With only 118 days to go until the January transfer window opens excitement is beginning to mount at Transfer Talk Towers, particularly with the news from the Daily Express that Adrien Rabiot "still wants to leave" Paris Saint-Germain.
The 19-year-old midfielder was widely expected to move away from the French champions last month with Arsenal and Chelsea rumoured to be after the teenage sensation. But the rumours turned out to be as genuine as Wayne Rooney's barnet and Rabiot remained in France. But for how long?
PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been quoted as saying the France Under-21 international's future at the club remains uncertain with a move likely in the New Year. "I think he's a great player and I want him to stay," said Al-Khelaifi. "I have tried to get him to renew his contract, but without success. He wants to leave."
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Bad news for Manchester United and Arsenal in the International Business Times, which reports that Real Madrid have "secured first refusal" on Marco Reus. The German international remains a Borussia Dortmund player for the time being despite the fact Real, along with United and the Gunners, have all been monitoring his situation in the Bundesliga.
Apparently Reus has a special release clause in his contract "which allows him to leave" the team next summer for as little as £25m, and there was a late flurry of speculation on deadline day that Dortmund wanted to cash in before then, with Arsenal rumoured to have asked about his availability. Taking Spanish rag El Confidencial as its source, IBT says that Real are now in pole position to sign Reus although Bayern Munich are also lurking ominously in the background.
Elsewhere, Talksport says that Manchester United "failed in a late bid" for Barcelona wonderkid Adama Traore but the club is poised to "go back for him in January". Red Devils gaffer Louis van Gaal is a fan of Traore, a lightning quick winger who made his La Liga debut last November aged just 17.
A host of Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on the teenage flier but Talksport says that United "were first to firm up their interest" with an enquiry late last month. Though Barcelona are refusing to sell for the time being, it's believed a big money bid in January could persuade them to cash in their chips as far as Traore is concerned.
Finally, Sky Sports reports that veteran striker Andrew Johnson has signed a short-term contract at Crystal Palace. The 33-year-old hitman was released by Queens Park Rangers in the summer and has been a free agent ever since. According to Sky, Johnson's stint will run until January and new Palace boss Neil Warnock will be hoping the striker reproduces the form he showed at Selhurst Park between 2002 and 2006 when he scored 85 goals in 160 games.
