BARCELONA appear to be ready to continue their spending spree in January after securing the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City.
The Nou Camp club are looking at a range of full backs with Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta among the names on Xavi's wishlist.
Meanwhile Newcastle are interested in a January swoop for big names Lucas Digne and Samuel Umtiti.
And we have all the latest updates on Chelsea's pursuit of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.
When does the January transfer window open and close?
The transfer window opens on January 1 and closes on the 31st at 11pm.
Clubs will be able to sign and sell players during that time, with the Premier League's winter break due to take place while the final week of the window is going on.
Get all the latest transfer news, gossip and updates here…
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- Etienne Fermie
Alexandre Lacazette to leave Gunners
French striker Alexandre Lacazette is set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season, according to reports.
Lacazette, 30, has six months remaining on his current deal.
With the forward having worn the captain's armband in recent matches, there has been optimism that an agreement can be reached over an extension.
But according to L'Equipe, he has decided to see out the final six months of his deal before pursuing other opportunities.
Neville and Carragher pick XIs
Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane have not made Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher's Premier League teams of the season so far.
The dynamic duo agree Liverpool's Diogo Jota is the man to lead the line ahead of fellow compatriot Ronaldo and the misfiring Tottenham ace.
But Carragher and Neville disagreed on three key positions and even opted for different formations.
Freebie transfer bargains for 2022
Some of football’s biggest names will be able to agree to join which ever club they want next month – and there is not a thing their current sides can do to stop them.
Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Gareth Bale head the superstar list of players entering the last six months of their contracts on January 1, leaving them free to sign pre-contract agreements elsewhere.
They would NOT move to their new club until the summer, but there would be no transfer fee.
An astonishing 539 players from Europe's top five leagues are entering the last six months of their current contracts, meaning they can agree free transfers abroad on the first day of the New Year.
Players moving for nothing is not something new, but few years have seen such a stellar cast of talent who are counting down the days until they become free agents at the end of the season.
Which leaves some of the biggest clubs desperately trying to wrap up contract talks or spending the next month hawking the players around in the hope of at least getting a small fee for assets they will lose without a fee in the summer.
- Etienne Fermie
Newcastle ‘in the mix’ for Gunners star
Relegation-threatened Toon are interested in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
The Gabonese striker is currently in Arsenal exile following a disciplinary breach earlier this month.
Aubameyang could leave North London during the January transfer window.
According to the Star, Newcastle are in the mix to prise Aubameyang away from Emirates Stadium.
But the 32-year-old is claimed to prefer other destinations.
- Etienne Fermie
LaLiga side in Martial bid
Sevilla have submitted a loan bid for Man United ace Anthony Martial, according to reports.
The Frenchman wants to leave Old Trafford in January because of a lack of game time.
According to Sky Sports, Sevilla are his preferred destination.
The loan bid does not include an option or obligation to buy at the end of the season.
Barcelona and Juventus are also reportedly keen.
- Etienne Fermie
United stars blasted by pundit
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has blasted Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes for running straight down the tunnel at full-time after the 1-1 draw against Newcastle.
On Sky Sports, he said: "It's annoyed me for about two months.
"The best players in your team, it's devastating when they're showing that look and body language to the younger ones. They have to help them.
"They have to be the father, the grandparent in the team.
"I made massive mistakes at Man Utd but I had great senior players who would have a go at me but also put their arm around me I think there's something wrong.
"You can't run off at the end of a game. Bruno is whinging all the time; he's been sensational for Man Utd.
"The two centre-backs were poor at the back, Maguire is having a nightmare season.
"You've got to be there when your team-mates need you in those moments.
"At the end of the day, I love that lad [Ronaldo], he's the best I've ever seen in my life at times, but don't run off like that. I'm not having that."
- Etienne Fermie
Loan star set for Blues return
Conor Gallagher looks set to return to Chelsea and fight for a spot in the starting XI next season.
Thomas Tuchel revealed the club 'love' the 21-year-old after his superb spell on loan at Crystal Palace this season.
The German said: "We love Conor. We are convinced about him. We took the decision for Conor because when we looked at the midfield – Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante – he was considered number four in the group.
"Conor knew this all the way. An opportunity came up where he could clearly see more minutes and more responsibility.
"Would he be the same Conor if he had stayed here? Obviously not, because the situation will then be different. Maybe, then, the same people would say, ‘How can they rely on Conor Gallagher?', or ‘Why don’t they give him more minutes?'.
"If Mateo hadn’t been injured, it wouldn’t really matter. So, no, you cannot go back to these decisions that are made for the club and for the player. Everybody agreed on it.
"And it’s obviously a good decision because he is doing so well and everybody is happy. That’s because he plays every single game, and knows how important he is to the team at Crystal Palace.
"This is a huge part of being at the best level you can be."
- Etienne Fermie
Ex-England star tips Haaland for Gunners
Carlton Palmer has tipped Arsenal to make a shock move for Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Haaland.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future at the north London club is in doubt after his latest 'disciplinary' breach.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Palmer said: "They will be looking to bring in a striker.
"Maybe they'll be in a position to bring in Haaland, I don't know.
"I think a lot of people will do because, you see, what it represents, what you've got to understand is Haaland's 22.
"So if you get him out of his clause at £62million. If you give him say, £30m-£40m – you're still at £100m.
"If you're buying Harry Kane at £110m, and then £50m on top is £160m, and then he'll be 32-33 at the end of his contract."
- Etienne Fermie
Former Gooner on the move
Dani Ceballos is reportedly set for an £8.5million January transfer from Real Madrid to Real Betis.
The Spaniard has not played a minute for Los Blancos this season and his Bernabeu career looks to be over.
Betis are willing to cough up £8.5m while Real want around £12.5m, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Despite the difference in valuation, both sides are optimistic a deal can be done.
Ceballos, 25, is said to have a ‘burning desire’ to return to his old club.
- Etienne Fermie
Chelsea starlet wanted by Sarri
Blues winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is wanted by ex-boss Maurizio Sarri in Lazio, according to reports.
The 21-year-old is back in Chelsea's starting XI and attracting the attention of former boss Sarri in the Italian capital.
As reported by Football Italia, Lazio have identified Hudson-Odoi as one of their top targets going into the January transfer window.
Back in 2018-19, Sarri managed a Blues side that included a very young Hudson-Odoi.
Chelsea finished third that season but won the Europa League and it seems that Sarri wants a reunion.
- Etienne Fermie
Saying Bay bye to Leeds?
Bayern Munich are stepping up their interest in Leeds star Raphinha.
The German giants are ready to test Leeds’ resolve in January but are prepared to wait until next summer.
Leeds value the Brazilian winger at around £60m and insist they have had no contact with Bayern.
The Yorkshire club are hopeful of agreeing an extension to Raphinha’s contract with his agent Deco, which expires in June 2024.
Whites are desperate to keep hold of him but would be huge return on the £20.6m they paid Rennes in October 2020.
Liverpool have been monitoring over last 12 months and still keen.
The Reds are on the hunt for a new winger and both Raphina and West Ham star Jarrod Bowen are reportedly on Jurgen Klopp's wishlist.
- Etienne Fermie
Spurs in for AC Milan ace
Tottenham are leading the race to sign Franck Kessie from AC Milan, according to reports.
Fellow Prem duo Arsenal and Manchester United are also keen on the Ivorian midfielder.
But according to the Express, Spurs are at the head of the queue.
With his contract set to expire next summer, Kessie will be eligible to sign a pre-contract on January 1.
And Tottenham reportedly want to tie up a deal quickly.
- Etienne Fermie
Gunners chase ex-Liverpool star
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reportedly given the green light to sign Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho.
The Gunners find themselves fourth in the Premier league and are looking to strengthen in January to sustain the push for European football.
And according to Fichajes.net, Barca outcast Coutinho is someone Arsenal are interested in signing.
Arteta gave 'a resounding yes when approving the arrival' of the former Liverpool man.
The Gunners are hoping Coutinho can recapture the world class form he showed in his last spell in the Prem.
And the 29-year-old could offer the 'right solutions' for Arsenal.
- Etienne Fermie
Arsenal ace heading to Italy
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set to seal a loan move to Roma, according to reports.
The England international wanted to leave North London in the summer, but had a temporary switch to Everton blocked.
According to the Mirror he will finally get his wish in January, with Jose Mourinho's side keen.
In Rome, Maitland-Niles will get to link up with fellow Englishmen Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham.
The 24-year-old has made 11 appearances for the Gunners this term.
- Etienne Fermie
Sky pundit slams Man United
Gary Neville blasted Manchester United's players for being 'whinge bags' against Newcastle.
Neville's former side found themselves 1-0 down at St James Park after just seven minutes following Allan Saint-Maximin's opener.
They went into half-time one goal behind and Sky Sports pundit Neville hit out at Ralf Rangnick's players.
He said: "They've not done one single thing right as a team and not one player can go in at half-time and say they've done their job or even done themselves justice.
"They've not had a game in 16 days but I'm not really looking at that to be honest because there's still a lot of basics they can do properly – which is win your battles, go in for tackles properly, show a bit of urgency and look like it matters.
"They're whinging at each other, they're a bunch of whinge bags. Their arms are up in the air, they're complaining about everything.
"They got the last manager the sack Ralf Rangnick is not going to get the sack, but they'll get a lot of managers the sack if they perform like that."
- Etienne Fermie
MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
Kylian Mbappe has been named as the Men’s Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai.
The French star pipped rival Robert Lewandowski to the accolade, after starring for PSG and France.
Antonio Conte has hinted that he could return to Inter Milan one day.
After Inter rocketed back to the top of Serie A, Conte was quizzed by Sky Sport Italia about their progress.
To which he replied: “I am happy with Inter’s consistency because they are continuing what we’ve done in the best way.
“I can only compliment them, I think they have the basis to stay up there for a long time.
“Perhaps, one day, I could return to overturn the predictions again.”Meanwhile, the Premier League has announced a record 103 Covid cases were recorded from December 20-26.
It comes as stacks of games across the country have been postponed as a result of a spike in case numbers.
- Jon Boon
DIGNE DEAL
Lucas Digne could be on his way to Toon next month – but only if Eddie Howe inspires a quick improvement.
The Frenchman is in line to be sold by Rafa Benitez to raise desperately-needed funds for Goodison recruitment in the transfer window.
And after falling out with the hard-line Everton boss the left back bought for £18million from Barcelona in 2018 is very much on Newcastle United’s radar.
Yet while long-term money is no object at the world’s richest club following the Saudi takeover, the proposed budget for bringing in talent is around £50m.
Digne, valued at £25m, would take up half that proposed fund when Howe will be looking to bring in at least three more.
- Jon Boon
SAM'S THE MAN
World Cup winner and Barcelona misfit Samuel Umtiti has emerged as a £17million target for relegation-haunted Newcastle.
The 28-year-old defender has fallen out of favour with successive managers at the cash-strapped Spanish giants.
And they are desperate to offload Umtiti’s £220,000-a-week wages.
But following the takeover by a Saudi-backed consortium the Toon may be one of the few clubs willing to splash out on the France international centre-back.
Eddie Howe badly needs experienced reinforcements in the January transfer window as he seeks to drag Newcastle away from the drop-zone.
And shoring up a leaky defence is a priority with the Magpies having conceded more than any other side in the division.
- Jon Boon
RAPH RAFFLE
Bayern Munich are stepping up their interest in Leeds star Raphinha.
The German giants are ready to test Leeds’ resolve in January but are prepared to wait until next summer.
Leeds value the Brazilian winger at around £60m and insist they have had no contact with Bayern.
The Yorkshire club are hopeful of agreeing an extension to Raphinha’s contract with his agent Deco, which expires in June 2024.
Whites desperate to keep hold of him but would be huge return on the £20.6m they paid Rennes in October 2020.
Liverpool have been monitoring over last 12 months and still keen.
- Jon Boon
SIGN HIM UP
A hopeful Newcastle fan urged Cristiano Ronaldo to join them from Manchester United in a hilarious sign.
The Toon army are hoping for a big few transfer windows ahead following their £300million Saudi takeover.
And one supporter has aimed high by attempting to convince 36-year-old Ronaldo across to St James Park.
The wishful thinker held up a banner which read: "It's nearly 2022 NUFC is the club for you."
- Jon Boon
CALL THE COPS
Callum Wilson insists he is not out to 'slag anyone off' on his new BBC podcast – after taking a dig at former boss Steve Bruce.
The striker claimed Newcastle were not fit enough for the first game of the Premier League season against West Ham on The Footballer's Football Podcast with Michail Antonio.
But Wilson, 29, says it is not their intention to hurt anyone's feelings.
Speaking in Newcastle's matchday programme ahead of their clash against Manchester United, he said: "The BBC aren't trying to trip anyone up – they're not trying to catch us out or anything.
"They're looking out for us as well.
"We're not on to slag anyone off or anything like that – it's all positive, really, and hopefully only positive things can come with it."
- Jon Boon
LIVID KLOPP
Jurgen Klopp claims clubs who are blocking a return to five substitutions are putting players’ safety at risk – and pointed the finger at Burnley again.
The Liverpool boss insists the move would be crucial in heading off the double whammy of Covid and fixture congestion.
Yet he does not believe it will happen because clubs will block a rise from three subs in their own interests – and not those of the players.
The German, 54, said: “The decision needs 14 votes to change it and that's something wrong.
“What we realised again in the managers meeting – and we know it has always been like that – is how 14 clubs make the decision to change.
“We have to put competition aside.
“[Five substitutes] is the right decision, especially in this moment, because you bring players back in this moment, after Covid infection or an injury, and because of the games they have to play you risk injury and they have to go out again, maybe after 60 minutes.
“That is a real problem. This wonderful game is so wonderful because usually the players on the pitch are in good shape, are well trained, are well recovered and go for it.
“That is why we love the game. Now the situation is much more difficult.”
Taking aim at Burnley, Klopp added: “There is something wrong. Here is an example.
“With Burnley, I am not too sure how many of their players play international football.
“When our players play three games, they [Burnley] have no game.
“They have 38 Premier League games and three or four cup games, to make around 42 games a season.
“So we are talking about an issue which some clubs and players definitely have, but it is decided by the other teams and we make a competition of it.
"They say, ‘well they are better than us’, and that is a real problem. It's Premier League and can still cause us problems.
"How many games does a top-class player play? With the league, some cup games, Champions League, internationals – it’s 50 games. Higher.
“The further you go the harder it is on players. You need luck in these moments and you should not need luck.
“We do not stop discussing it because if we don’t discuss it, it just stays like this.”
- Jon Boon
INTER YOU
Antonio Conte has hinted that he could return to Inter Milan one day.
The Italian, 52, quit the Nerazzurri back in May just days after guiding them to their first Serie A title in 11 years.
He initially rejected advances from Tottenham Hotspur to succeed axed former boss Jose Mourinho, before accepting a second call after Nuno Espirito Santo was given the boot.
Conte has enjoyed an encouraging start to life at Spurs and is yet to taste defeat in a league game with his new side.
But if recent comments are anything to go by, he may already have half an eye on his next challenge.
After Inter rocketed back to the top of Serie A, Conte was quizzed by Sky Sport Italia about their progress.
To which he replied: "I am happy with Inter’s consistency because they are continuing what we’ve done in the best way.
“I can only compliment them, I think they have the basis to stay up there for a long time.
“Perhaps, one day, I could return to overturn the predictions again.”
- Jon Boon
RODGERS AND OUT
Brendan Rodgers has slammed the ‘ridiculous’ schedule facing his injury-hit Leicester side as they prepare to face Liverpool on Tuesday night.
The Foxes have no time to feel sorry for themselves after the 6-3 defeat to leaders Manchester City on Boxing Day.
Just over 50 hours after the full-time whistle at the Etihad, they will be lining up against second-placed Liverpool at the King Power.
And Rodgers admits he will not be able to make many changes to his starting line-up against his old club due to the number of players currently on the sidelines.
So the same players will have to go again – and that means they will put themselves at risk.
The Leicester chief said: “It's a ridiculous schedule. We all know that players aren't fully recovered for 72 hours after a game.
“So for us to be playing on Tuesday against Liverpool, it is ridiculous
“However, we have to play the game so there will be virtually no physical work, just recovery work and then we'll look at some video images and prepare from there.”
- Jon Boon
KYL FOR THAT AWARD
Kylian Mbappe has been named as the Men's Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai.
The French star pipped rival Robert Lewandowski to the accolade, after starring for PSG and France.
Afterwards, Mbappe was asked to give his predictions for the forthcoming season – with PSG facing Real Madrid in the Champions League.
He told Sky Sport: “The only thing I can see or predict for Real Madrid-PSG is Paris Saint-Germain to win.
"It’s gonna be hard, complicated game – but I want to win both Champions League and World Cup in 2022."
Elsewhere during the ceremony, Lewandowski didn't go home empty-handed. He was the recipient of the Maradona award for best goalscorer.
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- Etienne Fermie
