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 on Saturday.
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GARETH BALE IS HAVING A HARD TIME, SAYS REAL TEAM-MATE ISCO
Speculation over Gareth Bale‘s Real Madrid future is likely to intensify as the club’s most expensive signing picked up a new leg injury on Friday, adding to the frustrations of the Welsh winger who has already been sidelined with a calf strain for five weeks.
Injuries and inconsistent form this term and last have caused the rumour mill to go into overdrive, with some reports in England suggesting the 28-year-old could return to the Premier League at the end of the current campaign.
And following his latest injury setback, a strain to the adductor muscle on his favoured left side, club team-mate Isco has revealed the former Tottenham man is experiencing a difficult time at the Bernabeu – going to show all is not quite right.
“Gareth has been injured for a long time,” the Los Blancos playmaker told assembled media ahead of Spain’s clash with Costa Rica on Saturday.
Isco added: “He’s having a hard time.”
Bale has not featured for Real since suffering another calf injury in the Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund on September 26.
He was also ruled out of Wales’s key World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in October.
Without him, Wales lost 1-0 and saw their hopes of making the finals in Russia next year shattered.
RATING: 7/10
SPORT360 VERDICT
Bale is contracted with the Whites until 2022 and let’s not forget has won three Champions Leagues with the Spanish giants, but Madrid hierarchy are concerned about the limited amount of time he has been on the pitch in the past 12 months.
If Zinedine Zidane’s men were to cash in on the attacker then this summer may be a good time given interest from the Premier League – and the fact his value still remains high.
Expect this story to run and run.
Bale has spent over four years in the Spanish capital.
THE END IS NIGH FOR MASCHERANO
Javier Mascherano has hinted he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season.
The experienced Argentine, who has played over 300 times for the Catalan giants since his debut back in 2010, is contracted to the Camp Nou club until the summer of 2019 but revealed he could return back to his home country.
The former Liverpool midfielder turned defensive star at Barca was asked by La Nacion about his future and said he did not know whether he would still be a Blaugrana star next term.
“Yes, it could be (my last season here),” he said.
“(It) also depends on the club. I always sit down at the end of the season to know what they want and I give them my opinion… but this time I could take the decision myself.”
“I don’t know… and I am not beating around the bush. It’s not the same to go back to River, with all the demands that come with that, or continuing or Europe or going to a league where the mental demands are less.”
RATING: 8/10
SPORT360 VERDICT
It remains to be seen whether he returns ‘home’ to River Plate, the club where he started his career – but what is for sure – it looks like the 33-year-old’s stellar spell with the Spanish giants is coming to an end.
Mascherano’s experience and leadership skills would be a plus point for any side so he will not be short of offers, especially given he has a few more years left in the tank.
Still a leader on the pitch: Mascherano.
THIAGO ALCANTARA REFUSES TO RULE OUT BARCA RETURN
Former Barcelona star Thiago Alcantara has left the door wide open to making a return to the club in the future, according to El Club de la Mitjanit.
The Spaniard spent five seasons at the Camp Nou between 2008 and 2013 before establishing himself as a key man at Bayern Munich – but, despite his success with the German side – has revealed Barcelona will always be his home.
“Barcelona will always be my home and not just because I love the club, but the city too,” the 26-year-old, whose brother Rafinha is still at the club, told the Catalonia-based radio station.
“I will always look there with affection. You never know if I return, because I am very happy at Bayern but football changes a lot, anything can happen.”
RATING: 8/10
SPORT360 VERDICT
The midfielder has certainly matured since his Barca days, becoming a valuable part of the set-up at Bayern – but a fairytale return to the club in which he rose through the La Masia ranks should never be ruled out.
Don’t expect it to happen anytime soon, but it’s interesting Thiago hasn’t been shy in hinting he would one day love to go back.
Key man for Bayern: Thiago.