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January is just around the corner. Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.
Arteta plots Gabriel move
New Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is already making plans to strengthen his squad, and The Athletic claims the Spaniard is keeping tabs on Lille defender Gabriel.
The Gunners look set to be priced out of a move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, with Arteta being told by the Arsenal hierarchy that there would be limited funds to spend in the new year following extensive spending in the summer. Brazilian Gabriel is seen as a cut-price alternative to Koulibaly — the 22-year-old has impressed in his 23 appearances for Lille this season, including six outings in the Champions League, but his potential involvement in an Olympic pre-qualifying tournament next month with the Brazil under-23 side could scupper a January raid.
The former Dinamo Zagreb loanee’s contract in Ligue 1 expires in 18 months, which means Arsenal could be in a position to drive a hard bargain next month.
Pep preps move for PSV youngster
Manchester City are interested in PSV Eindhoven midfielder Mohamed Ihattaren, who has already established himself as a first-team regular for the Eredivisie giants. The 17-year-old has made 24 appearances in all competitions for PSV, scoring six goals in the process, and City boss Pep Guardiola has identified the youngster as a long-term successor to David Silva, who looks set to leave the Etihad at the end of the season.
In addition to Ihattaren’s domestic exploits, the playmaker is also making waves on the continental stage, scoring once and assisting a further three goals in just six Europa League games this season.
Guardiola is desperate to integrate a wave of youngsters into his City lineup as he prepares to replace many of his ageing stars, and Liverpool’s runaway Premier League title charge has further accelerated the former Barcelona boss’ plans to strengthen the squad.
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Barca plan new year facelift
Barcelona have prioritized the signing of a deep-lying playmaker and a centre forward in the new year, and Sport claims the La Liga leaders have identified their preferred targets for both positions. The Spanish publication believes Donyell Malen of PSV Eindhoven and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez are Barca’s chief targets for the attacking No. 10 position, while Martinez’s Inter colleague Stefano Sensi is rumoured to be manager Ernesto Valverde’s favoured candidate to be the long-term successor for Sergio Busquets.
Martinez, 22, has had a hand in 11 goals in 18 games for Inter this season, while former Arsenal trainee Malen, 20, has 11 strikes of his own in just 14 Eredivisie appearances. Midfielder Sensi, meanwhile, has impressed at the San Siro during a season-long loan spell from Sassuolo, but Malen is seen as the cheaper option for the No. 9 position, with Inter valuing Martinez at north of €100 million.
Tap-ins
– Fiorentina are interested in Torino’s former West Ham striker, Simone Zaza, but Calciomercato claims La Viola face competition from several clubs in La Liga, including Sevilla and Espanyol. The 28-year-old has struggled for regular game time in Turin, with Andrea Belotti the preferred striking option for Walter Mazzarri’s side.
– Barcelona are planning loan moves for two of their fringe players, with Jean-Clair Todibo and Carles Alena both being lined up for temporary switches. Alena has been linked with a move to either Getafe or Real Betis, while 19-year-old Todibo has offers on the table from clubs in Germany and Italy, according to Marca.
– Yari Verschaeren is the latest prospect to fly off the Anderlecht youth production line, and a trio of English Premier League clubs are rumoured to be in the race for the 18-year-old, according to Calciomercato. Wolves, Leicester City and Aston Villa are all believed to be keen on the two-cap Belgium international.
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