ESPN FC’s Gab Marcotti delves deeper into the latest transfer rumours, including Andre Schurrle’s potential move back to Germany and Mattia Destro’s loan move to AC Milan.
The winter window is still open, and that means the LIVE transfer blog swings back into action. Find out the latest news, gossip and deals here.
With Real Madrid defensive trio Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Pepe all facing relatively uncertain futures, the Daily Express has picked up on reports in Spain that the 31-year-old Portuguese centre-back is a target for both Manchester City and Manchester United.
Premier League champions City are reportedly ahead of United in the race for Pepe’s signature, with the player thought to be open to a move to England to ensure he has first-team football next season.
Given that Louis van Gaal is badly in need of reliable defenders and with Vincent Kompany struggling at City, either side would gladly snap up the talented centre-back, regardless of his combustible nature. Still, with United thought to prefer Mats Hummels and Aymeric Laporte, that could clear the path for Manuel Pellegrini to land the passionate, puzzling Portuguese.
Bayern pull out of Reus race?
The battle for Marco Reus could be set to take a dramatic twist with reports on Friday that Bayern Munich have pulled out of the race to sign the Borussia Dortmund star.
Reus, 25, has been a long-time target for the Bundesliga champions, with various members of the Bayern hierarchy making overtures in the Germany international’s direction.
However, Bild suggests that Pep Guardiola’s side could ignore the BVB forward this summer despite a release clause coming into play that would make Reus available for just 25 million euros.
A lack of interest from Bayern would no doubt alert the Premier League’s top clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, but would also surely put Real Madrid in pole position to land Reus.
That could of course mean movement in regards to Gareth Bale and United in the weird and wonderful world of the Daily Star, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Liverpool look to Bundesliga for next Gerrard
It’s no easy feat for Brendan Rodgers to replace Luis Suarez one summer and Steven Gerrard the next, though TalkSport has built on growing rumours that the Liverpool coach is monitoring Hannover captain Lars Stindl as the man to fill the Anfield skipper’s boots next term.
Stindl, 26, has been in fine form of late for the German club, with Hannover’s sporting director Dirk Dufner quoted as saying: “He’s our most important and valuable player.”
In truth, any direct replacement is likely to fall short of Gerrard’s accomplishments at Anfield. Still, Liverpool must push on without the MLS-bound midfielder next term, and Stindl looks an intriguing prospect should Rodgers take a chance on the Hannover talisman.
Saints boss targets forward-thinking duo
Ronald Koeman is still looking to add to his Southampton squad ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline, with the Dutch coach earmarking Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena and Benfica winger Filip Djuricic as two players to bolster his side’s Champions League hopes.
The PA Sport quotes the Saints boss as saying: “I am interested in Vilhena who is not happy at Feyenoord. He is a good, young player and that is one of the philosophies of this club.
“I am interested in Djuricic as well. There is a good chance that at least one of the two will join by Monday.”
Twenty-year-old Vilhena played under Koeman for Feyenoord before the coach’s switch to the Premier League last summer and would reportedly be available for four million pounds. Djuricic may be a more tricky deal as the 23-year-old is currently on loan at Mainz for the season — some slick negotiating skills may be needed on Koeman’s part.
West Brom and QPR have an interest in out-of-favor Spur Emmanuel Adebayor.
Will Adebayor be a late loan steal?
It seems that Emmanuel Adebayor is not long for White Hart Lane, with the Daily Mail reporting that the striker is a loan target for both West Brom and QPR before the window snaps shut on icy fingers.
Given that the Togo international is on 100,000 pounds a week, it would be an expensive loan deal — but Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace would reportedly green-light such a move as it would instantly boost his side’s survival hopes, as no doubt would Tony Fernandes at Loftus Road.
Still, when you leave your shopping till the last few hours of the window, things end up getting a little desperate.