Di Marzio provides updates on transfers ahead of January

The January transfer window is getting closer, so the team at AceOdds sat down with renowned transfer journalist Gianluca Di Marzio to discuss some of the hottest transfer topics.

A transfer window is like Christmas Eve for a football fan, and some of the best presents for football fans always arrive late, as they pursue their dream players.

Or, it could end up like when you were a kid, and didn’t get the only thing you wanted for Christmas. The excitement is just as big, and that is a huge part of what makes the transfer window so special.

Another thing that makes it special are all the rumours, and who better to comment on all of those rumours than Italian transfer journalist Gianluca Di Marzio?

Federico Chiesa wants to stay and convince Arne Slot

Starting off with Di Marzio’s compatriot Federico Chiesa, the Italian journalist says that Chiesa is planning to stay at Liverpool, as he still believes he can convince Arne Slot that he deserves more minutes.

“I don’t think there’s a move on the cards for Chiesa because he’s playing more. He had the chance to go to Atalanta, to Napoli and to Liverpool but he wanted to be an instant player for Liverpool. Knowing him, he’s not the type that would want to leave in January. He wants to start a season at a club.”

“He said no to Gattuso and the national team because he wants to convince Slot he can play. At the end of the season he will decide his future. He wants to convince Liverpool until the last possibility but clubs in Italy are waiting for him.”

“Napoli could come back in for Chiesa if Lang or Neres don’t convince Conte in the next months. They will then need another offensive player but Chiesa isn’t like other players who ask for a move if he isn’t playing. He’s got a great mentality and wants to be a good player for Liverpool. “

In terms of the immediate future, Chiesa is priced at 21/20 to score or assist for the Reds against Nottingham Forest next weekend - and if you desire, you can back that by using our bet365 bonus code.

AC Milan won’t let Leao go

Rumours surrounding AC Milan’s key player Rafael Leao suggest that the club would be willing to let him go for less than €80 million, but Di Marzio says that AC Milan wants more.

“I don’t think AC Milan want to sell Leao for that price. They will want to sell for a different price and definitely not for less than €80 million. They will also need another striker. Allegri thinks Leao is important for them due to injuries and Nkunku doesn’t score. They’ve only got Leao so they won’t let him go.”

Juventus want to extend Kenan Yildiz’s contract

Juventus’ biggest star Kenan Yildiz has been linked with a move away from the Old Lady, but Di Marzio says that Juventus wants to extend his contract.

“Right now Juventus are discussing renewing his contract and they haven’t reached an agreement. If they don’t find one then something can happen and they can consider the market for Yildiz. They gave him the number ten shirt of Del Piero so it’s not easy for Juventus. They’re not winning and the atmosphere with the fans isn’t great. They think he’s the future Del Piero but need to find an agreement with him.”

“Manchester United have scouted him in the past but he needs to maybe stay at Juventus. Spaletti can help him become a macho player like Kvaratskhelia as they are similar and he can help Yildiz. Spaletti won’t want to let him leave and will push for him to become a champion player.”

Kobbie Mainoo to Napoli is a possibility

Napoli has had great success signing players from Manchester United with both Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund, and now Kobbie Mainoo could be on his way on a loan deal with Di Marzio mentioning it as a possibility.

“Mainoo to Napoli is a possibility because they talked about him in the summer and now Napoli need to go into the market because they have injuries in the midfield. Anguissa goes to AFCON as well so they need to cover that area.”

“They’re probably going to look to have a player with different skills from Kobbie Mainoo. A big physical player. He’s on the list but they want a profile like Sarr. Mainoo is a possibility though and it’s better he’s on their list.”

Liverpool is the most likely destination for Guehi

In the summer, Marc Guehi can leave as a free agent when his contract expires with Crystal Palace, but despite many clubs wanting the centre half, the Italian journalist still mentions Liverpool as the most likely destination.

“I think Liverpool is still Guehi’s most likely destination but it depends on if Liverpool will arrive with a bid in January for him. It depends on what Slot thinks they need.”

“In the Premier League, they don’t mind if a player leaves at the end of the contract and they don’t make money. They’d rather keep the player to save the season. £20m is nothing for them.”

“Whereas in Italy, it’s different. If a player is out of contract in Italy, they’d rather get the £20m than let him go for free. It’s a different culture in the Premier League.”

Another option could be Dortmund`s Nico Schlotterbeck, and Di Marzio makes it clear that he is an option for Liverpool as well, especially if they fail to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

“Schlotterbeck I can’t see him leaving in January. Dortmund is a club which works on the trading market. They’ll consider an offer in January if it comes in. Schlotterbeck and Guehi are the two players Liverpool want and they’ll look from January to the end of the summer market to get one of them in.”

“It’s difficult for players leaving Dortmund because they feel the love from the club and the fans. Dortmund is a rich club and if they want to keep a player they can. People thought Adeyemi would leave and he stayed.”

Real Madrid is the most likely destination for Konate

Speaking of Liverpool and centre halves, Ibrahima Konate could be on his way out as his contract expires with the Merseyside club, and Di Marzio believes Real Madrid is where he’s most likely to end up.

"Real Madrid is the most likely destination for Konate. Nothing advanced yet but it is the most likely destination."

"That's why Liverpool are thinking of getting two defenders and not one because they don't know what will happen with Konate in the summer."

"Leoni is young and he's coming back from a tough injury so they need two defenders in the summer. Konate is the first defender on Real Madrid's list for the future."

Saliba leaving Arsenal is unlikely

William Saliba just signed a new five-year deal with Arsenal, but the French defender is still linked with a move away to Real Madrid. However, Di Marzio finds it very unlikely that Saliba will leave Arsenal.

"Saliba signed a new and very long contract. When you sign that kind of a contract and are so important for your club that is doing very well at the moment, I don't think you sign a contract to be sold."

"I don't think Arsenal have renewed his contract to put him in the market. So I think it's unlikely, yes."

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