Spain

Olivier Giroud is a Barcelona transfer target. The club are searching for a physical presence in attack and feel Giroud is someone who fits the bill. Chelsea are reportedly prepared to part with the Frenchman this window. (Sport)

Olivier Giroud is a Barcelona transfer target. The club are searching for a physical presence in attack and feel Giroud is someone who fits the bill. Chelsea are reportedly prepared to part with the Frenchman this window. (Sport)

Alvaro Morata’s situation at Chelsea is bad enough that he is willing to take a pay cut to leave and join Atletico Madrid, the club he played for in his youth. Atletico would need to move someone on to balance the books but the 26-year-old’s willingness to take a lower wage may make that a little easier. (Marca)

Jose Mourinho would be welcomed back in La Liga, according to the league’s president Javier Tebas. “It would not be a bad thing for La Liga,” he said. “He is a fantastic coach who has many qualities and it would be a great spectacle.” (RAC1)

Former-Middlesbrough striker Cristhian Stuani is another name in the frame, though. The 32-year-old is in top form for Girona this season, having scored 12 in La Liga, and has a release clause of €15m. (Sport)

New Sevilla signing Munir El Haddadi has said Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde was told not to pick him by higher-ups after he decided that he wouldn’t renew his contract. (Mundo Deportivo)

France

Marseille are determined to sign former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli. The club haven’t been able to find an agreement on a deal yet with the 28-year-old but haven’t been deterred. (L’Equipe)

Julian Weigl remains a Paris Saint-Germain target. PSG have been linked with several midfielders this window, including Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure. But Thomas Tuchel’s former charge from his time at Dortmund is the one he wants the most. (Le Parisien)

Italy

Aaron Ramsey will sign a contract in London on Friday, committing him to a move to Juventus. To let him go this month, though, Arsenal are asking for €20m (£17.8m). (Tuttosport)

Chelsea will meet with Gonzalo Higuain in Saudi Arabia this week to talk about a deal to bring him to London. The Argentine is preparing for the Italian Supercoppa, which is being played in Jeddah on Wednesday. (Tuttosport)

The Supercoppa has come under fire for being played in Saudi Arabia, though, where women will not be permitted to sit alone in some stands. “‘Invisible women”, reads part of one headline. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Germany

Borussia Dortmund have brought forward the transfer of 19-year-old Argentine Leonardo Balerdi. The club had planned to bring the defender to Germany from Boca Juniors in the summer but have made the €15.5m move official now, with Barcelona also having been interested in the teenager. (Kicker)