Liverpool and Real Madrid join chase for Timo Werner while Barcelona are favourites for Atakan Akkaynak

David Cooper

11:41 12/09/2017

The transfer window may not open again until January 1 2018 but that hasn’t put an end to plenty of speculation throughout Europe.

Here, we take a look at three big stories dominating the headlines.

Do you think any of these deals will get over the line in January?

Let us know your thoughts.

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Real Madrid and Liverpool have joined the race to sign 21-year-old RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, according to Sport 1 (via/TalkSport).

The Germany international has been impressive form for both club and country and is attracting the interest of Europe’s big hitters.

Expect Werner’s name to be linked with numerous clubs in January because he will be one of the hottest properties around.

He’s just broken into Germany’s senior squad and provides them with something they’ve not had in a long time – pace.

However, Leipzig are tough negotiators as Liverpool have already found out with Naby Keita so any sale will be long drawn out.

Barcelona have jumped to the front of the queue to sign highly-rated Germany youth international Atakan Akkaynak from Bayer Leverkusen.

According to the Daily Express, the 18-year-old has been linked to Chelsea and Roma but Barca have been monitoring his progress for over a year.

Chelsea are apparently big admirers of Akkaynak but Barca are the favourites to sign him.

For the uninitiated, he’s a creative deep-lying playmaker and is considered one of the brightest talents in the Bundesliga.

Atakan Akkaynak playing for Germany U20s