THE January window is HERE and moves are happening around the UK and Europe.
Despite the coronavirus crisis, clubs are still managing to drop big money on signings.
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Stay up to date with the latest transfer news here…
- Joe Miles
THE RAUL DEAL
Chelsea are reportedly leading the race to sign Raul Moro from Lazio.
The Blues are 'considerably' interested in the 18-year-old, according to La Lazio Siamo Noi as cited by Team Talk.
But Frank Lampard's side will reportedly face competition from other Premier League clubs.
A 'top club' in Italy are also believed to be eyeing a move for the talented young Spaniard.
Moro spent a brief spell with Barcelona's academy before he me made the move to Lazio in 2019.
- Joe Miles
SOLO TARGET
Arsenal are in reportedly in talks over a move for Shakhtar Donetsk star Manor Solomon.
According to the Guardian, the Gunners have made their move for the 21-year-old.
It is reported that Mikel Arteta's side will try to sign him at the end of the season.
Israel international Solomon has scored five goals in 17 appearances during the current campaign.
Credit: AFP or licensors - Joshua Jones
GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
SunSport's Daniel Cutts has exclusively revealed that Manchester City superstar Sergio Aguero is wanted by Barcelona.
The 32-year-old Argentinian is out of contract in the summer, which means he can talk to European clubs about a free transfer.
And that has alerted Barca, who are keen to bring the ex-Atletico Madrid forward back to Spain.
Aguero is still waiting for a new deal offer from City, where he has been for nine years.
He will miss Wednesday’s home clash with Brighton and Sunday’s tie with Crystal Palace because he is self-isolating after being in close contact with someone infected with Covid.
As well as interest from the Nou Camp, Aguero — City’s all-time leading scorer — is also wanted by Mauricio Pochettino, the new boss of Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile, Diego Simeone has confirmed Atletico Madrid are close to signing Lyon hotshot Moussa Dembele.
The former Celtic striker will replace Diego Costa at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Dembele is reportedly set to join on an initial loan deal with a £29.6million permanent option.
Speaking ahead of Atletico Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Sevilla on Tuesday, Simeone said: “It’s still not confirmed, but it’s very advanced.
“I’m going to turn my head towards the game, which is what interests me, and when there’s something, if there is something, I’ll give an opinion.”
And finally, Jose Mourinho has insisted Harry Winks will NOT be leaving Tottenham in this month’s transfer window.
The England midfielder has been linked with a loan move to Spain.
But Mourinho said: “What more do I have to say to stop this talk? I told you already he is going nowhere.
“He has played in recent matches. He didn’t play in the last one at Marine because it was a decision to let others play.
“Tomorrow he is selected again and if someone is speaking about him going to other clubs, my advice is don’t lose your time.”
- Joe Brophy
AGUER-GOOOO
Exclusive by Dan Cutts: Manchester City superstar Sergio Aguero is wanted by Barcelona.
The 32-year-old Argentinian is out of contract in the summer, which means he can talk to European clubs about a free transfer.
And that has alerted Barca, who are keen to bring the ex-Atletico Madrid forward back to Spain.
Aguero is still waiting for a new deal offer from City, where he has been for nine years.
He will miss Wednesday’s home clash with Brighton and Sunday’s tie with Crystal Palace because he is self-isolating after being in close contact with someone infected with Covid.
As well as interest from the Nou Camp, Aguero — City’s all-time leading scorer — is also wanted by Mauricio Pochettino, the new boss of Paris Saint-Germain.
- Joe Brophy
ICYMI
Jose Mourinho has insisted Harry Winks will NOT be leaving Tottenham in this month’s transfer window.
The England midfielder has been linked with a loan move to Spain.
But Mourinho said: “What more do I have to say to stop this talk? I told you already he is going nowhere.
“He has played in recent matches. He didn’t play in the last one at Marine because it was a decision to let others play.
“Tomorrow he is selected again and if someone is speaking about him going to other clubs, my advice is don’t lose your time.”
- Joe Brophy
HOLDING ON
Rob Holding has signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta said: “Since I started as manager, I have been hugely impressed with Rob’s contribution to the club and the dressing room, on and off the pitch.
“The quality of his work every day on the training pitches is excellent and he is translating this into consistently high performances in matches.
“We all know Rob’s quality, which he has shown in his displays during the intense moments of those two FA Cup final victories.
“We are all very happy that Rob has signed a new contract, he is very popular with all the players and staff, and we’re looking forward to watching him continue to grow with us in the coming years.”
- Joe Brophy
YOUR LUK IS BACK
Real Madrid flop Luka Jovic is tipped to rejoin Eintract Frankfurt on loan.
The Serbia striker, 23, has been linked with Chelsea, Wolves, AC Milan and Hertha Berlin during his 18 dismal months in LaLiga.
Now Serbian magazine Republika suggest he will return to Eintracht for six months with NO option to buy.
- Joe Brophy
ORT TO DO BETTER
Wolves and Newcastle are competing for £14million-rated Montpellier striker Andy Delort.
The Algeria international has hit eight goals in 17 Ligue 1 games this season and set up six more.
Sports daily Le Buteur insist the striker has 'received a serious offer' from Wolves.
And Toon chief Steve Bruce is also said to want the Montpellier ace, with the Magpies managing just 18 goals in their first 16 Premier League games.
- Joe Brophy
KOUL INTENTIONS
Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has warned clubs they must offer at least £100million if they want to sign Kalidou Koulibaly this month.
Speaking on talkSPORT, White revealed: “There isn’t a window in the last two, three or four that we don’t see big mentions of the Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
“This morning, I spoke to Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli owner, and said what about your player, are there bids in for him?
“He laughed it off saying he’s not for sale.
“It seems on this occasion Koulibaly is going nowhere.
“He stays and that was as recent as this morning.
“Anyone going in with anything other than £100million for Koulibaly can forget it.
“He’s absolutely not for sale unless one of the big clubs in England come up with £100million.”
- Joe Brophy
MONEY IN THE BANK
Lionel Messi is reportedly set to pocket £170,000-a-week until 2025 from Barcelona – even if he leaves for Manchester City.
Marca claims the Argentine will bank a whopping €39million (£34.8m) at the end of the campaign.
That figure is half of the €78m bonus agreed when he last renewed his Barca contract in 2017.
He has already banked the other €39m installment, with the agreement seeing Messi receive it in eight separate payments over four years rather than a lump sum.
And that means the LaLiga giants could still be paying him in 2025 even if he is no longer there.
- Joe Brophy
DYCHE-VERSITY
Burnley are launching their own version of Britain’s Got Talent, to uncover the next generation of Premier League stars.
The Clarets have responded to the lack of football at school and youth levels by giving youngsters a chance to earn academy spots by displaying their skills online.
Players over 14 will be able to download a special app developed by tech experts AiSCOUT, which will steer them through a series of drills designed to test their ability to the full.
And the footballing wannabes who impress the club’s coaches most will be invited to Turf Moor for trials, with places at their Category 1 Academy up for grabs.
New Burnley owners ALK Capital have invested heavily in AiSCOUT, and plan to make the app available abroad too, so the Clarets can attract young talent from Europe and beyond.
- Joe Brophy
POSH PURSUIT
Exclusive by Tom Barclay: Brentford lead the race for Peterborough’s Siriki Dembele – after a glowing reference from Ivan Toney.
Championship top-scorer Toney, 24, left Posh for the Bees in the summer in a £9million deal.
- Joe Brophy
MOU-VING SOON
Diego Simeone has confirmed Atletico Madrid are close to signing Lyon hotshot Moussa Dembele.
The former Celtic striker will replace Diego Costa at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Dembele is reportedly set to join on an initial loan deal with a £29.6million permanent option.
Speaking ahead of Atletico Madrid’s La Liga clash with Sevilla on Tuesday, Simeone said: “It’s still not confirmed, but it’s very advanced.
“I’m going to turn my head towards the game, which is what interests me, and when there’s something, if there is something, I’ll give an opinion.”
- Joe Brophy
SLIM CHANCE
Islam Slimani is reportedly set to end his Leicester hell by joining French outfit Lyon.
And it will be a merry-go-round of transfers, with Moussa Dembele leaving Lyon to join Atletico Madrid.
Respected Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Slimani will be Dembele's 'replacement'.
He adds that 'the agreement with Leicester is set to be completed in the next hours – medicals pending'.
- Joe Brophy
FIL DEAL
Filip Benkovic has joined Belgian club OH Leuven on loan until the end of the 2020/21 season, subject to international clearance.
The news will infuriate gutted Celtic fans who saw the Croat as the ideal man to replace long-term casualty Christopher Jullien, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Benkovic helped Celtic win the Scottish title in 2018/19 during a hugely successful loan period with the Hoops, who targeted him to help them out of their current crisis.
However, the Foxes defender has opted for Belgium's Jupiler Pro League instead and will spend the rest of the season with Leuven, who are currently fourth and chasing a European qualifying place.
It means Benkovic will be reunited with Leicester legend Andy King, who has also moved to the club, which is owned by Foxes chairman and owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and regarded as a sister club to the 2016 Premier League winners.
- Joe Brophy
WINK AND YOU'LL MISS IT
Jose Mourinho has insisted Harry Winks will NOT be leaving Tottenham in this month’s transfer window.
The England midfielder has been linked with a loan move to Spain.
But Mourinho said: “What more do I have to say to stop this talk? I told you already he is going nowhere.
“He has played in recent matches. He didn’t play in the last one at Marine because it was a decision to let others play.
“Tomorrow he is selected again and if someone is speaking about him going to other clubs, my advice is don’t lose your time.”
- Joe Brophy
TOM TO MOVE
Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori is reportedly being eyed by Italian giants AC Milan.
The 23-year-old is well down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, with boss Frank Lampard prepared to let him leave on loan.
And according to Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, Milan have ‘contacted Chelsea’ and the player ‘would accept’ the move.
But Tomori is seemingly second-choice for the Rossoneri with Strasbourg’s Mohamed Simakan top of their list.
- Joe Brophy
A LITTLE SSOUMTHING LIKE BISS
Arsenal are plotting a midfield overhaul with moves for Emi Buendia and Yves Bissouma.
Mikel Arteta is eager to bolster his ranks in the middle of the park and is keen on Norwich playmaker Buendia who has dazzled in the Championship, carving out 62 chances for his side.
Here's how they could line-up…
- Marc Mayo
BUENDIA BLOW
Could Arsenal be gazumped in their pursuit of Emi Buendia?
Spanish outlet La Razon report on Valencia as one club interested in the Norwich playmaker.
Los Che are said to be able to afford Buendia as they look to spruce up their midfield.
Tottenham star Harry Winks is also named in the rumour, as another player being looked at by Valencia.
Jose Mourinho has dismissed the idea of selling his midfielder.
Credit: Alamy Live News - Marc Mayo
FEL GUY
Fiorentina are reportedly in talks to sign Lazio forward Felipe Caicedo.
The ex-Manchester City man is said to be available for £9million but Fiorentina are hoping for a reduced fee.
Caicedo, 32, has scored seven goals for Lazio this season.
- Marc Mayo
UNSPORTING BEHAVIOUR
A double blow for Lisbon giants Sporting CP…
Not only did Maritimo star Rodrigo Pinho score in their shock defeat in last night’s Taca de Portugal clash.
To add insult to injury, according to Record, the striker is now set to sign for arch rivals Benfica!
Credit: EPA
- Marc Mayo
LEUV TO SEE IT
Leicester have loaned defender Filip Benkovic to OH Leuven of Belgium.
The 23-year-old spent the first half of the campaign at Cardiff but only played once.
- Marc Mayo
FAR FROM DONN
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s contract renewal at AC Milan has hit a snag.
The Juventus target is hoping for a net salary of £9million-a-year but the Diavolo have offered just £6.25m, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
That is just a small increase on his current £5.3m pay packet.
But it is said that the gap can be made up by bonuses and Donnarumma agreeing to a compromise.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Marc Mayo
KYL-ING IT
Real Madrid are reportedly launching 'operation Kylian Mbappe' which will see SIX players axed to fund a £135million move.
Gareth Bale, Isco, Dani Ceballos, Luka Jovic, Marcelo and Brahim Diaz will be sold to raise between £90m and £135m to pay for the PSG striker's arrival, Spanish paper AS claim.
Mbappe's contract at the Parc des Princes expires in 2022 and the World Cup winner is yet to sign an extension.
The report states Los Blancos hope to open negotiations with PSG in June and aim to broker a deal worth £135m – given the state of the transfer market following the coronavirus pandemic.
But Madrid chiefs are thought to be preparing for a worst case scenario where the French giants demand a fee in the region of £200m to match what they shelled out for Neymar in 2017.
- Marc Mayo
KNOCK KNOCK
Anthony Knockaert's loan spell at Nottingham Forest has been extended.
The Fulham winger will now remain at the City Ground until the end of the season.
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