The Premier League transfer window has closed, but the rest of Europe remains open for business until Monday. Plus, it’s never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.
All the major completed transfers | European transfer review
TOP STORY: Juventus plot move for Matic
The Sun claims Juventus are keeping a close eye on Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic, who is believed to be unhappy at a lack of first-team action.
The Serbian made his first start of the season in United’s 1-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday, after he took the opportunity over the international break to express his unhappiness to Old Trafford bosses about his limited game time so far this season.
The 31-year-old’s contract at the Premier League side expires at the end of the season, and Juventus are keeping tabs on the situation, with a view to making the former Chelsea man their latest high-profile free transfer acquisition.
The Serie A giants have signed the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot and Emre Can on free transfers in recent years, and have earned a reputation for being particularly prudent in the transfer market.
Barca planning to axe Umtiti
Reports in Calciomercato claim Barcelona are preparing to sell defender Samuel Umtiti, with a host of top European clubs waiting in the wings to sign the Frenchman.
The 25-year-old has struggled with a string of injuries over the past year, and made only 15 appearances in all competitions last season. His fortunes haven’t improved this season either, with Barcelona now considering cashing in on a player they now deem unreliable because of his injury record.
That stance has alerted Premier League duo Arsenal and Manchester United, who have a longstanding interest in the former Lyon man, while Serie A champions Juventus are also interested in Umtiti, whom they see as a potential long-term replacement for Giorgio Chiellini.
Chiellini himself is out indefinitely because of a knee injury, and at 35, a vacancy may be about to open in the heart of the Juve defence.
Serie A pair hunt Diaz deal
AC Milan and Roma are reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid outcast Mariano Diaz, but Calciomercato claims the Dominican Republic international’s wage demands could scupper a move.
The 26-year-old has been unable to secure regular first-team football at the Bernabeu following a €23 million move from Lyon just over a year ago, with Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane keen to move the striker over the summer. A move didn’t materialize in the close season, but reports suggest that Diaz is still heading for the Real exit.
– UCL draw: Madrid get PSG; Barca, BVB, Inter together
– Ogden: Draw good for English clubs; tricky for Spain
– Champions League group stage: Day-by-day fixtures
The Rossoneri and Giallorossi are both keen on Diaz, who scored 21 goals in his final season at Lyon in the 2017-18 season, but are reluctant to meet Diaz’s wages of around €100,000 a week. Lack of Champions League football for both sides means that such lucrative contract offers are off the table for the time being.
Tap-ins
– Calciomercato claims AC Milan have made initial enquiries over a deal for winger Rodrigo De Paul, but have balked at Udinese’s €35 million valuation of the 25-year-old. The Argentina international has emerged on the Rossoneri radar after scoring nine Serie A goals last season.
– Wolverhampton Wanderers owners Fosun are on the lookout for fresh investment, as they attempt to fund signings that will make them a Premier League heavyweight, according to reports in the Express & Star. The Chinese firm are open to selling a 20% stake in the club as they look to penetrate the Premier League’s top six.
– Free agent Ignazio Abate has turned down a move to Qatari side Al-Gharafa, following his exit from AC Milan at the end of last season. Calciomercato claims the former Italy international has rejected an offer worth more than €2 million a year.
