Transfer news and rumours: 24 January 2016
The January transfer window is approaching its final week and a number of players are linked with clubs across Europe. While Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid look to bolster their squads before the FIFA enforced transfer ban, other clubs are not far behind when it comes to signing replacements or add more bench strength. Most deals usually take place on deadline day but the foundation for these deals are usually laid in the days prior. Here are some of the major transfer news and rumours in Europe today.
#1 Serie A
Serie A defending champions Juventus are said to have identified German International Christoph Kramer as the replacement for their star midfielder Paul Pagba. The highly coveted French star is strongly linked with a big-money move to Barcelona in the summer leaving a gaping hole in the Juventus midfield who have already sold Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo last summer.
However, the Turin giants have set their sights on Bayer Leverkusen’s Kramer as the player to replace the 22-year-old Pogba. Fellow Serie A side Napoli are also believed to be interested in the services of the German.
AC Milan are reported to be weighing up a move for former Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa according to L'Equipe. The 28-year-old who joined French side Nice in the summer has hit top form and has been producing eye-catching performances in the Ligue 1. Milan manager Siniša Mihajlovi is believed to be keen on bringing the Frenchman to the San Siro.
Chinese outfit Jiangsu Suning FC have reportedly offered AS Roma €18 million offer to secure the services of their Ivory Coast attacker Gervinho. Roma, who have had a stuttering season so far, are 12 points off the pace in the race for the Scudetto and might be tempted to cash in on the forward.