Corriere dello Sport reports this morning that Juventus will challenge Manchester United in the quest to land Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez. Despite his goal at the weekend that set them on their way to a 2-0 win at Espanyol, the 25-year-old Colombian looks destined to depart the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the current campaign.
 

Reports from the UK over the weekend suggested that Old Trafford was his preferred destination but the Italian press have been quick to specify that Juventus, who suffered their first defeat of the season on Sunday away to Inter, are also interested in the player. Biaconeri CEO Beppe Marotta is monitoring the current situation but with the Spanish giants unable to make additions to their squad for the next two transfer windows, it seems like whoever wants their player is going to have to put up a huge fight to get him.  

According to Calciomercato.com’s transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Inter have rejected the idea of taking Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea in January. The nerazzurri have been one of a host of clubs linked with the 29-year-old midfielder but Romano reports that the Milan giants are only interested in Roma tough tackling Belgian Radja Nainggolan. City neighbours AC Milan have also been linked with a move for Cesc as he looks for a move away from Stamford Bridge.

OTHER HEADLINES:
 

PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi will be Juventus’s prime transfer target for January. JN24.it claims the 28-year-old, who looked set for a summer move to Turin, is still keen to make the switch in the new year.  

The President of the Italian football federation (FIGC) has told Radio Anch’io Sport that he wants a top-flight division of just 18 clubs. Carlo Tavecchio stated that he was keen to lower Serie A from its current 20 club championship down to 18 to ease the financial burden that is crippling Italian football.