7 Hottest Transfer Rumours in World Football
Domestic football takes a back seat for the next week whilst a host of nations prepare for vital World Cup play-offs or more monotonous international friendlies.
Aside from reporting on which player has pulled out of which squad, the world's press struggle to fill their sport pages.
So what better way to keep their readers entertained than to cram content full of transfer rumours?
After long and painstaking hours of scouring the world's media, here are the seven hottest rumours in world football.
John Terry to Galatasaray
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A number of British newspapers have filled their back pages with the story that Chelsea captain John Terry is a January transfer target of Galatasaray boss Roberto Mancini.
As reported by the Daily Mail's Matt Barlow, Terry is out of contract at the end of the season and could be looking to move abroad should he not be offered a new deal.
"John Terry is on a preliminary list of January transfer targets compiled by Galatasaray manager Roberto Mancini, although a move for the Chelsea captain has yet to be approved by the board of the Turkish champions.
Terry is out of contract at the end of the season and Mancini has made it his priority to strengthen the centre of his defence.
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The former England defender has enjoyed one of his more consistent seasons in recent years since the return of Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge.
He's played every one of Chelsea's 11 EPL games this season and should be in line for a bumper new deal, though the Blues have a strict policy on offering anybody over 30 no more than a one-year deal.
And under Premier League rules, Terry can sign a pre-contract agreement with a potential new team in January, should Chelsea not choose to offer the 32-year-old an extension on his current deal.
Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have previously faced a similar situation. After reports linking them to other teams, they were subsequently offered new deals—though one can't help but feel their agents had something to do with it.
Edin Dzeko to Borussia Dortmund
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Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is reportedly being lined up for a move to last season's Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund.
The Daily Mail's Simon Jones reports that the German outfit are looking to add to their squad amid reports that several of their players could be leaving in the foreseeable future.
The City man has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Alvaro Negredo. Manager Manuel Pellegrini's preference to play Argentine Sergio Aguero has also seen the Bosnian's chances limited.
Dzeko is reportedly keen on playing regular first-team football and is looking for a move away from the Etihad, with Dortmund a preferred option.
Current Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski is almost certain to leave Signal Iduna Park, with fellow Bundesliga side Bayern Munich the hot favourites to land the Pole.
Jurgen Klopp's side could face stiff competition for Dzeko's signature. Jones writes:
"Jurgen Klopp will, however, face stiff competition from Inter Milan. The Italians are keeping close tabs on Dzeko, who has started just one Premier League game since August
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Ramires to Real Madrid
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Chelsea midfielder Ramires has said that he is not looking to leave Stamford Bridge, but rumours surround the midfielder, linking him with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The London Evening Standard's Simon Johnson writes that the Brazilian could be used as a makeweight in an attempt to capture German international Sami Khedira.
Khedira, who previously worked under Jose Mourinho when the Portuguese was at the helm of the Galacticos, has reportedly stated that he would like to leave the Spanish capital, with Chelsea keen on the swap.
"The Brazil international is being targeted by the Spanish giants as a possible replacement for the German midfielder, who has expressed a desire to quit the Bernabeu.
Chelsea are one of the clubs interested in signing Khedira should Madrid agree to sell and there has been speculation over a possible swap.
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However, Ramires has pledged his loyalty to the Blues and has since admitted that he would like to stay, though he admits his departure could be a possibility—but only if Mourinho deems him surplus to requirements.
The 26-year-old said, as per the Mail:
"I see the interest of Real Madrid as a recognition of my good work in Europe, but I'm under contract with Chelsea and it would be unethical for me to comment (on their interest). For the moment, these are only rumours.
I am very happy here. I am respected and part of the club's history. If I leave, Chelsea would have to make the decision. Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I have realised my dream here.
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Juan Camilo Zuniga to Barcelona
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Juan Camilo Zuniga, who has reportedly been a target of Arsenal for some time, could be on his way to Barcelona, as reported by Spanish newspaper Sport (in Spanish).
The Napoli wing-back has impressed in Serie A and acquired a number of admirers throughout top European clubs. To stave off any bids for their man, the Naples club rewarded him with a new long-term contract.
However, reports suggest that within the new contract is a clause that would allow the Colombian to move to the Nou Camp for a cut price.
TalkSPORT reported last week that Barcelona's fierce rivals Real Madrid had been in discussion with Napoli officials about the prospect of a £23.5m summer move:
"Spanish TV show Punto Pelota claim senior Real officials recently met with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, sporting director Riccardo Bigon and Zuniga's agent Riccardo Calleri to discuss a summer transfer.
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But reports in Spain now suggest that la Blaugrana could beat Madrid to the signing of the 27-year-old.
Ashley Young to Galatasaray
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Manchester United winger Ashley Young could be on his way out of Old Trafford and could be playing for ex-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, who is in charge of Galatasaray.
The Express reports that Mancini is looking to bolster his squad to aid their faltering title challenge and could swoop for the former Villa man in January.
Ben Jefferson writes:
"Mancini is reported to have provided the list of transfer targets to Galatasaray president Unal Aysal ahead of a winter spending spree.
Mancini may have luck with 28-year-old Young, who is out-of-favour at Old Trafford and recently earned criticism from David Moyes for his propensity to go to ground too easily.
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Despite the criticism of the England winger from the United boss, Moyes may be reluctant to let Young go following his return from a long line of injuries.
However, the emergence of 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj this season has seen Young fall down the pecking order, so the sale could well go ahead.
Antoine Griezmann to Juventus
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According to reports in Spain, Antoine Griezmann is a target for Italian champions Juventus.
El Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish) reports that the Real Sociedad winger, who has also reportedly been linked with a move to Manchester United, is a summer target for the Old Lady who can offer the Frenchman Champions League football for a further season.
Griezmann's current side are looking increasingly unlikely to qualify for Europe's elite club competition for next season and currently lie bottom of their group this year.
Sociedad would certainly be reluctant to sell their most-prized asset—who has emerged as one of Europe's top talents this season—if they can help it, but failure to qualify for the Champions League could force them into cashing in.
Griezmann's current contract expires in 2016, but a £25million release clause could see him move on much sooner.
Marco Reus to Manchester United
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Manchester United are lining up a £30million move for Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus, with former Dortmund man Shinji Kagawa going the other way.
United have made no secret of their admiration for the 24-year-old and, as reported by the Guardian, could be interested in to activating his release clause:
"Manchester United want to bring Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus to Old Trafford and might be tempted to trigger the £30m release clause the German club has revealed is contained in his contract.
The highly sought after German international is signed up with Dortmund until 2017, but with Arsenal and United making little secret of their interest in him, Dortmund will offer their man a substantial pay rise on condition the release clause is removed from his contract.
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Kagawa was signed by former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson but has failed to impress current boss David Moyes and could be used in a player-plus-cash deal.
The Japanese international was a huge hit in Germany and, loved by the fans, could be tempted into a move back to Dortmund.
