WITH almost two months gone in the football season, clubs around the world will be beginning to focus on where they can freshen up their squads in January.
Meanwhile in La Liga, Barcelona could soon have a new manager after a poor start.
Get all the latest transfer news and gossip here…
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MAN CITY are reportedly eyeing a move for highly-rated prodigy Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid.
The 20-year-old has also attracted admiring glances from the likes of Arsenal and Man United with his performances while on loan at Real Sociedad this season.
But according to El Desmarque, Pep Guardiola believes that the Norwegian could make a good replacement for David Silva, who will leave the Etihad at the end of the season.
Odegaard burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old in 2014 with Stromsgodset and was quickly courted by Europe's elite.
After 23 Tippeligaen appearances, he swapped Norway for the Bernabeu in January 2015.
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SIR ALEX FERGUSON will keep a close eye on Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn – before recommending the Scot to Manchester United chiefs.
That is according to Bobby Jenks, the former Villa scout who helped bring McGinn to England.
SunSport revealed in the summer United legend Fergie wanted his former club to sign the 24-year-old.
Sir Alex still has a say at Old Trafford and is close friends with McGinn’s grandad Jack.
The Prem new-boys wanted £50million for the Scotland ace — who has gone on to shine in his six league appearances, scoring three times.
And ex-scout Jenks, who advised Villa to sign McGinn, told The Athletic that Fergie will urge Old Trafford chiefs to swoop for the Scottish terrier.
He said: “He’s up there with the best-performing midfielders in the division.
“Wait until he’s had a year at that level and then we can say more.
“What I do know is that Sir Alex Ferguson is wondering why Manchester United let a talented Scottish boy slip through.
“He’ll be keeping a close eye on him that’s for sure and if he continues the way he is, you can bet he’ll be telling his pals at United, too.”
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AARON RAMSEY has settled in at Juventus, after superstar team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo broke the ice.
Welsh midfielder Ramsey swapped Arsenal for Turin this summer on a free transfer.
The ex-Gunners hero has made five appearances this term, four alongside former Manchester United winger Ronaldo.
And Ramsey told BBC Sport the five time Ballon d’Or winner “is just a normal man” as he helped the Juve newbie join the family.
He revealed: “He was just like everybody else, really welcoming.
“Of course, he is one of the greatest to play the game but he is just a normal man.
“He breaks the ice straight away and makes you feel like you are talking to anybody else. There is a family feeling about the whole club.”
Reigning Serie A champions Juve currently trail behind league leaders Inter Milan by two points.
Maurizio Sarri’s men travel to the San Siro on Sunday to face Antonio Conte’s Inter, that includes summer signings Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku, both from United.
Ramsey is a former team-mate of Sanchez having spent four seasons at the Emirates together, and knows all about the finishing quality of ex-Chelsea and Everton striker Lukaku.
He added: “Inter have improved this season. Antonio Conte has got them really organised and they have yet to drop any points.
“It is going to be difficult. They have some great players, including one I know very well from my time at Arsenal.
“We will have to be aware of him and the other players they have, and be really on top of our game to get the result we want.”
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UNAI EMERY has revealed that Mesut Ozil wasn't in the squad to face Standard Liege because other players deserved it more.
The German playmaker has endured a difficult relationship with Emery since the Spaniard succeeded Arsene Wenger last year.
Speaking of his decision to omit Ozil, Emery said: “I am thinking every time to decide the best players for each match and the best players in the squad to play and to help us.
“When I decided he shouldn't be in the squad it's because I think other players deserved it more.
“He needs to continue working. Tomorrow we have training with the players who didn't play, and on Sunday we have another match, and we are going to decide the same.”
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EXCLUSIVE by Mike McGrath: OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has added Russian striker Aleksandr Sobolev to his striker targets.
The Manchester United boss has confirmed he will try to sign a forward in January and is also interested in Callum Wilson, Moussa Dembele and Mario Mandzukic.
But United scouts have closely watched Sobolev, 22, this season during his prolific campaign.
Sobolev has scored nine goals for Krylia Sovetov in the Russian Premier League, putting him on the radar of Turkish giants Galatasaray.
His Samara-based club could listen to offers above £15million for the former Russia Under-21 striker.
United will step up their search for a striker in the next three months after allowing Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez join Inter Milan in the summer.
Bournemouth striker Wilson has admirers at Old Trafford but a deal will hinge on whether Eddie Howe would sanction a £30million deal in January.
United would look to tempt Wilson, 27, with the chance to cement his England place for Euro 2020.
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