With some huge fixtures around Europe this weekend, the continent’s biggest clubs have their focus trained on the action on the pitch. But behind the scenes there will be plenty of work being done to prepare for the January transfer window.

So with so much going on, we asked our friends at Football Whispers to round up all the latest transfer news and gossip from around Europe.

Italy

Paul Pogba isn’t the only player wanted by Italian champions Juventus; the Bianconeri are also lining up a move for superstar goalkeeper David de Gea. The Spanish shot-stopper’s current deal expires at the end of the season, but United have the option of triggering an automatic extension until 2020. However, Juve are prepared to wait for the man they view as the perfect long-term replacement for Gianluigi Buffon. (Calciomercato)

Manchester United face competition for top defensive target Nikola Milenkovic in the form of German champions Bayern Munich. The 21-year-old Serbian defender, who has been personally scouted by Jose Mourinho, is valued at £50m by Fiorentina. (Calciomercato)

Tottenham are weighing up a move for Barcelona winger Malcom, with the Brazilian stuck behind Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele in the Camp Nou pecking order. The 21-year-old has only featured in 25 minutes of La Liga action since snubbing Roma to join the Catalan giants in the summer. (Corriere dello Sport)

Spain

Antonio Conte has his “suitcases ready and is waiting for the call” from Real Madrid to become their next manager. Defeat to Barcelona this weekend will likely see current Los Blancos boss Julen Lopetegui sacked and Conte has already made Madrid aware of his top transfer targets should he land the job, with Mauro Icardi and David Alaba top of his list. (Don Balon)

Barcelona have decided to wait until the end of the season to offer left-back Jordi Alba a new contract. By that time, the 29-year-old will have just one year remaining on his current Camp Nou deal, which has alerted admirers Manchester United to the possibility of swooping. (Sport)

France

If Newcastle United, the Premier League’s bottom team, decide to part ways with manager Rafael Benitez, they could move for former Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim. The Portuguese tactician left the Principality club earlier this month after a disastrous start to the season saw Monaco slip into the bottom three, but Jardim’s credit remains high due to his remarkable 2017-18 title win at the Stade Louis II. (Le 10 Sport)

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