Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal target Martin Odegaard, Man United eye Gabriel Veron, Spurs want Jesse Lingard
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals
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Welcome along to Thursday’s transfer news live with the latest rumours, gossip and done deals from the Premier League and around Europe. There are a number of top players primed for a move and ready to contribute immediately, but as Manchester United have proven with the signing of Amad Diallo, the best young talents in the world are always on the radar of the top clubs, including Palmeiras wonder kid Gabriel Veron. One of the priorities in the final week of the window will be to shed any dead weight, to streamline the squad and ensure the atmosphere in the group remains as good as possible.
Today’s rumour mill involves Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United and Southampton in particular, while Danny Ings, who has transformed his career at Southampton, and Nico Barella, Inter Milan’s midfield phenomenon, are the most valuable names doing the rounds over the last 24 hours.
Dele Alli remains out of favour at Spurs under Jose Mourinho and Paris Saint-Germain could offer him a lifeline this month under former boss Mauricio Pochettino, having fallen out of form and therefore out of the picture for England ahead of Euro 2020. PSG of course must be conscious of securing the long-term futures of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, with Real Madrid lurking after the Frenchman resisted signing a new contract.
Manchester United meanwhile could reward Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for positioning the club in the thick of the title picture, though there could be many outgoings at Old Trafford, too, with Juan Mata linked to his former club Valencia.
Mesut Ozil’s move to Fenerbahce, United’s deal to bring in Amad Diallo from Atalanta and Sebastian Haller’s big-money deal to leave West Ham for Ajax rank among the most significant deals of January so far. Follow all the latest developments below.
SMITH-ROWE SET FOR NEW ARSENAL DEAL
Emile Smith-Rowe has been a big part of Arsenal’s turnaround in form and it looks as though his efforts are about to be rewarded.
According to the Daily Mail the Gunners are readying a long-term extension to Smith-Rowe’s contract.
His current deal is said to be for £15,000 per-week and runs until 2023. The Mail are saying that Arsenal are preparing a wage increase for the youngster to something closer to £40,000 per-week.
It is hoped Smith-Rowe’s new deal would be completed before the start of next season.
NO DECISION ON MATA’S FUTURE YET
Juan Mata is now into the last six months of his current Manchester United contract and the club have yet to offer him an extension.
United gave one-year extensions to Jesse Linagard and Timothy Fosu-Mensah to uphold their sell-on value and the latter has since left for Bayer Leverkusen.
Ole Gunner Solskjaer says no decision has been made of Mata’s future yet but he is thinking about the situation. He said:
The decision is very difficult every time with Juan. You know he's got the quality. If he plays, he scores goals, he's contributed this season.
"Then again, we've had other players who have taken his role as well - Mason [Greenwood] has done well in that position, Paul [Pogba] now, and Juan really contributes in and around the group.
"So it's one of those that I have discussions with all the time, it's difficult to leave him out but unfortunately that's where it is at the moment, so no decision has been made there yet."
SEVILLA SET £35M FEE FOR EN-NESYRI
West Ham United have been given a £35million asking price to bring Youssef En-Nesyri to the London Stadium this month according to The Daily Star.
Sky Sports News say that the Hammers have made a bid worth £22million but the Spanish side have said the offer is not high enough.
West Ham are looking for replacement for Sebastien Haller, who moved to Ajax this month, with En-Nesyri only joining Sevilla from Leganes last January.
He has scored 18 goals in 51 appearances for the La Liga side.
TORREIRA HAPPY AT ATLETI
Lucas Torreira signed a season-long loan deal with Atletico Madrid deadline day during the summer transfer window.
He had hoped to gain regular playing time at the Spanish side but that hasn’t happened with the midfielder making just 11 appearances for the club this season.
Arsenal director Edu Gaspar confirmed that he is concerned over Torreira’s treatment in Madrid after reports came out that Valencia and Inter Milan are interested in the Uruguayan.
However, Torreira’s agent Pablo Bentancur says that the 24-year-old is going nowhere. He told FcInter1908:
“No contact with Inter for Torreira. I have not received any calls. Torreira is at Atlético, he is very well in Madrid and will not move in January.”
BERBATOV: SEND BALE BACK TO MADRID
Dimitar Berbatov insists Tottenham should send Gareth Bale back to Real Madrid at the end of his loan should his form not improve.
The Welsh forward has failed to make an impact at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after re-joining the club seven years after his world-record move to the Bernabeu.
But Berbatov has been underwhelmed by Bale’s impact, with just three goals in 12 appearances across all competitions, and insists it will be an “easy decision” for Jose Mourinho to send him back at the conclusion of his loan unless his form picks up.
Spurs sending Bale back to Madrid is ‘easy decision’, claims Berbatov
The Welsh forward has failed to break into Jose Mourinho’s XI on a regular basis since rejoining on loan from Real Madrid
PALACE MEDICAL FOR MATETA
Crystal Palace are closing in on signing French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta on an 18-month loan deal from Mainz.
Mateta has scored seven goals in the Bundesliga this season and is due to undergo a medical in London today.
According to the Evening Standard the deal is an initial 18-month loan with a £13million option to buy.
Palace manager will want to increase his sides firepower after Christian Benteke, Jordan Ayew and Michy Batshuayi have just four league goals between them this term.
ROJO OFFERED BOCA CONTRACT
Marcos Rojo could be on his way out of Old Trafford after Boca Juniors have offered the defender a two-year deal to leave Manchester United.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that Rojo won’t be given a new contract at the club and is free to leave this month.
Argentinian publication Olé says the Boca Juniors have offered the contract and now it’s down to Rojo and United to agree to the deal.
ODEGAARD IDEAL REPLACEMENT FOR OZIL
Arsenal could be lining up a replacement for Mesut Ozil already after Martin Odegaard says he wants to leave Real Madrid according to Marca.
The Norwegian feels he isn’t getting enough playing time at the Spanish giants and has reportedly told manager Zinedine Zidane that he wants to leave.
The £22-year-old has a rumoured release clause of £311million which would mean Real Madrid would have to sanction any move for him.
According to the Express Arsenal are negotiating loan deals for Isco and Vinicius Jr and could add Odegaard to their target list as another option in midfield.
NEVILLE GIVES ROONEY MANAGERIAL ADVICE
Gary Neville gives Wayne Rooney advice as manager
Rooney earned his first win as manager on Tuesday in a 1-0 win over Bournemouth
SNODGRASS MOVE INVESTIGATED
The Premier League is investigating an “agreement” for Robert Snodgrass to not play for West Brom against former club West Ham in what could constitute a breach of Premier League transfer regulations:
Premier League investigating Snodgrass ‘agreement’ after West Brom move
The Scottish midfielder joined the Baggies from the Hammers earlier this month
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