Tottenham want Bailly
Tottenham would very much like to sign Eric Bailly, who has swiftly and suddenly fallen from grace at Manchester United over the last few months.

Restricted to just three league starts this season, the Ivory Coast defender was hauled off after just 19 minutes of Saturday's 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle. However, Mauricio Pochettino is said to be a big admirer of Bailly and is therefore keen to make a move to sign the out-of-favour centre-back in the January transfer window.

The Daily Star reckons there may prove to be a couple of sticking points, with United's £30 million-plus valuation and their reluctance to sell to a direct rival likely to make things difficult for Spurs.

There is also the small matter that Arsenal are also rumoured to be interested, though we can only imagine the same potential roadblocks apply to Unai Emery's team as well.

Liverpool, Man United to 'fight' over Ramsey
Liverpool and Manchester United are prepared to scrap it out to procure the services of Aaron Ramsey, who is set to leave Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The Nerazzurri valued Perisic at £48 million and while United were willing to stretch to £45 million, the Evening Standard claims that vice-chairman Ed Woodward was not prepared to go any higher due to the 29-year-old's advancing age and "lack of star appeal."

According to the Standard, that money was spent six months later when acquiring Alexis Sanchez (also 29) from Arsenal, with Mourinho left to stew after failing to land one of his top transfer targets. Mourinho subsequently asked Woodward to lodge a renewed offer for Perisic but the Croatian forward's fine performances at the World Cup had seen his value skyrocket beyond the point of reason.

Tap-ins
-- Barcelona know it won't be easy to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax and so have drawn up a list of alternative targets that, according to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, includes Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly and Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan.

-- Lille winger Nicolas Pepe is being discussed as potential replacement for Franck Ribery or Arjen Robben at Bayern Munich, according to Sport Bild.