Thursday’s Transfer round-up-Liverpool lead race for ‘new Xavi as Mata linked to United exit

Liverpool are getting their Christmas shopping done early as that they lead the queue for a very promising Norwegian youngster.

We brought you the news on Wednesday that 15-year-old Norway international midfielder Martin Odegaard was spotted around Anfield. And it seems now that Liverpool are about to snap up the Stromgodset's player who has three international caps already for his country. Manchester United and Real Madrid were also in the hunt but it's believed he's close to an Anfield switch after a tour of Melwood and the city this week. He's been described as the 'new Xavi' so no pressure then.(Daily Mail) He may have scored a pretty tasty free-kick for Manchester United against Stoke on Tuesday night but it looks like Juan Mata's days in England could be numbered. Louis Van Gaal has been less than convinced about the ex-Chelsea man and Sevilla could be his next destination. The 26 year old has not been a regular starter at Old Trafford and the chance to team up with the red-hot Iago Aspas will surely be a massive bargaining tool for the La Liga side if they move in January or in the summer. (Daily Mirror) A number of Premier League sides could be about to battle it out for the services of Italian hitman Giampaolo Pazzini. The 30-year old, who hasn't featured regularly for AC Milan this season, is being linked with a move to several goal-shy clubs such as Queens Park Rangers, Sunderland and Aston Villa. Milan are hoping that any club that might take the formerly prolific striker on loan will also pay most of his rather large pay-packet. (Daily Mirror) Roberto Soldado may have ended his goal-scoring drought at the weekend but it looks like he's headed for the exit door at White Hart Lane as Mauricio Pochettino looks to try and give his Tottenham side some much needed flair up front. Spurs look set to steal Jackson Martinez from under the nose of Liverpool with a cash plus Soldado bid in January for the FC Porto striker. He's rated at about £30 million so with Soldado as part of the deal Spurs should only have to fork out about £29.5 million(Metro) Arsenal are linked with a striker pretty much every other morning here in SportsJOE transfer land but this morning it seems that the Gunners missed out on a top class talent back in 2012. M'Baye Niang looks set to join PSG in January but has revealed that he was almost part of Arsenal's set up until a deal to bring him to London fell through two years ago. He subsequently moved to AC Milan that summer for £2.5million and is now set to move again after failing to impress in his spell in Italy so far.