PSG in fresh assault on Mata; Roma eyeing Johnny Heitinga

PSG in fresh assault on Mata

French daily newspaper L’Equipe is reporting that Paris Saint-Germain are set to reignite their interest in Chelsea midfielder Juan Manuel Mata.

The Spaniard is reportedly one of the first names on Laurent Blanc’s hit-list for the January transfer window and he continues to be linked with a switch to Parc des Princes.

And with both Ezequiel Lavezzi and Jeremy Menez widely tipped to leave in the winter, the Saints are keen on signing Mata at the earliest opportunity.

The problem is that the Spaniard seems to have finally played his way back into Jose Mourinho’s first team plans, having started last three Premier League fixtures.

Nevertheless, Paris Saint-Germain are not ready to give up on their long-term target and are likely to test Chelsea’s resolve with a January bid.

The 25-year-old has featured in 11 Premiership fixtures this season, starting 9 of those games, and has only managed 2 assists in the process.

Roma eyeing Johnny Heitinga

AS Roma are lining up a January bid for Everton defender Johnny Heitinga, La Gazzetta dello Sport has revealed.

The Giallorossi plan to offload fringe defender Nicolas Burdisso in the winter in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer at the end of the season.

As a result, Roma are looking to sign a new centre-back to act as cover for Mehdi Benatia and Leandro Castan, and they seem to have made Everton’s Johnny Heitinga one of their primary targets.

The Netherlands international has just over six months left on his deal at Goodison Park, meaning he would be available for a nominal fee in January.

Heitinga has already suggested that he plans to quit the Toffees this winter, and he is also on the radar of Fiorentina and Napoli.

Following the 2-2 draw at San Siro, Roma play host to struggling Catania in their final fixture ahead of the winter break, with home win paying 2/9.

Benfica keen on Mexican starlet

Benfica are keeping close tabs on Tigres UNAL striker Alan Pulido, according to the player’s official representative.

The Eagles are already working on reinforcements for the 2013/2014 season and having all but wrapped up the deal for Polish attacker Piotr Parzyszek, they are being linked with a move for another talented footballer.

Namely, Benfica are stepping up their efforts to sign Tigres UNAL attacker Alan Pulido, with the player’s representative confirming there was some truth in the speculation.

“We are aware of Benfica interest, but have not received any formal offers,” agent Mauricio Garcia confessed to O Jogo.

“Benfica are a great club and they would be good for him. But, he is happy at Tigres.”

Alan Pulido, 22, has made a total of 88 league appearances for the Mexican club, scoring 18 goals in the process.

The forward helped El Tri make it to the 2012 Summer Olympics by netting 5 times in 4 qualifying fixtures.

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