LIVE Transfer Talk: Bale-Pogba swap could happen in January

The transfer windows in Europe's top leagues are closed, but it's never too early to look forward to January. Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.

TOP STORY: Bale-Pogba swap could happen in January

It came as no surprise when Gareth Bale said this week that he enjoys playing for Wales far more than Real Madrid. After all, he doesn't get booed and jeered when he pulls on the red of his national side. 

Bale's possible departure from Madrid, despite scoring some crucial trophy-winning goals, seems to be long and acrimonious. And he has been linked with a move to Manchester United throughout. 

Now the Sun on Sunday reports that his return to England could come as soon as the January transfer window, with United eager to bolster their attacking options. Even if a midseason move does not materialise, the paper reckons it will happen next summer. 

How? By Paul Pogba going in the opposite direction, of course. Pogba has made no secret of desire to get out of Old Trafford as soon as possible, with a move to Spain his desired option. 

Bale's wages may be huge, but by getting Pogba off the books it may make sense financially -- for both clubs. 

LIVE BLOG

17.00 GMT: David Beckham could sign a big name from Europe for his new Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami when they debut in 2020.

ESPN FC's Ale Moreno outlines three names he thinks the expansion team should go for.

16.04 GMT: Arsenal boss Unai Emery has a month to save his job, according to the Sun.

Emery has come under-fire following a poor recent run of results, with his sides failing to secure a win in the Premier League since Oct. 6.

Arsenal face Southampton, Norwich City and Brighton and Hove Albion in their next three league games.

15.15 GMT: Southampton have been offered the chance to sign New York Red Bulls defender Aaron Long, according to Sky Sports.

The United States international was reportedly set to sign for West Ham United last summer but couldn't secure a work permit.

The 27-year-old is believe to have a $6m release clause, with French giants Marseille also rumoured to be interested.

14.55 GMT: Everton are targeting Eintracht Frankfurt striker Goncalo Paciencia in the January window after boss Marco Silva demanded that the club sign a forward, Goal reports.

Everton brought in Moise Kean from Juventus last summer, but the Italian has failed to make an impact on the side's poor goal record, with Everton having scored just 13 goals this season.

Paciencia has scored nine goals in 23 games so far this season.

13.17 GMT: Antoine Griezmann isn't quite firing on all cylinders for Barcelona since arriving last summer for a €120 million, but why?

ESPN FC's Ale Moreno give his take on the situation and explains why he isn't surprised.

12.50 GMT: Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is looking for a move away....but not from the Bernabeu.

The French striker, who hasn't appeared for the national team since being suspended in 2015 over claims that he blackmailed teammate Mathieu Valbuena, has refused to shut the door on his international career.

The 31-year-old striker said via Twitter: "Know that it is me and I alone that would put an end to my international career.

"If you think I'm finished, let me play for one of the countries for which I'm eligible and we'll see."

Benzema is of Algerian descent but would find it difficult to become eligible for another country, having already notched up 81 caps for France, scoring 27 goals.

11.35 GMT: Barcelona are interested in signing Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez as a possible replacement for Luis Suarez, according to Mundo Deportivo.

There's acknowledgement at Camp Nou that Suarez, who will turn 33 in January, is no longer the player they signed from Liverpool for €75 million in 2014, and could be on his way to the MLS.

Martinez is reportedly being lined up as Suarez replacement, with the Agrentina international having scored five goals in the Serie A so far this season.

The 22-year-old striker also has three goals in four appearances in the Champions League this season, including the opener in Inter's loss to Barcelona last month.

Mundo Deportivo report that Barca's director of football Eric Abidal said: "Yes, he [Martinez] is a complete player, I think he is performing at a great level."

10.43 GMT: Rarely a day goes by without Jadon Sancho being linked with a move back to England -- or anywhere else in Europe for that matter. He seems to be linked with United every day, and now another clubs has wandered into view. 

The Sunday Express claims that Paris Saint-Germain are set to join the battle for his signature and have made him their top transfer target next summer. All of which looks set to spark more speculation over the future of Neymar, who like Sancho, rarely finds himself off the TT pages. Let the battle commence.

10.00 GMT: Transfers! There won't be any today, but there sure will be rumours. Stick with us!

PAPER ROUND: Messi contract talks underway 

The future destination of Lionel Messi is always a good subject for discussion, but any clubs looking to lure the Argentine superstar away from Barcelona will be disappointed to hear that he is already in talks with the Spanish giants over a new deal.

Tongues were set wagging earlier this year when it was revealed that Messi would be available on a free transfer at the end of whichever season he eventually walks away from Camp Nou. He has now been at the club for 18 years, but Barca's sporting director Eric Abidal has confirmed that talks are already underway to keep him at the club beyond 2021 -- the year when his current deal expires.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Abidal said it was too soon to comment on progress but was hopeful a deal could be concluded.

Man United set to enter race for Pereira 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could look to snap up Matheus Pereira after the Brazilian's impressive loan spell at Championship pace-setters West Brom. That's according to the Daily Mirror, with the paper reporting that the Brazilian's form at the Hawthorns has caught the eye of an Old Trafford hierarchy desperate to inject some creativity into the squad.

The Baggies have the option to snap up Pereira for £8.25m. But Manchester United, along with a host of other top clubs, have made it clear that they wouldn't think twice about making a move for him. The 23-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger, who spent last season on loan at Bundesliga club Nurnberg, has been a hit with the Baggies so far. And heads, like opposing full-backs, have been turned.

Tap-ins

-- You have to admire Zlatan Ibrahimovic's sense of self-worth -- although clubs in the apparent race for his signature might have something to say about it. The Sun reports that the Swede is asking for £215,000-a-week -- that's not a misprint -- to return to Serie A following his decision to leave MLS club LA Galaxy. AC Milan and Bologna are both reported to be keen on bringing him back to Italy. Those wage demands, though, might temper their enthusiasm.

-- Edinson Cavani's agent is bullish in his belief that the Uruguayan won't be short of offers should he become available at the end of the season. The Paris Saint-Germain star is widely expected to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the campaign -- and Walter Guglielmone is confident he won't be short of offers. Speaking to CalcioNapoli1926, he said: "Edi still has three years to play at the highest level and he can play in any major team in Europe."

-- Ivan Rakitic could be persuaded to move to AC Milan -- as long as the Italian giants can come to an agreement on both his wages and his transfer fee. According to Calciomercato, his current wages of €7.8 million a season are a major stumbling block, as is Barcelona's current asking price of €35 million. So there you have it. Over to you, Milan.