Gossip: Axel Witsel, Pepe, Ross Barkley

LIVERPOOL VS EVERTON FOR WITSEL IN JANUARY
Transfer gossip is still very thin on the ground, but there is a semi-interesting line on calciomercato.com. It would be fair to say that that particular website can’t boast a 100% accuracy rating when it comes to transfer rumours.

Still, let’s hear them out. The Italian website claims that Axel Witsel is still desperate to leave Zenit St Petersburg after a summer move to Juventus fell through. They report that Everton are also still keen on the Belgian, but they have been joined in the race by Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp sure does like buying midfielders.

If Witsel does move to the Premier League, perhaps Roberto Martinez should just hold his training camps and international friendlies in England? Fifteen players in the latest squad play in the Premier League and another in the Championship. Vincent Kompany, Nacer Chadli and Jason Denayer all missed out.

PEPE SET FOR NEW REAL MADRID DEAL
To Spain now, and Marca’s claim that Pepe will sign a new deal at Real Madrid. This will undoubtedly be sold as bad news for Manchester United, after Jose Mourinho reportedly targeted the Portuguese midfielder in the summer transfer window.

Marca reports that talks between club and player are already underway, which would likely keep Pepe in Madrid until the end of his career at the highest level.

Pepe’s current deal ends next summer, but this extension would take it to June 2019, when the defender would be 35 years old. Real’s transfer ban make this a no-brainer. Sorry United.

EVERYONE KEEPING TABS ON BARKLEY
To Squawka now, and their claim that Ross Barkley is considering his future at Everton. They report that Barkley has been offered a new £100,000-a-week deal, but the contract remains unsigned.

The claim is that Tottenham are the latest club to show an interest in Barkley, but that Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are also interested. The midfielder better hope they haven’t been watching his performances this season.

The report also contains this line:’Barkley, who currently earns around £60,000 a week, is waiting to see how Everton progress under new manager Ronald Koeman before making a final decision on his future.’

We’d politely suggest to Barkley that, after being taken off at half-time against Sunderland on Monday, the ball might lie in Everton’s court, not his.

AND THE REST
You know what, there’s cock all about…