Thursday 14 December 2017 10:20, UK
The winter transfer window does not open until January 1, but clubs across Europe are busy planning and 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.
Real Madrid needed two second half goals as they came from behind to beat Al Jazira in what was a controversial Club World Cup semi-final. Zinedine Zidane's men thought they went ahead when Casemiro fired home but it was ruled out for offside. The La Liga champions had the call reviewed using VAR and they agreed that Karim Benzema was interfering with play. But it wasn't a quick decision and Zidane said the whole situation was "unpleasant". Gareth Bale was the match-winner on the day and the Wales international claimed that "football is better without it (VAR)". (Marca)
Mesut Ozil's agent has told Barcelona they must make a decision on whether or not to sign the Arsenal playmaker before the January transfer window opens. (Mundo Deportivo)
David de Gea's agent Jorge Mendes is delaying the 27-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper's potential move to Real Madrid because another one of his clients, Cristiano Ronaldo, is unhappy with the European champions. The La Liga side are lining up Kepa as a possible alternative. (Diario Gol)
Jose Mourinho is lining up Inter Milan's Portuguese midfielder Joao Mario as a replacement for Henrikh Mkhitaryan at Manchester United. The former Borussia Dortmund playmaker has failed to really settle in under the Portuguese manager at Old Trafford and has not started a game in over a month. (Corriere dello Sport)
AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has asked for his new contract to be annulled after the Serie A side failed to file the release clause both the player and his agent agreed to. The 18-year-old remains to be a Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid transfer target. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Donnarumma was physically shaken during AC Milan's 3-0 win over Verona after the home fans heckled him throughout, even revealing a banner which said 'Patience over, go away'. Captain Leonardo Bonucci had to support his young goalkeeper. (Calciomercato)
Inter Milan are looking to bring Gerard Deulofeu to the club on loan during the winter window. The Barcelona attacker has found first-team action scarce at the Nou Camp since returning in the summer and is open to a move. The Serie A leaders want to bring in the Spain winger so that they are able to rotate him with both Ivan Perisic and Antonio Candreva. (TuttoSport)
When RB Leipzig agreed to sell Naby Keita to Liverpool they negotiated a 10 per cent sell-on clause. It means if Keita impresses and earns himself another move, the Bundesliga club would receive another cash windfall which could see the overall package for selling the midfielder get close to the €100m (£87.9m) mark. (SportBild)
Fabian Frei could be set for a return to FC Basel after failing to settle in at Mainz. He recently completed two 90-minute matches but before that had been nothing more than a fringe player. Frei wants to return to Switzerland and his former club want him back. (Kicker)
Paris Saint-Germain have drawn up a list of potential goalkeepers as they look to sort what many consider to be a problem area they have. The Ligue 1 leaders are taking a closer look at Gianluigi Donnarumma, David de Gea and Jan Oblak after those in charge in Paris felt neither Kevin Trapp or Alphonse Areola had done enough to convince them they were good enough to be the club's undisputed No 1. (Le10Sport)
Sporting Lisbon want to take Leicester City striker Islam Slimani back to Portugal on loan in January. The 29-year-old forward joined the Foxes for a club record £28m during the summer of 2016 but has failed to cement a place in the first team. Sporting Lisbon want him to return to the club to as they look to keep pressure on Porto at the top of the league as well as navigate a tricky tie against Astana in the Europa League. (A Bola)
