Transfer gossip column: Bale, Hazard spark bidding wars; Guardiola seeks 4
This is not the place for legitimate reports and completed deals. Here, we compile the ludicrous transfer rumours that arise during this month of madness in the football world. Each day until the January window shuts, theScore will provide a rundown of the most outlandish babble from the backpages, briefing you on the transfer gossip throughout Europe.
If you're searching for a list of finalised transfers from each of Europe's top-five domestic leagues, the following pages have you covered:
- Transfer Tracker - Premier League
- Transfer Tracker - Bundesliga
- Transfer Tracker - Ligue 1
- Transfer Tracker - La Liga
- Transfer Tracker - Serie A
And now, back to the rumour mill.
Hazard drawing suitors in Spain and France
On Wednesday, rumour had it Real Madrid were set to offer Chelsea a whopping £100 million for Eden Hazard; today, Paris Saint-Germain has entered the fight. Both PSG and Madrid are interested in Hazard's services and are ready to spark a bidding war over his signature, reports Kieran Gill from the Daily Mail. However, PSG is looking at a pricetag of around £45 million for Hazard, who they say has mentally checked out of Stamford Bridge.
Guardiola wants four new stars at Manchester City
Not only has Pep Guardiola supposedly taken the Manchester City managerial position, he's already shopping for new players. Yesterday, Guardiola was seeking a reunion with Lionel Messi, reported Richard Tanner from The Daily Express, but now, he's also asked the City board to sign Gerard Pique, David Alaba, and Paul Pogba, reports Shaun Custis from the Sun. Just another day at the transfer market.
Bale set to leave Madrid for literally anywhere
Real Madrid has a new sheriff in town, named Zinedine Zidane. And star right-winger Gareth Bale isn't pleased with the appointment, according to Charlie Wyett from the Sun. Bale is apparently set to depart the Spanish capital, with Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and PSG all interested in his services, which really narrows it down for the Welsh forward.
Liverpool boss Klopp looks to old guard
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side is dealing with something of an injury crisis, with 12 players sidelined for an upcoming FA Cup clash against Exeter. That list includes Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren, and Martin Skrtel, leaving Klopp with no central defenders. Now, he's turning to Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic, according to David Maddock of the Mirror, and also has an eye out for Inter Milan's Andrea Ranocchia for a loan.
AC Milan target Fellaini to ail scoring woes
Italian outfit AC Milan is looking at Manchester United ace midfielder-turned-striker Marouane Fellaini, with Juventus and Roma also keen on the Belgian's signature, according to David Anderson from the Mirror. However, Louis van Gaal isn't looking to sell Fellaini for anything less than half of the £27.5 million the Red Devils paid for him in 2013.