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TRANSFER GOSSIP COLUMN: Manchester City are close to signing the 'next Lionel Messi'... while Bayern Munich and Real Madrid both want Raphael Varane in January as Arsenal target Sporting Lisbon defender

Christmas and Boxing Day are in the rearview mirror, which means the January transfer is less than a week away.

Unsurprisingly, there's no shortage of rumours to delve into as clubs across Europe look to bolster their squads for the second half of the season or to offload some players who are surplus to requirements.

Manchester City are reportedly on the verge of signing the 'next Lionel Messi', but Kalvin Phillips' spell at the Etihad could be finally coming to an end.

Elsewhere, a Manchester United defender is wanted by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and Arsenal are keeping tabs on two Sporting Lisbon stars.