ANALYSIS
By Chris Davie
The transfer window will open in just over two months and Premier League clubs are already being linked with a host of stars across Europe.
Radamel Falcao continued his fine scoring form on Sunday, while Gary Hooper keeps showing the sharpness in front of goal which has resulted him being linked with a move to Liverpool in the next window. Elsewhere, Arsenal target Adrian struggled to shine, while Fernando Llorente still appears to be out in the cold at Athletic Bilbao.
Goal.com brings you both the best and the worst individual displays from throughout last week as we track those who could be moving to the English shores during January.
Radamel Falcao maintained his fine scoring run into his seventh game as he secured a late winner in Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad. His superb free kick in the 90th minute took his tally in La Liga to nine goals in seven games, while Manchester City chief scout Carlo Cancellieri admitted the Colombian is the only forward who could improve the Premier League champions’ attack.
Reported Manchester United target Kevin Strootman inspired PSV in their 3-2 comeback victory over Willem II on Saturday. After PSV headed into the break two goals down, the 22-year-old Netherlands international netted twice before Tim Matavz grabbed the winner nine minutes from time.
Gary Hooper, who is believed to be on Liverpool’s radar, opened the scoring for Celtic in their 5-0 rout over St Mirren on Saturday. Reported Manchester United target Victor Wanyama also netted two stunning efforts in the first half.
Daniele De Rossi is being tracked by Manchester City, according to reports, and the Italian midfielder gave a composed and assured performance in midfield during Roma’s 4-2 victory at Genoa on Sunday evening.
Isco is reportedly being eyed by several Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham and the midfielder scored Malaga’s equaliser in their 2-1 victory over Valladolid on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool want to sign Lewis Holtby on a free transfer next summer and the 22-year-old assisted Marco Hoger’s strike in Schalke’s 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Robert Lewandowski was on target for the Bundesliga champions in their second league defeat of the season.
Fernando Llorente continued his prickly relationship with Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa at the weekend after the striker was left on the bench during the club’s 3-2 defeat to Valencia. Llorente’s rival and recent replacement in attack, Aritz Aduriz, netted twice for Bilbao.
Arsenal target Adrian featured alongside Falcao in Atletico Madrid’s victory over Real Sociedad on Sunday but the Spaniard struggled to influence as was replaced shortly before the end of the game.
Burak Yilmaz continues to attract glances from England after his fine season last term, but he failed to find the net and was subbed at half-time during Galatasaray’s 3-3 draw against Genclerbirligi. The Turkish striker has five goals in seven league games this season.
Loic Remy was linked with moves to both Chelsea and Tottenham but the forward couldn’t impose himself after coming on as a first-half substitute for Andre-Pierre Gignac as Marseille lost 1-0 to Troyes.
Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly monitoring Angelo Ogbonna but the Italian defender missed Torino’s 0-0 draw with Palermo through injury.
Stevan Jovetic was paired in attack with Luca Toni for Fiorentina’s clash with Chievo but the 22-year-old, who has caught the attention of Manchester City, struggled to influence in the 1-1 draw between the two sides.
Alan Dzagoev, who is still on Tottenham’s radar according to reports in Russia, missed CSKA’s 2-0 victory over Rubin Kazan because he’s serving a five-match suspension for punching Luke Wilshere during his side’s derby against Dinamo Moscow on September 30.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa missed Montpellier’s 2-1 defeat at Rennes as he’s also serving a five-game ban for elbowing St Etienne’s Romain Hamouma.
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