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: Pogba not playing to force Madrid move
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is refusing to play for the club — despite being fully fit — in order to push through a January move to Real Madrid, according to The Sun.
The 26-year-old has been on the sidelines since September with a foot injury suffered in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal, and footage has emerged of the Frenchman playing basketball in Miami as he continues his rehabilitation.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solkjaer is believed to be unimpressed with Pogba’s antics, saying: “He’s not ready to train. He had another test and scan and it’s not healed yet”.
Former Juventus man Pogba has been the subject of constant speculation linking the midfielder with a move to Madrid, with Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane believed to be a huge admirer of the World Cup winner.
AC Milan to dump Piatek and sign Ibra
Calciomercato claims AC Milan are set to ditch misfiring forward Krzysztof Piatek to fund a January move for free agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Poland international Piatek has scored just 11 goals since arriving from Genoa nearly a year ago, and sporting director Paolo Maldini is believed to be quickly losing patience with the striker. With January on the horizon, the Rossoneri are toying with the idea of cashing in.
Such a sale would free up funds for 38-year-old Ibrahimovic, who is available on a free transfer after leaving MLS side LA Galaxy in mid-November.
In addition to Zlatan, Milan are also on the lookout for a new left-back, central defender, and another forward, following a disastrous start to the season that sees the former Champions League winners sitting 12th in the Serie A table.
Serie A giants lead chase for Dujan
Serie A frontrunners Juventus and Inter Milan are set to go head-to-head for the signing of highly-rated Parma midfielder Dejan Kulusevski, according to reports at Tuttosport.
The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Parma from fellow Serie A side Atalanta, and his performances at his temporary home have alerted managers Maurizio Sarri and Antonio Conte, with both set to launch bids for the Swede in the New Year.
The midfielder rounded off an impressive start to the season with his first appearance for the Swedish national team earlier in the month against the Faroe Islands in a 2020 qualifier, adding to three goals in 13 appearances domestically.
Atalanta value their man at around €45 million, which is unlikely to deter the division’s two biggest hitters, but there is also believed to be interest from Premier League sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Tap ins
– Juventus are keeping tabs on Barcelona youngster Jean-Clair Todibo, and Calciomercato claims the central defender is keen on a move to Turin. The 19-year-old has also been linked with Bayer Leverkusen, but the Serie A champions are believed to be in pole position for the Frenchman’s signature.
– Getafe are interested in signing Barcelona midfielder Carles Alena on loan in the January transfer window, but Spanish publication Sport claims the Madrid club are not the only La Liga side plotting a move for the 21-year-old. The Spaniard has struggled for regular game time at the Nou Camp since breaking into the first-team fold in 2016.
– Manchester United may call on the help of midfielder Juan Mata‘s father to secure a deal for Real Valladolid defender Mohammed Salisu, according to the Daily Star. The 20-year-old is represented by Mata Sr., which could swing negotiations in United’s favour.
