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.
MOYES BACK BY WEST HAM BOARD
West Ham manager David Moyes says he has the full backing of the club’s board to go and sign any players he believes will help the team. He said:
The board have backed me greatly since I have been here, anything I have really asked for,
"But I also know I am not someone who is going to go and ask for money in a period of time in football where wages can’t be paid.
“Do I want a top striker? I certainly do, I really do, to help us. But I am also mindful that football clubs, a lot of them are on the verge of going bust and I have got to make sure that I do things correctly.
“I think we are in a difficult period. January often hasn’t been that good a month. It was good for us last year, so trying to get the right player is not an easy thing.
“But I have got to say the board has definitely tried to support me and back me in getting players in.”
LUKAKU TO MAN CITY?
One of the stranger rumours today has concerned Romelu Lukaku potentially joining Manchester City in the summer transfer window. European football expert Mina Rzouki told Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk:
I find it highly unlikely. Romelu Lukaku is close to God status at Inter at the moment. He is really enjoying life out there, he speaks the language, loves his team-mates and loves where he lives. Most importantly he loves playing for Conte, someone who has always believed in him. He has found what he describes as a family and a home.
"He likes the status he has over there and thinks he is improving as a player. He’s doing incredibly well, and I’m not sure he’s willing to let all of that go.”
‘I’D LIKE TO SEE GREALISH IN A MAN UTD SHIRT’ - ROBSON
Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has said that he wants to see Jack Grealish play for the Red Devils. He said:
It was a good decision giving him [Grealish] the [ Villa] captaincy. I think it's made him a bit more mature.
"He's a powerful player. He's quite a strong boy and he's quick and the way he can sort of go either way past people he's always going to be a danger and that's why he gets so many free kicks.
"Him and Villa have been terrific this season. He's been linked with us but those decisions, thank goodness, are with Ole and the board of directors.
"I wouldn't mind seeing Jack Grealish in a Manchester United shirt. But I don't know whether the staff at Old Trafford fancy him, as much as you'd like to see him playing for your club."
WEST BROM KEEN ON SEFEROVIC
Baggies boss Sam Allardyce has been vocal in wanting to sign a centre-forward before the transfer window closes.
Galatasaray striker Mbaye Diagne and Benfica’s Haris Seferovic are both on Allardyce’s list with the latter the No. 1 option.
The Switzerland international has netted seven goals in 11 league outings for Benfica this season and the Portuguese side need to sell players this month.
Available funds could be a sticking point though as West Brom prefer to sign players on loan instead of making permanent deals.
SOKRATIS LEAVES ARSENAL
Arsenal have terminated Sokratis’ contract with mutual consent. Full story:
Arsenal terminate Sokratis’ contract with immediate effect
The Greek international defender joined from Borussia Dortmund in July 2018
ARSENAL TO PURSUE BUENDIA?
Arsenal’s main priority for the January transfer window was to get rid of players they saw as surplus to requirements. They’ve since shipped off Mesut Ozil, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, William Saliba and Sead Kolasinac.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano says that Arsenal are now free to pursue a creative midfielder with Emi Buendia at the top of the list, although not official talks have taken place:
ERIKSEN TO OLD TRAFFORD?
Manchester United have reportedly made a loan offer for Inter Milan’s Christian Eriksen, according to reports.
Journalist Duncan Castles has claimed United have made an offer for the former Tottenham midfielder who has fallen out of favour at Inter.
Eriksen appears to be surplus to requirements at the Italian side and because of that United have hopes they can bring him back to the Premier League on loan.
However, the Manchester Evening News understands it's unlikely he will move to United this month.
MEDINA TO MAN UTD?
Manchester United have been linked with several defneders in recent windows with Dayot Upamecano a name that comes up repeatedly.
The latest defender linked with a move to Old Trafford Lens’ Facundo Medina.
According to La Voix du Nord, United are preparing an £11million bid to try and sign the 21-year-old Ligue 1 star.
Medina has played 11 times for Lens this season and is an impressive talent. Predominantly a centre-half Medina can also fill in at left-back and would be a cheap gamble for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to bolster his back line.
ARSENAL TERMINATE SOKRATIS CONTRACT
In a statement by the club Arsenal say they’ve ended the contract of defender Sokratis so he can go and find a new club. Arsenal technical director Edu said:
On behalf of Mikel [Arteta], our coaches, players and everyone at the club, I would like to thank Papa [Sokratis] for his contribution to the club.
"He has been an important part of our group and has been a model professional throughout. The negotiations to end his contract have been collaborative and we wish Papa and his family well for the future.”
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