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 three big stories dominating the headlines on Friday.
Will any of the following deals happen?
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Barcelona are ready to launch a January bid for Lyon’s Nabil Fekir as cover for the injured Ousmane Dembele, who is unlikely to return until at least February.
According to Sport, Blaugrana have joined Arsenal in the hunt for the French playmaker, with the 24-year-old flourishing following some top-class displays this season.
However, a move for the France international would seem to suggest the Spanish giants have given up hope of signing Philippe Coutinho.
Barca have made it their priority to bring in attacking reinforcements, especially given the club have been without Dembele since September.
RATING: 7/10
VERDICT
Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas is known as a tough negotiator and wouldn’t be keen to cash in on his club’s prized asset for less than €50m. Moreover, given the French side’s impressive start to the Ligue 1 season, they would also be unlikely to allow Fekir to leave mid-season no matter how much Barca want him.
It should be said that signing Fekir is seen as a long-term move for the Camp Nou club and not merely just a temporary alternative to bolster options going forward.
Fekir has hit 12 goals in all competitions this term.
Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique could return to the dugout next season – just over a year after he stepped down as boss of the Spanish giants.
According to Sport, the 47-year-old is readying himself for a return to management after signing off with a Copa del Rey title last term – but failing in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Despite this, Enrique still goes down as one of the most successful coaches in the club’s illustrious history and it is reported he is looking for a new challenge again.
RATING: 8/10
VERDICT
Having had some time away from the game to refresh and recharge his batteries, expect there to be a number of clubs in the mix for the former Barca and Real Madrid midfielder come the end of the season. It’s hard to see Enrique joining another side in La Liga so the Premier League could well be on the cards – particularly if he doesn’t end up staying at Chelsea beyond this campaign.
Enrique won two La Liga titles and a Champions League at Barca.
Turkish winger Arda Turan is surplus to requirements at Barcelona and is likely to be moved on in January.
The 30-year-old, who is not in Ernesto Valverde’s plans for the remainder of the season, has been told he is allowed to leave the club, according to AS.
However, there have not yet been any firm bids for his signature – making it unlikely Barca will recoup much, if any, of the €34m they shelled out on him from Atletico back in 2015.
RATING: 9/10
VERDICT
The former Galatasaray star, who is contracted to the La Liga club until 2020 but has yet to play a game this season, is certain to be on his way out of the club in the next window (providing a team comes in to sign him).
Turan has struggled to find his way in a Barca shirt.
