THE transfer window is almost here as clubs look to freshen up their squads ahead of a packed second half of the season.
All Europe's top leagues are currently experiencing competitive title races meaning there's plenty of work to be done among the big guns.
Get all the latest transfer news, gossip and updates here…
- Craig Mahood
ROON THE CORNER
Ex-Middlesbrough midfielder Martin de Roon is a target for both Tottenham and Manchester City, reports claim.
90min say the Atlanta player would be a target for Spurs in January, with City looking to construct a deal at the end of the season.
Mourinho previously called the midfielder ‘phenomenal’ when United played Middlesbrough three years ago.
De Roon himself is believed to feel like he has ‘unfinished business’ in English football.
- Craig Mahood
ITALIAN JOB
Inter Milan are the latest club linked with a move for Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso.
Earlier today, reports emerged linking the left-back with a return to his homeland with Atletico Madrid.
Now Inter Milan are eyeing a move for Alonso in the January window, according to Sky Sport Italia.
The outlet say Alonso’s previous relationship with current Inter boss Antonio Conte is a key feature in the move.
- Craig Mahood
TOP SIXERS
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho believes Wolves are a top-six Premier League side.
He also had praise for compatriot Nune Espirito Santo ahead of the two teams meeting on Sunday.
Asked if he thinks Wolves are a top-six team, Mourinho said: “I believe so.”
He continued: "It is very hard in this league to have a consistent run.
"Every game is very difficult. We were in a period where he had to play the considered top six teams where we played them in a row.
“Now people could say you are going to get an easier run of matches. What is easier? Go to Wolves, play Fulham and Aston Villa?
“It is not easier.
"This is a league where we are and we should be really happy with that and not sad with that because that is a fantastic league."
- Craig Mahood
CREATING PROBLEMS
Jose Mourinho has accused outcast Dele Alli of ‘creating problems for his own team’ in the wake of Spurs’ League Cup quarter-final win at Stoke.
Mourinho was frustrated with the Englishman’s part in allowing Stoke to counter-attack when Spurs were in control of possession.
Speaking after the game, Jose said: “For me a player that plays in that position has to link and create and not to create problems for his own team.
“In that situation, a counterattack would probably end with a goal or an action and it ended with a counterattack behind our defenders [and a goal] and they transformed a game that was totally in our hands.
“So yes I was upset.”
- Craig Mahood
JESS WHAT WE NEED
Manchester United want to extend Jesse Lingard’s contract, according to reports.
The out-of-favour star’s current deal is set to expire this summer.
Lingard, 28, is therefore able to start negotiating with clubs overseas from next month.
But according to the Mail, the Red Devils plan to trigger a one-year extension clause.
When handing a Lingard a new, four-year deal back in 2017, United tossed in an option to extend it by a year if they so wish – similar to the clause they triggered in Paul Pogba’s contract earlier this year.
The former England man could still leave on loan next month, however, with Sheffield United rumoured to be keen.
- Craig Mahood
CUP DATES
The dates for the EFL cup semi-finals have been announced.
The London derby between Brentford and Tottenham Hostpur will be a 7:45pm kick-off on Tuesday, January 5.
A day later the Manchester derby will take place, again with a 7:45pm kick-off.
- Craig Mahood
AMN BEING WATCHED
Atletico Madrid are set to launch a bid to take Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Spain, reports say.
Atleti have reportedly been tracking the Arsenal man for the last 12 months amid a move.
With Kieran Trippier set to miss the next few months with a betting ban, Maitland-Niles could prove an option to fill in for Trippier.
Wolves failed with a £20million bid in the summer.
- Craig Mahood
'GOOD MO-MENT'
Jurgen Klopp has said Mo Salah is 'happy and in a good moment' despite rumblings that the Egyptian star is unhappy.
Salah has been reported to be disgruntled at Anfield and reports have linked him with a move to Spain.
But Klopp said he is under contract at Liverpool and any new deal wouldn't be discussed in the public eye.
He said: “On deals, we never speak about them, so why should we start now?
“Mo is in a good mood, he’s in a good moment.
“He’s in really good shape which is the most important thing for me.
[If there was cameras] “You would have seen him laughing a lot, he enjoyed the session which is good as well.
“Internally, there is nothing to report.”
- Craig Mahood
CHRISTMAS CHEER
England star Raheem Sterling spread some Christmas cheer by buying dinner for two homeless women while calling at a takeaway.
The Manchester City midfielder, 26, spotted the pair as he went to get a burger and chicken wings.
He then bought £40 worth of grub before handing it to the women outside as he left.
His random act of kindness came when he visited Chicken Delite in Slough, Berkshire.
Wasib Arif, who runs the takeaway, said: “Raheem asked me about a couple of ladies who were outside begging. He wondered if they were there all the time.
"He then asked if he could buy them food, as he would rather do that than give them money for drugs or alcohol. I said, ‘You can do that’.”
READ MORE
- Craig Mahood
WORLDWIDE BAN
FIFA have confirmed that Kieran Trippier's ban is worldwide so he will miss 10 weeks of action for Atletico Madrid.
The FA had sent their judgement to football's governing body after he was found guilty of breaching betting rules last year.
Trippier was fined £70,000 and in total will miss FOURTEEN Atleti games in the process.
He will be absent for the Champions League first leg with Chelsea and will be back in time for the Madrid derby at the start of March.
- Craig Mahood
HE SCOTT TO STAY HOME
Fulham Head Coach Scott Parker will miss the game with Southampton on Boxing Day.
A member of Parker's household has tested positive for coronavirus so he must now self-isolate.
Fulham have lost only one of their last five Premier League games amid a mini-revival but take up the last remaining relegation spot.
- Craig Mahood
BISS 'WORK TO DO'
Graham Potter says Yves Bissouma ‘has some work to do’ to reach his full potential.
The Brighton boss also revealed there have been no approaches yet for the Mali international despite interest from Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Potter said: “No approaches.
“My focus is on helping him improve and I feel he has still got some improvement to do, so that’s my focus to help him reach his full potential. He has got some work to do yet, so that’s what we are focusing on.
“It doesn’t help to listen to the noise. I think Yves [Bissouma] has taken some steps and he has improved, but he has still got some improvement to do and that’s where the work is and the focus for us.
“I think he has had to develop into his role and learn some aspects of the game and improve in certain areas.
“But it is credit to him that he has done that and it means he can help us in that area. But I think he can still improve, which is good.”
- Craig Mahood
EUROPEAN TOUR
Lionel Messi is attracting the interest of three European powerhouses as he approaches the end of his contract, according to reports.
The Barcelona superstar is wanted by Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City with just six months left on his deal at the Nou Camp.
Messi, 33, looks almost certain to leave Barcelona following his summer of turmoil.
After having his transfer request rejected, Messi was forced to stay after refusing to take his boyhood club to court.
But Barcelona's situation on the pitch and behind the scenes including financially means Messi is eager to end his career with a new challenge.
Ronald Koeman's side currently sit in fifth, eight points behind Atletico Madrid.
Man City are keen admirers with Pep Guardiola eager for a reunion with his former prized asset.
But it is reported by Ok Diario that City's owners have told Guardiola that he will need to sacrifice three other players on his transfer wishlist in order to match Messi's wage demands and land his signature.
The report added that City are also concerned over Messi's performances as he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career.
READ MORE HERE
- Craig Mahood
WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Here's what has happened this morning as we recap the main stories.
- Thomas Tuchel has been sacked by PSG, with them sitting fourth in Ligue 1
- Mauricio Pochettino is set to take over the Parisian side
- AC Milan join Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in tracking Reading's Michael Olise.
- Marcos Alonso 'set to return to homeland' on loan.
- Jose Mourinho accuses Dele Alli of 'creating problems' for Spurs
- Christian Eriksen set to be placed on Inter transfer list
PRESSURE OFF
Takumi Minamino revealed he felt some pressure about breaking his goal drought.
Minamino opened the scoring in Saturday’s 7-0 thumping of Crystal Palace.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: "When Sadio passed the ball to me, I sensed that an opponent was coming to block me.
"But from there, I had no time to think, but just trusted my feeling and shot.
"A goal in the Premier League was what I really wanted to achieve.
"Rather than feeling happy about it, I think it took longer than I wished. But I am happy that I could contribute to the team’s victory.
“I wouldn’t say that I was disappointed with myself, but I always wanted to score as soon as possible. I also felt some pressure about it.
“I am happy that I finally scored, but I have only scored once, so I will work hard to score more.”
- Craig Mahood
JESS WHAT WE NEED
Manchester United want to extend Jesse Lingard’s contract, according to reports.
The out-of-favour star’s current deal is set to expire this summer.
Lingard, 28, is therefore able to start negotiating with clubs overseas from next month.
But according to the Mail, the Red Devils plan to trigger a one-year extension clause.
When handing a Lingard a new, four-year deal back in 2017, United tossed in an option to extend it by a year if they so wish – similar to the clause they triggered in Paul Pogba’s contract earlier this year.
The former England man could still leave on loan next month, however, with Sheffield United rumoured to be keen.
READ MORE
- Craig Mahood
BAJ RACE
Liverpool are reportedly in pole position to land Manchester United target Stefan Bajcetic from Celta Vigo.
SunSport reported last week how the Red Devils were in negotiations with the Spanish side about bringing the 16-year-old defender to Old Trafford.
But according to the Liverpool Echo, it is now the Reds that are winning the race to secure the centre-back's services.
They claim that the Merseyside outfit are in talks to bring the player to Anfield.
Liverpool scouts have been impressed by Bajcetic, who has featured twice for Celta's B team this season after being promoted to the squad.
Jurgen Klopp's side are however in a race against time to sign the teenager as they need to wrap up a deal before the UK leaves the EU on January 1.
Clubs will be unable to sign overseas players under the age of 18 under the new post-Brexit transfer rules.
READ MORE HERE
- Craig Mahood
ROSE RELEASED
Tottenham defender Danny Rose has been released under investigation after being arrested yesterday morning.
Rose was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after an early morning crash.
- Craig Mahood
OL IN FOR HIM
AC Milan have joined the race for Reading forward Michael Olise, reports claim.
SerieBnews.com claim the 19-year-old is on the Italian giants; radar with a view to buy and loan him out to another Italian side for the remainder of this season.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal are all tracking the youngster who has four goals and seven assists.
- Craig Mahood
POCH IN!
After a year out of the game, Mauricio Pochettino looks set to land his first role since leaving Tottenham.
Mohamed Bouhafsi says Poch is set to take over as PSG's new head coach following Thomas Tuchel's sacking.
Bouhafsi tweeted: "Except for improbable turnaround, Mauricio Pochettino should be the new coach of PSG.
“The former PSG player has always wanted to train Paris.
“Tuchel learned of his departure last night. PSG are now negotiating with the lawyers of the German.”
He went on to tweet: “Mauricio Pochettino should be the new coach of PSG!”
- Craig Mahood
BREAKING! THOMAS TUCHEL SACKED
Thomas Tuchel has been sacked by Paris Saint-Germain.
The Parisians sit third in Ligue 1, a point behind joint-leaders Lyon and Lille.
BILD Sport Head of Football Christian Falk broke the news a short time ago.
He later intimated Tuchel's next step is to the Premier League – tagging Manchester United and Arsenal in the tweet.
He said: "One of the best German coaches is free for a new challenge.
"Thomas Tuchel is interested in the next step: Premier League @ManUtd @Arsenal"
More to come
- Craig Mahood
STEP UP
Ex-Arsenal man Emmanuel Frimpong has called on Arsenal to sell ‘disappointing’ Nicolas Pepe if he fails to step up his game.
Pepe joined the Gunners for £72million and has failed to impress in his early Arsenal career.
He told PlayOJO: “When I look at Pepe, I don’t see any aggression and determination.
“When he makes a mistake, he smiles or laughs and for me, I find that frustrating.
“There was a lot of hype about Pepe coming to Arsenal and he’s been very disappointing.
“He’s another player I think needs to step up his game and if he doesn’t, we need to get him out and bring in other players to help push us up the table.”
- Craig Mahood
WHAT'S THE POINT?
Ex-Spurs star Jamie O'Hara has accused Jose Mourinho of 'killing Dele Alli's confidence' after publicly slamming him.
Alli lost the ball to let Stoke equalise yesterday and was furious at being substituted, with Mourinho accusing him of 'creating problems' for the Spurs team.
But O'Hara said Jose will 'devalue' the player if he keeps digging him out.
O'Hara speaking on TalkSPORT said: "When you come out and you're digging a player out in the press, I think he needs to help him.
“What's he gaining from going to the press and digging out that single performance?
“It's just killing his confidence more. He's an investment and an asset to the club and whether he's in your plans or not, you don't want to kill his confidence so much that you totally lose him.
“I didn't like the way Mourinho dug him out and he keeps singling him out. I think Mourinho's doing a great job and he's got the team all on side but, for me, it doesn't sit right with the way he keeps digging out Dele Alli.
“Even if you're gonna push him out then just say "you're not wanted" and "he's not in my plans".
“If you're killing his confidence and saying "he's not for me" and you're just digging out his performance, then surely you're just devaluing the player.'
- Craig Mahood
YU COME HERE
Manchester United are reportedly battling Barcelona for the signature of Rapid Vienna's 17-year-old wonderkid Yusuf Demir.
Kronen Zeitung reports the Red Devils are chasing the Austrian playmaker but face competition from the Catalan giants.
Demir has broken into Rapid's first team and featured against Arsenal in the Europa League this season.
The report states Demir could find himself at the Nou Camp but not until the summer at the earliest.
The talented youngster's agent, Emre Ozturk, sparked major transfer rumours by sharing a photo online of him in Barcelona.
Demir's representative captioned the shot 'ready for meeting' ahead of a potential move to LaLiga.
READ MORE
- Craig Mahood
MAR-GO
Marcos Alonso could be lined up for a move back to his homeland in January, according to reports.
Alonso has struggled for game time this campaign as sits behind Ben Chilwell and Emerson in the pecking order.
The Spaniard is being linked with a loan move to La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Spanish TV show Ed Chiringuito say Diego Simeone are proposing a move for the left back.
Source: Read Full Article
