The possible transfer of Tottenham's Christian Eriksen is causing in-fighting at Inter Milan. Christian's contract finishes at the end of the season and he could move for free. Because he has refused to sign a new deal and wants to play elsewhere, Spurs are trying to cash in and collect what they can and have put a £20million price tag on the 27 year-old Danish star. Inter manager Antonio Conte wants Eriksen but club chief executive Giuseppe Marotta prefers Barcelona's Arturo Vidal. Eriksen is obviously a better strategic buy for Inter because of his age and price compared with 32 year-old Vidal.

United planning to sign Maddison

Manchester United want to sign up Leicester's James Maddison and are prepared to make a £45 million bid plus Jesse Lingard. Leicester have a history of building excellent teams and then seeing their stars lured to bigger clubs - Harry Maguire and Riyad Marhez to name but two. Lingard has failed to improve and is now 27 years-old and manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer is known to be concerned about his usefulness and reliability. United value him at £40million which makes their valuation of Maddison £85million - a figure even Leicester will have to think about seriously. United are prepared to offer Maddison treble his current £55k a week wage packet. Leicester, on the other hand, would have to tear up their salary structure to match that. Leicester's top earners are Jamie Vardy on £140k a week and goalkeeper Casper Schmeichel earns £130k. Maddison is desperate to perform in the Champions League and he will be looking at United to qualify for the competition whereas Leicester are already in the qualifying top four of the Premier League and 14 points ahead of United. Leicester are determined to hang on to their star and I understand that the club management have contacted Maddison's agents and advisors to begin negotiating a new deal. In the meantime, United have told me that defence lynchpin Harry Maguire faces a long injury lay off after tearing a hip muscle this week.

Mustafi and Aubameyang could leave Gunners

Despite Callum Chambers injury, defender Shkrodran Mustafi might well still leave Arsenal this month. Mustafi has just changed agents and both are keen on testing the Gunners management to see how they view his future at the club. Mustafi has not played that much this season under Unai Emery or Mikel Arteta. It is Arteta's decision as to whether Mustafi is kept or let go and the former Valencia defender who joined for £35million in 2016 wants to know how he fits into Arteta's plans. The case with Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is somewhat different and confusing. Despite having halted negotiations to renew his contract which has 18 months go run, Aubameyang told a Monaco radio station, 'For now I am here 100 per cent. I love Arsenal and I am committed to bringing it back to the top, where it belongs.' He repeated his loyalty in the programme notes at the FA Cup victory over Leeds this week.

Chelsea want Bayern's Alaba for left back

Moving around the Cobham training ground of Chelsea football club, I have a clearer idea of how manager Frank Lampard is getting his team together. He has dropped Marcos Alonso from the regular starting squad and he is likely to be sold. Switching Cesar Azpilicueta from right back to left back has been successful and Reece James has become Lampard's favourite to start on the right. However, Lampard knows that Azpilicueta is not a natural left back and therefore he is trying to discover if Bayern Munich's left back David Alaba could become available. Alaba is rated by many as the finest left back in the world and he would attract a signing on fee of £80million. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has agreed in principle to release the money if the 27 year-old Bundesliga star is made available. He has 18 months to run on his current contract but the Blues are determined to sign him.

Adebayor could return to Premier League

Aston Villa have an urgent striker problem to solve now that front man Wesley is ruled out for the rest of the season through a cruciate ligament injury. Emmanuel Adebayor is now 35 years-old and a free agent to sign for any club who want him. Villa are meeting with him to discuss possibilities and it could schedule a return for the former Manchester City, Spurs and Arsenal front man.

Pogba being pulled towards Inter Milan

Manchester United have valued Paul Pogba at £150million and though I doubt a January transfer will happen, he could move in the summer and Italy looks a possible destination. United have discussed with Inter Milan their interest in Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez and manager Antonio Conte seems to be willing to sanction the player plus cash exchange as he is a known admirer of Pogba. Juventus and Real Madrid have also shown interest and therefore Inter have tried to move things along more quickly so they can get the French international World Cup winner to the San Siro.

Aston Villa must spend to avoid disaster

In my book the team with the biggest problems is Aston Villa. Having spent £100m when promoted from the Championship they cannot afford to be relegated back to the lower division because financially it would be a disaster. Regrettably for Villa they will have to spend again to get them out of their precarious relegation position. Relieving the pressure on injured striker Wesley is a must and I am told that Werder Bremen's Bundesliga player Milot Rashica is a target. The win away to Burnley has eased a tense situation but the problems remain.

Chelsea step up their bid to sign Zaha

Chelsea are going all out to sign Wilfried Zaha during January. Having been banned from entering into any transfer business last year, the Blues now have the right to buy any player they want and Zaha is their main objective. To enhance their chances Chelsea have appointed super-agent Pini Zahavi to organise Wilfried's exit from Crystal Palace. He is close to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich who believes that the Turkish international could fill the boots of Eden Hazard, now with Real Madrid. Zaha is desperate to move clubs and severed his relationship with long time agent Will Salthouse in September as he was frustrated at not securing a move following a £52million bid from both Everton and Arsenal. Crystal Palace are holding out for an £80million fee which has complicated matters. They have already rejected a bid by Bayern Munich to take Zaha on loan until the end of the season. Chelsea have also stepped up their interest in West Ham defender Issa Diop. The 22 year-old has been watched by Chelsea scouts who have given a very favourable report to manager Frank Lampard. Bournemouth's Nathan Ake is Lampard's next choice. Jose Mourinho is also watching the Diop situation because Jan Vertonghen is stalling over signing a new contract.

City dangle a carrot to Guardiola

Manchester City are anxious to reserve the services of manager Pep Guardiola for as long as possible. Pep has given several hints that he might move on in the near future. To sweeten his position at the club the owners have promised to back any incoming transfers he feels would strengthen the squad and begin the rebuilding process for what is an ageing team. City's defence has been the main challenge this season and the club's scouts have been watching Milan's Slovakia defender Milan Skrinair who is also being tracked by both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Aymeric Laporte, much missed in defence through recent injury, is ready to give City a boost by returning to fitness by the end of January after his long-term knee problem.

© Pakistan Press International, source Asianet-Pakistan