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Transfer Talk: Tottenham monitoring former Arsenal target Everton

The transfer windows in Europe's top leagues are closed, but it's never too early 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: Spurs monitoring Everton

Everton was the breakout star of Brazil's Copa America triumph on home soil last summer, and his exploits had reportedly caught the eye of Premier League giants Arsenal, but a move to North London never materialised. Now it might, just not at the Emirates.

Sky Sports reports that Tottenham chief scout Steve Hitchen monitored the 23-year-old in Gremio's Copa Libertadores semifinal against Flamengo, amid their search for additional firepower following their failure to land Juventus striker Paulo Dybala in the summer.

The close of Brazil's domestic season ahead of the January transfer window could make for an easier negotiation for Daniel Levy to finally bring Everton to North London -- and potentially Inter's on-loan striker Gabriel Barbosa, too.

LIVE BLOG

22.21 BST: Manchester United's Nemanja Matic and Barcelona's Arturo Vidal are reportedly unhappy with the amount of playing time they've received this season, and Calciomercato cites Gazzetta dello Sport as reporting that Inter could sign both of them in January, so long as they allow one of their existing midfielder to leave the club.

20.34 BST: Manchester United are interested in a January move for Bayern Munich outcast Thomas Muller, according to German publication SPORT BILD.

18.47 BST: With an increase in capital of €300m, Juventus are looking to make a splash this offseason. AS cites Gazzetta dello Sport as reporting that the Bianconeri have plans to bring a huge star to Turin this summer, with Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Paul Pogba, Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix and Son Heung-Min all on the Italian champions' radar.

17.00 BST: Former Arsenal player Martin Keown is offering some free scouting advice to his former club about Genk pair duo Carlos Cuesta and Jhon Lucumi.

"(Cuesta) looks some player by the way, both Colombian central defenders look pretty decent," he told BT Sport after the Belgian club's 4-1 defeat to Liverpool. "If I was an Arsenal scout -- and never have been, never been asked to comment ever as a former player on prospective purchases -- these two are not bad, I can tell you."

16.07 BST: Manchester United have been linked with a move for James Maddison, but Leicester are keen to keep hold of the £70m-rated midfielder, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

"He's a player that we very much want to keep here. He's a very talented young player that has a lot of development to make over the coming years," Rodgers said at his news conference on Thursday. "He recognises this is a great place for him to be, and gives him that opportunity to flourish and develop.

"Anything contractual, that will be between James' representatives and the club. For me, my job is to coach them and make them better."

15.16 BST: Real Madrid reportedly want Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. They could do a lot worse.

14.30 BST: Crystal Palace have landed themselves an early £22.5m from the sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United, reports the Evening Standard.

Wan-Bissaka's move cost £50m, but it was paid in instalments with nearly half the fee due on July 1, 2020. Instead of waiting until then, however, Palace have sold the right to that money to an Australian bank called Macquarie who will loan them the £22.5m now and take payment from United in July.

Clearly a sign that Palace are planning a January move or two, so expect news on that front soon.

13.27 BST: Il Corriere dello Sport explains how a boardroom level shuffle at Roma where many directors who forced Daniele De Rossi out have left, means the midfielder could return to the club in the near future -- especially given the club's injury situation. 

There are also reports that ex-Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell, who is a free agent, and Udinese's Valon Behrami are short-term options to aid Roma's ailing midfield.

13.18 BST: Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has committed his future to the club for another six years.

12.31 BST: Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Nubel is a man in demand and has offers from some big clubs.

Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Roma and Paris Saint-Germain are all keen on the 23-year-old, but SportBild claims he's set to be the long-term replacement for Manuel Neuer at Bayern Munich and sign on a free transfer next summer.

11.37 BST: Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has been catching the eye lately and it's no surprise to see Barcelona involved.

The Argentine forward was reported to be set for a €100m move to Camp Nou, but that price has increased to around €200m -- the amount on his release clause, according to Mundo Deportivo.

10.50 BST: The Daily Telegraph reports that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich turned down a bid for the club from a Middle East consortium at the end of last season.

A good decision it seems as, now Frank Lampard has the Blues' young players firing, he's probably keen to see how far they can go.

09.44 BST: Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has had his say on rumours the club could sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic once he leaves the LA Galaxy.

"I have never met him [Ibrahimovic]," he said. "I know he has a great relationship with [Carlo] Ancelotti -- but it's not just him, he [Ancelotti] speaks to a lot of great stars. Speaking about Ibra now is disrespectful to the players we have."

Such comments might not go down too well with Giuntoli's boss, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who was quite clearly speaking about Ibra yesterday.

09.04 BST: Inter Milan are looking to continue their pursuit of glory by handing over €38m to Barcelona for midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

The Croatian has fallen out of favour at Camp Nou this season and has been repeatedly linked with PSG as a bargaining chip to sign Neymar. However, Rakitic wasn't that keen on it himself and, as a result, Inter might be able to make a deal in January according to El Desmarque.

08.24 BST: Mexico defender Edson Alvarez has only recently joined Ajax, but he's already thinking about his next career move.

"I love the attacking football that Manchester City plays, which is similar to Ajax," he said. "Playing there may one day be the next step, but first I want to achieve a lot of great things at Ajax."

08.00 BST: Welcome to another edition of Transfer Talk LIVE! And an intriguing one to kick us off: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has talked up Tottenham's Harry Kane. 

Goal-shy United have not scored more than once in a league game since the opening weekend of the season and have long been linked with a move for Kane, who could cost upwards of £200m. Indeed, Old Trafford legend Roy Keane said Solskjaer should do all it takes to sign Kane to help spearhead a United revival.

- Ogden: Are Man United bold enough to go for Kane?

"Harry Kane? There aren't many [like him]. The [Robert] Lewandowskis and Harry Kanes, they're like Shearer, Van Nistelrooy, fantastic players," Solskjaer said. 

"Ours are different types of players, but I like someone who can finish half a chance and he [Kane] does that. But he's a Tottenham player."

Solskjaer and United face Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday looking for their first away win since March. Pressed on Keane's comments, Solskjaer backed fit-again Anthony Martial to get among the goals again.

"Roy [Keane] is quite straightforward isn't he?" Solskjaer said. "But for us, it's about working hard and getting Anthony back is going to be a massive boost for us.

"I'm sure that, when Anthony comes back, that'll help Marcus [Rashford] as well. With the forwards we've got and the pace, I'm looking forward to the next few weeks.

PAPER TALK (by Harry Kettle)

Man City step up Ruiz interest

Manchester City sent a scout to Naples to watch Fabian Ruiz in Napoli's Champions League match against FC Salzburg, according to the Guardian, with the Premier League champions increasing their interest in the former Real Betis midfielder.

If they're to secure the 23-year-old, who's drawn comparisons to David Silva -- who reportedly will leave the club to join David Beckham's Inter Miami side in MLS after the season -- they'll need to beat out the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, who are both keen to bring the former Spain U21 international back to his homeland.

The relationship between City and Napoli has broken down in the wake of Partenopei's valuation: €180m, according to chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Atletico, Inter to fight for 'Gladbach's Zakaria

Atletico Madrid are allegedly the frontrunners for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria, but Calciomercato writes that Inter Milan intend to give the Spanish club a run for their money in the chase for the 22-year-old.

But it's not just Atleti that they'll have to beat: Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham are all reportedly keen in signing the Swiss international.

Whoever is to win the race for Zakaria, they'll likely have to deposit €50m into 'Gladbach's coffers.

Tap-ins

- Arsenal manager Unai Emery has admitted that he is enamoured with Liverpool star Fabinho and the Mirror confirms that he tried to bring the Brazilian to the Emirates. "I love Fabinho," he's quoted as saying. "His name was on the table, but he signed for Liverpool."

- Barcelona are interested in securing the signing of a new central defender, according to Calciomercato. Samuel Umtiti's recent injury has forced their hand, with Inter duo Stefan de Vrij and Milan Skriniar said to be under consideration.

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