A round-up of the biggest football transfer stories from around Europe.
Chelsea
Chelsea are preparing a bid for Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado although La Viola would not sell the Colombian for less than 35m euros (DH 149m), reports in Italy said on Wednesday.
Cuadrado, a reported summer transfer target for Manchester United and Barcelona, has eclipsed his shaky start to the season with a string of solid performances to help the Serie A side up to sixth place.
Reports claim Chelsea are set to offer 27m euros for the Colombian international, although Gazzetta dello Sport said Fiorentina club president Andrea Della Valle would not sell for less than the value of his buy-out clause, 35m.
Fiorentina host Atalanta on Wednesday looking to seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup, having lost last year’s final to Napoli.
In Italy’s top flight Fiorentina are 16 points behind leaders and champions Juventus but are firmly in contention for the third and last Champions League qualifying spot at three points behind Napoli.
Cuadrado, who moved to Fiorentina from Udinese in the summer of 2012, has scored five goals this season including four in Serie A.
Mirallas
Tottenham have made an approach to Everton with an exchange offer involving Kevin Mirallas and Aaron Lennon, according to British media reports.
The future of Mirallas, who missed a crucial penalty in Everton’s 0-0 draw with West Brom on Monday, appears uncertain after the Belgian revealed he would not be discussing a new contract until the end of the season.
At that stage, Mirallas will only have 12 months existing on his Goodison Park contract and if he refuses to sign, Everton may be forced to sell the forward to avoid losing him for nothing the following year.
According to the Daily Mirror, Tottenham are keen to take Mirallas to White Hart Lane and are willing to offer winger Lennon in exchange.
The England international also has 18 months remaining on his contract, but unlike Mirallas, he is not an integral part of manager Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez is determined to keep Mirallas and wants to persuade the 28-year-old to commit his future to the club.
Milner
Another player with an uncertain future at his current club is James Milner, with reports claiming the midfielder could reject a new contract from Manchester City.
Milner, currently with the City squad in Abu Dhabi on a mid-season warm winter break, has only six months remaining on his current deal and appears no closer to agreeing new and improved terms.
Under the Bosman ruling, Milner is free to discuss and sign a pre-contract agreement with a non-English club, and while at present there is no indication he will, it leaves City in a vulnerable situation.
City are desperate to keep Milner, but the England international wants assurances on his squad status before agreeing a new deal.
While the former Leeds player is enjoying a fantastic individual season and is a current first-team regular, there remain concerns he will not feature as prominently in the long-term.
Witsel
Manchester United could rekindle their interest in Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel after the Zenit St Petersburg star revealed his desire to play in the Premier League.
United were linked with a move for 26-year-old Witsel in the summer, although the club opted to sign Spaniard Ander Herrera and Argentina superstar Angel Di Maria to bolster their midfield.
However, Witsel, who was part of the Belgium side that reached the 2014 World Up quarter-finals, has hinted he would relish the chance to join United.
"I want to play in one of the top clubs in Europe one day," Witsel told Bleacher Report. "It's true that I like the Premier League, because it is one of the best leagues in the world.
“It is a very good league; it is a crazy league. A lot of my colleagues play there, but we will see. I am still young, only 26.
“We’ll see in the future. I have always liked Manchester United from when I was young.”
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