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Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal bid for Vlahovic; Barcelona want Haaland; Trippier to Newcastle; Chelsea eye Tchouameni; Real Madrid on Rudiger; Puskas award finalist list and latest transfer rumours
Hello and welcome to our coverage of today’s football news.
We’ll also bring you all the latest transfer news as the January transfer window gets in full swing.
Barcelona confirm Dani Alves registration
Dani Alves has finally been officially registered as a Barcelona player.
Alves returned to Barca earlier this winter, but the Blaugrana have not been able to register him until now.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Alves was included in Barca’s Copa del Rey squad to face Linares Deportivo this evening with an asterisk next to his name, with the Brazilian pending registration.
But Barca have since confirmed that they have received clearance from La Liga and that Alves is now fully registered.
The veteran full-back will now be eligible to not only play this evening, but in La Liga, starting with this weekend’s clash with Granada.
Juventus eye Icardi transfer
Juventus have made contact with Paris Saint-Germain over Mauro Icardi’s availability – according to L’Equipe.
(Photo by Getty Images)
The Italian giants are eager to boost their attacking ranks by signing the 28-year-old on loan this month.
PSG are open to letting Icardi leave, but only want a permanent deal, with talks between the two clubs now ongoing.
Tchouameni on Chelsea’s radar
Chelsea are scouting AS Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni ahead of a potential transfer move, according to reports.
The Blues are keen to bolster their midfield options and with the European Champions struggling with injuries in recent weeks, a move for the 21-year-old could be made in the January transfer window.
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He is considered to be one of football’s hottest prospects, so Chelsea could face competition for his signature.
According to Goal, Thomas Tuchel’s side are becoming more and more interested in a move for the Monaco star.
Haaland to Camp Nou?
“I’m going to sign Haaland next summer.”
Those are the words of Joan Laporta, FC Barcelona’s president behind close door to hi colleagues as reported by Spain’s biggest sports daily – Marca
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It may come to the surprise of many, but Laporta insists that the Blaugrana will have the money necessary to make a play for the Norway international in the next transfer window.
Barcelona were “back,” and ready to make signings. Laporta said last week.
BREAKING: Newcastle agree £12 million fee with Atletico Madrid for Kieran Trippier
Newcastle United have agreed a fee of around £12 million with Atletico Madrid for defender Kieran Trippier.
(Photo by Getty Images)
The club tabled a formal offer for the right-back last week, and an agreement has now been reached with Atletico which will see Newcastle pay an initial fee, then an additional installment in the summer, plus add-ons.
Arsenal table cash-plus-player Vlahovic bid
The Gunners appear to have focused their attentions on Dusan Vlahovic, with Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that an offer worth £58.3m has been tabled for the prolific Fiorentina striker.
Vlahovic celebrates with Lucas Torreira (Getty Images)
The deal would also see Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira – currently on loan with La Viola – stay at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on a permanent basis.
Onana signs Inter contract
Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana is undergoing a medical at Inter Milan ahead of a move this summer, according to reports.
(Photo by Getty Images)
The Cameroon international has made 205 appearances for Ajax and was a standout performer during the club’s run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, and has won two Eredivisie titles and a KNVP Cup with the club.
However, he has played just once since returning from a nine-month drugs ban in November.
André Onana has signed his contract today as new Inter player after medical tests successfully completed in Milano. Five year deal for €3m guaranteed net salary. He’s gonna join in July 2022 as free agent. 🤝🇨🇲 #Inter
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 202
Real Madrid give up on Rudiger
Real Madrid have given up their pursuit of Antonio Rudiger due to his wage demands, writes Marca.
(Photo by Getty Images)
He’s reportedly asking for £200,000 per week – a price the club won’t pay given the success of current centre-backs Eder Militao and David Alaba this season.
Lorenzo Insigne seals Toronto transfer
Lorenzo Insigne ‘will join Toronto FC in the summer’ following the expiry of his Napoli contract ‘penning £9m-per-year deal’ with the MLS side to bring his 12 years in Naples to an end.
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Lorenzo Insigne has signed his five year and half contract as new Toronto FC player. Deal sealed and completed in Rome together with his agent. It’s done, no way back. 🔴🇨🇦 #TorontoFC
Official statement expected soon. Lorenzo will arrive in Toronto in July with his family. #MLS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 2022
Liverpool request postponement of Arsenal Carabao Cup clash
Liverpool have formally requested the postponement of Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal at the Emirates.
The move comes in the wake of Jurgen Klopp’s squad being further depleted by more COVID-19 cases. The decision now lies in the hands of the EFL.
The Athletic understands that Liverpool’s training session at 4pm has been cancelled ahead of the match on Thursday night
Pep Lijnders tests positive for COVID-19 as Liverpool wait on Arsenal Carabao Cup decision
Liverpool’s problems have increased after assistant manager Pep Lijnders tested positive for COVID-19.
(Photo by Getty Images)
The Dutch coach was due to hold a pre-match press conference at 11am today but it’s been cancelled by the club as they await the EFL’s decision over their request to postpone Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Lijnders, who has been in interim charge while boss Jurgen Klopp is isolating due to COVID-19, received the positive test result on Tuesday evening. He will now also have to isolate for a week.
Roma agree loan deal for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Roma have agreed a deal to take Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan until the end of the season as reported by The Athletic
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Maitland-Niles’ medical is expected to be held in the UK in the next 48 hours, as the 24-year-old still needs to visit the Italian embassy in London to obtain a work permit
Brighton announce signing of Poland international Kacper Kozlowski
Brighton have announced the signing of Polish midfield prospect Kacper Kozlowski from Pogon Szczecin.
Kozlowski, 18, has joined on a four-year deal and will be sent out on loan to Belgian league leaders Royale Union St-Gilloise. Brighton’s interest in him was revealed by The Athletic last week.
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He became the youngest ever player to appear at a European Championship last summer, breaking Jude Bellingham’s record when he featured as a substitute against Spain.
Romelu Lukaku fined for his comment – Tuchel reported
Romelu Lukaku has been fined by Chelsea after comments he made in an interview recorded three weeks ago, the club’s head coach Thomas Tuchel has said.
He apologised to the fans, owner, manager, and team-mates via the club’s website on Tuesday evening, saying he was “sorry for the upset that I caused”.
“There will be some disciplinary action and he will accept it,” Tuchel said on Tuesday.
“It happened and it’s not a small thing. But it’s not the biggest thing and does not make a comeback impossible, absolutely not. This is what we (will) prove now.
“But, something happened. He will be fined and of course he needs to accept it.”
Christian Eriksen targets 2022 World Cup and Premier League return
Christian Eriksen has revealed his desire to play for Denmark at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, calling the tournament his “goal”.
Eriksen has not played since collapsing after suffering a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s game against Finland at Euro 2020. He has since been fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.
His contract with Inter Milan was terminated in December due to Serie A medical rules and he’s likely to return to his boyhood club Ajax if he’s guaranteed playing time.
Lamela rabona goal against Arsenal makes the Puskas Award finalist
Erik Lamela’s rabona for Tottenham Hotspur in last season’s north London derby defeat by Arsenal is on the three-goals shortlist for FIFA’s Puskas Award.
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The Argentine is up against the Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick, who scored a long-range effort against Scotland at Euro 2020 last summer. Mehdi Taremi’s overhead kick for Porto against Chelsea in last season’s Champions League is the third goal shortlisted.
The winner will be announced in the virtual awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the Home of FIFA in Zurich on 17 January