Juve plot double swoop for Oscar and Pelle
The winter window gets closer with each passing day and the transfer rumour mill is starting to pick up steam. As always, Transfer Talk has the latest and greatest. See all the summer deals here.
TOP STORY: Juve plot Oscar, Pelle double swoop
If the papers are to be believed, Juventus have been monitoring the situation surrounding Chelsea’s Oscar for 18 months now. And yet the Brazilian remains in West London.
The Daily Mail reports that the Bianconeri are in London to discuss the future of Juan Cuadrado, who left Stamford Bridge for Turin on a yearlong loan, and the Italian club intend to discuss Oscar’s availability while they’re at it. Chelsea would reportedly be open to selling the Brazilian, but would seek a return on the £25 million they paid Internacional in 2012.
The Italian champions are also keen on bringing Italian international Graziano Pelle — who told the media that he missed his homeland on Monday while on international duty — back to Italy from Southampton, where he has 18 months yet to run on his current contract. According to the Mail, though, Juventus likely does not have the financial resources to complete both deals.
Barcelona contact Giovinco
Sebastian Giovinco has torn up Major League Soccer. He won the Golden Boot in his debut season, became the first player in league history to register 20-plus goals and 15-plus assists in a single season and is the runaway favourite to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award.
According to Marca, who cite Italian outlet Rai Sport, Barcelona have taken notice. The Spanish publication reports that Giovinco’s agent has confirmed he’s received contact from the Catalan giants.
Giovinco’s agent said that his client has no intentions of leaving Toronto FC, however, stating: “Giovinco made a decision [to play for Toronto FC] of which he’s absolutely convinced and with which he’s happy. And on top of that, Toronto FC have invested in him for a project that is not based on single moments or buzz.”
Villa target Austin to solve scoring woes
Aston Villa are the Premier League’s joint-lowest scorers, netting just 10 times in 12 games this season. Already five points adrift of safety after just three months played, the Midlands club are in need of goals — and in a hurry.
The Telegraph reports that Villa will turn to Queens Park Rangers’ Charlie Austin to spark their attack. The striker’s contract expires in July, and he’s already stated that he intends on running down his deal and will decide his future in the summer.
With the knowledge that, in 13th place and eight points off a playoff place, immediate promotion to the Premier League may be out of reach, would QPR be incentivised to sell the 26-year-old for a reported £8m?
Liverpool open bidding for Sane
Schalke’s 19-year-old German international Leroy Sane has courted considerable attention since the start of the 2015-16 Bundesliga campaign. Our FC TV crew have already debated whether or not the midfielder is the real deal, but it seems one high-profile German manager is already convinced Sane is just that.
According to the Daily Star, Liverpool have stolen a march on rivals Arsenal and Manchester United in opening the bidding for Sane. The British publication reports that Jurgen Klopp has opened the bidding at £10.5m, which the report — citing German publication Bild — states was rejected out of hand.
As the clamour for Sane’s signature mounts, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that his future lies away from Gelsenkirchen.
Tap-Ins
– Sticking with Liverpool and Germany, the Daily Express cites Germany publication Bild as reporting that the Anfield outfit will submit a £20m bid for Borussia Monchengladbach’s 23-year-old Swiss international Granit Xhaka.
– Remaining on Merseyside, the Liverpool Echo reports that Everton are weighing up a deal for free agent Ron Vlaar. The Dutch international is out of contract after recovering from a knee operation, and reportedly would prefer to remain in England. AC Milan and Inter, as well as unnamed clubs in Germany, are also reportedly interested in Vlaar’s signature.
– Watford and West Ham United are keeping tabs on Roma’s Seydou Doumbia, who is on loan at CSKA Moscow this season, according to the London Evening Standard.
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