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Transfer Talk: Liverpool's Alberto Moreno on Barcelona shortlist as backup for Alba

The transfer window for all of Europe's big five leagues is closed, but that doesn't stop Transfer Talk from rummaging around about who will be moving where come January.

Barcelona target Alba backup

Barcelona are looking for a left-back to serve as a back-up for Jordi Alba following Lucas Digne's summer departure to Everton and have turned their attentions to Ferland Mendy of Lyon. However, while the 23-year-old Frenchman is the top target, Barcelona also have some more "local" options according to Mundo Deportivo.

Liverpool's Alberto Moreno, Valencia's Jose Gaya and Juan Bernat of Bayern Munich are all on the shortlist. While the latter two seem like strong signings, we can only imagine that Liverpool fans would drive Moreno to Camp Nou themselves when the January transfer window reopens in a bid to see the back of him.

Mundo Deportivo points out that Moreno could leave Anfield on the cheap during the January transfer window as the Spaniard will become a free-agent in the summer. Yet, if Barcelona had any sense, they'd be targeting Andrew Robertson instead...

United face fight to keep De Gea

The uncertainty swirling around Manchester United leaves them facing "a serious battle" to persuade David De Gea to stay, the Telegraph reports.

It says that although United are taking up an option to extend De Gea's contract by 12 months, they risk losing the Spain keeper for nothing in 2020.

Sources have told ESPN FC that talks about a new, long-term contract have reached an impasse, but United will continue to try to persuade him to commit his future to Old Trafford.

United have also opened contract talks with four first-team stars but still face a battle to keep them at Old Trafford, sources said. Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Juan Mata and Ashley Young are all in line for new deals and a series of meetings with agents and representatives took place in London last week.

Red Devils among clubs scouting at Porto clash

Meanwhile, a wealth of clubs including Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus sent scouts to watch Benfica beat Porto at the weekend, the Manchester Evening news reports.

It is unclear who United were watching, but the report says that, in addition to his desire to sign a central defender in the summer, Mourinho targeted a right winger and a striker.

Benfica defender Ruben Dias "was among those to catch the eye in the top-of-the-table clash."

Palace keen on Kanon

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson wants to add Den Haag defender Wilfried Kanon to his squad, the Sun reports.

Ivory Coast international Kanon was linked with Everton in the summer, and Dutch cub Den Haag "are resigned to losing him if a bid matches their valuation."

Hodgson is without injured defender Scott Dann and is keen to bring Kanon, with the Sun saying the player "wants to try his luck in one of Europe's elite leagues if the opportunity arises."

Tap-ins

-- Teenage Sunderland goalkeeper Adam Richardson has emerged as a target for Manchester United, with the Chronicle reporting that the Black Cats would be "powerless to stop the youngster from going if he so chooses."

Richardson, 15, is due to sign a Sunderland apprenticeship when he turns 16, but United could pay up to £500,000 to secure a move, with an arbitration process likely to settle a fee if the League One club turn that down.

-- Aston Villa might be managerless, but the Birmingham Mail says that hasn't stopped them being linked with a loan move for Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Villa, who have forward Tammy Abraham on loan from Stamford Bridge, could move for teenage attacker Hudson-Odoi, who can operate both as a wide player and in a central position.