Tottenham are ready to open talks to sign a midfielder playmaker Antonio Conte’s side is crying out for, while Sunday’s Transfer Gossip claims Real Madrid are keen on landing a top Chelsea and Manchester United attacking target.
CONTE CLOSING IN ON CREATIVE MIDFIELDER
Tottenham Hotspur are set to open talks over the January signing of Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi.
Spurs have been linked with a move for the Ukraine playmaker for a number of weeks now. But it looks like things are being ramped up ahead of the winter window opening.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano claims, via the Daily Express, that the 29-year-old ‘dreams’ of playing under Antonio Conte.
And now it’s reported Fabio Paratici is ready to swoop for a player who’s out of contract next summer.
Atalanta risk losing the player for nothing, which gives Tottenham a lift to strike a deal in the new year.
Journalist Marco Conterio adds that Paratici is set to open negotiations for the Ukrainian. While the Italian reporter also states that officials from both sides ‘will talk to each other’ soon.
Malinovskyi talks expected to happen
Conterio said (via Twitter): “Request from Antonio Conte and total harmony with Fabio Paratici: the Tottenham in January will try to take Ruslan Malinovskyi.
“The negotiation with Atalanta has not started but soon the managements will talk to each other. For Gasperini it is non-transferable.”
While veteran Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini’s stance will be taken on board by the Italian club. It’s thought that the chance to recoup a transfer fee will be more in their minds.
The leaves Spurs in a strong position to bolster a major position of need for Conte.
REAL TO HIJACK CHELSEA WINGER SWOOP
Real Madrid are targeting a replacement for Karim Benzema to be able to challenge Barcelona for the LaLiga title this season, which is likely to spell bad news for Chelsea.
Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly convinced Florentino Perez to bring in attacking reinforcements this January. And that need is highlighted further by an injury to Benzema.
The France forward is out of the World Cup after suffering a thigh problem in training. He has also been plagued by other injury issues so far this season and Real are keen to have more cover in the forward areas.
To that end, Sport claims Los Blancos are targeting Chelsea and Manchester United target Rafael Leao.
The 23-year-old is currently unwilling to sign a new contract with AC Milan. Add in the fact the left-winger, who can also play centrally, is out of contract in the summer of 2024 and Milan may be forced to sell soon in order to recoup a significant fee.
The Portugal international is currently valued at around £74m and is firmly on the radar of Graham Potter’s Blues.
Potter is weighing up a move for Leao to potentially replace a struggling Raheem Sterling at Stamford Bridge.
As for United’s interest, that appears less likely given they recently spent a huge amount to sign Antony. The Red Devils also have rising star Alejandro Garnacho, who plays on Leao’s position, and is primed for a lucrative new contract.
KLOPP CONSIDERING DOUBLE MIDFIELD RAID
Liverpool are reportedly considering a January approach for midfield duo Ruben Neves and Konrad Laimer after putting in ‘major work’ on the pair during the summer.
Jurgen Klopp is known to want new midfield recruits in an area of the field that has caused issues for the Reds so far this season.
Arthur Melo’s loan arrival from Juventus has turned into a nightmare, while Naby Keita has been beset by injury issues.
And with Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Thiago all the wrong side of 30, Klopp knows he has a rebuilding job to do.
To that end, Liverpool are looking at Neves and Laimer as more affordable options than Jude Bellingham.
Neves will be putting his talents on show with Portugal in Qatar over the next few weeks. Laimer, meanwhile, is out of contract in the summer and could move for a bargain January fee.