Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are all still hunting huge signings with just two days to go now before the January transfer deadline. Arsenal are not giving up on Moises Caicedo after having a second bid for the Ecuador midfielder worth around £70million rejected by Brighton. A third bid is believed to be imminent.
Chelsea have re-opened talks over Enzo Fernandez as they also look to make a huge splash in midfield. The Blues are increasingly confident they can still sign Argentina’s World Cup winner before the market shuts for business at 11pm GMT after making a British record bid of £105m. Chelsea have also been interested in Everton’s Amadou Onana and Caicedo team-mate Alexis Mac Allister.
Tottenham’s swoop for Pedro Porro is in major doubt but they remain in talks to salvage a deal. Meanwhile, they have reportedly tabled a bid for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie and Jude Bellingham’s younger brother Jobe. Spurs have also agreed a fee for young Chelsea striker Jude Soonsup-Bell. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours, gossip and deals as they happen live below!
Live updates
Chelsea push for Fernandez
Chelsea have made an offer worth £105million for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez that would smash the British transfer record, writes Nizaar Kinsella.
The Blues are hopeful of sealing a deal for the 21-year-old before Tuesday’s 11pm transfer deadline.
Their bid meets his buy-out clause but Chelsea have offered to stagger the fee rather make a single payment and it is unclear whether Benfica will accept those terms.
Chelsea had wanted to spread the cost of a deal for Fernandez as they bid to stay in line with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
Read more on that here
Chelsea could turn to Caicedo
Could we have another Mykhailo Mudryk situation?
Chelsea continue to push for Enzo Fernandez, but are finding that Benfica are giving very little ground in negotiations.
The Independent report that they could turn to Moises Caicedo instead if no progress is made with Fernandez, rivalling Arsenal for the Brighton midfielder.
It’s claimed the Seagulls are holding out for a bid in the region of £90m, potentially coming down slightly from that, and it’s a figure Chelsea are more willing to go to than Arsenal.
Chelsea prepared to sell Gallagher
Conor Gallagher could yet leave Chelsea before Tuesday night’s transfer deadline after Everton tabled a bid for his services.
The England midfielder had looked set to remain at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place under Graham Potter, but an exit is now thought possible on a permanent deal.
Crystal Palace remain interested in a return for the 22-year-old after he starred on a season-long loan at Selhurst Park last term, while high-flying Newcastle are also interested after agreeing to sell Jonjo Shelvey to Nottingham Forest.
But Everton have now emerged as the front-runners after appointing Sean Dyche as their managerial replacement for Frank Lampard on a two-and-a-half year contract on Monday, making a bid worth a total of £45million using the money earned from the recent sale of winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle.
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Stuttgart frustrated by Ahamada move
Stuttgart manager Bruno Labbadia admits frustration at Naouirou Ahamada’s imminent move to Crystal Palace.
The midfielder is set for a medical in London on Monday after the clubs agreed a deal worth in the region of £10.5m.
Ahamada has started 17 of Stuttgart’s 18 Bundesliga games this season and leaves the club during a relegation battle.
Speaking of the move beind made official, Labbadia told Sky Germany: “We have to accept things that are not ideal for the sporting situation.”
Brighton announce potential Caicedo replacement
Brighton have confirmed the signing of Yasin Ayari, a move that will certainly attract attention from north London.
Ayari has signed a four-and-a-half year contract after making the move to Swedish side AIK, with the midfielder seen by some as a replacement for Moises Caicedo.
The Gunners continue to push to try and bring Caicedo to the Emirates before Tuesday’s deadline, though have had a second bid worth £70million rejected by Brighton who continue to insist they will not sell the Colombian.
Reports suggest Arsenal will not give up on Caicedo and are preparing a latest bid of £70m plus £5m in add-ons, though that still will not meet the Seagulls’ valuation.
Chelsea submit record bid for Fernandez
Chelsea are optimistic they can agree a deal for Enzo Fernandez after making a British record bid.
The Blues have submitted an offer of just over £105m for the midfielder, according to The Telegraph, as they look to finally get the green light from Benfica ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.
They have offered one large initial payment, with the rest of the fee to be paid in five instalments.
Fulham face busy end to window
Fulham are closing in on the £8.8million arrival of Sasa Lukic from Torino, writes Nizaar Kinsella.
But the Cottagers still need to resolve issues around the signing of Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares.
Marco Silva said on Friday that he hopes Fulham will make two signings before the transfer window shuts and the club is targeting a midfielder and a right-back.
Lukic has agreed personal terms on a move to Craven Cottage and is expected to travel to London in the next 24 hours to finalise his switch.
Read the full story here
Man City to sanction Cancelo exit
Bayern Munich have made a late approach to sign Joao Cancelo from Manchester City.
The Bundesliga champions are understood to have offered to take the Portugal international on loan for the rest of the season before a permanent £61.5m move in the summer.
Cancelo himself is believed to be open to moving to Germany, having found playing time limited since returning from the World Cup.
City are not expected to stand in the player’s way should it be possible to conclude a deal before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Gil flies out for medical
Bryan Gil has arrived in Spain ahead of completing his loan move to Sevilla.
The winger will rejoin his former club until the end of the season, and is currently undergoing a medical before that move is made official.
Latest on Chelsea’s pursuit of Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez has made it clear he wants to leave Benfica and join Chelsea before the end of the window tomorrow night.
Duncan Castles reports that Benfica have offered to match Chelsea’s salary proposal in the hope of keeping Fernandez until the end of the season, and continue to insist they will not sanction a January sale.
The Blues though continue to push, and will hope Fernandez’s desire to make the move will help their cause.