Thursday’s transfer news: Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes deal collapses, Liverpool continue talks for Pedro Brazao as Tottenham turn to £40m Willian Jose
All of the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals from Thursday 23 January
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Your support makes all the difference.Welcome to our live coverage of today’s latest transfer news, gossip and done deals as we bring you the very latest rumours from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and more.
The biggest transfer story of the window has, of course, been Manchester United’s interest in Sporting Lisbon skipper Bruno Fernandes. After weeks of little movement we are expecting that story to progress significantly in the next 48 hours, as United move to bolster their injury-hit squad. One of Wednesday’s most intriguing rumours was that Daniel Levy has contacted Real Madrid about potentially bringing Gareth Bale back to the club on loan. The Welshman would be open to the move and Real are desperate for him to leave the club – but will Spurs be able to afford his staggering wages, even if partially subsidised by the Spanish giants?
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been fairly active this month and could move for a third younger player while also continuing to monitor Timo Werner, who appears increasingly open to a move to Anfield. And Chelsea are also chasing a new striker and expect the Premier League rivals to clash over the next few days as they pursue similar transfer targets. So stick with us and follow all of the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals live below.
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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.
Barcelona are looking for a new striker this month as they look to replace the hole left by Luis Suarez's injury.
Marca report that Barca are working on a deal for Valencia's Rodrigo with a short-term loan with an option to buy in the offing.
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Chelsea's Pedro have also been mooted as potential options.
Championship side Barnsley are in talks with Wolfsberger AC over a deal to sign their captain Michael Sollbauer, according to Sky Sports.
He could become the second Wolfsberger AC player to join the club this month after midfielder Marcel Ritzmaier.
Manchester United are said to have stepped up their interest in Birmingham City teenager Jude Bellingham.
The Sun claim the Red Devils have offered £30million for the 16-year-old midfielder.
Bellingham, who is only paid £145-per-week on scholar's wages, has made 25 appearances this season already.
Hector Bellerin has backed Arsenal's teenage hotshot Gabriel Martinelli to go far as he has the attitude to match his goalscoring prowess.
The 18-year-old streaked clear from inside his own half to score against Chelsea on Tuesday night as the 10-man Gunners twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw.
Bellerin believes there is more to Martinelli's approach than simply knowing how to find the back of the net.
"To be fair there are not many," he replied when asked when was the last time he had seen an 18-year-old with similar ability.
"A lot of people talk about his talent, but what people don't see is that Gabi is a professional. He turns up early every day.
"He does all the stuff and everything anyone asks him to do. He is the first player to press and the last player to leave everything on the pitch.
"The goals are just a plus. He helps us in every single way and the thing that everyone needs to praise him for his attitude. That is what makes him a player."
West Ham are in the market for midfielders this month.
They had Stoke's Joe Allen watched last night while they are also said to be keen on doing a deal for Roma's Steven Nzonzi.
The Daily Mail say the Italians are looking for a £3.5m loan fee for the former Blackburn and Stoke man.
Can somebody please sound the contract cancellation klaxon?
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Staying with West Ham where they have scrapped plans to bring Grady Diangana back from his loan spell at West Brom.
With injuries in his current squad David Moyes was considering bringing the 21-year-old back into the fold but a hamstring injury picked up on Monday night appears to have ended that possibility.
"Having Grady back would have given us a bit of speed, something different," said Moyes. "But in the same breath he’s playing for a team which could get promoted and the experience he will get from that, hopefully he will learn from.
"Playing in a winning team will be good for him. If we had everybody fully fit it would have been much harder for him. But the more important thing for him is the prospect we’ve got. He had a hamstring and our worry is that it’s a recurrence."
Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Dundee United midfielder Scott Banks on a three-year deal.
The 18-year-old was originally expected to move to Selhurst Park at the end of the season, but has not played for the Tangerines since August due to his contract expiring in June.
Banks will now link up with Palace immediately and be part of their Under-23s after only making a small number of appearances in Scotland.
He burst onto the scene during a loan spell with Clyde last season and made his debut for United in July during a League Cup encounter with Hearts.
Further starts followed in the competition before he was introduced off the bench in the 4-1 win over Inverness in the Scottish Championship.
It would prove to be his last appearance for United and Banks - a Scotland Under-19 international - will now continue his development at Palace.
A new twist in the Edinson Cavani saga now.
The Times suggest that Chelsea have offered to loan the Uruguayan for the remainder of the season before his contract at PSG expires.
He's currently on a cool £360,000 per week in the French capital which is a hefty outlay but one Frank Lampard may think is worth it after watching his team fail to kill off 10-man Arsenal last night.
PSG would still rather sell permanently now and are looking for £23m. The Blues could offer in the region of £5m to take him short-term.
In one of the more unusual transfer tidbits of the day, third-tier Egyptian side 6th Octoberhave snapped up 75-year-old Ezz El-Din Bahader.
“Today, the Egyptian Football Association has registered the oldest professional player in the world during the current winter transfer period. He is 75-year-old Ezz El-Din Bahader, who signed for 6 October in the third division,” the EFA wrote in a post on Facebook.
“He is preparing to enter the Guinness World Encyclopaedia of records as he begins his participation with his club.”
Bahader joins the club on a free transfer. Bargain!
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