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Transfer Talk: Barcelona and Real ready massive moves for Van Dijk

The transfer windows in Europe's top leagues are closed, but it's never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.

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TOP STORY: Barca, Real to move for Van Dijk

AS reports that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are plotting a move that could rock world football. The Spanish outlet claims that both clubs would be interested in breaking the bank to bring Virgil van Dijk from Liverpool to Spain.

The Dutch defender has been little short of remarkable since leaving Saints for Anfield and last season helped the club to the Champions League, while also bringing the Merseysiders to within a point of the Premier League title.

Both Zinedine Zidane and Ernesto Valverde are under pressure to deliver at Madrid and Barca, although persuading Liverpool to part with a player who has transformed their fortunes might take some doing ... and a dump truck full of cash to boot.

Van Dijk joined the Reds from Southampton in a £75m move in January 2018. The Daily Mirror reported earlier this month that the 28-year-old had agreed a new deal that commits him to Anfield until 2025, although no official announcement has been made.

LIVE BLOG

22.54 BST: That's going to bring Monday's live edition of Transfer Talk to a close. Be sure to check back in a few short hours when we return with the latest gossip pulled from Tuesday's back pages.

21.48 BST: How close is Newcastle No. 1 Martin Dubravka to signing a new deal to keep him on Tyneside? "We're in talks. I'm close. We are in contact and hopefully we can sort it out as soon as possible," the Mail quotes him as saying.

20.11 BST: What's the latest on discussions between Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp over extending the manager's contract? According to agent Marc Kosicke, it changes with the weather.

"One should not underestimate [bad weather annoying Klopp], anyway," he's quoted as saying by the Mirror. I remember that in November or December, Liverpool first asked for a contract extension. I said: 'Let's wait.'

"[Klopp's wife] and Jurgen get up in the morning and it's dark. When they meet again in the evening, it is also dark or it is grey and there is drizzle.

"During the winter break in Germany, if the weather is really bad, the clubs go on vacation for two weeks, then come back and fly directly to the training camp in the sun for several days. During this time, the coaches in England sometimes have to prepare for up to 13 games. They are already exhausted and it's not so easy."

18.24 BST: Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has held talks with Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso about the Nerazzurri receiving priority for 21-year-old winger Federico Chiesa as the San Siro side prepare to battle Juventus for the Italy international's signature in the coming months, Calciomercato cites Corriere dello Sport as reporting.

16.37 BST: Mexico winger Isaac Brizuela is still keen on a move to Celtic, four years after missing the chance and signing for Chivas instead.

"I heard about the rumours [of Celtic's interest in 2015] but I didn't want to think about them too much as I didn't want to get distracted," the 29-year-old told Medio Tiempo. "In the end, I'm not sure if they [Celtic] spoke to a director, but when I was with Toluca, Celtic did come in for me and the club didn't let me go, because Celtic didn't want to pay what Toluca wanted.

"And being here in Chivas I'm not sure if a [Celtic] scout came over or has come over recently but I won't give up hope. I know I am of a certain age but I won't give up hope that such a moment could come."

15.59 BST: What would have happened if Liverpool had failed to sign Virgil van Dijk for £75m in January 2018? Well Goal claims they would have landed Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly instead.

15.13 BST: Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has signed a new long-term contract with the club, ending speculation about his future.

De Gea, 28, entered the final year of his contract this summer and was linked with moves to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, but will now extend his stay at Old Trafford beyond 10 years.

"It has been a privilege to spend eight years at this great club and the opportunity to continue my career at Manchester United is a genuine honour," De Gea said. "Since I arrived here, I could never have imagined I would play over 350 games for this club.

"Now my future is fixed, all I want is to help this team achieve what I believe we can and win trophies again, together."

14.23 BST: Meanwhile, Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama could be set to move back to Celtic in January.

"There was interest but it never got off the ground," Celtic boss Neil Lennon said. "Could we look at it again in January? We'll have to wait and see. We might not want to with the balance of the squad now, as well as the affordability."

13.50 BST: Luckily for Tottenham, given they have few options at full-back, Serge Aurier has said he's happy to stay at the club, having wanted to depart in the summer.

Aurier told reporters: "Yes, but that was the situation before the transfer window closed, the transfer window is now closed, now I am calm and happy to stay. I speak with everyone, I don't want to leave.

"I had something in my head, but I didn't want to leave for the gaffer or the chairman [Daniel Levy]. It was my personal situation and now it is OK, everyone wants to give me another chance and now I am happy to stay and happy to play and happy for the victory."

13.19 BST: Motherwell forward James Scott, who has recently broken into the Scotland U21 side, has attracted the interest of Sheffield United says TEAMtalk.

Everton, Bournemouth and Southampton are also reportedly keeping tabs on the 19-year-old.

12.44 BST: Chelsea winger Willian could leave for free next summer, but the Brazilian is keen to extend his contract.

"From my side, I want to stay," he told the Evening Standard. "I have one year left and I want to stay because I like to play for Chelsea. I love this club, I love to live in London and my family loves it here. I have been here six years already so everything is perfect for me. Of course [there is more I want to do at Chelsea], win the Champions League!

"I want to win more titles here, I want to play more games, to score more goals so everything that I can do, I will try hard to do."

11.52 BST: Sources have told ESPN FC that Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has penned a new deal at Old Trafford.

De Gea agreed terms on a six-year deal earlier in the summer and the formalities have now been completed to extend his stay at the club.

11.16 BST: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to continue his policy of targeting British players next summer with Jadon Sancho and James Maddison, sources have told ESPN FC.

Solskjaer splashed nearly £150m to bring Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James to Old Trafford during the transfer and Solskjaer is planning to sign more domestic talent at the end of the season.

Borussia Dortmund forward Sancho and Leicester midfielder Maddison top the list of targets with Solskjaer keen to inject more goals into his squad after allowing Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to join Inter Milan.

United have not been put off pursuing Sancho despite the 19-year-old agreeing a new long-term contract at Dortmund in August, while they expect Leicester to value Maddison, 22, at between £70m and £80m.

Other British names on Solskjaer's hit list include Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson and Stoke defender Nathan Collins. United will look to strengthen their midfield and forward line next summer after Solskjaer admitted he has been left short of attacking options after the departures of both Lukaku and Sancho.

10.15 BST: Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy has been speaking to Canal+ about his chance to rejoin PSG back in 2017.

"After my hip injury when I was told at 14 that amputation was a possibility and I spent time in a wheelchair, I returned with PSG at amateur level," he said. "Subsequently, I decided to leave. I think I made the right choice.

"Yes, a 2017 return to PSG was possible, but I was not really interested. I had already decided to join Lyon and PSG's interest arrived a bit too late. I am from the Paris area, so of course it is a special first Champions League clash for me. My family will all be at Parc des Princes."

09.37 BST: International transfer news here... Spain coach Robert Moreno has confirmed that the Spanish FA are working on nationalising Barcelona sensation Ansu Fati.

The Barcelona teenager was born in Guinea Bissau but the Spanish FA hope to complete the process so that the 16-year-old can represent them at the Under-17 World Cup that will take place in Brazil next month.

Asked if that's the Spanish FA's intention, Moreno told Movistar La Liga.: "I believe so but it's something that I'm not in charge of. It will depend on him. Good players are always welcomed. Ansu Fati is a great joy for Barcelona fans. Now we must calm."

09.13 BST: Former Barcelona and Brazil star Rivaldo has praised compatriot Neymar after the PSG star overcame jeers from PSG fans on Saturday to score the winner against Strasbourg on Saturday.

Neymar, who wanted to leave PSG this summer to return to Barcelona, scored the winner in injury time with a spectacular bicycle kick.

Rivaldo posted a photograph on Instagram: "Congratulations Neymar Jr. for the great goal and the win. Surely it wasn't easy to play with the (club) fans booing you but you showed a lot of personality and regardless of what happens, you will give your best to help PSG achieve its aims. I'm certain you will have a great season."

08.42 BST: Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi could make his long-awaited return from injury this week -- and that could spell disappointment for Bayern Munich.

The 18-year-old had been a target for the German champions last season, before a ruptured Achilles in April sidelined him and Bayern turned their attentions to Manchester City's Leroy Sane.

However that move also failed, and Hudson-Odoi's recent return to training gave rise to fears that Bayern would re-ignite their interest in the England international in the January transfer window.

However, if he does make his comeback against Valencia in Tuesday's Champions League group fixture, then that would make him ineligible to play for Bayern or any other side in the competition for the remainder of the season.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said in the London Evening Standard: "I spoke with him this morning. He's not far off... If Callum shows this week how good he is in training I'll have to consider him probably from now on."

08.00 BST: Manchester United have one of Leicester's star players in their sights for a second summer in a row as they have made James Maddison a target, according to The Times.

United had considered making an offer for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder this year, but decided against it as they were already trying to sign defender Harry Maguire from Leicester.

Leicester, who lost 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday courtesy of Marcus Rashford's first-half penalty, signed Maddison from Norwich City for £20m in 2018.

PAPER TALK (by Richard Edwards): United eye Brescia star Tonali

They may have lost Sunday afternoon's Serie A clash against Bologna, which ended in a 4-3 victory for the away side, but scouts from some of Europe's top clubs would still have been impressed by the performance of Brescia's Sandro Tonali -- the Italian midfielder who has turned heads across the continent.

According to Calciomercato, Manchester United scouts were sat alongside representatives from Ajax and Dortmund as some of Europe's biggest names look to snap up a player who has sent tongues wagging since making his debut in Serie B at the age of just 17 in April, 2018.

Now playing in the top flight, the Italy Under-21 international has racked up the appearances for Brescia in the past two seasons and has started their 2019/20 campaign in style. 

Tonali was instrumental in Brescia gaining promotion from the Italian second tier last season, playing a crucial role as the club worked their way back into Serie A. So promising have his performances been that some have labelled him as the new Andrea Pirlo.

High praise indeed.

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Juve want Isco

In a quiet September of transfer rumours, Juve are reportedly stepping up their attempts to lure Isco from the Bernabeu to Turin. The player had been the subject of plenty of column inches during the summer, with the Italian club consistently linked with the 27-year-old over the past couple of months.

Now Calciomercato reports that Juve are set to do all they can to bring the out of favour Los Blancos star to Northern Italy when the transfer window re-opens in January. Isco can hardly be blamed for looking elsewhere for first team football. He made just two La Liga appearances for Madrid last season, starting just once, which immediately makes him one of the most attractive marginalised players, not just in Spain but anywhere in Europe.

The Italian outlet quotes reports in the Spanish media, which claim that the Madrid want as much as €75m for the player, which could be far more than Juve would be willing to part with. Still, given Isco's current position and the club's apparent unwillingness to give him game-time, the two European giants could yet come to an agreement, despite Madrid holding out for such a huge figure. 

Tap-ins

- Inter boss Antonio Conte wants to bring Mario Gotze from Dortmund to the San Siro -- and sooner rather than later. That's according to Calciomercato, with the Italian outlet reporting that Inter are ready to make a move for German star as his contract runs down at the Westfalenstadion. Gotze, who scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina, is out of contract in the summer and now Inter are ready to make a move for him on the cheap.

- Arsenal are in pole position to sign talented teenager Logan Pye away from Sunderland, reports The Sun. The 15-year-old, who was a summer target of Manchester United, can slot in at full-back or in the midfield.

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