Barcelona set to make Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann their No1 target, Man City eye January deal for Faouzi Ghoulam

David Cooper - Writer 09:00 10/10/2017
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  • Barcelona bound? Antoine Griezmann.

    The transfer window may not open again until January 1 2018 but that hasn’t put an end to plenty of speculation throughout Europe.

    Here, we take a look at the big stories dominating the headlines on Tuesday.

    Will any of the following deals happen?

    Let us know your thoughts.

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    ANTOINE GRIEZMANN

    Barcelona are plotting a move for Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann after making the striker their new one target next summer, according to the Daily Mirror.

    Griezmann has an €100m release clause in his agreement with Atletico until July 1 next year.

    But that increases to €200m after that date until the end of his contract in 2023, according Mundo Deportivo.

    Diego Simeone will want to keep his star man, but a fee in excess of €100 million will be difficult to turn down, especially with new arrival Diego Costa capable of leading the attack.

    RATING: 6/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    Griezmann is no doubt the best possible replacement available to help fill the gap left by Neymar and create a trident with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

    During the summer transfer window, when speculation was rife that the Frenchman was on his way to Manchester United, he committed to staying at Atletico in the wake of the club’s transfer ban.

    Griezmann has scored three goals for Simeone’s this season to help them up to fourth in La Liga – a point ahead of Real Madrid and five adrift of Barcelona.

    Antoine Griezmann

    Antoine Griezmann

    DANNY ROSE

    Manchester United are poised to swoop Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose next summer, according to Talksport.

    The 27-year-old is considered a long term option for Jose Mourinho’s side and they are set to offer fresh terms during the January transfer window after missing out over the summer.

    The England international has been sidelined with a knee injury since January but is expected to make a return later this month.

    RATING: 6/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    Mourinho has certainly had his doubts over Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian at left-back and is believed to be a keen admirer of Rose.

    Widely regarded as the best left-back in the league, the England international has an able replacement in Ben Davies if he is to leave North London, but it’s hard to see why he would want a move to Old Trafford, especially with Spurs already title contenders.

    Danny Rose

    Danny Rose

    FAOUZI GHOULAM

    Manchester City are eying a cut-price £3 million for Napoli left back Faouzi Ghoulam in January.

    The 26-year-old is out of contract next summer which has put Liverpool, Chelsea, Juventus and City on red alert.

    Pep Guardiola is also believed to want the Algerian international as a direct replacement for the injured Benjamin Mendy.

    Napoli will likely loath to let their star defender go for cheap, but given that they risk losing him on a free next summer, the Sky Blues could yet snap Ghoulam up for a reasonable price in January.

    RATING: 7/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    Ghoulam’s 87% pass completion rate in the Serie A last season was just one sign of his dependability, while his ability to barrel forward has helped make him arguably the best left-back in the league.

    In addition, his comfort on the ball will also be attractive to Guardiola as he looks for a solid presence at the back in the absence of Mendy.

    Faouzi Ghoulam

    Faouzi Ghoulam

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