With competition for places from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, he knows he is no longer a first team player. Gundogan and with Fernandinho suspended again following his sending off against Burnley for a reckless challenge, the need to strengthen in midfield becomes even more of a priority. EPA5The Belgium midfielder snubbed Juventus and Chelsea for Tianjan QuanjianGetty Images5Witsel said. And Mundo Deportivo report the player has informed Real Madrid president Perez?of his desire to make the switch to the Bernabeu. his time on the benchrelated articlesRelegation scrapBoro 0 Leicester 0: George Friend's mazy run ignites Riverside but shot is sprayed high and wideBOOKIES BEWAREWith nearly a full New Year's fixture list for punters to have a flutter on, we reveal Britain's top ten hotspots for football accumulator winsRudy's Prem returnAston Villa striker Rudy Gestede set for £6m move to Middlesbroughbidding warWhat are the biggest football transfers of all time, and what are the British records Goals of the Week : Watch the finest strikes from the Premier League WeekReuters3Jordan Rhodes is set to leave Boro in the January transfer windowHis arrival is set to spell the end for Jordan Rhodes who has mustered a measly 208 minutes of league action this season without a goal. Central defender Pepe, 33, has fallen down the Bernabeu pecking order and Jose Mourinho is looking to sign him next summer. d be reunited with Ronald KoemanGetty Images3Depay is still waiting for his first Prem start this seasonAnd Koeman stressed: He has strength, he is that target for us up front. The Venezuela captain became the Serie A leaders first January signing when he made the move from Genoa. And Arsene Wenger is also keen to bring in someone new with the future of Kieran Gibbs uncertain as his contract at the Emirates runs out at the end of the season. Getty Images4Morgan Schneiderlin has been told he can leave Manchester UnitedPA:Press Association4To.