David Villa has become the popular target of transfer and loan rumors linking him to a switch from Barcelona to the English Premier League.
The World Cup winner has been linked to Chelsea, Manchester City and most recently Liverpool, with the Reds reportedly having a loan bid rejected by Barcelona.
Villa has fallen out of favor with the Spanish League leaders, but Barcelona isn’t looking to let him go cheaply.
Chelsea, Arsenal and even Swansea City have all been mentioned as potential destinations for Villa.
Here are some other stories to get your New Year’s Eve going:
CHELSEA CLOSING IN ON BA
Despite being on the losing side of the 7-3 scoreline at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday night, Newcastle striker Demba Ba has been given the green light to begin negotiating a transfer to Chelsea.
Multiple outlets have reported that the Senegalese native will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of £7 million. On the season Ba has scored 13 goals, just one behind Manchester United’s Robin Van Persie, who sits atop the scoring charts.
The move not only facilitates the exit of Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool, but also adds more pressure on Fernando Torres to produce, or else he will lose his starting role once more.
The transfer has reportedly already hit a snag though, so it remains to be seen of Ba will actually be heading to Stamford Bridge.
TOP EPL SIDES LINE UP FOR ZAHA
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has become the latest target of a looming bidding war between the top teams in the English Premier League, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all in the running for the 20-year-old midfielder.
Crystal Palace is believed to be seeking a 15-million-pound transfer for Zaha, but the interested clubs appear more likely to bid closer to 10 million pounds.
MATHIEU DEBUCHY SET TO SIGN FOR NEWCASTLE
With Demba Ba likely out the door, Newcastle have reached into the checkbook to sign Mathieu Debuchy from Lille in Ligue 1, at a fee in the region of £5 million. The right back has been a target of the Magpies since his performances at Euro 2012, where he started each of France’s matches. Debuchy currently holds 13 caps for Les Blues.
CITY NOT WILLING TO OFFLOAD IN JANUARY
With the upcoming African Cup of Nations in January and February of 2012, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has stated he has no intention of selling any players in the January transfer window.
Brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure will both be playing for Ivory Coast next month, and with a rash of injuries to other first team players like Jack Rodwell, Mario Balotelli, Aleksandar Kolarov, and Micah Richards, the Citizens can’t afford to lose more depth in their championship battle.
Currently Mancini’s side stand in second place with 42 points, seven points behind first-place Manchester United.
QUICK KICKS
Gareth Bale tells Tottenham he wants to leave the club this upcoming summer, according to Spanish publication Marca. (REPORT)
Southampton are looking to make a huge splash by signing young England international goalkeeper Jack Butland as well as Cagliari captain and Italy defender Davide Astori. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these developments? Think Villa could do well in the EPL? See Demba Ba starting for Chelsea?
Share your thoughts below.