Joy Sports Transfer Daily: Tuesday's top 20 stories

LVG TAKSE TRAINING

Manchester United manager took training at Carrington as his future at the club remains uncertain.Van Gaal returned to the Netherlands to celebrate his daughter's birthday following Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Southampton, with the players given the day off from training on Monday.In his absence, United chief executive Ed Woodward held talks with a number of players and senior figures at Old Trafford to discuss Van Gaal and recent performances, with United now five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and 10 behind leaders Leicester

BUFFON TO RETIRE IN 2018

Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says it is “almost certain” he will retire after the 2018 World Cup.The 37-year-old has enjoyed a glittering career, winning the World Cup and six Serie A titles with Juventus, but could call it a day in two years’ time."I will try to make the next World Cup and then it may be time to close the door. It will almost certainly be at the end of the 2018 World Cup," Buffon said.

ZENIT SIGN ZHRIKOV

Petersburg have signed Dynamo Moscow defender Yuri Zhirkov, they said on their website on Tuesday. The 32-year-old Russian international will join Zenit on July 1 on a two-year contract. "The player will join Zenit as a free agent, unless the respective parties do not come to an agreement for him to join earlier," Zenit said. Zhirkov, who has won 67 caps for Russia, played the majority of his career at CSKA Moscow, helping them win the UEFA Cup in 2005. He joined Chelsea from 2009-11, winning the English Premier League title in 2010 before returning to Russia with Anzhi Makhachkala. Zenit are sixth in the Russian standings.

‘NEYMAR WILL END UP RENEWING’

Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has revealed Neymar will renew his contract at the Camp Nou.The Brazilian’s future at Barca has been the subject of intense media speculation in recent weeks as his long-term future yet to be decided.Reports published in Spain this week claim Real Madrid were willing to trigger Neymar’s buy-out clause, believed to be a staggering €190m (£144m).However, speaking ahead of Barca’s top-of-the-table clash with Atletico Madrid, Enrique revealed Neymar would commit his future to the Catalans."I think he'll end up renewing," the Barca boss said of the Brazilian ace who has two years left on his contract with Barcelona.

BARCA 'MAKE FINAL NOLITO OFFER'

Barcelona have made their final offer for Celta Vigo forward Nolito.Nolito has been Barca coach Luis Enrique’s first-choice target to strengthen his attack for several months, but the Catalan giants have not yet managed to finalise a deal.Barca have made an offer to sign the Spain international on loan until the end of the season, with the proposal including a non-compulsory purchase option in the summer.

REAL WILL NOT MAKE SIGNINGS

Real Madrid will not make any signings this month despite the fact that they could be subject to a transfer ban in the near future, according to president Florentino Perez.The Bernabeu giants were hit with a FIFA sanction earlier this month and could be prohibited from signing new players for two transfer windows if they do not produce a successful appeal. “The FIFA sanction is hurtful. It is a very serious matter to smear Real Madrid's reputation in this way. "We are convinced that it is all a mistake - it is ridiculous to think that Real Madrid will be punished for a matter concerning the protection of minors when the children have always been a priority for us."

SUAREZ ON ANFIELD RETURN

Luis Suarez insists Liverpool would be his one and only destination if he was to ever return to the Premier League.The Uruguayan spent three-and-a-half years at Liverpool, before moving to Barcelona in the summer of 2014.“You never know what will happen in the future.”. “If I was to return to England, it would be to play for Liverpool - not for any other team."

SWANSEA EYE GAYLE

Swansea are leading the fight to land striker Dwight Gayle from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace. The deal is expected to prompt the departure of former Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis from the Liberty Stadium.Palace broke their club record when they brought Gayle to Selhurst Park from Peterborough for £6m in July 2013.But Palace are unlikely to allow the 26-year-old leave on the cheap if he decides to move on in the January transfer window.

MANGALA ON WAY OUT?

Manchester City defender Eliquim Mangala is a transfer target of Standard Liege.The Belgian club, who are managed by former Manchester City defender Daniel van Buyten, are reportedly keen to make a move for the centre back.

FOUR-WAY SCRAMBLE FOR REMY?

First this morning is the news that Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Swansea and Aston Villa are all keen to land Chelsea striker Loic Remy, providng the English champions' bid for Alexandre Pato goes through. A loan deal has been touted for the player, who is keen to land regular football to protect his Euro 2016 playing prospects with France. Newcastle are said to be favourites to bring the player back to St James' Park after he scored 14 goals for them on a season-long loan deal from QPR in 2013-14.

THOMPSON: LIVERPOOL SHOULD SIGN SHAWCROSS

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes signing Ryan Shawcross would solve the club’s transfer woes.The Reds have been poor at the back in recent weeks with boss Jurgen Klopp growing frustrated.Stoke skipper Shawcross will not be in action against Liverpool in tonight’s Capital One Cup semi-final second-leg.

€27m EMBOLO BID REJECTED?

FC Basel have reportedly turned down a €27m bid for striker Breel Embolo from Wolfsburg.The 18-year-old has attracted interest from Europe’s big boys with a string of impressive displays for the Swiss giants.But with Bas Dost facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Wolfsburg made a move for Embolo.The €27m offer was rejected with Basel determined to keep their prized asset until the summer at least.It is thought Wolfsburg will now turn their attention to Lyon striker and Newcastle target, Alexandre Lacazette.

BLACK CATS CHASE DEBUCHY

Sunderland are hoping to beat Aston Villa to the signature of Arsenal right-back Mathieu Debuchy. Blacks Cats boss Sam Allardyce wants to bring the France international in on loan until the end of the season.

DYBALA FLATTERED BY INTEREST

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala is flattered to have been watched by Barcelona scouts as his superb form continues in Serie A.The Argentine has scored eight goals in his last 10 Serie A appearances, and the 22-year-old said he was unaware he was being tracked by the La Liga champions."To tell the truth, I did not know there were people of Barcelona in the stands," Dybala said. "It makes me happy that things are going well for me and the team and we are going to show that we are able to give more in the future."

VALDES PROUD

Victor Valdes has expressed his pride at signing for Standard Liege on loan until the end of the season from Manchester United.The former Barcelona man made jus two appearances under Louis van Gaal at the Premier League club.

PATO "HEADING" FOR LONDON

Chelsea appear to have finalised a deal for Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato.According to reports, the Blues have agreed a six-month loan deal with Corinthians for the forward, who will travel to London tonight.His agent, Gilmar Veloz, confirmed the news.Pato is expected to fly from Sao Paulo at 11.50pm Brazilian time, meaning he should arrive in the UK on Wednesday morning.Chelsea will pay the entirety of the 26-year-old’s wages – believed to be around £30,000 a week – over the loan period.

GASTON RAMIREZ JOINS BORO ON LOAN

Middlesbrough have boosted their prospects of promotion from the Championship by signing Gaston Ramirez on loan until the end of the season.

TELLO JOINS FIORENTINA

Another loan deal completed, as Cristian Tello leaves Barcelona for Fiorentina on a temporary basis."Thank you Fiorentina for the trust and for giving me the opportunity to play in the most beautiful city in Italy," Tello posted on Twitter. "I will not disappoint you."

EL NINO UNCERTAINTITY

Fernando Torres' future looks very much up in the air at the moment, with the 31-year-old out of contract in the summer when his loan deal at Atletico Madrid from AC Milan expires. Atletico captain Gabi, though, is hopeful his club will keep hold of the striker.

BACK TO THE STATES

One you might have missed from late yesterday, former Manchester City and Chelsea midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips has been re-signed by New York Red Bulls. The MLS side announced that Wright-Phillips, along with goalkeeper Luis Robles and midfielders Mike Grella and Sal Zizzo, will be part of their side for the 2016 season.

SWANS KEEN ON HALLER?

Swansea are interested in Utrecht striker Sebastien Haller.Haller is the joint fourth top scorer in the Netherlands this season after firing 11 goals in 18 games.He also has seven in 12 for the French under-21 team and his form is said to have alerted a host of clubs in the Premier League.Norwich were said to be keen but have since spent big on Steven Naismith, while Sunderland and Villa have been linked with move.

LEEDS KEEN ON McGEADY

Leeds United want to take Aiden McGeady on loan from Everton.But the Championship club admit they face a fight to land the Blues winger who is keen to remain in the Premier League.Everton are happy to let McGeady leave on loan for the rest of the season with the 29-year-old needing to boost his Euro 2016 hopes by playing regularly.Boss Steve Evans said: “Speaking to Aiden’s representatives, he may have options in the Premier League.“I do like Aiden McGeady but there has been no further chat with him in the last 10 days.”Everton chief Roberto Martinez has revealed there is no update on either McGeady or Darron Gibson, while no replacement has been lined up for Steven Naismith.

This series is from the team at 99.7FM, tracking the latest moves in the January transfer window. We call it the #JoySports Transfer Daily. Here, we summarize all the moves and rumours in a quick, easy to read format. The series started in January 4 and ends on February 1.

When does the transfer window open?

The transfer window opens on Saturday, January 2, 2016.

Is that the same across Europe?

No, the transfer window in France also opens on January 2 but Premier League clubs will have to wait until at least January 4 to sign players from Italy or Spain. The transfer window in Germany opens on New Year's Day.
Any deals between Premier League clubs and players in Spain will have to be wrapped up 24 hours before the window closes in England - the deadline in Spain is 11pm (GMT) on January 31. The windows in France and Italy close on the same day as in England, with the German transfer window shutting at 5pm on February 2.

-
Follow Kweku on Twitter: @nana_odum. Get more updates on Facebook/Twitter with the #JoySports hashtag

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Tags: