- The January transfer window has officially been opened few days ago but already things are starting to bubble away nicely as teams around Europe are looking to bolster their squads going into the business of the end of the season
Transfer news LIVE! Isak to Arsenal, Vlahovic and Edi Cavani latest; Lukaku and Digne updates; Westham & Barcelona rumours and more
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’s Pedri and Ferran Torres test positive for COVID-19
New Barcelona signing Ferran Torres has tested positive for coronavirus after being unveiled at the Nou Camp following his £54.7m move from Manchester City.
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Barcelona midfielder Pedri has also tested positive for COVID-19 and both players are now isolating.
Arsenal ‘win race’ to sign Real Sociedad striker Isak
Arsenal have ‘won the race’ to sign Sweden striker Alexander Isak, reports suggest.
El Nacional claim that Real Sociedad have blocked a move for the highly-rated 22-year-old to domestic rivals Barcelona, leaving the path clear for the Gunners to pounce.
Isak would be seen as a long-term replacement to deposed captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is apparently now being offered to big clubs around Europe with his Emirates future in severe doubt.
Thiago Silva signs one-year contract extension with Chelsea
Thiago Silva has extended his Chelsea contract by one year and will remain at the club until the end of the 2022-23 season.
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Silva, 37, signed for Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2020 and has gone on to establish himself as a key player for head coach Thomas Tuchel.
In total he has made 54 appearances in all competitions for the club, helping his new side to win the Champions League at the end of last season.
Roma struggling to agree a Maitland- Niles deal
Roma are said to be interested in signing versatile Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles this month.
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However, the Gunners are currently refusing to lower their demands with the deal now in jeopardy according to Roma News.
Roma reportedly want an option to buy for €10m but while Arsenal are demanding an obligation to buy for €15m.
Torreira to stay at Fiorentina permanently.
According to reports in Italy, Arsenal could be set to receive around £12.6million from Italian outfit Fiorentina for Lucas Torreira.
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Torreira is currently enjoying a productive loan spell with the Serie A side.
Arsenal set for shock Wijnaldum deal
Arsenal have reportedly edged closer to a huge January signing with the Gunners set to complete a ‘shock’ deal for the midfielder in the coming days according to a report from FourFourTwo.
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Wijnaldum has previously said that he is not entirely happy with his situation at Paris Saint Germain and now Arsenal look set to take advantage.
Chelsea step up Lucas Digne chase
While Lukaku will not be leaving Chelsea this month, one potential new arrival in west London is Lucas Digne.
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The former Barcelona defender is surplus to requirements at the Goodison Park , who have already signed Vitaliy Mykolenko from Dynamo Kyiv this season.
Chelsea are looking for left-back cover after losing Ben Chilwell for the remainder of the season following knee surgery and have been unsuccessful in their request to recall Emerson Palmieri from his loan stint at Lyon.
Lukaku has ‘no intention’ of forcing Chelsea exit
Romelu Lukaku has no intention of leaving Chelsea either this month or in the summer window.
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That is according to The Times, who say that the Belgian striker is not trying to force an exit from Stamford Bridge despite the recent controversy over an explosive, unsanctioned interview in Italy in which he expressed frustration with life at Chelsea.
Lukaku was dropped from the squad altogether for Sunday’s key showdown with Liverpool, but is reported to have held positive, conciliatory talks with manager Thomas Tuchel yesterday.
Arsenal and Tottenham target Vlahovic speaks on future
Vlahovic is one of the most highly-rated young strikers in Europe and owing to his excellent goalscoring exploits across the last twelve months, has developed a slew of admirers.
The Serbian international has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, with Fiorentina appearing to admit defeat in their bid to convince him to sign a contract extension.
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However, Vlahovic has not ruled out potentially staying in Serie A.
When asked over a new deal, he said: “Never say never. But at the moment I am focused on new victories.
“We have a good team, great football players, great support from the fans. It all deserves respect.
“Only God knows what will happen in the next period. My wish is to bring Fiorentina to Europe, because we have not been in Europe for a long time.
“I don’t know what can happen overnight. We’ll see.”
West Ham chase Gabigol
West Ham are in talks over a deal for Gabriel Barbosa, according to Sky Sports.
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The Brazilian, known as Gabigol, was a youth prodigy who struggled at Inter Milan and now plays for Flamengo.
A move to England is said to interest the 25-year-old, with three other Premier League teams said to be tracking him as he looks to cement his place in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
The Hammers are well known to be chasing a striker to support Michail Antonio in their bid for a top-four finish.
Patterson confirmation imminent
The Scotsman report that Rangers defender Nathan Patterson arrived on Merseyside today for a medical at Everton.
An initial £12million deal to take the 20-year-old to Goodison Park could rise to £16m.
The final details of the transfer are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
Tuanzebe set for Napoli move
Axel Tuanzebe will see his loan at Aston Villa brought to an end after Steven Gerrard was unable to give him assurances about his playing time, per the Birmingham Mail.
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The Manchester United man – who is eligible to represent DR Congo at senior level – has been recalled from their Premier League rivals, and heads to Napoli instead on a new loan.
Arsenal’s Nketiah wanted by Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen are looking to sign Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah on a free transfer, reports the Sun.
Nketiah – who scored his first hattrick against Sunderland – is out of contract in the summer and has also attracted interest from Crystal Palace and Brighton.
“Home sweet home “- Ramsey Premiership return
Aaron Ramsey is negotiating his way out of Juventus after being told he is no longer part of Max Allegri’s first-team plans, with a move back to the Premier League with Newcastle or Everton on the cards for this month.
Alvaro Morata is back
Barcelona are closing on a deal to sign striker Alvaro Morata.
The Spanish forward will arrive on loan at first, but there is an obligatory purchase clause that would compel Barça to spend 20 to 25 million euro to secure his signing on a permanent basis
Morata has previously played not only with Atlético Madrid, but with Real Madrid. He would be the third player to play for all three of Spain’s top clubs.
Barcelona eye another Chelsea defender.
Barcelona are interested in signing Andreas Christensen, with the defender yet to commit to a new contract at Chelsea.
Christensen’s current deal expires at the end of June, which means that he is now able to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs.
As reported by Di Marzio, Christensen’s future at Chelsea is uncertain after he recently changed agents.
Bournemouth agree Laird loan deal with Man Utd
Bournemouth have agreed a deal with Manchester United to take Ethan Laird on loan for the remainder of the season, reports Mark McAdam.
Laird is expected to undergo a medical with the Cherries within the next 48 hours
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The 20-year-old defender spent the first half of the season on loan at Swansea where he made 21 appearances.
Newcastle bid for Botman rejected.
Newcastle have had a £30million bid for Dutch defender Sven Botman knocked back by Lille, it has been claimed.
According to a report in the Telegraph, the Ligue 1 champions have informed Newcastle that the Holland Under-21 international is not for sale.
But that is not believed to have completely deterred Newcastle, who are deciding whether or not to up their bid in order to get their man immediately.
United make Edinson Cavani transfer decision
Ralf Rangnick has told Edinson Cavani he will not be allowed to leave Manchester United.
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“I know from some players that they want to leave. We spoke about Edi and he knows I definitely will not let him go.
“For me, he is a highly important player for the rest of the season, still playing in three competitions, so we will definitely need Edi. I would rather have another Edi on top of that. But for me, it’s clear Edi has to stay.”
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