The January transfer window is hurtling ever closer and with it the rumour mill is spinning ever faster with speculation rife about who could go where and for how much when it all gets underway again in January.
Managers up and down the country are busy compiling lists of targets before trying to strong-arm chairmen into loosening those pursestrings.We will have all the latest news, views, opinion, rumour, whispers, water cooler chatter and everything in between throughout the day here so don’t touch that dial.
KEY EVENTS
KEY EVENT
Ten players set to move in January, and their possible destinations
Premier League clubs spent £165.4million last January. Newcastle (£26.3m), Watford (£26m) and Norwich (£23m) were the most profligate, though it didn’t stop two of them from being relegated.
While more singings are no guarantee of more points we can expect to see a similar splurge during the 2017 winter window, which is now just a month away.
Manchester United are expecting bids for as many as ten of their first team squad, although they’re only actively looking to sell Bastian Schweinsteiger.
While United are certain to be active both in terms of arrivals and departures in January, they are far from the only Premier League club working on deals.
Jesus is City-bound
Gabriel Jesus is on his way to England.
The Brazilian signed for Pep Guardiola’s side during the summer but wanted to finish the season back home before joining up with his new team-mates.
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Manchester United monitoring Neymar's situation ion Spain
Manchester United are monitoring Neymar ‘s situation at Barcelona as the Brazil international continues to consider a move away from the Nou Camp.
Although United would need to surpass the world record transfer fee spent on Paul Pogba to prise him away, the club are ready to flex their financial muscles again in order to secure a truly world-class striker.
Jose Mourinho is aware that United’s forward line will soon need to be upgraded again with Zlatan Ibrahimovic only signed to a short-term contract, while 31-year-old skipper Wayne Rooney is in obvious decline.
Mourinho had Neymar extensively scouted as part of Real Madrid’s attempt to recruit the Brazilian from Santos while he was coaching in Spain.
Though Neymar last month signed a contract extension initially announced by Barcelona in July, well-informed sources describe the deal as “a sticking plaster” over a long standing conflict between the player and his club, reports Duncan Castles in the Daily Record.
ROB DAWSON
Man United could sell 10 players in January
Manchester United are bracing themselves for bids for as many as 10 of their first-team stars this January.
Boss Jose Mourinho oversaw a £150million summer rebuild with Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba arriving to bolster what is now a 27-man squad.
That leaves several players surplus to requirements which has alerted a number of clubs across the continent.
Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, Ashley Young and Sam Johnstone are all expected to be the subject of interest, report the Manchester Evening News.
Depay and Schneiderlin have been linked with moves to Everton while Darmian has suitors in Italy. Johnstone is wanted by a host of Championship clubs.
There is also tentative interest in Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and out-of-favour forward Anthony Martial.
However, it is understood United are only actively looking to sell Bastian Schweinsteiger.
ALEX RICHARDS
Hart: My City career is over
Joe Hart has admitted that his Manchester City is all but over.
The England No.1 was dumped by Pep Guardiola in August, having been undisputed first choice at the Etihad for the best part of seven years.
Hart joined Italian side Torino on a season-long loan, and has impressed for Sinisa Mihajlovic’s European hopefuls.
The 29-year-old has had to watch from afar as City, with new keeper Claudio Bravo, bid for a third Premier League title this season.
And Hart admits that there is only one reason why he is plying his trade in Serie A this season: Because Guardiola didn’t want him.
“This is the second time I’ve gone out on a season-long loan,” said Hart, speaking to Sky Sports. “I’ve not been sent here to see how I do or see if I improve. I’ve been sent out because I wasn’t wanted.
“I’m not here to prove what I can do, I’m here because I need to look elsewhere and I didn’t have a chance to sort anything permanently. The way I look at it, I want to do as well as I can for Torino and if somebody comes in for me I don’t think Manchester City are going to stand in my way.”
Le Tissier: Van Dijk will cost £40-50million
Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has told Liverpool they will have to stump up £40-50million if they want to sign Virgil van Dijk.
The former Celtic defender has earned rave reviews for his superb performances this season, and he showed his quality again on Wednesday evening as he helped Southampton beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates.
Van Dijk moved to the south coast from Celtic for £13m just over a year ago with Hoops chief executive Peter Lawwell insisting on a sell-on clause, meaning the Parkhead club could be set for a £5m windfall from any deal, report the Daily Record.
The 48-year-old said: “From what I have seen this season, I’d suggest it would take between £40-50m to get Virgil van Dijk away from Southampton.
“I would be very surprised if he was let go for anything less than that because he has signed a new long-term deal. Celtic will have a sell-on clause and rightly so. That’s good business by them.”
Liverpool eyeing £20m January swoop for Dembele
Liverpool are considering a £20million January swoop for Celtic star Moussa Dembele.
With Danny Ings injured and Sadio Mane set to be away for a month at the Africa Cup of Nations Jurgen Klopp is in the market for attacking reinforcements.
And Glasgow Live report that the Reds are ready to offer £10m up front and another £10m in add ons to get their hands on the in-form striker.
Klopp has sent scouts to watch Dembele on five occasions and has received glowing reports on the man who has already netted 17 times for the Hoops since joining last summer.
KEY EVENT
Dortmund warn Liverpool off Pulisic
Borussia Dortmund have warned Liverpool not to bother making a move for top target Christian Pulisic in January.
Jurgen Klopp is a keen admirer of the 18-year-old, already a senior United States international.
The Reds made a move for Pulisic in the summer, submitting a £12million bid which was rejected out of hand by BVB.
However, Klopp remains keen and with Philippe Coutinho’s injury and Sadio Mane heading to the African Cup of Nations in January, there have been suggestions that a renewed bid - in the region of £25million - will be made when the transfer window opens.
Sporting director Michael Zorc has seen fit to shut down any hopes Klopp may have of taking him to Anfield, telling Bild: “It’s not worth the effort for Liverpool.”
KEY EVENT
Leicester increase bid for Ndidi
Leicester have increased their offer for Genk anchorman Wilfred Ndidi to £20m.
The Foxes have raised the stakes after opening the bidding with a £16m approach for the Nigeria international.
Genk are determined to drive a hard bargain knowing Ndidi, 19, has caught the eye of a number of clubs including Chelsea and Tottenham.
But Leicester are trying to steal a march on their rivals with the early move and are confident of landing Ndidi when the transfer window reopens next month.
Boss Claudio Ranieri has earmarked Ndidi as his long-term replacement for N’Golo Kante who quit the champions to join league leaders Chelsea last summer.
Arsenal eye Oblak?
Arsenal reportedly want to sign Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak as Petr Cech’s replacement.
The 23-year-old has developed into one of Europe’s finest keepers at the Vicente Calderon and a host of top European clubs are said to be keen on acquiring his services.
However, Goal say Atleti are unwilling to listen to any offers for the goalkeeper, meaning Arsenal would have to meet his €100million release clause to sign him.
Arsenal’s opening bid will be significantly less than that amount, though, meaning Oblak is likely to stay at Atleti for the foreseeable future.
KEY EVENT
Blind fears Mourinho will sell him
Daley Blind fears he will be sold by Manchester United next summer, with Jose Mourinho set for a major defensive rebuild.
Blind is among those under threat from Mourinho’s planned two-transfer window rebuild, which will start in January and continue next summer.
Mourinho has his sights on Bayern Munich’s David Alaba and Bayer Leverkusen’s Alexandar Dragovic, as well as Southampton skipper Jose Fonte.
And Dutch international Blind, signed by ex-United boss Louis van Gaal for £14million from Ajax in 2014, fears he will be one of those to make way.
Blind is said to have confided to friends that he does not think he will survive Mourinho’s cull, which will see significant changes at Old Trafford next summer.
Also under threat are Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw, as Mourinho plans a complete overhaul of his back-line, which will involve high-profile casualties.
Van Gaal was interested in Dragovic back in 2015 and the Austria internatioal is said to have a long-held dream of joining United.
Arsenal 'want Real Madrid youngster'
‘At any price’ is NOT a term often associated with Arsenal, however, one Spanish news outlet believes the Gunners will do whatever it takes to get Marcos Llorente.
The Real Madrid academy product is coveted at the Emirates, according to Don Balon, after impressing during his current loan spell at Deportivo Alaves.
It’ll be an uphill battle for Arsene Wenger, however, given Llorente’s father, grandfather and even his great uncle are all alumni of Los Blancos and he dreams of being a regular there.
The 21-year-old has made two league appearances.
Leicester increase offer for Genk midfielder
Leicester have increased their offer for Genk anchorman Wilfred Ndidi to £20m.
The Foxes have raised the stakes after opening the bidding with a £16m approach for the Nigeria international.
Genk are determined to drive a hard bargain knowing Ndidi, 19, has caught the eye of a number of clubs including Chelsea and Tottenham.
But Leicester are trying to steal a march on their rivals with the early move and are confident of landing Ndidi when the transfer window reopens next month.
Serie A giants keeping tabs on Sissoko
Mauricio Pochettino’s criticism of Moussa Sissoko has put Juventus and Inter on alert.
The Italian duo are keeping tabs on Sissoko who was France’s star man in their Euro 2016 final defeat to Portugal but struggled since his £30m summer move to Spurs.
Pochettino omitted out-of-form Sissoko from his squad altogether for Saturday’s defeat at Chelsea.
And the Spurs boss admitted he did so because Sissoko has failed to live up to expectations.
Odegaard starts!
Martin Odegaard makes his first Real Madrid start in their Copa del Rey clash with Cultural Leonesa.
The Norwegian, 17, signed for Real in January 2015 but has made just one senior appearance.
Odegaard was regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in world football when he joined Real but his progress has somewhat stalled at the Bernabeu.
He continues to toil in Castilla, Real’s B-team but has been given the chance to prove himself in the cup encounter, with Real leading 7-1 from the first-leg.
Odegaard is eyeing a January loan move away from Real as he seeks regular first-team football.
French side Rennes are keeping tabs on the youngster having failed to land him in the summer due to FIFA’s rules on loaning under-18 players.
West Ham to bid £25m for striker?
West Ham are preparing an offer worth up to £25m for Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson, report the Guardian.
The ‘Ammers have long been keen on the speedy striker but, after discovering the Diafra Sakho was joining perma-crocked colleague Andy Carroll in the nurse’s room they have done the only thing their owners know how - spend!
KEY EVENT
Darijo Srna to Barca?
Barcelona will sign a right-back in January.
And the chances are, if you believe the local newspapers, that it’ll be Darijo Srna.
The Croatian full-back is a veteran but will be allowed to leave Shakhtar Donetsk, it is understood, for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to play for the Nou Camp club.
Decamped from his Donetsk home due to the war in Ukraine, Srna is considered the most likely to now move to Catalunya.
Other names linked to the role are Branislav Ivanovic, Glen Johnson(!) and Stephane Lichtsteiner.
KEY EVENT
Liverpool in for Dembele?
Could Liverpool steal Brendan Rodgers’ star striker?
Glasgow Live have reported that the French forward is being targeted by the Anfield club in a £20million move.
£10m of that would come up front and they would be willing to QUADRUPLE Dembele’s wages.
You can read more about that here - clicky clicky
KEY EVENT
United targetting Neymar?!
Manchester United are monitoring Neymar ‘s situation at Barcelona as the Brazil international continues to consider a move away from the Nou Camp.
Although United would need to surpass the world record transfer fee spent on Paul Pogba to prise him away, the club are ready to flex their financial muscles again in order to secure a truly world-class striker.
Jose Mourinho is aware that United’s forward line will soon need to be upgraded again with Zlatan Ibrahimovic only signed to a short-term contract, while 31-year-old skipper Wayne Rooney is in obvious decline.
Mourinho had Neymar extensively scouted as part of Real Madrid’s attempt to recruit the Brazilian from Santos while he was coaching in Spain.
For more on that Daily Record exclusive - click here
Tea, Muriel?
Muriel may sound like your great-aunt’s name but it’s also the surname of an exciting Colombian forward who has found form.
And Chelsea are being linked with a move for the Sampdoria man.
After losing his way a little at Udinese, the 25-year-old has four goals in his last five starts for the Genovese side.
With Michy Batshuayi’s struggles, perhaps Muriel is a more willing backup.
Is Jose Mourinho thirsty?
Whispers are also getting louder about Manchester United’s interest in former United kid Danny Drinkwater.
The Leicester man is probably keen to get back into the title mix after the Foxes’ comedown season has proven to be just that.
While Claudio Ranieri will no doubt be keen to keep him for the Champions League group stages, this could be one where player power wins out.
Man United braced for offers for TEN players
Manchester United are bracing themselves for bids for as many as 10 of their first-team stars this January.
Boss Jose Mourinho oversaw a £150million summer rebuild with Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba arriving to bolster what is now a 27-man squad.
That leaves several players surplus to requirements which has alerted a number of clubs across the continent.
Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, Ashley Young and Sam Johnstone are all expected to be the subject of interest, report the Manchester Evening News.
Depay and Schneiderlin have been linked with moves to Everton while Darmian has suitors in Italy. Johnstone is wanted by a host of Championship clubs.
There is also tentative interest in Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and out-of-favour forward Anthony Martial.
However, it is understood United are only actively looking to sell Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The 32-year-old was back in the squad for the 1-1 draw with West Ham on Sunday, but has been linked with MLS side Chicago Fire.
Mourinho is keen to keep the rest of his squad together but will leave it individual players to decide their futures.
However, the United manager is unlikely to let top-four rivals in the Premier League strengthen their squads with his fringe players.
He rejected an approach from Tottenham for France midfielder Schneiderlin in the summer and is likely to do the same again if they renew their interest.
Suso in sight
Suso arrived at Liverpool as one of Europe’s most promising young players but he never really got a sniff at Anfield and was allowed to leave the club.
AC Milan picked him up on a free and haven’t looked back.
The Spanish playmaker, 23, has become a key part of this rebuild at San Siro and his play has caught the eye of teams in his homeland.
Atletico Madrid are the latest club to be linked, with the Calderón outfit struggling for midfield bodies.
How this fits in with their transfer ban is another question entirely...
KEY EVENT
Why Thomas Muller WON'T be signing for Man United
Bayern Munich can never sell Thomas Muller because fans would view it as unforgivable to cash in on a player who is ‘part of the club’s DNA’, according to a member of the club’s hierarchy.
The German international is undergoing the worst season of his career in terms of goalscoring, having managed to find the net just three times in his 18 games so far. The 27-year-old was linked with a summer move away, with Manchester United mentioned as a potential destination - albeit in a deal valued at around £85million.
There have been questions over whether new Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti should drop the Bavarian forward, as he struggles to adapt to life under the Italian.
However, the homegrown star remains a major fan favourite at the Allianz Arena.
Former Minister President for Bavaria Edmund Stoiber, speaking to Bild, was asked about an offer from Old Trafford for Muller during the summer. And he says Muller must never be allowed to depart - no matter how much is on offer. “No one on the Supervisory Board would vote to sell. It should not happen that Thomas Muller plays at Manchester United,” detailed Stoiber.
Muller is the ‘boy next door’. He is the opposite of, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo. He is more than just an excellent footballer. A player like him is part of our DNA. He plays an important role at the club. Muller not only creates emotions with his goals, he talks to the fans hearts.”
Bony, but....
Mark Hughes confirmed last week that Wilfried Bony actually has a clause in his contract that would allow him to join a Chinese Super League club for a certain fee.
We call that the “getting rich before your career fizzles out” clause. Catchy name, sure you’ll agree.
And today the Daily Telegraph is reporting that the Ivorian forward is mulling over an offer from, you guessed it, China.
Once he’s counted up all the zeroes you expect Bony will be booking the next flight to the Far East.
Stoke, then, likely to be in the market for a striker this January along with the likes of Crystal Palace and maybe even Liverpool.
As a refresher, here’s our list of the position each Premier League club needs to strengthen in the window.
MESSIKEY EVENT
Lionel Messi's latest suitor
Lionel Messi, according a mischievous report last month, wants to see out his contract at Barcelona and make a decision on his future in 2018.
That simply isn’t going to happen.
Those close to the forward have told MirrorFootball that they believe he’ll sign a new deal at the Nou Camp but that there is no rush. Negotiations are expected to get going in earnest over the festive period and into the New Year. But Corriere dello Sport is still running with a story of Inter Milan being interested in the Argentinean superstar.
Tyre giants and long-term Internazionale sponsor Pirelli are apparently willing to stump up the dough.
But try as they might, they won’t be getting him....
ARSENAL GOSSIPKEY EVENT
Ozil keen on Madrid return?
Mesut Ozil is keen on a return to Real Madrid as he continues to stall over putting pen to paper on a new Arsenal deal.
That is according to Marca, who say the German and his former Bernabeu teammate Angel Di Maria, currently plying his trade with Paris Saint-Germain, both regret leaving the Spanish capital.
Ozil is tied to his current contract at the Emirates until 2018 and is yet to agree fresh terms in north London.
Di Maria has struggled to recapture the form he showed at Real in spells with Manchester United and PSG.
MAN UNITED GOSSIPKEY EVENT
Payet set for new deal?
West Ham will reportedly ward off interest from Manchester United in Dimitri Payet by making the Frenchman their highest-paid player.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Payet’s services, but the Hammers are ready to fork out £125,000-a-week to keep the playmaker in the East End, report The Sun.
Payet only signed a new deal nine months ago but the Irons want to sit him down and secure his long-term future.
The two sides face off in the EFL Cup this evening.
Find some more Manchester United gossip from this morning’s papers here.
LIVERPOOL GOSSIPKEY EVENT
Liverpool linked with Van Dijk
Liverpool will ‘blow Everton out of the water’ to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk,according to former Coventry striker Micky Quinn.
The lifelong Red, speaking on talkSPORT, says he believes Jurgen Klopp will move to secure the services of the centre-half as he plots to bring a first Premier League title to Anfield.
When asked about interest from the Toffees, Quinn said: “No, don’t worry about Koeman.
“Liverpool will blow them (Everton) out of the water. That’s what I’ve been told, anyway.”
MIDDLESBROUGH
£6million bid for Hull defender Harry Maguire
Aitor Karanka hopes to succeed with a third bid of £6million for Hull defender Harry Maguire in January.
The Middlesbrough boss refuses to give up his pursuit of Maguire after failing with offers of £4million and £5million in the summer and will move again when the transfer window opens.
Karanka is encouraged by the lack of progress in talks between Hull and the centre-half over a new deal and his current agreement ends in July.
Maguire wants to play regularly in the Premier League and he has made just seven top-flight appearances for the struggling Tigers.
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