We’re into the last week of the January transfer window and clubs are looking to finalise any moves that could help reinforce their squads for the rest of the season.
Here, we take a look at the biggest stories dominating the headlines on Thursday.
Will any of the following deals happen?
Let us know your thoughts.
Get in touch via Twitter and Facebook.
GARETH BALE REJECTS BAYERN MOVE
Gareth Bale has reportedly rejected an offer to join Bayern Munich, according to Diario Gol. The Welshman has performed admirably on his latest return from injury but could still be offloaded by Real Madrid at the end of the season, with the 28-year-old preferring a return to the Premier League, ideally with his former club Tottenham Hotspur. Madrid may try to include Bale in any deal for Spurs striker Harry Kane.
RATING: 6/10
VERDICT
Bale might prefer a return to Tottenham, but his old club won’t be able to give him the same wages he’s on at Real Madrid – and for that matter, it’s not certain that Bayern Munich could match the wages Manchester United, Chelsea, or Manchester City could offer. More to the point, sentiment aside, would you let go of Kane for Bale + cash if you’re Tottenham? Bale is no doubt an extremely talented player, but he’s not a 30-goal-a-season striker like Kane. The Englishman is irreplaceable, and getting Bale in return may not be enough of a sweetener for a club which has already said it would resist a £200million bid for Kane.
Will Bale finally leave Madrid this summer?
PSG READY TO LET NEYMAR GO – ON ONE CONDITION
Goal understands PSG president Nasser Al-Khalifi has promised Neymar he will be allowed to leave for Real Madrid if he can lead the Paris club to Champions League glory this season. Neymar has been linked with a return to Spain all season amid rumours that he is struggling to settle in at PSG.
RATING: 5/10
VERDICT
PSG’s new owners have been craving European success ever since they took over the club, only to see their team repeatedly fall short. The Champions League has long been the holy grail for rich new owners, so it’s understandable that PSG would be the same – especially when, barring last season’s blip, success on the domestic front has become routine. But is winning the Champions League once enough to part ways with a club-record, statement signing after just one season? It seems highly unlikely that PSG would let Neymar leave only one summer after arriving, regardless of what he’s able to achieve in that one year.
Neymar hasn’t quite settled at PSG.
MORATA TRYING TO RECRUIT ISCO, ASENSIO TO CHELSEA
Diario Gol reports Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata is aiming to recruit former Real Madrid teammates Isco and Marco Asensio to the reigning Premier League champions. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is looking to reinforce his squad after a disappointing season, and Morata has reportedly been speaking to his ex-teammates about joining him in London.
RATING: 4/10
VERDICT
One of the few positives Real Madrid have had this season is that they still have a young Spanish core that can help them bounce back quickly after this season. It seems unlikely, taking that into consideration, that they’d let the two best young Spaniards leave the club. Isco has long been billed as Madrid’s next big star, and he’s already been playing like it over the last season-and-a-half, and while Asensio has at times failed to live up the hype he generated with some excellent performances in the preseason, he’s still shown enough talent to ensure that Madrid will keep faith with their talented youngster. Chelsea no doubt need reinforcements, but it won’t happen just because Morata is friends with a couple of Real Madrid players.
Real Madrid won’t want to let go of Isco and Asensio.
