Squawka Thursday transfer gossip column
Arsenal are in talks with Schalke over Julian Draxler with Dick Law, the club’s chief transfer negotiator, having been in Germany to try to seal a January deal for the 20-year-old attacking midfielder. Draxler scored 66% of his Schalke’s goals in the Champions League group stages. (The Guardian)
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Liverpool face competition from two unnamed Premier League clubs for the signature of Ukraine forward Yevhen Konoplyanka, 24, despite opening negotiations with his club Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on Wednesday. Konoplyanka completed 19 take-ons in just five Europa League matches this season. (The Independent)
Cardiff are set to sell Andreas Cornelius back to Copenhagen for £5 million less than they paid for the striker, having bought the 20-year-old for £8.5m in the summer. He did not start a single Premier League game while at Cardiff. (Daily Star)
Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has opened the door for Toni Kroos to leave. Asked about the 24-year-old Germany midfielder’s potential move, Guardiola said: “He is an important player but things can move fast in football. Here today, gone tomorrow.” Kroos misplaced just five passes in his first three Champions League games this season. (Daily Express)
St Etienne are holding out for £18m from Chelsea for their 19-year-old French centre-back Kurt Zouma. The powerful defender has been linked with Chelsea all season and both the Blues and Zouma have flirted with each. He has won 75% of his headed duels this season. (Daily Mirror)
Zouma has won an astonishing 10 out 11 tackles this season
Lewis Holtby’s agent has confirmed the 23-year-old midfielder wants to leave Tottenham before Friday’s transfer deadline. He had been linked with a move to former club Schalke but it appeared last week that Borussia Dortmund had stolen a march on them to sign Holtby. He has scored just one Premier League goal for Spurs. (Metro)
Liverpool and Arsenal have revived their interest in 22-year-old Barcelona forward Isaac Cuenca. Cuenca has suffered from injuries in his time at Barcelona and has scored just four goals for the club at senior level. (talkSPORT)
Crystal Palace expect to make “at least three” signings in the final 48 hours of the transfer window, but Jonathan Walters looks unlikely to be one of them. Walters has converted 9% of his chances in the Premier League this season (two goals). (Daily Mirror)
Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has sparked speculation that he will be moving to the Premier League after admitting he has always wanted to play in England. The Dutchman has scored three goals in three Bundesliga matches this season, converting 60% of his chances. (Daily Mirror)
Manchester City are attempting to sign Porto’s soon-to-be out of contract midfielder, Fernando. He had, originally, been linked with Liverpool, Manchester United and AC Milan this month but it looks like City will make a move for the strong midfielder. He has won 17 tackles in the Champions League so far. (Manchester Evening News)