Monaco close on Lacina Traore; Napoli ponder Gonalons swoop

Monaco close on Lacina Traore

Daily newspaper France Football understands that Monaco are set to complete the signing of Ivorian striker Lacina Traore from Anzhi.

The Principality Club are set to sign a high-profile striker in January and they seem to have made the Ivory Coast international their number one target.

According to France Football, negotiations between the two clubs have entered the final stage, with Traore almost certain to make a switch to Stade Louis II this winter.

The player’s representative hinted some two months ago that his client would probably be leaving in January and his predictions seem to have been spot on.

The 23-year-old surprisingly remained at the club this summer despite a host of high-profile players leaving Dagestan and he has in turn managed just 1 goal in 5 league matches.

However, having proved his worth by scoring 30 league goals in the previous two seasons, Traore is still held in high regard by top European clubs.

Monaco are hoping January signings will help them keep up with Ligue 1 leaders PSG, with Claudio Ranieri’s side priced at 5/1 to clinch the league title.

Napoli ponder Gonalons swoop

French Radio Monte Carlo is reporting that Napoli are stepping up their efforts to sign Maxime Gonalons from Lyon.

The French midfielder is one of Azzurri’s primary targets as they search for midfield reinforcements and has been on their radar for quite a while.

However, Radio Monte Carlo understands that Napoli are finally set to submit an official proposal for the player’s services.

The same source has suggested that the initial offer is likely to be in the region of €10 million.

Chances are that Lyon chiefs will be unimpressed by the first proposal, but Napoli can be expected to raise their offer in the future.

Maxime Gonalons has so far resisted temptation to leave les Gones for greener pastures, but with his side largely struggling this season he could decide to make a switch to Stadio San Paolo this winter.

Galatasaray bid for Alex Telles

Brazilian side Gremio have confirmed that they have received an official offer from Galatasaray for full-back Alex Telles.

The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the best left-backs in Brazil’s top flight and he is widely tipped to join a top European club in the near future.

And while a number of sides are showing interest in the talented footballer, Galatasaray are the only club to have submitted an official proposal.

“We have received numerous enquiries. Galatasaray were the only club to make official proposal. We are analyzing,” Gremio executive director Rui Costa was quoted as saying in O Globo.

The Brazilian newspaper has suggested that the Turkish giants have submitted an offer worth €7 million.

Alex Telles has a contract until June 2015 at Gremio, but the Brazilian club are only entitled to 40% of the next transfer fee, with the remaining part owned by investment companies.

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