2013/14 Winter Transfer Rumours Mk. III

Verratti : I am honored to be compared with Pirlo.I would love to play with him at Juve.

http://gianlucadimarzio.com/primo-piano/verratti-onorato-dal-paragone-con-pirlo-mi-piacerebbe-giocare-alla-juve-con-lui/

Di Marzio wrote:PSG and Azzurri midfielder Marco Verratti gave an interview to Fox Sports from which Sky Sport reported this excerpt:”It certainly made me proud to be compared to Pirlo, I’m honored. I certainly need to improve very much. Pirlo and I together at Juve? If it was up to me it would make me happy, it would be amazing to play with him”

Bastos will arrive in Naples tomorrow once the final details are ironed out.

Meanwhile Jorginho has arrived in Naples for his medical.

-Di Marzio

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho claims that Manchester United may sell Wayne Rooney to an overseas club at the end of the season.

The Blues had two bids for Rooney rejected in the summer, and have continued to be linked with the striker as he refuses to enter contract talks at Old Trafford.

Mourinho, however, believes United will not sell to a "direct rival" and that they would instead only try to find a foreign buyer.

"I think maybe this summer they will try to sell to a non-direct rival," he told reporters on Friday.

"But they were very clear. Man United made it clear in the summer they don't swap or sell players to their direct rivals [Premier League teams].

"They were clear in the way they approached the Rooney situation. For them, it's pretty clear. They don't swap. They don't sell."

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David Moyes has brushed aside Jose Mourinho's claim that Manchester United could sell Wayne Rooney to a foreign club this summer.

Chelsea were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Rooney ahead of the current campaign and manager Mourinho is aware United have no desire to sell a prized asset to a domestic rival.

However, the Portuguese's suggestion that Rooney, whose contract ends in 18 months, could move abroad at the end of the season has been rejected by Moyes.

The United boss said: "I can only tell you that I disagree - although he will go to Brazil (with England for the 2014 FIFA World Cup)."

Moyes refused to criticise Mourinho, who he will come up against on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, but made it clear he would not comment on players at opposing teams.

"Everybody has their style. I wouldn't talk about other managers at other clubs and I wouldn't talk about other players at other clubs," added the Scot.

"I can't tell you what his motivation is but only time will give you an answer about Wayne.

"The club will deal with that - they will do all they need to do, no question."

Mourinho had earlier said: "Manchester United made it clear in the summer they don't swap or sell players to their direct rivals. They were clear in the way they approached the Rooney situation.

"I think maybe this summer they will try to sell to a non-direct rival. But they were very clear [about not selling to Chelsea]."

Real Madrid could make a €45m bid for Muller in the summer, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Juventus interested in Vidic, according to Corriere dello Sport.

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Roma interested in Gaston Ramirez, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Atletico Madrid technical director Andrea Berta is confident the club can hold on to Diego Costa and their other star players for at least another year.

Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly among the suitors of the Brazil-born forward, while Manchester United have been repeatedly linked with Koke.

However, Berta believes that while Atletico remain "a selling club", coach Diego Simeone will be able to persuade Costa & Co. to stay at the Vicente Calderon beyond the summer.

"[Costa] has managed to develop over the years thanks to his patience to wait for his opportunity," the Rojiblancos official told Tele Radio Stereo.

"He has very important qualities, much determination and competitiveness. He is a special player.

"Atletico are a club who, due to their nature, have to sell every year, but we believe that we can keep our players for at least another year.

"Diego Simeone is passing his characteristics onto the players. The squad identifies with him and his charisma. He has the ability to get every player to take on a big role in the team."

Consequently, Berta is optimistic about Atletico's hopes of winning more silverware this season and next.

"The president [Enrique Cerezo] and the owner [Miguel Angel Gil Marin] of the club are competent people," he explained.

"Then there is a group [of players] who are doing a superb job: five cups and seven finals [since 2010].

"The project goes beyond individual abilities. They graft hard in every game as if it were their last."

Granada set to loan Tiago Ilori from Liverpool, says their sporting director, according to O Jogo.

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Borussia Dortmund ready to make a bid for Ranocchia, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Inter would accept a bid between €10-12m.

Napoli boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed that the club are on the verge of signing Jorginho from Verona.

The Brazil-born midfielder underwent a medical at Castel Volturno on Saturday morning but has yet to agree terms with the Partenopei.

"We all know that Jorginho is here but we must still wait to finalise his contract," Benitez explained at a press conference on Saturday.

"We need a little more time to do so. He will not be available for Bologna-Napoli [on Sunday afternoon].

"But Jorginho is useful for both the present and future and knows Italian football.

"But it is not easy to find other reinforcements. Finding the best of the ones currently available is difficult.

"It is also imperative to remain within the financial parameters of the club and not to squander money."

Juventus interested in Evra and Nani, according to Tuttosport.

Juve want Evra as well as Nani

Reports suggest that Juventus are not only interested in signing Nani from Manchester United, but also want Patrice Evra, whose contract with the Red Devils expires in June.

Source: Tuttosport

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Cabella is Newcastle's priority signing

Montpellier midfielder Remy Cabella is Newcastle United's primary target in the January transfer window.

Source: Eurosport

Manchester United interested in Pjanic again, according to Il Tiempo.

Wolfsburg could make a bid for Dzeko, according to Die Welt.

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Essien is an alternative to Capoue for Napoli, according to Sky Italia.

Arsenal scouted Lille left back Souare last night when he played against Saint-Etienne, according to But!.

Fiorentina close to signing Steaua Bucharest goalkeeper Tatarusanu, according to Sky Italia.

Arsenal are considering making a second bid for Real Sociedad attacker Antoine Griezmann after the 22-year-old admitted that he would consider quitting the Basque outfit side if it meant he could earn a regular run in the France team.

The Metro calim Griezmann, who has scored an impressive 12 goals in 17 Liga matches this season, could be available for £24 million - half the some Arsenal allegedly offered the first time round.

"I want to play for a leading European team and I hope this can help me get a place in the France team," the Sociedad striker told RMC.

Barcelona are considering a summer bid for Athletic Bilbao centre-back Aymeric Laporte. The Basque club, amid Barcelona's interest, recently offered the 19-year-old a new deal which extended his buyout clause to £36 million.

However, Marca say that the Catalan side could gamble on the youngster if they are unsuccessful in their pursuits of David Luiz, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen and Eliaquim Mangala.

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo is keen to strike a deal to buy Thibaut Courtois but believes Chelsea's valuation of the goalkeeper is too high.

Courtois is currently enjoying his third straight season on loan with Atletico, during which time he has enhanced his reputation to such an extent that Cerezo now rates the 21-year-old as the best keeper in Europe.

There has been speculation about whether Courtois will return to Stamford Bridge next term to compete with Petr Cech for a first-team spot, or make his move to Atletico permanent.

Cerezo is eager to hold on to the Belgium international but recognises that Chelsea will have the final say on his future.

Atletico will therefore have to consider carefully whether they are prepared to pay what the Blues are demanding, with reports suggesting he will cost around £20million.

"Courtois is incredible on the pitch. We are interested but the price is too much for a keeper," said Cerezo, quoted in the Daily Mirror.

"We want to try to do business, but it depends on Chelsea. We must study everything.

"For me, it is clear that Courtois is the best goalkeeper in Europe."

QPR defender Armand Traore rejects move to Livorno, according to Il Tereno.

Griezmann:

“Since I was a child I’ve preferred Real Madrid, but it’s true that Barcelona plays great football. However, the most important thing is my club and fighting for European places.

For the player and those around him, there's no doubt, the Montpellier playmaker will leave Montpellier and everyone agrees, it is to join Newcastle.

"Yes we are negotiating for Remy, and yes, he will join Newcastle this winter." his father & agent Hector Cabella said near the city centre this Friday.

http://www.actuafoot.fr/a-la-une/mercato-cabella-a-newcastle-united-42315.html

Don't believe it for a second but if it is true.... Cabaye is off.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

For the player and those around him, there's no doubt, the Montpellier playmaker will leave Montpellier and everyone agrees, it is to join Newcastle.

"Yes we are negotiating for Remy, and yes, he will join Newcastle this winter." his father & agent Hector Cabella said near the city centre this Friday.

Don't believe it for a second but if it is true.... Cabaye is off.

http://www.actuafoot.fr/a-la-une/mercato-cabella-a-newcastle-united-42315.html

Not sure how reliable though...

I think the quote is legit.... whether it will happen or not is another matter entirely.

Talk going around today that we will offer 15m

I think most of the outlets in question are jumping on the bandwagon after Eurosport mentioned it the other day.

Barcelona want €6m from Roma for Sanabria, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Arsenal want Vucinic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Juventus want €12m for him.

Apparently we're renewing our interest in Cabaye, supposedly according to Sky Sports.