With the calendar soon turning over to the new year, the gossip ahead of the January transfer window is heating up. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest rumours.
Gunners to make final Ozil offer
It's now or never as far as Arsenal's hopes of keeping Mesut Ozil are concerned, according to the Mirror, which reports that the Gunners will make one more attempt to persuade him to sign a new deal.
Ozil, out of contract in the summer, has been linked with both Manchester United and Barcelona.
Talks over his future have stalled, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger "is not giving up hope" and the Gunners will table an offer that would make the Germany international the best-paid player in their history.
The Mirror writes that "with Alexis Sanchez now seen as almost certain to leave, Arsenal are trying to pull out all the stops on Ozil." And it adds that the question is "whether they can persuade him to stay rather than moving somewhere offering a greater chance of trophies."
Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty ImagesMadrid consider Kepa as Chelsea get Courtois boost
Reports last month indicated that Chelsea would step up efforts to keep Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge -- and their hopes of doing so could soon be a lot higher.
The Telegraph reports that Real Madrid are "set to make a decision on their first-choice goalkeeper target" and might opt to move for Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga in January, rather than Courtois in the summer.
Courtois has less than two years left on his Chelsea contract and has indicated that he is content to leave discussions about a new deal until the end of the season.
The Telegraph reports that he "should know by the end of this month whether or not Real are likely to bid for him" when summer comes around. But it adds that Kepa "appears much easier for Real to land," with his contract expiring before that of Courtois and his transfer fee likely to be significantly lower.
Spanish sides seek Sturridge switch
Speculation that Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge could be on his way to pastures new has been growing for a while, and the Mail suggests Spain could be his next destination.
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Sturridge has struggled for playing time this season, and the report states that he "is willing to consider a move abroad in January, with Real Betis and Valencia keen."
His time at Liverpool has been disrupted by injury problems, but he has been fit for most of this season and wants to play regular football to give himself a chance of a place in England's World Cup squad.
The Mail writes that although the Merseysiders are "reluctant to sell" now because of the cost of securing a replacement in the winter window, a loan deal could be done.
Tap-ins
- Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson, who saw his side return to the foot of the Premier League table at the weekend, is set to sign Espanyol keeper Diego Lopez next month, according to the Mirror. It writes that Hodgson "has moved for the 36-year-old after identifying his last line of defence as a problem position," and the Eagles are confident that a deal will go through.
- Aston Villa are interested in signing Bournemouth striker Lewis Grabban in January after his success on loan at Sunderland this season. Grabban has scored 11 times in 17 games, despite the Black Cats' struggles, and the Birmingham Mail reports that Villa could bring him in, with Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe looking to sell, rather than loaning him again.
Source: espn.co.uk