Dembélé trains with the rest of the squad
The January transfer window is open and rumours are swirling around the Premier League and across Europe.
Romelu Lukaku’s future has suddenly been thrown into doubt after his recent interview expressing his desire to one day return to Inter Milan, despite only joining Chelsea for £97.5m last summer.
Liverpool are said to be plotting a move for Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka and are monitoring the 20-year-old’s contract situation at the Emirates, according to the Express. Saka, who has scored five times in the Premier League this season, is under contract until 2024 at Arsenal, while Liverpool have reportedly also made an offer to AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie ahead of his deal expiring at the end of the season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have identified Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak and Lille’s Jonathan David as potential additions to their forward line, amid uncertainty over the futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte is receiving interest from Barcelona, while Newcastle, West Ham and Everton are tracking Aaron Ramsey and are set to offer the Juventus midfielder a return to the Premier League. Newcastle are also closing in on a deal for Lille defender Sven Botman, according to the Mail.
Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from the Premier League and around Europe:
Tottenham keen to keep hold of Hugo Lloris
He’s Tottenham’s all-time leading Premier League appearance-maker and a World Cup winning captain and Antonio Conte has no desire to see Hugo Lloris leave Spurs in the summer.
The Frenchman is out of contract come the close of the season and can now begin to negotiate with clubs overseas about a potential free transfer, but Conte hopes his club captain, who is in outstanding form, will remain in London.
“Hugo is a Tottenham player, he’s the captain. For sure he will talk with the club to try to find a solution,” he said. “I think Hugo wants to stay in his club, he loves the club, he stays well in Tottenham.”
The 35-year-old has been linked with a return to former club Nice.
Harry Latham-Coyle3 January 2022 09:31
Manchester United look to Leverkusen for latest German wunderkind Florian Wirtz
While signs of a dramatic immediate improvement may have been absent since the interim appointment of Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford, the German’s arrival may have aided Manchester United’s chances of landing Florian Wirtz.
The Daily Star report that United believe the appointment of Rangnick as interim boss could give them the inside track in the chase for one of the most-wanted young players in Europe.
The 18-year-old is enjoying a fine season for Bayer Leverkusen which has caught the eye of the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as United.
Leverkusen could look to cash in next summer and are said to be looking for upwards of £70million.
Harry Latham-Coyle3 January 2022 09:20
Aaron Ramsey eyeing Premier League return
Kieran Tripper may not be the only familiar face making a return to English football after a European sojourn – the suggestions are that former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is also the object of interest for a number of Premier League clubs.
Newcastle (of course), Everton and West Ham are all said to be interested in offering the Wales international a route out of Juventus. Ramsey, who joined the Italian side in 2018, has made just four starts for Juventus so far this season and has struggled to settle in Serie A.
Reports claim that Juventus would allow the 31-year-old to leave the club this window.
Harry Latham-Coyle3 January 2022 09:05
Denis Zakaria set for Gladbach exit with Arsenal keen
Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed that Swiss international Denis Zakaria will leave the club when his current contract runs out in the summer.
Arsenal, Leicester City and Everton among others have been credited with interest in the 25-year-old, who can play in the centre of midfield or defence.
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have also been linked.
Jack Rathborn3 January 2022 09:00
Newcastle keen to take advantage of Barcelona fire sale with Samuel Umtiti
Barcelona are still looking to sell with a number of players for sale.
Samuel Umtiti is one such player having fallen down the pecking order at the Nou Camp.
Newly-minted Newcastle are said to be lining up a move as they look to beat the drop in the Premier League.
Whether the 28-year-old is keen on a move to Tyneside remains to be seen.
Jack Rathborn3 January 2022 08:35
Newcastle target January move for Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier
Newcastle are keen to revamp their squad in the January transfer window and top of their list is Atletico Madrid and England full-back Kieran Trippier, according to the I.
The Magpies are keen to bring in up to six players, with the hopes that 31-year-old Trippier could be on board by the time they face Watford on January 15.
Jack Rathborn3 January 2022 08:25
Real Madrid keen to pair Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland at Bernabeu this summer
Real Madrid could be set to sign not one but two of the best young players in the world.
Kylian Mbappe is widely expected to sign on a free when his contract expires at Paris Saint-Germain next summer.
But Spanish newspaper Marca report that Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund could join him as part of a mouthwatering strikeforce.
Mino Raiola recently named Real alongside Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona as possible destinations for his client.
Jack Rathborn3 January 2022 08:19
Blackburn will not listen to offers for Ben Brereton Diaz in January
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray says the club will not listen to offers from Premier League clubs for top-scorer Ben Brereton Diaz this January.
The Chile international has scored 20 goals in the Championship so far and has been tipped to make the step up to the top flight.
While Mowbray said he expected the 22-year-old to move on at some point, he said: “We’re not looking to sell Ben Brereton [in January].“We need him to hopefully get 40 goals and help the team be successful this year.”
Jack Rathborn3 January 2022 08:14
Barcelona ready to return to Man City for Aymeric Laporte
No sooner after completing a £55million move for Ferran Torres, Barcelona are circling around Manchester City again.
Reports this morning have claimed Barcelona are now interested in City defender Aymeric Laporte and are planning a move next summer.
The Spain international, who joined City from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, has been a regular in the City first team since season and has formed a solid defensive partnership with Ruben Dias.
Jack Rathborn3 January 2022 08:10
Mikel Arteta’s shortlist to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has reportedly drawn up a shortlist of players to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should he leave the club in January.
The 32-year-old, who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Gabon next month, was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy by Arteta following his latest disciplinary breach.
Although he signed a bumper contract extension to 2023, the striker’s future at the club seems to be drawing to a close while Arteta remains in charge.
And now ESPN have reported that Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins have been added to Arteta’s shortlist as he eyes a replacement.
Jack Rathborn3 January 2022 08:05