The transfer window opens soon – on January 1, 2018 – meaning speculation is starting to gather momentum throughout Europe.
Here, we take a look at three big stories dominating the headlines on Wednesday.
Will any of the following deals happen?
Let us know your thoughts.
Get in touch via Twitter and Facebook.
Barcelona are ready to launch a surprise bid for former Real Madrid and Manchester City striker Jose Angel Pozo in the January transfer window.
The news, as reported first by Spanish radio station Onda Cero, comes as a bit of a shock given the 21-year-old has yet to set the world alight in the Segunda Division with current club Almeria.
However, the Spanish star still has huge potential and the Catalan giants are hoping to add the forward to Gerard Lopez’s Barcelona B squad next month.
While it is unlikely Pozo would be parachuted into the first-team picture if he did arrive at the Nou Camp, Barca feel he is now ready to fulfil the talent which saw him play a handful of games for Premier League side City during the 2014-15 campaign.
Pozo’s Real Madrid ties are long gone, giving he only featured in their youth set-up between 2007 and 2012, so that connection will not stand in Barcelona’s way if they choose to sign him.
Quite where he fits into Barca’s B set-up is unknown but Almeria will be more than willing to cash in on a player they signed two years ago if an offer comes their way during the window.
Pozo celebrates scoring for City.
Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta won’t be making a move to Chinese Super League side Chongqing Dangdai Lifan in the near future, according to reports in east Asia.
The Blaugrana club captain and cult hero, who signed a new lifetime contract with the Camp Nou side in October, has been linked in the past with a mega-money move to the league after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
However, according to the Chongqing Morning Post and sources at the club, the 33-year-old would not ‘meet the physical requirements’ to play in China due to his advancing years.
While the Chinese Super League has attracted big stars like Carlos Tevez, Hulk, Ramires, Oscar and Pelle in recent times, don’t expect Barca icon Iniesta to be the next name to add to that list.
The diminutive midfielder still has a few more years left at the top level in Spain – at the very least – and is still integral to Ernesto Valverde’s men. Indeed, it is interesting Iniesta’s physical capabilities have been dismissed since he’s been playing consistently well this season.
Club legend Iniesta has been in fine form this term.
Rumours surrounding the future of Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak and a potential switch to Paris Saint-Germain have been dismissed by the French giants.
The Slovenian shot-stopper, who is a key man for the Red and Whites, has been widely linked with the Parisian club but PSG’s sporting director Antero Henrique has gone on record to refute the speculation.
“No, it is not true (that we are interested in Oblak),” he told Le Parisien, when asked about Oblak who is contracted to the Wanda Metropolitano club until 2021.
He added: “Moreover, no goalkeeper can state that PSG have contacted him, as we don’t need one.
“We have Alphonse Areola and Kevin Trapp and our third goalkeeper, Remy Descamps, who will head on loan in January and will be replaced by Sebastien Cibois.”
Oblak is without doubt one of European football’s finest goalkeeping talents but don’t expect Diego Simeone to allow his No.1 to depart the Spanish capital.
The only future sticking point which may come is if the 24-year-old feels Atleti can no longer compete in the latter stages of the Champions League – with their early exit from this year’s premier European competition – creating cause for concern.
Highly-rated: Atletico Madrid stopper Jan Oblak.
