Arsenal have been dealt with a blow in their pursuit of Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata as Real coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Real are not prepared to do any business in the current transfer window as they want to keep all their players for the challenge that they face this season.
The Gunners have thus switched their attention to Jackson Martinez, who is a wanted man at the present time.
The Porto star has been touted as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski at Borussia Dortmund after the Pole’s exit at the end of the current league season. It is thought that although Porto are a selling club, they will look to hold their star striker after the departures of Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez to Monaco in the summer.
In the meanwhile, Moutinho has been linked with an unlikely move to Manchester United in the current transfer window as David Moyes looks to inject some life into his midfield.
The Red Devils have also been linked to Juventus’ Claudio Marchisio, with several leading newspapers in Britain claiming that a sizeable bid has been tabled for the Italian midfielder who has ample experience in the big time.
It is also being reported that Manchester United chief scout Jim Lawlor, one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, has been busy watching Real Sociedad’s wanted pair of Antoine Greizmann and Inigo Martinez with Moyes desperate to improve both positions as soon as he can. The United manager has however confirmed that a move for Fabio Coentrao has in fact not been made in the current window so far.
Moving back to London now, Chelsea appear to have stepped up their efforts to bring in a world class striker (read Falcao) despite Jose Mourinho’s claims that Chelsea will not do any business in January. Players who are close to leaving the club include Juan Mata, Kevin De Bruyne, and Demba Ba.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United appear to have made the first move for Montpellier’s highly rated attacking midfielder Remy Cabella. Surely, the Geordies can do without yet another Frenchman on their books!
