Tuesday 19 December 2017 10:11, UK
The winter transfer window does not open until January 1, but clubs across Europe are busy planning and tentative negotiations will have begun in preparation.
Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the European newspapers and websites to bring you the latest transfer gossip and news from the continent.
Spain
Real Madrid's summer transfer plans are up in the air. First it was Cristiano Ronaldo agitating for a move away after it became clear Florentino Perez wanted to bring Neymar to the Santiago Bernabeu, and now Marco Asensio has told Los Blancos he will leave if Eden Hazard arrives. The La Liga champions are interested in the Chelsea attacker and are already in advanced negotiations. (Diario Gol)
Javier Mascherano has agreed to join Chinese club Hebei Fortune during the winter January window and Barcelona are scrambling to bring in a replacement. Daley Blind looks like the most likely arrival with the Dutch defender having just 12 months remaining on his current deal at Old Trafford. (Marca)
David Luiz, a transfer target for Real Madrid, has offered himself to Barcelona as he looks to push for a move away from Chelsea after falling out with manager Antonio Conte. The 30-year-old centre-back could fill the void left by the departing Javier Mascherano. (Mundo Deportivo)
Kepa Arrizabalaga, rumoured to be an Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target, looks to have played his last game for Athletic Bilbao. The 23-year-old goalkeeper is ruled out for the next three weeks meaning the next time he is available to play will be after the winter break in Spain, and when the transfer window has opened. Real Madrid are favourites to sign the €20million rated shot-stopper. (Marca)
Italy
Manchester United transfer target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic says he is happy at Lazio, scuppering Jose Mourinho's plans for a £95million January move for the midfielder. (Mediaset Premium)
Real Madrid want to sign Mohamed Salah from Liverpool and are convinced they will sell the Egypt winger for €100m. The La Liga champions are also prepared to offer a player-plus-cash deal involving Wales forward Gareth Bale. (Calciomercato)
Paulo Dybala could be heading to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer after his agent, who just so happens to be his brother, fell out with manager Massimiliano Allegri. Dybala is open to moving to Paris and could replace Neymar, who is being linked with a return to La Liga after just one season away. Real Madrid are courting the world's most expensive player. (Calciomercato)
Germany
One-time Liverpool transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has put pen to paper on a new deal with Borussia Dortmund to bring speculation surrounding his future to an end. It was thought the striker wasn't content with life at the Westfalenstadion but he's extended his stay in Germany until 2021. (SportBild)
Rudi Voller has revealed Bayer Leverkusen won't be bullied into selling Leon Bailey after reports emerged to suggest the winger was a target for a number of Premier League clubs: "As Bayer Leverkusen, we have proven in recent years that we can say no." (Kicker)
France
Paris Saint-Germain could be set to lose Javier Pastore and Angel Di Maria, with both players trying to secure moves away from the Parc des Princes in an attempt to bolster their chances of first-team football. Both have dropped down the pecking order since the summer spending spree. The Argentine duo are transfer targets for Inter Milan. (MaxiFoot)
Maxime Gonalons only left Ligue 1 in the summer but could be set for a return during the winter window. The former Lyon captain is now with Roma but has yet to really make an impact. With it being a World Cup year, the 28-year-old wants as much first-team football as possible and could cut short his stint in Italy with Marseille keen. (France Football)
