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 want Dani Olmo from Dinamo but are not progressing in talks.
Mundo Deportivo also report, despite being offered their former player Pedro, with his playing time at Chelsea drying up, there is no desire to bring the Spanish forward back.
Barcelona are currently scouting for a new forward due to the absence of Luis Suarez in the coming months.
Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho has downplayed talk of a training-ground bust-up with Danny Rose.
The pair were reported to have clashed after Rose was left out of Saturday's 0-0 draw at Watford.
Asked if he had a problem with his left-back, Mourinho said: "No. Between me and Danny, no. I don't know what you mean by tension in the air, I don't have a problem with him."
Mourinho revealed he left Rose out of the game at Vicarage Road after being told late on Thursday night that the defender had a back injury.
"Then on the Thursday before Watford late evening I got a call from my medical staff saying that Danny was calling them with a problem in his back and he wouldn't train the next day," the Portuguese added.
"Friday it was a bit of a surprise to see him training, but even so I decided to play with (Japhet) Tanganga and have Ryan (Sessegnon) on the bench. That is the situation."
Newcastle have handed Nabil Bentaleb the chance to prove himself in the Premier League all over again after signing him on loan from Schalke.
The 25-year-old Algeria international will spend the rest of the season with the Magpies, who have negotiated an option to make the move permanent in the summer for a fee understood to be in the region of £8.5million.
Bentaleb has not played for the Bundesliga club since April last year after being sent to train with the club's second string because of disciplinary issues with a knee injury not helping his cause, but head coach Steve Bruce is hoping a man who launched his career at Tottenham will slip seamlessly back into English football.
Bruce said: "He's somebody who I paid particular attention to when he was at Spurs, when he broke through and got a big-money move to Germany.
"He's played at the highest level now for the last four or five years, but he will come in hungry and feeling he has something to prove and will give us the competition we obviously need.
"With the numbers that we've got at the minute, he's got a bit of experience and I think people will enjoy watching him play. He'll come into the squad and I'm sure he'll be a good acquisition for us.
"The fact that he's played in the Premier League before helps because we know that he can play and knows what the demands of the Premier League are.
"He's gone from the Premier League to Schalke and played in the Champions League as well, so we're delighted to get him. It's a great signing."
Bentaleb, who tweeted to say he was "very excited to be wearing the colours of such a historic club", played 66 times for Spurs before heading for Germany, initially on loan, during the summer of 2016.
The midfielder completed a permanent move a year later and his 97 appearances for the club - he also scored 19 goals - include a series of Champions League matches.
He is delighted to have the opportunity to return to the Premier League as Newcastle attempt to cement their place in the top flight.
Bentaleb said: "I'm very happy to come back to the Premier League, especially with a club such as Newcastle.
"The project really interested me. I wanted absolutely to come back to the Premier League. The coach had some trust in me and the club also - I saw that straight away - and I think it's the perfect move for me."
Bruce will hope Bentaleb is not his only January acquisition with the club also in talks with Inter Milan over a loan deal for winger Valentino Lazaro, although they are in competition with Red Bull Leipzig in their pursuit.
Another done deal: Sunderland have announced the loan signing of Bailey Wright from Bristol City.
Spurs have been linked with Paris St Germain striker Edinson Cavani, but Jose Mourinho did not want to speak about a striker today ... unless his name was Kylian Mbappe.
"I think I have a very good relationship with Mr Nasser (Al-Khelaifi, PSG president) and Mr Leonardo (PSG sporting director)," he said.
"I want to keep that great relation, and good relations are based on respect, and I'm not going to talk about a player from Paris St Germain.
"Unless you want to joke and they are my friends, they could send Mbappe on loan. More than that I have nothing to say."
DONE DEAL! Wolves have snapped up Leonardo Campana. More details to follow... *checks Google*
So, here's what you need to know: Leonardo Campana is a 19-year-old Ecuadorian international, and therefore very much fits the Wolves mould as a player with big potential upside. He has been playing as a striker for his Ecuadorian boyhood club Barcelona SC, and at 6ft 2in is a huge presence. Another thing that makes him very much a Wolves signing is that he is a client of super agent Jorge Mendes.
Campana has signed a three-and-a-half year contract. He said:
On joining Wolves
“I am very glad to be here, and I am waiting and counting down the days to play at the stadium for the amazing fans that you have.
“I have been here for just one day, but I have been following the club for a while. I follow their social media, so I know the group and who all the players are.
“I know they get along really well, and the facilities are amazing, they are beautiful, and I can’t wait to start playing here.”
On the attraction of the club
“As I said, I have been following the Wolves for a while, ever since they started playing in the Premier League, and I have always enjoyed watching them play.
“I am excited about the work the team has achieved this season. I know they support each other, their relationship with the manager is a good one and I know all the players get along really well.
“That motivated me to come here and to be part of this big family.”
On moving to a new country
“It will be fine. I trust myself and my abilities. I know I have what it takes to be here and, as I said, I am counting down the days.
“I’m hugely excited to be at the stadium, and I am sure everything will be ok.”
On aims for his Wolves career
“My goal is to earn my place on the pitch and to try to play in every game. I want to do my job, which is to score goals, to play well and be a team player to help the team win – as that is what we all want to happen.”
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