The transfer windows in Europe’s top leagues are closed, but it’s never too early to look forward to January. Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.
Top Story: Chelsea scout Werner, Dembele
By now, it’s no secret: Chelsea have a bucket of cash at their disposal, and they’re ready to spend it in January now that their transfer ban has been rescinded.
The Blues have been linked with a number of defenders and attackers, but the Mail reports that the West London club sent scouts to monitor RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner and Lyon striker Moussa Dembele on Tuesday in the Champions League.
With Olivier Giroud seemingly on his way out and Michy Batshuayi‘s form erratic, the Chelsea hierarchy is said to desire another forward who can push Tammy Abraham and provide Frank Lampard a reliable option up front when his XI needs rotating.
Werner is reportedly valued at £52 million — something of a pittance in this market for a 23-year-old Germany international with 20 goals in 22 appearances this season — but the Premier League side will find prying him out of the Bundesliga a challenge as Leipzig sit second in the table and are on course for a serious title fight.
Manchester United to pay big for Saul
Manchester United will need to pay the big bucks — up to £128 million worth of them to be exact — in order to land Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez during the January transfer window, Mundo Deportivo reports.
The popular midfielder is believed to be an integral part of Atletico’s first-team squad, to the point where many fans are worried about the prospect of him leaving. Alas, while the money required would likely put a lot of pressure on United, the report states it’ll only come to that if the club loses Paul Pogba to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Real boss Zinedine Zidane is still invested in the idea of signing the World Cup winner and may go after him as soon as the winter window opens.
Juventus to try and keep Higuain?
Italian giants Juventus are attempting to figure out a deal that would allow them to keep star striker Gonzalo Higuain on the books, Calciomercato reports.
The Argentine has been heavily linked with a move away from the champions once again, despite being viewed by many as one of the most underrated goalscorers in all of Europe. Juve are believed to have begun negotiations with Higuain’s representatives, but there are still quite a few obstacles to overcome.
They want to extend his contract, but alongside that, the Turin club is aiming to reduce his salary which is currently at €7.5 million per season — with rumours of a return to River Plate still being rife.
– When does the transfer window reopen?
– All major completed transfer deals
Tap-ins
– Veteran midfielder Sacha Kljestan has signed with the LA Galaxy as a free agent, the club announced on Wednesday. After a successful five-year stint with Belgium’s Anderlecht, Kljestan spent the past five seasons with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City. He is expected to provide veteran leadership for a Galaxy roster in transition after the departures of its top two goal-scorers: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Uriel Antuna.
– Roma are expected to go ahead with the sale of Alessandro Florenzi in the January transfer window, Calciomercato reports. The club isn’t willing to look at offers of anything less than €25 million, with the likes of Fiorentina, Inter Milan and Napoli all being interested in the man who just hasn’t been able to find a consistent place in Roma’s starting XI this season.
– Napoli are preparing for an overhaul of their squad which will begin during the January transfer window, Corriere dello Sport reports. In addition to bringing in a new manager in the form of Gennaro Gattuso, the aim is for them to sign a left-back, a midfielder and a forward once the window opens, with Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon being linked with moves away from the club.