Gossip: Real Madrid 'monitoring Sterling's Man City future', Manchester United 'ready to raid Barca'
Another day closer to the end of the international break and the end of the wilderness.
Fantasy football managers are scratching their heads, wondering what to do at work without a gameweek to procrastinate on, armchair fans are nervously awaiting a Sunday afternoon without Super Sunday and Sky Sports News are desperately trying to convince us that the Uefa Nations League really does matter.
But that does not stop the transfer rumour mill churning – in fact, it means it is even busier than usual.
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January is less than three months away now and the early closure of the summer window means we could see more action than ever before.
The gossip column remains jam-packed and features Raheem Sterling, Jordia Alba and Aaron Ramsey.
Enjoy!
A Real player
Real Madrid are weighing up a move for Raheem Sterling, who has just under two years left on his deal at Manchester City.
The English winger has gone from strength to strength under Pep Guardiola, netting 18 goals and setting up 15 in 33 appearances during City’s title-winning campaign.
While Guardiola has previously reiterated his desire to keep Sterling at City, ESPN report that Real Madrid are lurking.
Sterling signed a five-year deal at City when he moved from Liverpool in 2015 and both City and the player are relaxed about renewing his contract, with a confidence that it will be done.
But January will mark 18-months until it runs out and his value will decrease then, leaving City facing the possibility of losing Sterling for a cut-price fee.
Although City are confident, Sterling has previously spoken of his desire to move abroad and name checked Spain as a potential destination.
Barca raid
Manchester United might be struggling on the pitch and in the news for the wrong reasons off it, but the Spanish press are still linking them with a surprise move for Jordi Alba.
The left-back has been at Barcelona since 2012 and is now considered one of the best in the world in his position.
But his contract, like Sterling’s, runs out at the end of next season and talks have stalled between his representatives and the club.
That has alerted United to his availability as it is a position they need to strengthen.
Luke Shaw has looked back to his best this season, but he is unsure about signing a new deal if Jose Mourinho remains in charge. That would leave Ashley Young as the only option in that position.
Ramsey race
Aaron Ramsey will feature in gossip columns regularly over the next few months as his inevitable departure from Arsenal nears.
According to the Evening Standard, Manchester United and Liverpool are not keen to wait until his contract ends next summer and want to sign him for a cut-price deal in January.
Jurgen Klopp is a known admirer of Ramsey and wants reinforcements in midfield, while United have held a long-standing interest in the Welsh international.
Despite clubs in Italy also reportedly being interest, Ramsey is said to be keen to stay in England as his family are settled in London and his wife is due to give birth to twins imminently.
