Monday 4 December 2017 11:39, UK
Clubs across Europe will be stepping up their transfer plans over the next three weeks in preparation for the January window opening.
It means the rumour mill is cranking up significantly, so we asked our friends at Football Whispers to scour the European newspapers to bring you the latest transfer gossip and news from the continent.
Spain
Real Madrid have identified the two players they believe can help strengthen their current squad. They want Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in January and Real Sociedad right-back Alvaro Odriozola in the summer, before the World Cup starts. (AS)
Despite the Real Madrid transfer talk surrounding Neymar, Luis Suarez has shut down rumours of a potential move to the Spanish capital for his former Barcelona team-mate.
"I know what Neymar is like, and the admiration he had for Barcelona and his colleagues here," Suarez said. "I don't see him going to play for Real Madrid." (Marca)
Javier Mascherano has told Barcelona he wants to leave the club in January due to a lack of game time. He wants to move to the Chinese Super League but hasn't ruled out a switch to the United States. (Mundo Deportivo)
With Mascherano and Samuel Umtiti injured, Thomas Vermaelen has been playing for Barcelona and has impressed both the coaching staff and his team-mates with his attitude and fitness and could become a more regular part of the squad even when his team-mates are fit. Due to of his good form, the Catalan side are unlikely to look for a centre-back in January. (Sport)
France
Tottenham right-back Serge Aurier says he had to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the summer as he felt he wasn't being judged fairly on his performances on the pitch. (Canal Football Club)
Benjamin Stambouli has backed Adrien Rabiot to be the long-term successor to Thiago Motta at PSG. The Schalke midfielder was at the Ligue 1 side during the 2015/16 season and says he believes Rabiot has the qualities to become PSG's next No.6. (Le Parisien)
Italy
Former Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti says he's honoured to be linked with the Italy job, but doesn't want to leave club football. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
After just one win in 10 league games, Torino have given boss Sinisa Mihajlovic two games to save his job. He has to win back the board and fans' trust against Lazio and Napoli. (Tuttosport)
After Tony Sanabria suffered an injury, Real Betis are looking at bringing in a striker in January, with Gabigol, currently on loan at Benfica from Inter Milan, on their radar. (Corriere dello Sport)
Germany
Leon Goretzka says he is close to making a decision on his future. The Schalke midfielder is out of contract in the summer and is a Manchester United transfer target, and has also attracted interest from Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. (Kicker)
After sacking Peter Stoger and replacing him with Stefan Ruthenbeck, Cologne want a new sporting director too, with Dietmar Beiersdorfer, who did the same role at Hamburg, top of the list. (Kicker)
Hannover's transfer targets in the January window will be mainly central defenders. Rijeka's Josip Elez and Basel's Michael Lang are both being considered. (Kicker)
