Squawka's Wednesday transfer gossip column

Xavi has opened the door to a potential switch to Manchester United after claiming he is unlikely to finish his career at Barcelona. United had been hoping they could lure Barcelona’s pass-master away with a big-money move and the Catalan midfielder has dropped his first hints that he may be willing to consider such an offer. Xavi has created 19 chances in 14 appearances for Barcelona and has recorded a passing accuracy of 92% (Metro)

 

Arsenal are willing to pay Real Madrid £2m in order to loan Alvaro Morata for the remainder of the season. Real have previously been unwilling to entertain any offers for the Spanish under-21 striker, but Arsenal are desperate for a short-term solution to help cope with their injury crisis up front. Morata has started just one game for Real this season, but has scored twice and has won 71% of his aerial duels.  (Metro)

Chelsea are the front-runners for the signature of Xabi Alonso, with the midfielder’s contract at Real Madrid due to finish in the summer. Alonso is reportedly surplus to requirements at Santiago Bernabeu and could be available to his former boss Jose Mourinho for a cut-price fee if he wishes to make his move in January. Alonso has connected with 90% of his passes and created ten chances in eight games. (Daily Express)

One man not going to Chelsea however is Mario Balotelli, after the striker claimed he will stay in Italy until the end of the season at least. Balotelli was rumoured to be unhappy at AC Milan, but feels the need to stay in Italy in order to boost his World Cup preparations. Balotelli has completed 36 take-ons this season and has a 54% shooting accuracy. (Daily Star)

Tottenham Hotspur have dismissed the idea of them loaning out Erik Lamela, with Inter Milan waiting in the wings. The club record signing has struggled to adapt at Spurs since his summer arrival, but the North London club wish to keep him White Hart Lane for the remainder of the season. Lamela has completed 90 minutes just once in the Premier League and has created just six chances in his nine appearances. (Daily Telegraph)

David Moyes has denied reports that a deal to sign Fabio Coentrao from Real Madrid is already in place. Manchester United are favourites to land the Portuguese left-back who is out of favour at the Spanish giants, having narrowly missed out on him in the summer. Coentrao has managed just four league appearances for Real this season and won 69% of his tackles. (Sky Sports)

Arsenal have enquired over the availability of Jackson Martinez of Porto as they look to ease their striking crisis. The Colombian hitman has caught the eye with his goal-scoring exploits in Portugal and Arsenal hope to jump to the front of the queue in order to snare his signature. Martinez created eight chances in six Champions League games and scored twice. (Metro)

Norwich are set to turn down a bid from Aston Villa for Wes Hoolahan, with the offer deemed ‘derisory’. Norwich are still bitter about the way Paul Lambert left them to manage Villa and a low bid of £750,000 will do nothing to mend the wounds. Hoolahan has completed 13 take-ons in nine appearances and created five chances. (Daily Express)

Tottenham and Newcastle have cooled their interest in Bafetembi Gomis after learning that they would have to pay £1m in agents fees alone. Gomis contract ends in the summer, but both clubs have prioritised other forwards over the Frenchman. Gomis has scored seven goals in 14 appearances for Lyon, with a conversion rate of 21.9%. (Metro)

Everton are keen on the signature of Aiden McGeady, with the former Celtic star’s contract with Sparktak Moscow due to expire in the summer. Newcastle are also reportedly keen, but the Toffees are the favourites for his signature. McGeady has scored one goal and assisted four in 13 appearances for Spartak. (Liverpool Echo)

Liverpool’s hope of landing Sidney Sam from Bayer Leverkusen have been dashed by news that the German winger has signed a deal to sign for Schalke 04 in the summer. Brendan Rodger’s side were keeping tabs on the talented winger, but he has opted to remain in the Bundesliga with Schalke. Sam has scored seven goals in 13 appearances this season, as well as claiming five assists, having created the sixth most amount of chances in the Bundesliga, despite being injured since November. (Sky Sports)

West Brom are keen on snapping up Craig Gardner in a cut-price deal from Sunderland. Gardner’s contract with the Black Cats expires in the summer and Sunderland could allow him to leave in January, with the Baggies hoping to become his third West midlands club, following spells with Aston Villa and Birmingham. Gardner has scored twice in ten appearances, but has won only 31% of his tackles and connected with only 73% of his passes. (Birmingham Mail)

Crystal Palace have targeted Everton’s Nikica Jelavic to help fire them to safety, while Tom Ince of Blackpool is another reported player that manager Tony Pulis has identified. Pulis wants to sign six new players in January, but these two top the list alongside Blackburn’s Scott Dann. Jelavic is yet to score in his nine appearances for the Toffees in the league, but has hit the target with 64% of his shots. (Daily Telegraph)

Fabio Borini could be on his way back to Italy, with Udinese lining up an offer for him at the end of the season. With Antonio Di Natale having announced his retirement from the game at the conclusion of this season, Udinese are looking at strike replacements and Borini is a name they have in mind. Borini has scored just once and created only five chances for teammates in his 15 appearances for Sunderland this season, winning just 36% of his aerial duels in the process. (Football Italia)