The transfer window for all of Europe's big five leagues is now closed, but that doesn't stop Transfer Talk from rummaging through the remains of the summer window to scrounge up the earliest bit of gossip about who will be moving where come January.
Top Story: Barca have first refusal on Saul
Barcelona have first refusal on Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez should he ever decided to up sticks and leave his boyhood club, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The report states that the verbal agreement between the two clubs dates back to 2013, when Barca included it as part of the deal that saw David Villa leave the Nou Camp and join Atleti.
Now a fully fledged Spanish international, the 23-year-old has a €150 million release clause written into his contract at the Wanda Metropolitano but Barca retain the option to talk to the player first should he wish to move.
Hernandez snubbed United
Manchester United were so desperate to lure Lucas Hernandez from Atletico Madrid this summer that they offered to double the French left-back's salary, Marca reports.
According to the Spanish outlet, United were also ready with an £80m bid to trigger Hernandez's release clause, only for the 22-year-old to scupper their plans by informing his Premier League suitors that he'd prefer to stay put.
However, it's mentioned that Hernandez is fully aware that United are likely to come calling again when the market reopens in January.
Sterling seeks £100k pay increase
Raheem Sterling is expecting a major salary hike as he and his representatives continue to renegotiate his contract at Manchester City, writes the Times.
Sterling is reportedly set to demand another £100,000 on top of the £175,000-a-week wages he currently earns at the Etihad.
The 23-year-old is in talks with City over a new deal and, after scoring 25 goals in 49 appearances since the start of last season, is expecting to see his wages be put on par with some of the club's biggest earners.
Apparently, Sterling is not demanding parity with top earner Kevin De Bruyne, but is definitely looking to move further into the upper percentile of the club's highest-paid employees.
Tap-Ins
- Real Madrid have made the signing of Porto star Hector Herrera a priority, with the Express claiming Los Blancos boss Julen Lopetegui even met the Mexico international during the international break to discuss the move.
- Roma are working hard to eliminate the €36m release clause from Kostas Manolas' contract to help ward off continued interest in the Greek defender from Premier League pair Chelsea and Manchester United, according to Calciomercato.
- Wolves pulled off one of the bargain buys of the summer when they signed Rui Patricio on a free transfer. However, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the newly promoted Premier League side may end up having to pay around £18m in order to bring a "peaceful solution" to an ongoing legal dispute with Sporting Lisbon, the goalkeeper's former club.