TRANSFER WINDOW WHISPERS

CARDIFF CITY are stepping up their pursuit of Nantes striker Emiliano Sala. Talks are set to take place in the next 24 hours for the Argentine who has scored 13 goals this season. Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman said: ‘We are talking about a striker in the £18m region.’

LEEDS UNITED are closing on a free transfer for Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla. The 32-year-old will join the club this week after a medical with the current Championship leaders looking to take over the 18 months he has left on his contract at Madrid.

FULHAM expect Ryan Babel to arrive from Besiktas on loan this week. Claudio Ranieri also wants Chelsea’s Gary Cahill. EVERTON are ready to sell Cenk Tosun, Oumar Niasse and Morgan Schneiderlin but not Idrissa Gueye, a £30m target for Paris St-Germain. FIORENTINA have offered £9.8m for Pedro Obiang of West Ham, who are in turn monitoring Genoa striker Krzysztof Piatek. SOUTHAMPTON are battling Bournemouth for Brentford centre back Chris Mepham.