Friday's transfer news: Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool latest with Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani and Isco updates
All of the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals from around the continent as the deadline fast approaches
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and more all remain active in the market with just a week remaining, so welcome to our live coverage of today’s latest transfer news, gossip and done deals as we bring you the very latest rumours from around the continent.
It still remains uncertain whether Manchester United will sign up Sporting Lisbon skipper Bruno Fernandes as both clubs haggle over a fee, with Sporting holding out for as much as £68m in total, while United appear reluctant to go north of £50m. Real Madrid star Gareth Bale was linked with a loan back to Tottenham, but that has been dismissed by the Welsh forward’s agent. Spurs still look keen to buy though, with Willian Jose the next man in after Gedson Fernandes. Chelsea, too, are active and seemingly keeping Frank Lampard on edge despite their transfer ban being lifted since before the window open. No additions to the first team have been made, with Wolves, at least, and feasibly many other sides closing in on the Blues in fourth in what promises to be a frantic race to qualify for the Champions League.
At the other end of tha table you will have Newcastle, Brighton, Burnley, Aston Villa and West Ham all trying to remain out of the relegation zone and Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich City all looking for that one move to put them over the top and escape the fall to the Championship. Undoubtedly now, a week out, momentum will start to pick up, so stick with us and follow all of the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals live below.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
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.
Allan is not the only Napoli player that Carlo Ancelotti wants to bring with him to Everton as Corriere dello Sport report Hirving Lozano could be targeted.
The Mexican has slipped out of the first team since Gennaro Gattuso arrived and Ancelotti would love to acquire his former player if he becomes available, with the Italians paying €42m last summer.
Leicester City
A relative lack of activity in the January transfer window looks set to end this week, as Leicester attempt to capitalise on an unexpectedly strong start to the season by securing their place in the Champions League. The defence needs attention: Wes Morgan has been struggling with form and fitness while Brendan Rodgers has not been convinced by Filip Benkovic. That leaves just Çağlar Söyüncü and Jonny Evans – Southampton’s Jannik Vestergaard could join them given that he has fallen out of favour at St Mary’s. The club also wish to sign another attacker, a desire that will have only grown since the recent injury suffered by Jamie Vardy. Bertrand Traoré is a target, albeit an ambition one.
Liverpool
No, Liverpool are not going to sign Kylian Mbappé this January. Sorry. The Premier League leaders have been one of the busier clubs this month having signed Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg for £7.25m and 21-year-old Joe Hardy from Brentford’s reserve team. Minamino will play a role in the remainder of Liverpool’s campaign; Hardy joins the club’s Under-23 team. If they dip into the market again it will almost certainly be for another young player. They have been persistently linked to Nice winger Pedro Brazão, although face stiff competition from the usual suspects, with Paris Saint-Germain seemingly at the front of the queue for the 17-year-old.
Lukaku on why he left United
"I made my decision around March, and I went to the manager's office and told him it was time for me to find something else," Lukaku told Sky Sports.
"I wasn't performing and I wasn't playing. I think it was better for both sides to go separate ways. I think I made the right decision.
"Manchester United has made space for the younger players to come through so I think it was a win-win situation for both of us.
"I think I had to rediscover myself. Last year was difficult for me on the professional side, because stuff was not going how I wanted and I was not performing as well.
"So I had to find it within myself what was lacking and came to the conclusion that it was time for me to change environment."
Chelsea could be set to boost their spending in the transfer window this summer after making a move to replace Yokohama as their principal shirt sponsor.
The move will see them look to upgrade the existing £40m per season deal with the Japanese tyre company and approach Manchester United's £53m per year deal with Chevrolet.
West Ham want Slavia Prague midfielder Tomas Soucek.
The Hammers could make a move for the 24-year-old before next week's deadline, with football.london reporting the player is valued at €25m.
Soucek has scored 10 goals this season and operates both as a centre-midfielder or an attacking midfielder.
Manchester United have enquired about a loan for Islam Slimani.
The Mail report United could pay £4m to bring in the Monaco striker, currently on loan from Leicester.
The Algerian striker has been out of the starting line-up for the Ligue 1 side, but has seven goals and seven assists in 13 league appearances.
Arteta on Ceballos future
I haven’t seen much of him because he only trained with us for a week or ten days. I heard about all those things [returning to Madrid] but I have nothing to comment.
↵
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s squad looks back to being formidable with the return from injury of Aymeric Laporte. While Oleksandr Zinchenko is adequate at left-back or wing-back, perhaps another more experienced option might help enhance City’s chances of landing the big one in Europe. Preferably with some added height, to ensure they remain as versatile as can be for a Guardiola side determined to stay loyal to their philosophy.
Elsewhere there really is not much more City can do, though a dependable partner for Laporte would obviously be welcomed, with Shakhtar’s Mykola Matviyenko linked. Anybody with the required quality will undoubtedly come with a hefty price tag and be extremely difficult to acquire in the window, let alone this close to the deadline. So for now, City just need to hope Laporte stays fit and can lift the level of Nicolas Otamendi beside him. Should an opportunity arise to secure a talent for the future or next season, then City could be ready, with Brescia’s Sandro Tonali and Benfica’s Florentino high on their wanted list
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments