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David De Gea to Real Madrid; Alexander Pato to Chelsea; Andros Townsend to Newcastle; Saido Berahino to Leicester

A round-up of the biggest transfer news and rumours of Friday 15 January

Jack de Menezes

Friday 15 January 2016 08:58 GMT

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea (Getty Images)

Manchester United’s transfer plans could drastically change after news broke on Thursday that Real Madrid had been hit with a transfer ban for the next two windows, meaning the futures of David De Gea, Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale are now much clearer.

The Sun claims that Real – who were given the ban by Fifa along with rivals Atletico Madrid – will launch an incredible £250m spending spree this January in a bid to strengthen the squad before the ban kicks in at the end of the season. Should it go ahead as planned, Real will not be allowed to register another player until summer 2017.

With hopes of signing United goalkeeper De Gea and Chelsea winger Eden Hazard in the summer all but gone, it’s claimed that they could be top of a high-profile hit list that Real want to sign before the 1 February deadline. Alongside them are the names of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.

However, the Daily Star claims that two English players will feature in their emergency transfer plans with Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Everton defender John Stones wanted by Zinedine Zidane.

After Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp ruled out a move for Brazil striker Alexander Pato, reports have emerged that Chelsea now lead the way in the race to sign him from Corinthians. ESPN Brazil claims that the Blues are close to signing the former AC Milan striker, although the Telegraph adds that a £10m offer will need to be made before Pato is allowed to negotiate a move.

Real Madrid January transfer targets

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1/9Real Madrid January transfer targets

Real Madrid January transfer targets

David De Gea (Manchester United)

Real came within minutes of signing the United goalkeeper in the summer, only for a delay in the completion of paperwork to halt the move. De Gea has since signed a new long-term contract with United, but as the past has shown, that means little if a club is determined to get their man. Real were expected to renew their pursuit of the Spanish No 1 in the summer, and could now put together an emergency move for De Gea in order to take him back to Spain. De Gea has told United he wants to stay at Old Trafford - even if Real come calling.

2015 Getty Images

Real Madrid January transfer targets

Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Hazard looks a shadow of his former self at Stamford Bridge this season and is yet to notch a single goal for the Blues. With speculation linking him with a move to Real, possibly to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, he could well have been the big signing that the Spanish club like to complete every summer. A new challenge may prove beneficial for Hazard, but Chelsea now hold all the bargaining power if Real come calling.

2015 Getty Images

Real Madrid January transfer targets

Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Kane rejected any chance of leaving Tottenham in the current transfer window following the FA Cup draw with Leicester at the weekend, but the opportunity to join Real Madrid doesn’t come around too often. If the interest in Kane proves true, they could move for the England striker in the next fortnight, although you can guarantee Daniel Levy will not make it a cheap one.

2016 Getty Images

Real Madrid January transfer targets

Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)

The Brazil defender has impressed in his time at PSG alongside Thiago Silva and David Luiz, but he is yet to tie down a regular starting spot in the centre of the defence and he has been linked with a move to Real as a result. With question marks over Pepe’s longevity, Marquinhos would prove to be a fantastic addition given he is just 21 years old.

2015 Getty Images

Real Madrid January transfer targets

Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

As the Independent revealed earlier this month, Lewandowski is not entirely happy at Bayern and could look to leave in the summer along with Pep Guardiola’s departure. The striker has previously spoken of his desire to play for Real Madrid as some point in his career, and with his agent Cezary Kucharsky spotted at the Bernabeu this season, a future move to Spain always appeared on the cards. At 27 years old, Real may want to get him now, rather than wait until he is 29.

Real Madrid January transfer targets

Leroy Sane (Schalke)

Sane has been heavily linked with Manchester City, although both Real and Barcelona are also in the hunt for the highly-rated Germany international. With Schalke denying that a release clause in his contract is active, Real could look to try and beat their rivals to his signing, although reports of a £27.8m bid from the Catalans will be cause for concern.

2016 Getty Images

Real Madrid January transfer targets

John Stones (Everton)

England’s emerging centre-back has caught the eye in his two-and-a-half years in the Everton side, leading to speculation that he is wanted by the top clubs in Spain. The 21-year-old appears to have a bright future ahead of him, though the lure of Real would certainly test the player’s loyalty to the Toffees after he handed in a transfer request in the summer when Chelsea came calling.

Real Madrid January transfer targets

Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

Arsenal’s influential forward has been linked with a move back to Spain, two years after he completed a £35m move from Barcelona. The Chile international has been one of the standout players in the Premier League since his arrival, and would fill Real’s problem position on the right wing that currently no one wants to play in

2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

Real Madrid January transfer targets

Paul Pogba (Juventus

The most sought-after midfielder last summer, Pogba remained at Juventus and has continued his impressive form to help the reigning Italian champions climb up the Serie A table after a poor start to the season. He looks certain to leave Juventus at some point in the next two years though, and with Real and Barcelona interested along with Premier League suitors, he has a wealth of options to choose from. In the knowledge that they could be unable to move for Pogba for the best part of 18 months, Real could trigger a bidding war this month to land the Frenchman.

2015 Getty Images

Premier League title challengers Leicester City are the latest team to be linked with a move for sought-after West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino, with the Daily Mirror claiming that Claudio Ranieri has identified the England Under-21 international as a prime candidate to strengthen his squad. Leicester are currently level on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal, with striker Jamie Vardy and attacking midfielder Riyad Mahrez a big reason behind their surprise form this season.

Ranieri wants to bring in support for Vardy, and want away Berahino is seen as the ideal candidate to do just that. However, the Telegraph reports that West Brom have issued another hands off warning to both Tottenham and Newcastle, having blocked Spurs’s summer bid for the forward.

January Transfer window - completed deals

Newcastle look primed to continue their recruitment campaign this month with a £12m bid for Tottenham’s Andros Townsend, having already completed the signings of Henri Saivet from Bordeaux and Jonjo Shelvey from Swansea for a combined £17m. Townsend is also wanted by Watford, but The Sun report that Newcastle will look to try and talk Spurs down from their £14m valuation of the England international.

The Magpies will look to offload one player this month too, with French flop Florian Thauvin in talks to return to Ligue 1 side Marseille on loan until the end of the season according to The Times, despite only moving to St James’ Park at the start of the campaign.

Finally, both Liverpool and Spurs are believed to be in the hunt for non-league player Yasin ben el-Mhanni, with the 20-year-old London-born winger currently turning out for Ryman League side Lewes. The Daily Mail claims that both Premier League sides are considering a move for El-Mhanni, who recently spent time at West Bromwich Albion and has been dubbed the “non-league Riyad Mahrez”.

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