Opinion
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri referred to Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey as an “outgoing player” in early January and the 31-year-old now appears to be headed back to the Premier League.
Burnley are one club interested and rumoured to have held preliminary talks with the Italian club, while Crystal Palace’s recent interest appears to have waned after the wage demands of such a quality player failed to suit them at this point in time.
Pep Guardiola has effectively confirmed Manchester City’s interest in River Plate’s Julian Alvarez, with an unconvincing response to questions seeking the level of interest held by the English giants.
Rather than denying any talks, offers or enquiries, Guardiola stated that he knew nothing when it came to a potential deal involving the 21-year-old Argentinian.
That pretty much passed the buck on to the owners, withdrew the manager from further media speculation and confirmed that the diminutive goal scorer will be wearing light blue in the short-term future.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has bucked the trend by suggesting that the Magpies are not close to signing any significant players in the remainder of the transfer window, with Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood likely to be the only January editions, according to the picture being presented by the coach.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
With Newcastle still occupying a Premier League relegation spot – in a frightfully scary battle to survive with Norwich, Watford and Burnley and with more money to spend than is possibly imaginable – it is likely that Howe’s comments are of the coy variety and Newcastle are certain to make further signings in the coming days.
There is zero chance that the new owners will see their recent investment relegated soon after acquiring it and rest assured, the troops will be arriving in quick time.
Considering the widely reported negotiations Newcastle have held with Sevilla over Brazilian Diego Carlos, the request for a transfer submitted by the player himself and the £30 million (A$57 million) offer made by the Magpies, it is probably fair to call out Howe on the obvious tall tales he is spouting in press conferences.
Moreover, the recently begun talks between Newcastle and Tottenham for the services of Dele Alli are no secret and further suggest a late surge of significant signings destined to take place in the north of England.
(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Two of the three clubs currently involved in the desperate race for survival in the 2021-22 Premier League season have eyes on Hamza Choudhury, according to information flowing from the British press.
Watford and Newcastle are rumoured to be considering loan offers to Leicester for the services of the 24-year-old central defender, with his parent club reflecting on the approaches and the long-term future value of the player.
In Germany, Bayer Leverkusen have signed one of Asia’s best, a man who scores at better than a goal every other game for his country of birth.
Sardar Azmoun is an out-and-out striker with Iran and had been linked to, wait for it, Newcastle United and Burnley in the Premier League before the powerful German club made its move.
The deal extends over five years and reeks of a long-term belief in the 27-year-old currently based in Russia.
Elsewhere in England, Aston Villa continue to build an impressive squad for Steven Gerrard to work with next season, with the potential signing of Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus on a permanent basis sure to add further strength and depth.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
With a reported £16 million ($A30 million) the figure in question and the Villa boss keen to address a perceived weakness in the midfield, the Uruguayan would likely be a canny buy should the current negotiations prove profitable for the Birmingham club.
The dramas at Manchester United appear to now have a face, with coach Ralf Rangnick keen to offload three players he feels undermine the culture and spirit at Old Trafford.
Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial are the men in question and the players the manager feels have a negative impact on the United dressing room.
In coaching news, Mikel Arteta has reportedly been offered a new deal at Arsenal, with news that Manchester City will be looking to replace Pep Guardiola in 2023 potentially accelerating the move.
Thomas Frank has unsurprisingly been offered a new contract at Brentford, with his team likely to stay up and rumours of the arrival of Christian Eriksen fuelling the positivity around the club.
With just over a week remaining in the winter transfer window, last-ditch efforts to acquire players will be taking place at clubs looking both to survive and to excel.
Keep up to date on all the rumours and deals at The Roar.
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