The transfer window for all of Europe’s big five leagues is closed, but that doesn’t stop Transfer Talk from rummaging around to find out who will be moving where come January.
TOP STORY: Inter ready to step up Martial interest
Inter Milan want Manchester United forward Anthony Martial as his Old Trafford contract standoff continues, the Mirror reports.
Martial is out of contract in the summer, with United having the option to increase his deal by 12 months, and although his current club are keen to keep him, Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio “is a long-term admirer.”
Reports in September said Inter could try to broker a loan deal for France international Martial that would see Ivan Perisic go the other way.
Martial had indicated he would be reluctant to sign new terms after falling out of favour with Jose Mourinho, but he has now scored five goals in five Premier League games.
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08.00 BST: Bayer Leverkusen boss Jonas Boldt says that Leon Bailey will not leave the club this winter, amid interest from Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool.
“We had good talks,” Boldt said after Bailey’s agent arrived in Leverkusen on Tuesday. “We all know that Leon will leave us one day. But we made it clear that a winter transfer is out of the question.”
The Jamaican attacker himself said earlier this week that he was not in any hurry to join a Premier League giant, saying: “A lot of clubs were interested. But the most important thing as a pro is taking things a step at a time and not rushing to the top too quickly. Because once you get there, where do you go next?”
PAPER TALK (by Chris Borg): Palace mull move for Arsenal’s Welbeck
Crystal Palace could make a January move for Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck as they look to ease their struggles in front of goal, according to the Sun.
It reports that the Eagles are prepared to table a £10 million offer for Welbeck, who has struggled for first-team time this season. His Arsenal contract runs out in the summer, with no new terms having yet been offered, and that has alerted Palace boss Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson’s Gunners counterpart Unai Emery “is happy for Welbeck to remain part of his Arsenal squad for the rest of the season,” but Arsenal will listen to offers “because they are reluctant to allow him to leave for nothing in the summer.”
Meanwhile, Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has emerged as a potential future signing for Manchester City, the Mirror reports.
The 20-year-old has impressed City, “who have underlined their interest with a number of discreet enquiries,” and is “in contention when they next look to strengthen in that area.”
Chelsea run rule over Bournemouth’s Wilson
Chelsea continue to be linked with strikers amid speculation about the future of Alvaro Morata, with Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson the latest, says the Mirror.
Wilson has scored seven times this season and “fired himself onto Chelsea’s radar.”
The Londoners “are having him watched on a regular basis between now and the end of the year, and could firm up their interest as early as January.”
Reports of Chelsea’s interest come after they were linked with Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi and Genoa’s Krzysztof Piatek last month.
Meanwhile, Blues boss Maurizio Sarri “has slammed the door on a West Ham move to take Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan.”
Tap-ins
— Zlatan Ibrahimovic is under contract with the LA Galaxy for next season, but a few things have to happen if he is to return. “I have some wishes and demands which [are] simple things,” Ibrahimovic said, according to the Associated Press. “There is interest in Europe, but my priority is Galaxy. They have wishes, I have wishes, but I’m optimistic and I’m positive.”
— Spurs goalkeeper Michel Vorm might be off to pastures new after becoming frustrated with life on the bench, the Evening Standard reports. Former Swansea keeper Vorm, out of contract at the end of the season, is in a battle with Paulo Gazzaniga for the role of backup to Hugo Lloris and has said he will “see how it goes.”
— Watford are preparing a summer move for Akhmat Grozny’s Iran left-back Milad Mohammadi, according to the Sun. Mohammadi, whose contract with the Russian side expires at the end of the season, is also interesting both Celtic and Fenerbahce, and the latter “could test Grozny with a January bid.”