Monday 5 March 2018 10:43, UK
The January transfer window may only just have closed but Europe's biggest clubs are already plotting their summer moves with a World Cup to negotiate around.
Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the European media to round-up the latest transfer news.
Joshua Kimmich is close to signing a new long-term deal with Bayern Munich. The 23-year-old currently has a deal with the Bavarian giants until the end of the 2019/20 campaign, but the new terms will see the Manchester City transfer target pledge himself to the Bundesliga champions until 2022/23. (Kicker)
Bundesliga champions-elect Bayern Munich have identified a player to fill the right-back void at the club. The German club extended their search across the globe and believe Fabricio Bustos is the player to tick all of the boxes. The 21-year-old Independiente full-back has impressed this season and could even be included in Argentina's World Cup squad. (Kicker)
Koln goalkeeper Timo Horn has apologised to fans after his mistake gifted Stuttgart a goal in the 3-2 loss which leaves them eight points adrift at the bottom of the Bundesliga. Following the defeat, the 24-year-old former Arsenal transfer target said: "I'm not looking for excuses on such things, it's a ball that the goalkeeper has to keep safe, I'm incredibly sorry." (Kicker)
Lionel Messi scored his 600th career goal during Barcelona's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid. The result, in the eyes of many, brings the La Liga title race to an end, with Ernesto Valverde's men now eight points clear at the summit. (Marca)
Diego Simeone, the manager of Atletico Madrid, believes the result would have been different had Messi been playing for his side: "If we put Messi in one of our shirts, we would have won, he's a different player,". The Barcelona No 10's free-kick divided the teams. (Sport)
Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta will be out of action for between three and four weeks after injuring his hamstring in the 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid. Iniesta had to be taken off just before half-time, with Andre Gomes replacing him in midfield. Barca boss Valverde now has a selection headache for the upcoming Champions League tie with Chelsea. With Philippe Coutinho ineligible, he may be forced to field Gomes from the off. (Sport)
Former Chelsea midfielder Ramires has opened up over a possible return to Europe. The Brazilian, currently playing for Jiangsu Suning in the Chinese Super League, was linked with a move to Inter Milan during the winter transfer window. The 30-year-old, when asked, said he would be open to a return to Europe: "Everybody knows that Inter is a great club and playing again in Europe is a wish I have, but now I think about helping Jiangsu to make a great year in 2018, nothing else goes through my mind right now." (Calciomercato)
Paulo Dybala's mother has been credited with the forward's return to form. The 24-year-old netted a last-minute winner against Lazio to ensure Juventus remained a point behind leaders Napoli but with a game in hand. The Real Madrid transfer target has moved his mother closer to him and is now more settled. (Tuttosport)
AC Milan want to bring in former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina. They have promised the Spaniard that he will be the No 1 at the San Siro when Gianluigi Donnarumma is sold. (Rai Sport)
The owners of Paris Saint-Germain have personally asked the Brazilian FA to save Neymar for the World Cup. The world's most expensive player is currently ruled out for the next six weeks and PSG do not want Brazil to call him up for the friendlies prior to the summer competition, giving him more time to rest and recover. (Le10Sport)
Former France manager Raymond Domenech believes Florian Thauvin should be named in Didier Deschamps' World Cup squad ahead of Ousmane Dembele and Kingsley Coman. "He is a better scorer and the best passer of the OM: it means something and he's managed to do it for the entire season." (L'Equipe)
