Christoph Kramer as the replacement for their star midfielder Paul Pagba. The highly coveted French star is strongly linked with a big-money move to Barcelona in the summer leaving a gaping hole in the Juventus midfield who have already sold Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo last summer.
However, the Turin giants have set their sights on Bayer Leverkusen’s Kramer as the player to replace the 22-year-old Pogba. Fellow Serie A side Napoli are also believed to be interested in the services of the German.
AC Milan are reported to be weighing up a move for former Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa according to L'Equipe. The 28-year-old who joined French side Nice in the summer has hit top form and has been producing eye-catching performances in the Ligue 1. Milan manager Siniša Mihajlovi is believed to be keen on bringing the Frenchman to the San Siro.
Chinese outfit Jiangsu Suning FC have reportedly offered AS Roma €18 million offer to secure the services of their Ivory Coast attacker Gervinho. Roma, who have had a stuttering season so far, are 12 points off the pace in the race for the Scudetto and might be tempted to cash in on the forward.
#2 La Liga
Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres is believed to be a surprise target of Catalan giants Barcelona in the summer reports AS. The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker’s current deal with the Rojiblancos is set to end at the end of the current season and talks for an extension have not been initiated yet by the club.
It was also reported that Barcelona feel the Spaniard would be a good addition to have on the bench as cover for their destructive attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
Owing to their impending transfer ban, Atletico Madrid are said to be preparing a bid for Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan. The Argentine winger is said to be valued at around €45 million by the Portuguese club and with Atletico desperate to shore up their side ahead of the ban, they might be forced to pay up the quote damount in order to sign him.
Malaga, Levante and Rayo Vallecano are all reported to be interested in signing Christian Atsu on loan according to reports from Sky Sports. With the Chelsea youngster having his spell with Bournemouth cut short after failing to make a single Premier League appearance, Chelsea are understood to send Atsu out on loan where he will be guaranteed playing time.
#3 Premier League
The Daily Mirror reports that Liverpool are set to make a £20m bid for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the current January transfer window. The German is believed to be unhappy being behind Claudio Bravo in the pecking order and would be willing to move elsewhere for regular first team action.
It is also believed that Barcelona had already turned down an initial bid of £10.8m from the Merseyside club earlier but might be tempted with a revised offer from the Reds.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sign Argentine International Ezequiel Lavezzi from Paris Saint-Germain. Rumours of Lavezzi being disillusioned with life at the Parc des Prices have persisted for a long time now and PSG will be tempted to cash in on the forward.
It is believed that the Premier League club have held successful talks with the player's representatives. The 30-year-old's contract runs out in the summer.
Manchester City target Inaki Williams has signed a new deal with basque club Athletic Bilbao which is reported to have a release clause of €50 million. However, City are said to be unfazed by the price tag set for the young striker and are believed to be keen to bring him to the Etihad in the current window.
#4 Rest of Europe
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is set to return to MLS side Montreal Impact and join the club in their pre-season preparations. The Ivorian returns to the side following several weeks of rumours that he would be heading to Chelsea as part of Guus Hiddink's coaching staff.
Kevin Wimmer is reported to have held talks with Bundesliga side Schalke over a January move. The Tottenham centre-back made his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace on Saturday and has struggled to find time on the pitch as Vertonghen and Alderwierald have established themselves in Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly keen to take Chelsea winger Bertrand Traore on loan until the end of the season. The 20-year-old Burkina Faso winger spent the previous season on loan at Vitesse and is likely to be loaned out again with the likely destination being Germany.
