01 Dec 2015 14:18:15
Hello ED002, can you give some information on January Targets as December has just started, and I am extremely worried that you might leave this page during window.

{Ed002's Note - OK, as a special treat:

It is difficult to try and separate the concept of "January targets" from targets the club are really interested in or players they have been scouting".

Generally clubs do not plan to make significant signings in January - and this coming January I am only expecting two clubs to spend anything like a very large sum of money, and that does not include Manchester United.

What I can't tell you is if Manchester United would look to make any of this happen in January but they have continued their interest in a number of players.

Centre Back:

Possible: Barcelona, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea all took a look at Everton's John Stones in the summer of 2014 but none made an offer. Chelsea made an attempt to sign him in the summer of 2015 but then moved on to another target. I very much suspect Manchester United (who showed interest some time back) will look again to Stones, but right now I think they are looking elsewhere as well.

Possible: Juventus, Southampton, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona have had scouts watching Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi (who was at one time on Everton's books) in recent weeks - this is in addition to with Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Juventus declaring an interest with his club.

Looking less likely now: Porto's Bruno Martins Indi is subject to sustained interest from Manchester United despite only moving in the summer.

Possible: Barcelona's Marc Bartra wants to stay with the club but is aware that opportunities will be limited under the current management. Manchester United and Valencia have both shown some interest in the player.

Unlikely: Torino's centre back Kamil Glik has been watched by a number of clubs including Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund , Roma, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Benfica and West Ham United. The interest of Roma, Arsenal and Dortmund is serious but the player is keen to stay in Turin for the time being.

Possible: Feyenoord's Terence Kongolo is a player that Manchester United might well look to again. They have had him watched again this season.

Unlikely: Rugani is wanted by Genoa and Napoli but his agent wants a move to England due to the attraction of the money. Juventus may let him move on as they try to raise funds but would much prefer to loan him out and keep him on the books. Arsenal sent a certain Frenchman to take a look at Rugani. He has been recommended to both Manchester United and Chelsea.

Defensive Midfield

Unlikely: There is sustained interest in Carvalho from Arsenal and Fenerbahce with some residual interest from Manchester United. Monaco, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea passed on previous interest because of the cost. Sporting would ideally like to keep him a year or two more but know that is now unlikely. Everyone knows the price and it is significant and there seems little room for negotiation although he is not looking to sign a new deal and that may give some leverage.

Won't happen: Red Star Belgrade DM Marko Grujic's move to either Chelsea or Inter could happen in January, but it is unlikely. There is also interest from Napoli, Hamburg, PSG, Manchester United, Everton, Manchester City and Roma with both Inter and Chelsea looking to an early deal - Chelsea have already held discussions with Red Star and have made an offer that was not deemed acceptable. Inter have now also held discussions but would need to better the offer from Chelsea - which might be problematic for them in the short term. The club and the player will look to hold out until the summer for his preferred move to Italy if necessary - but I understand he is coming around to the idea of a move to London. Chelsea would be willing to leave him in Belgrade if they could do a deal in January but this is probably one for the summer.

Midfield:

Possible: Borja Valero came close to signing for Chelsea when he left Villarreal in 2012 but the club deceided against the move. Previous interest of Levante, Malaga and Napoli has gone, but it has been confirmed that both Manchester United and Sampdoria have both watched him this season.

Unlikely: Roma are aware of sustained interest in Nainggolan from at least Manchester United and Manchester City. He has a stupid enough hairdo to fit in nicely at Liverpool, but there has been no interest.

Very unlikely: Gundogan was refusing to agree a new deal and Dortmund were willing to let him leave this past summer as he was seen as a shadow of his former (pre-injury) self. Clubs were interested, including Manchester United and Manchester City, but an approach about his availability was responded to that a three year extension has been agreed between the club and player and details are being finalised. However, he then again refused to sign the contract and all he was prepared to do was to sign an extension until 2017. Dortmund are pretty much done with him - he was expected to leave this past summer and they had already a replacement in place. Juventus, Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Arsenal have all been interested to some extent or other. Barcelona may still be interested but they are certainly not pushing right now. Manchester City and Arsenal walked away over concerns about sustained fitness and form against price - they will likely see the risk as still too high. Manchester United may continue to show interest but will only bite at the right price - and the player may have reservations about opportunities at Old Trafford. Cannot be discounted. Bayern Munich failed with an offer of Goetze as part of a deal for Gundogan in the summer - and a second one including Højbjerg as part of the deal. Dortmund would rather not sell to Bayern. Klopp has said that he will not return to Dortmund to buy players - maybe he is lying - I don't know. If he is to move soon then Juventus and, possibly, Barcelona seems the most viable destination.

Attacking Midfield:

Possible: Schalke rejected bids from Spurs and Stoke for Leroy Sane in the summer. A number of clubs from across Europe have had the player watched in the first and reserve sides towards the end of last season and at the start of this - including Manchester United, Sunderland, Arsenal, Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham and RBL.

Very unlikely: Atletico Madrid had approached Lazio about taking Filipe Anderson as a replacement for Arda Turan but Lazio offered him a new contract which he was happy to agree to. Wolfsburg, Manchester City and Manchester United remain interested but he will not come cheaply.

Possible: Galatasary, Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, Barcelona and Arsenal showed previous interest in Hakan Calhanoglu before he moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 2014. Schalke rejected a €37M offer from Real Madrid for Calhanoglu this summer and made it clear he would not be sold. Barcelona and Arsenal may still maintain their interest if he becomes available, and perhaps Manchester United would be interested having had the player recommended to them. I would not be surprised if Manchester City were to look to Hakan Calhanoglu next summer. However, I anticipate that Juventus will try and negotiate an early deal for the player as they are wary of an offer being considered by Milan.}

Winger

Interest is ramping up - keep an eye on him: Braga's Rafa Silva has been of interested to Benfica, Everton, Southampton, Wolfsburg and Schalke for a number of months. West Ham, Real Betis, Bayer Leverkusen, Marseille and Spurs have had him watched but to the best of my knowledge not enquired further at this time. Notably, Manchester United have watched his last two games.}

Possible: Chelsea and Manchester United have watched Bernardo Silva of Monaco on several occasions this season, including during internationals. He is an unusual player in that he is naturally left footed but is most effective on the right wing. He has also played as cover in defence and was previously seen by Fiorentina as an option to replace the similar Juan Cuadrado. Manchester City have also watched him this season and he may be a player they look again to in the future.}

Not going to happen: Griezmann only moved last summer, and Atletico has no intention of selling unless a very significant fee is offered. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United previously looked at the player (when he was at Real Sociedad). Whilst Griezmann has said on a number of occasions that he has no plans to leave Spain anytime soon, he has said he would be interested in a move to Chelsea if the opportunity arose. Chelsea would need to pay a significant fee to make anything happen but several discussions have taken place. Atletico have a replacement in mind. Both PSG and Bayern Munich would also be very interested if he became available - but I doubt that PSG will be in a position to do any sort of deal as they have other plans, even though they are desperate for a high-end French player. Bayern Munich look to have found their desired player elsewhere and need to resolve another matter before committing too much - so I would rule them out. Chelsea are still pushing for a deal for Griezmann and would like to tie it up as early as possible.

Unlikely side of possible: Southampton are not looking to sell Mane and they want to offer him a new contract. As it stands right now it would take a very significant offer to have them consider a sale - and they have made it clear - if ayone wants to pay well over the odds, then fine. Manchester United has had the player watched this season.

Striker

Possible if available and if the club could stomach the cost: PSG were willing to sell Cavani this past summer and he was offered to a number of sides who had previously shown an interest. Whether or not they would be open to a January sale with the potential problem it would cause to their Champions League squad is not known to me. Atletico Madrid were planning sales to fund a bid for Cavani but nothing came of it in the summer - but it could still happen. Right now, Manchester City would not be in a position to move for Cavani without sales. Manchester United may well be interested but the price and the wages would make a decision very difficult. Chelsea has no immediate interest in the player as they have other targets - again, price and wages may deter them. Juventus were certainly interested but financially they would need to be creative and are also looking elsewhere. He was part of the package offered by PSG for Pogba, as was Verratti - but Juventus are looking to a deal they can control. I would not be surprised to see Real Madrid try and get involved again and PSG to make a deal very attractive.

Very unlikely for now: Vitesse Arnheim have been trying to scare off interest from a number of English sides who have been watching young striker Thomas Buitink. Manchester City have joined Manchester United, PSV, Newcastle and Arsenal in having had the player scouted regularly this season. Chelsea, who have strong links to Vitesse, have spoken to the club about the player.

POssible: Manchester United and Bayern Munich have both been aware of Moussa Dembele since his time at PSG and were both interested in signing him when he opted for Fulham as a 16 year old. Newcastle, Lille, Everton and Spurs have also been looking at Dembele since the start of the season. A move in January seems unlikely and the player will need to be advised that he doesn't end up moving only be sat on the bench or playing in the reserves.

Not going to happen: Santos' Gabriel Barbosa is of interest to Fiorentina, Galatasaray, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. However, although much is expected of him he is only 18 and whilst there is an agreement between Santos and Barcelona that may be exercised in 2016, I suspect that he won't move there at that time. Chelsea have tried and continue to try to strike a deal - but it may be a while away. His agent mentioned that Fenerbahce had made an offer but I suspect that is incorrect and it was Galatasaray. I rather doubt Gabriel will end up in Manchester, unless it is in the away dressing room. Both Chelsea and Fiorentina have held recent discussions.

Possible: Besiktas would like to keep hold of Mario Gomez and make his loan permanent - but they are aware that the right offer from England or Spain would tempt both the player and Fiorentina. Manchester United and Spurs have both taken a look at him recently.

Very unlikely: The offer for Thomas Muller that Karl-Heinz Rummenigge referred to was made in August and it was from another club - not Manchester United. Later in the window Manchester United enquired with his agent and with Bayern Munich as to his availability, and was told he was not available - but they do fear that Manchester United and other English sides will pursue their players going forward. They will fight off sales in January but with managerial changes coming they are aware that efforts will be made to prise some of the significant assets from the club.

Not going to happen in the short term: As I have explained before, Barcelona wish to start to rebuild their side around Neymar and need to raise cash to do that. There are a three issues that could adversely influence what will happen with that plan going forward - and that could see him sold. If circumstances are such that he is to be available at some point, then the known interest of Chelsea, PSG and Manchester United will no doubt be tested. It would not be out of the question for Manchester City to also think about putting a package together.}

1.) 01 Dec 2015
01 Dec 2015 18:50:30
Absolutely fantastic ed thanks 😃.

2.) 01 Dec 2015
01 Dec 2015 19:31:26
Really good read that cheers ed002.

3.) 01 Dec 2015
01 Dec 2015 19:37:40
Cheers ED002 thanks for the info.

4.) 01 Dec 2015
01 Dec 2015 20:15:11
Fantastic read Ed002 - thank you so much, must've taken you ages! (Well, would do at the speed I type! )

Very much appreciated!

5.) 01 Dec 2015
01 Dec 2015 21:00:49
Thanks Ed002. Fantastic read.

Much appreciated.

6.) 02 Dec 2015
01 Dec 2015 22:47:59
Ahh there's that Christmas Spirit! . This is great! many thanks Ed002.

7.) 02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015 00:25:12
Awesome Ed002. Thanks.

8.) 02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015 01:38:44
Thanks very much ed!

9.) 02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015 08:30:16
Thanks Ed!

10.) 02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015 09:07:57
Thanks Ed. Awesome as always.

11.) 02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015 09:20:54
Thank you Ed002, an early Christmas present and much appreciated.

12.) 02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015 10:06:42
O woow. I have never expected this good when I asked.
So so so thank u Ed002.
Greatful.

13.) 02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015 02:29:26
Who is the replacement Atletico are looking at to replace Griezmann Ed? It wouldn't be Costa by any chance would it?

{Ed002's Note - Try the European pages.}

14.) 02 Dec 2015
01 Dec 2015 23:02:37
Thank you ed 02 we all really appreciate your input to this site pretty much cleared up everything, I'm not talking now I'm just asking in general when gaal leaves in your personal opinion who do you think it would be to replace him and who do you think would most suit us, just your opinion cheers.

{Ed002's Note - The club has not identified who they would like as the next manager at this time - but I suspect thoughts will turn to it again in the summer when van Gaal enters his final season. Previously a third party was looking to negotiate a deal for Ancelotti to take over but he looks to be heading elsewhere. Laurent Blanc was considered before and may be again - don't discount Koeman as an option.}

15.) 02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015 12:49:40
Cheers ED, great lunch time read!

Out of curiosity more than anything, can you tell us who the team that bid for Muller was?

{Ed002's Note - Real Madrid.}

16.) 02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015 19:15:51
Ed, thanks for the great write up. Just a quick question as you mention Barcelona a few times. How much effect will the Catalan independence vote have on the players moving to and from Barcelona FC in the next year. Will it put a few of them off possibly missing CL football should they be excluded from La Liga? Appreciate your not a politician (at least i don't think you are) and a few things need to occur in order for this to occur but it must be playing on their minds.

{Ed002's Note - It will make no difference at all. Barcelona will eventually leave La Liga to get involved with a pan-European league. Their B team will remain in La Liga.}

17.) 02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015 22:34:09
Thanks again ed02 :)

18.) 03 Dec 2015
03 Dec 2015 05:08:29
Great read!

But. things are looking horrible for ManUtd!

Damm.