Transfer Zone: Pepe returns to Porto as Chelsea target Benzema

Barca keen on Neymar return

According to reports in Spain, Neymar met officials from Barcelona last month to discuss a possible move to Camp Nou.

Catalunya Radio claim the 26-year-old spoke with the club’s Brazilian scout Andre Cury in Paris before Christmas, with Barcelona keen to make the deal happen.

The reports also state that the attacker regrets his world-record transfer to PSG in 2017 and is desperate to return to his former club next summer.

Porto confirm Pepe return

Porto have confirmed the return of defender Pepe to the club on a free transfer via social media.

The central defender terminated his contract with Besiktas by mutual consent last month and has now re-signed for the club he represented between 2004 and 2007, before spending a decade at Real Madrid.

The 35-year-old, tough-tackling defender will hope to help his new side retain their lead at the top of the league table and claim the Primeira Liga title.

Chelsea target Benzema

The Frenchman could be on his way to London to replace Morata.

Chelsea are keen on a move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to the Mirror.

The 31-year-old has notched seven goals and three assists in his 18 La Liga appearances so far this season, and some bookies have suspended betting on the striker's move to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are hoping to replace Alvaro Morata, who still looks short of confidence despite scoring twice against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, and the Spaniard has been linked with a move to Sevilla.

Rabiot to join Barca in the summer

Adrian Rabiot has agreed personal terms with Barcelona but will move at the end of the season, claims The Sun.

Rabiot is out of contract in the summer and the Catalan club are keen to make the deal permanent then to avoid paying a transfer fee.

The midfielder has apparently agreed a five-year deal with the Spanish champions.

Villarreal sign Iborra from Leicester

Villarreal signed Spanish midfielder Vicente Iborra from Leicester City for an undisclosed fee on Monday as they bid to avoid relegation from La Liga.

Iborra joined the Premier League side from Sevilla in 2017, scoring four goals in 37 appearances, and has signed a contract with Villarreal until June 2023.

Boateng rules out January exit

Jerome Boateng has ruled out the possibility of a transfer away from Bayern Munich this January report goal.com.

Despite speculation linking the club with a move for Atletico Madrid defender Lucas Hernandez - who can play as a left-back or a centre-back - and his own mixed form, the 30-year-old is determined to stay at Bayern.

Boateng started 11 of 17 possible Bundesliga games in the first half of the season as Bayern rotate between him, Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule at centre-half. 

West Ham bid for Suarez

West Ham have submitted an offer of £20 million for Arsenal loan target Denis Suarez, reports The Sun.

Barcelona have previously told the Gunners they do not want to let Suarez leave this month, but West Ham are hoping to swoop for the former Manchester City player.

Suarez, 25, has made just two La Liga appearances this term.

Real target Piatek on loan

Real Madrid are looking to sign Genoa striker Krzysztof Piatek on loan this month, per Diario AS.

Santiago Solari's side have something of an injury crisis up front, with both Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio consigned to the sidelines.

Eden Hazard has been tipped as a big-money arrival in Madrid in the summer, but Real may need more immediate reinforcements.

Arsenal to beat Man United and AC Milan to Carrasco signing

Belgian international Yannick Carrasco is keen on a move to Arsenal, claims Sky Italia.

The 25-year-old has attracted interest from Manchester United and AC Milan, but Carrasco has reportedly given his ‘approval’ on a move to the Emirates.

The former Atletico Madrid man joined Chinese side Dalian Yifang last year but appears ready for to return to Europe.

Real Madrid want Eriksen

Real Madrid have begun a move to try to sign attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen, 26, from Tottenham and are preparing what they hope will be a £100m deal according to the Independent.

Source: AFP, Reuters, Goal.com, BBC

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