Euro Paper Talk: Major Liverpool centre-back target to open Chelsea talks in Jan

Chelsea will open talks to sign a Liverpool centre-back target in January, while Man Utd have not given up hope of signing a £70m winger – all in Friday’s Euro Paper Talk.

 

CHELSEA WINNING RACE FOR BAYERN ACE

The agent of Liverpool target David Alaba is reportedly set to enter transfer talks with Chelsea in January.

Pini Zahavi represents the Bayern Munich star but retains close links with the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Alaba is out of contract next the summer, but he has twice rejected a new deal with the Bundesliga giants and looks increasingly likely to move on.

However, Chelsea are not the only club Zahavi is planning discussions with regarding one of his top clients.

According to BILD journalist Christian Falk , PSG are also one of the contenders to land the Austria international.

Real Madrid are also said to be in the running, while Jurgen Klopp needs defensive recruits due to his Anfield injury crisis.

Alaba is able to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs from the start of the new year. However, more patient suitors may decide to wait until the summer and lad the player for nothing.

Bayern’s hierarchy are seemingly resigned to losing Alaba though, and may try to cash in on the player in January.

 

 

That is not the view of Bayern manager Hansi Flick, however, who is still keen for the defender to stay put.

“He’s a very important player,” Flick said. “He’s been with the club for over nine years and has been a treble winner twice during that time.

“You can’t write off such a player.”

But Alaba’s stance on refusing to sign a new deal means a move away appears almost certain.

That could mean the experienced stopper lining up alongside Thiago Silva at the heart of Chelsea’s defence as early as the new year, if the Blues want to enhance their title chances by strengthening their Achilles heel.

 


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UNITED NOT GIVING UP ON BARCA ATTACKER

Ousmane Dembele

Manchester United have not given up on signing winger Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona, with a January loan switch mooted. (Sport)

Liverpool have reportedly already decided on whether to sign Ezequiel Garay after the centre-back was offered to the Merseyside club. (Fabrizio Romano)

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba will head back to St Etienne in January. (But Football Club)

Man Utd and Man City are both monitoring Velez Sarsfield winger Thiago Almada, who has scored five goals in as many games this season. (tuttomercatoweb)

Mario Mandzukic’s agent Ivan Cvjetkovic says the former Juventus striker doesn’t want to talk about the Bianconeri and reveals he is ready to sign for a new club. (Tuttosport)

Everton are ahead of Tottenham in the race to sign Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira who could terminate his contract with the Old Lady in January. (Football Italia)

 

INTER SET ERIKSEN PRICE

Christian Eriksen can leave Inter Milan in the summer, with the Nerazzurri reportedly wanting €30m to sell the former Tottenham star. (Tuttosport)

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, 21, is close to agreeing a new contract with AC Milan. (Calciomercato)

Barcelona presidential hopeful Emili Rousaud said he wants to rename the Camp Nou in honour of forward Lionel Messi. (Catalunya Radio)

Takefusa Kubo will have to get approval from Villarreal before he can find a move in the January transfer window. (Sport)

Aston Villa could make a January bid for Werder Bremen’s Kosovo winger Milot Rashica. (Kreiszeitung)

Former Manchester City and England central defender Joleon Lescott has signed for Spanish third division side Racing Murcia. (Football Espana)

 

AND THE REST FROM EURO PAPER TALK

Marseille winger Florian Thauvin looks set to join AC Milan next summer. (TodoFichajes)

Benfica have made a new bid to sign Lucas Verrisimo from Santos. (Esporte Interativo)

Borussia Monchengladbach are ready to extend the contracts of Matthias Ginter and Nico Elvedi.

Slovenia international Valter Birsa is a free agent after terminating his contract with Cagliari by mutual consent. (Football Italia)

Sporting hope to complete the signing of Matheus Reis from Rio Ave in January. (O Jogo)