Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal eye reinforcements as Newcastle want Gordon and Chelsea target Onana

Aston Villa may be looking into the possibility of signing Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer.

Aubameyang cannot leave Stamford Bridge in January - unless he returns to Barcelona - but will probably make an exit at the end of the season after failing to ignite at Chelsea.

The Athletic says Unai Emery is fond of Aubameyang from his time at Arsenal and that Villa have big plans for the end of the season.

Lyon’s Mousa Dembele is another name on their list with Udinese’s Gerard Deulofeu and Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech also on the radar.

Flamengo’s vice-president Marcos Braz has confirmed Matheus Franca is “not for sale” in a blow to Newcastle United.

The Magpies were thought tp be pursuing the 18-year-old midfielder but won’t be able to secure his services this time around.

Braz told reporters: “We do not put Matheus Franca up for sale. He is not for sale. We are not interested negotiating for Matheus Franca at this moment.”

It was not the most important goal a forward with the initials MR has scored for Manchester United against Nottingham Forest – not when Mark Robins went down in folklore as the man who saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job – but it was possibly the best.

Perhaps the finest goal of what is shaping up as the greatest season of Marcus Rashford’s career might lead to the kind of prize United have lacked in recent seasons. As in 1990, when Robins struck against Brian Clough’s team, United could be on course to end a lengthy wait for silverware with a first honour of a manager’s reign.

Erik ten Hag had described winning trophies as the best feeling. It is one United are on course to experience, with a three-goal lead to take back to Old Trafford and a probable Carabao Cup final after that.

According to Sky in Germany, Kai Havertz does not have faith in Chelsea’s squad and could leave the club in the near future. The 23-year-old was signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £71m in September 2020 but has failed to make the forward position his own.

He scored the winning goal in the Champions League final in May 2021, but has returned just 29 goals in 119 games for the Blues.

The Germany international will not leave Stamford Bridge in January but the situation could change over the coming months and it is believed Chelsea would want at least €60m (£53m) for his services.

Southampton have completed a deal with Luton Town for right-back James Bree.

Southampton’s offer was around £500,000 but could rise to £750,000 with add-ons.The 25 year old is out of contract in the summer hence the smaller fee and has worked with Nathan Jones before.

Bree has made 29 appearances for Luton this season and is expected on the south coast today to complete his medical and finalise the deal.

Fulham are set to complete a loan deal for Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares.

Fulham boss Marco Silva has pushed hard for the 31-year-old with the deal having been held up as they sort out Cedric’s wages. That issue seems to have been solved and the Cottagers are confident of securing the deal before the end of the transfer window.

Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal may be forced into the transfer market for a new midfielder as fears mount over an injury to Mohamed Elneny.

The Egypt international is not a first-team regular at the Emirates Stadium but, with Arteta operating with a small squad, his absence could be felt in the Premier League title race – especially with FA Cup and Europa League fixtures in the mix.

Arsenal have already signed Belgium forward Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Jakub Kiwior – a highly rated Poland international defender – in the January window.

The Gunners sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League and travel to face closest challengers Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night.

Wolves are closing in on a deal to sign Flamengo’s Joao Gomes.

The club has agreed terms with the Brazilian midfielder over a move to Molineux, but Flamengo upped the asking price - after an initial £14m agreement - due to interest from French club Lyon who offered marginally more to sign the 21-year-old.

Lyon officials failed to persuade Gomes to move to Ligue 1 as he remained steadfast in his desire to move to the Premier League so OL are moving onto other targets.

Wolves stood their ground over the initial agreed terms and there is a confidence that they will get their man before the transfer window closes but the deal is not yet complete.

Chelsea have reportedly stepped up their interest in the Everton midfielder Amadou Onana as a possible alternative to Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo.

The Times claim that the Blues have wanted to bring in a midfielder during this transfer window but their pursuits of Benfica’s Fernández and Brighton’s Caicedo have not gone to plan.

Now they are considering alternatives with Everton’s Belgium international Onana high on the list. Of course, Everton do not want to sell him so a deal for 21-year-old could prove difficult.

Everton winger Anthony Gordon will return to training today after missing the last two days amid interest from Newcastle United.

Gordon hoped to force Everton’s hand is securing a potential £40m transfer by skipping training with Newcastle believed to be front runners to sign him.

There is a determination from the North East club to get the signing done as they also targeted Gordon during the summer.