A round-up of the latest transfer gossip from around Europe as Arsenal leave Bayern Munich ‘afraid’ in the Martin Zubimendi transfer race amid Kieran Trippier’s request.
Der FCB are in the market to bolster their midfield and defence this year after coach Thomas Tuchel pleaded for reinforcements. But Bayern Munich have cooled their interest in Trippier due to the huge salary he requested and the fee that Newcastle United want for his transfer.
Mikel Arteta has also requested reinforcements at Arsenal but may also let players leave the Gunners in the winter window. Transfer activity across the continent is, finally, ramping up in the last week of the mid-season sales. Clubs also have their eyes on some future superstars.
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KRC Genk right-back Daniel Munoz is primed to seal an £8.5m transfer to Crystal Palace, per Sky Sports. The Eagles have moved to get the 27-year-old Colombian in the last week of the winter window with Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward both due to be out of contract this June.
England full-back Kieran Trippier demanded €10m-a-year (£164k-a/w) to agree a transfer to Bayern Munich from Newcastle United. According to Christian Falk, Der FCB felt his request was too much, having already offered the Toon more than they wanted to at €15m (£13m).
Falk also reports that Bayern Munich are ‘afraid’ that Arsenal may beat them to the transfer of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. Der FCB see the Spaniard as their No1 midfield target as he has a €60m (£51m) release clause. But Mikel Arteta is speaking with the 24-year-old.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich may also be entangled in another transfer saga. Galatasaray are targeting Gunners right-back Cedric Soares in January as a replacement for Der FCB target Sacha Boey, per football.london. Besiktas are also interested in Cedric’s transfer in January.
West Bromwich Albion are set to sign Callum Marshall on loan from West Ham United to the end of the season. The Belfast Telegraph reports that a deal is close for the Northern Ireland gem to go to the Hawthorns. The Irons believe the 19-year-old is a key player for the future.
Barcelona are monitoring Thomas Partey’s situation at Arsenal in view of the transfer of the midfielder, reports AS. The 30-year-old is facing an uncertain future at Emirates Stadium as coach Arteta urges the Gunners to sign his top midfield target, Zubimendi of Real Sociedad.
Spezia are targeting a transfer for Burnley goalkeeper Denis Franchi after letting Bartlomiej Dragowski join Panathinaikos, per TuttoMercatoWEB. Dragowski has left the Serie A side on loan with an option to buy. Franchi is under contract at Burnley to 2025 with a year option.
AFC Ajax are challenging interest from Tottenham Hotspur in 14-year-old Serbian wonderkid, Nebojsa Grujic, per Ajax Showtime. The Red Star Belgrade U15 attacker is seen as one of the best youngsters and is of interest to KRC Genk, ACF Fiorentina, SL Benfica and RB Salzburg.
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