Welcome to our live coverage of today’s latest transfer news, gossip and done deals as we bring you the latest from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and more.
One of Wednesday’s most intriguing rumours is that Daniel Levy has contacted Real Madrid about potentially bringing Gareth Bale back to the club on loan. The Welshman would be open to the move and Real are desperate for him to leave the club – but will Spurs be able to afford his staggering wages, even if partially subsidised by the Spanish giants? Meanwhile, Liverpool have been fairly active this month and could move for a third younger player while also continuing to monitor Timo Werner, who appears increasingly open to a move to Anfield.
Manchester United have been in the headlines recently as they chase Bruno Fernandes to bolster their midfield options. However, their long-running pursuit of the Sporting Lisbon captain may now be forced to take something of a backseat as they refocus their attention on signing a new striker, after the influential Marcus Rashford suffered a back injury last week. Chelsea are also chasing a new striker and expect the Premier League rivals to clash over the next few days as they pursue similar transfer targets. So stick with us and follow all of the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals live below.
Some more news from Sky in Italy on Christian Eriksen’s impending departure: his agent, Martin Schoots, is set to meet Daniel Levy after Tottenham’s game against Norwich tonight to finally attempt to sort an early agreement with Inter Milan.
Jose Mourinho said yesterday that he had no update to make on Eriksen, although Inter Milan’s chief executive said that he was “confident” a deal could be agreed this month.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith last night admitted he wants to sign one more striker in the January window, having already secured the services of Mbwana Samatta from Genk.
“We want another, and we’re looking for another,” he said. “Keinan Davis has just started back in training. Hopefully Samatta will start training for us as soon as possible once he gets his visa sorted.”
The Sun are reporting that Tottenham Hotspur have today bid for Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare – despite the 20-year-old midfielder insisting he did not want to quit his club this month.
“Yes, of course [I would like to leave],” he told L’Equipe. “I have already discussed with the coach. I told him very clearly. I have a very clear idea of where I want to go in my career.
Soumare, who has made 18 Ligue 1 appearances and six in the Champions League this season, continued: “I want to do a full season here, yes. I feel good, my team-mates are helping me. I know where I am today and that suits me.
“It is not time to leave – I don’t want to leave with regrets.”
Inter Milan chief Giuseppe Marotta has been speaking publicly about Christian Eriksen. AGAIN.
He told Sky in Italy: “Eriksen is a fantastic player. We’re waiting and we’re still confident in this deal.”
There are mounting rumours that Gareth Bale could return to Tottenham Hotspur on loan this month.
Numerous newspapers have this morning reported that bookies have suspended the betting on Bale leaving Real for Spurs.
The Independent meanwhile understands that Bale would be open to moving back to north London – although any deal seeing him return to Spurs would be incredibly difficult to finance.
Spurs would need Real Madrid to finance well over half of the Welshman’s wages … with Bale currently earning around three times that of Harry Kane, Tottenham’s best-paid player.
Manchester United are growing increasingly fearful that they could lose 20-year-old prospect Tahith Chong on a free transfer this summer.
Chong is soon to be out of contract and has held talks with Inter Milan, according to the Daily Mail.
Barcelona and Juventus are also reportedly interested in the player.
West Brom are poised to make an £8m offer for Dinamo Zagreb winger Mislav Orsic.
That’s according to The Telegraph who say the Championship leaders want to sign him and one other player this window.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was quizzed about the January window in his press conference yesterday.
And Solskjaer suggested he may look to the transfer market to cover for Marcus Rashford’s absence.
He said: “That is the million dollar question for us because Marcus has been fantastic. Someone’s got to step up.
“If we find something in the transfer market that might be one solution, but the best solution is the players stepping up and taking their chance.”
Liverpool are reportedly in a battle with Paris Saint-Germain for Nice wonderkid Pedro Brazao.
That’s according to the Daily Star, who also claim the 17-year-old winger has attracted the attention of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Sporting Lisbon.
Brazao has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign this season and is a star of Portugal’s Under-19 team.
And the Star claim that Liverpool have already been in contact with the player’s management agency ahead of a possible bid.
Steve Bruce hopes to sign Valentino Lazaro for Newcastle, with the 23-year-old available after Inter Milan’s moves for Victor Moses and Ashley Young.
Lazaro has failed to make an impression under Antonio Conte since a £19m move from Hertha Berlin in the summer.
“It’s fairly common knowledge now. That his agent was at the St James’ Park during the weekend,” Bruce said. “We hope that we can develop it.
“Unfortunately, when it gets out like it does it adds to the competition and we’ll see. We’ll see what the next 24 to 48 hours will bring.”
The Daily Mail claim that Bournemouth’s poor form could spur them into action this month.
Their top transfer target? Lyon forward Bertrand Traore – formerly of Chelsea – who would set them back a cool £35m.
Leeds United have a plan to replace Eddie Nketiah, according to The Mirror.
The newspaper this morning reports that Leeds are hopeful of signing Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga.
Speaking of Islam Slimani … Jose Mourinho has reiterated that Tottenham will not make any knee-jerk signings this January.
Spurs are desperate for a replacement for Harry Kane, who could miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, having been left without a recognised striker on their books.
They have been linked with plenty of names so far this month, with Paris St Germain’s Edinson Cavani the latest, but any target has to meet certain criteria.
Mourinho has made it clear that Tottenham’s world will not end at the end of this season and says new signings must be part of the club’s long-term vision.
“To do something, you have to do something that is good for our future too, not just good for tomorrow,” said Mourinho ahead of Wednesday’s home clash with Norwich.
“Something that is good for the future too and of course the club is very aware of it and the club is very committed of course but we want to do something that is right by every point of view.
“So I don’t speak about other players from other clubs, about things that can happen or not happen because that’s not me and that’s not the way Tottenham operate too.
“But we are trying to see if any good opportunities arise.”
Disastrous news from the Leicester Mercury this morning.
They report that Leicester City striker Islam Slimani does not have a recall clause in his Monaco loan contract, making it incredibly difficult for Spurs to sign him this month.
Aston Villa are confident of keeping hold of skipper Jack Grealish.
That’s according to the Mirror this morning, who say that the 24-year-old has told his bossed he definitely will not be leaving this transfer window.
The Sun claim that David Beckham’s Inter Miami have high hopes of luring Sergio Aguero away from Manchester City in the summer.
We broke the news that the new MLS side were confident of signing his team-mate, David Silva, earlier this season:
The big news of the morning is that Manchester United have finally made a Bruno Fernandes breakthrough, according to The Mirror.
They have this morning claimed that the deal could be completed by the end of the week, with a £55m deal almost agreed.
Talks had stalled over the weekend, but the report claims Marcus Rashford’s recent injury accelerated United’s desire to push the deal over the line, as they now focus on signing an alternative striker.
Wolverhampton Wanderers last night completed the signing of teenage striker Leonardo Campana following his departure from Ecuadorian side Barcelona SC.
Campana, who has been capped four times by Ecuador, has agreed a 3-1/2 year deal to become Wolves’ first signing of the January transfer window.
“I have been following the Wolves for a while… and I have always enjoyed watching them play,” the 19-year-old, who scored four goals for Barcelona before leaving the club at the end of 2019 season, told Wolves’ club website.
“I am excited about the work the team has achieved this season. I know they support each other, their relationship with the manager is a good one and I know all the players get along really well.”
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves, currently sixth in the league standings, host leaders Liverpool on Thursday
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of today’s transfer news, gossip and done deals.
Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister, who is currently on loan at Boca Juniors, has secured a work permit. The Argentine was signed for £8m last January from Argentino Juniors before being loaned straight back out.
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United and Chelsea have both been linked with Dinamo and Spain star Dani Olmo. There could also be some big moves across Europe. Real Madrid have been linked with a £68m move for Timo Werner, as well as Flamengo wonder kid Reinier, while Arsenal have turned their eyes to RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano as a long-term target.
