Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea target Erling Haaland and David Alaba, Liverpool given Kylian Mbappe boost
All the latest rumours, gossip and done deals from the Premier League and around Europe as the transfer deadline looms
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Welcome along to live coverage of all Friday’s transfer news, rumours, gossip and done deals from around Europe as the deadline approaches. There have been some notable done deals so far, including Arsenal wrapping up a loan deal with Real Madrid for Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard. While the injury problems are piling up for Jurgen Klopp, who continues to discuss his club’s lack of business this month, with Joel Matip’s injury perhaps finally forcing a change of heart over whether to sign a short-term solution to their defensive crisis.
Tottenham, too, could look for options late in the window with the news Harry Kane is injured again with an ankle problem. While Manchester United could dip into the market to steady their title challenge, which took a hit with defeat to Sheffield United on Wednesday - Christoph Baumgartner is among the names linked to Old Trafford this month.
There will be exits at United too with fringe players likely to be pushed out the door, including Jesse Lingard, who will likely stay in the Premier League and has been linked to West Ham.
Elsewhere Tottenham have made contact with Angel di Maria about a possible move to the north London club, according to L’Equipe, as the 32-year-old’s contract runs out this summer. First, PSG want to bring Spurs midfielder Dele Alli the other way on loan until the rest of the season.
Reports in Germany say the new Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel already has already identified the RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano as his top target as he seeks to make an impact at Stamford Bridge. Frank Lampard’s sacking has meanwhile had the knock-on effect of leaving West Ham more confident than ever of keeping hold of Declan Rice. Follow all the latest news below.
TOMORI TARGETS TITLE
Fikayo Tomori is targeting the Serie A title after joining AC Milan on loan until the end of the season.
Tomori made his debut for the Italian side against Inter Milan and he enjoyed the different intensity of the game compared to English derbies.
He said: I want to help the team as much as I can and the best way to do that is on the pitch... it was nice for me to play my first game,
"The game was a derby. When it's a derby, it's very intense and very emotional, which is good. In England, there's a lot of games like this.
"Here it is a bit different, but the spirit and the intensity was much the same and I like these kinds of situations.”
NEWCASTLE EYE UP SISSOKO
Newcastle are reportedly interested in Strasbourg midfielder Ibrahima Sissoko according to Frecnh media outlet L’Equipe.
The magpies were first linked with Sissoko 18 months ago and the report says they have reignited their interest with an offer expected in the ‘coming days’.
Atalanta are also monitoring the 23-year-old who is contracted at the German club until 2024.
WILLIAMS TO STAY AT UNITED
Manchester United’s Brandon Williams expects to remain at the club despite interest from other Premier League sides.
Newcastle and Southampton were both keen on bringing the full-back in on loan but the Manchester Evening News say that Williams will be staying at Old Trafford.
The departures of Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Ethan Laird mean that Williams is seen as a key player who can cover multiple positions.
He has not started a Premier League game since March but has made three starts in the Carabao and FA Cups.
ONE YEAR ON: IS BRUNO THE BEST JANUARY SIGNING?
How Bruno Fernandes’ transfer turned Manchester United around, a year on
The best signing of the post-Ferguson era has changed everything, from the mentality at the training ground to the results on the pitch
LANSBURY IN SEARCH FOR NEW CLUB
Aston Villa are keen to help midfielder Henri Lansbury find a new club before Monday’s deadline.
The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer and wasn’t included in Dean Smith’s Premier League squad.
It’s claimed Bristol City are interested in signing him but Smith says he hasn’t heard anything from the Championship side.
‘ODEGAARD HAS SPECIAL QUALITIES’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not ruled out the possibility of signing Martin Odegaard on a permanent deal after the midfielder joined the Gunners on loan earlier this week.
Arteta says Odegaard has ‘special qualities’ that he’s been looking for and that he has the ability to create and score goals. Arteta said:
He's a player that we followed for some time and we believe that he's got some special qualities that we need, that we have been missing.
"Now we have to give him a little bit of time. He hasn't played that many minutes in Madrid, but he's been training hard and he looks so excited, as we are to have another big talent at our club.
"He's a specialist to play in the pocket, to be in the No. 8 and No. 10 positions. He can play off the side. A really creative player, really comfortable on the ball in tight spaces. The capacity to create chances, to score goals.
"Something he has improved a lot is his work rate without the ball. It's another option to give us more creativity in the final third and to set in different ways against certain teams."
WEST HAM STILL INTERESTED IN DIA
Reims are expecting the speculation over Boulaye Dia’s future to drag on until the final hours of the transfer window according to L’Equipe.
Torino have tabled an offer for the 24-year-old striker and West Ham United are also targeting him although their interest may cool if they bring Jesse Lingard in on loan.
Dia has scored 12 goals in 19 appearances for Reims this season and is attracting interest throughout Europe.
GRAY CLOSING ON LEICESTER EXIT
Demarai Gray is expected to leave the King Power stadium before the end of the transfer window after interest from Bayer Leverkusen.
Gray’s contract expires in the summer and Leicester are keen to move him on this month to secure a transfer fee.
Initial reports suggested Leverkusen were trying to bring down Leicester’s asking price thought to be around €2m.
However, Sky Sports Germany report that Leverkusen have submitted an official bid for Gray and want to conclude the deal for €3m deal this week.
Negotiations are ongoing and the two teams are ‘trying to find an agreement’ for the move to happen before deadline day.
WEST BROM AGREE YOKUSLU DEAL
West Brom have agreed a deal with Celta Vigo to sign Okay Yokuslu on loan until the end of the season according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Baggies are waiting on the results of a medical and a work permit for Yokuslu before the deal is completed.
RAMOS TO PSG?
Mauricio Pochettino opens door to Sergio Ramos transfer to PSG
The Real Madrid captain’s contract expires at the end of the season
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