Tuesday's Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea latest today
The January transfer window is here with the Premier League clubs under pressure to spend big and make the difference in the final part of the season. The battle for a top four finish is especially intriguing, meaning the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and even Arsenal will be strongly considering an upgrade or two.
Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with Dinamo and Spain star Dani Olmo, while they could also go head to head for Edinson Cavani later this year when he becomes a free agent. The Blues have the option to buy after serving their transfer ban in the summer and the punishment was halved at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, allowing them to spend freely this month. Frank Lampard will feel his results and the performances merit a reward in the market, with Lyon’s Moussa Dembele perhaps an option now, and England international Ben Chilwell the type of player only available in the summer.Tottenham Hotspur will surely have to satisfy Jose Mourinho in some way, despite needing to sell first, meaning a loan deal for Thomas Lemar could prove a highly attractive option.
While there could also be some big moves across Europe, with Erling Haaland already in at Borussia Dortmund, these are the sort of signings that could prove pivotal in the last 16 and beyond of the Champions League. Real Madrid have been linked with a £68m move for Timo Werner, as well as Flamengo wonder kid Reinier. While Arsenal will know now what new manager Mikel Arteta requires, though a move for Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng still appears farfetched. RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano is a long-term target and could be available this month too.
The Independent understands a loan fee of around €6m is being touted to bring the French international to north London, with Lemar keen to move in January after falling out of favour under Diego Simeone.
Spurs are just one of several top European clubs weighing up a move for the 24-year-old, with Arsenal also monitoring Lemar’s situation.
Lemar, who came close to joining Arsenal in the summer of 2017, has scored just three goals in 64 appearances since joining Atletico from Monaco for £52.7m.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone has made little effort to quell speculation that Lemar, who is keen to cement his place in France’s Euro 2020 squad, could leave the club in January and admitted the winger has failed to “live up to expectations”.
Liverpool have made an offer for Trabzonspor's Ugurcan Cakir, according to the Turkish club's president.
The 23-year-old could prove to be a long term option as the understudy to Alisson, with Adrian the current back-up.
The Turkish club want around £15m for Cakir, with president, Ahmet Agaoglu seemingly pleased with the Reds' interest.
"There are offers for Cakir, we continue to receive offers. It’s been said Liverpool have made an offer," said Agaoglu. "So a team that is undefeated in the Premier League wants my keeper. In other words Liverpool’s goalkeeper is in my goal."
Crystal Palace, Wolves, Celtic and Rangers all interested in Stoke striker Tyrese Campbell
Stoke City are facing a challenge to hold on to striker Tyrese Campbell, with the England U20 international attracting interest from a number of top-flight clubs.
Crystal Palace, Wolves, Celtic and Rangers are among those to have monitored the 20-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of this season.
The son of former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin, Campbell has scored three goals in his last three appearances for Stoke as a recent upturn in form under Michael O'Neill has pulled the club out of the relegation zone.
The Anfield club have this morning announced a new link-up with Nike as kit supplier, starting from the 2020/21 season.
Having been with New Balance since 2015, this deal is expected to earn significantly more for Liverpool thanks to Nike's greater global reach - a key aspect of the recent court case as New Balance sought to renew terms with the Reds.
While full financial details haven't been disclosed, the new deal should further boost the league-leaders' ability to compete in the transfer market, where they have been successful over the past few years. Takumi Minamino is their sole senior addition this month to date.
Tottenham central midfielder Harry Winks has impressed sufficiently to become a fixture in the England squad and, now, a rumoured target for both Man City and Man United.
The Athletic's David Ornstein says both clubs are interested in a summer move, particularly in light of Winks not immediately being a regular under new Spurs boss Jose Mourinho.
United require something of a midfield overhaul, while City will be losing David Silva in the summer and Fernandinho has yet to extend his deal.
Big-money transfer confirmed in League One, comparatively speaking, as Portsmouth complete the £500,000 signing of Barnet's 21-year-old midfielder Jack Taylor.
BBC Sport report that it could eventually be worth £1m overall.
Posh are currently sixth in League One, just five points off the automatic promotion spots.
Christian Eriksen is "interesting" Inter Milan, according to the Serie A's chief executive Beppe Marotta.
The Tottenham playmaker is a target for several teams this month, with his contract expiring in the summer, and Jose Mourinho has not provided any assurances that he'll still be at the club in February.
While earlier reports suggested Inter have made a £20m move to sign Eriksen in January, Marotta says that isn't the case and that they have not yet initiated contact over any move.
Man City target Skriniar as defensive reinforcement
Pep Guardiola will be backed in the transfer market this month, with City ready to spend big on Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar.
The Mirror's John Cross reports that the Slovakian 24-year-old is the main priority as they look to close the gap to Liverpool, despite Aymeric Laporte's impending return.
Nathan Ake and Caglar Soyuncu have previously been considered.
Why buy one player when you can buy a whole club? Sunderland chairman Stewart Donald has released a statement that he is bowing to fan pressure and selling up.
Several supporter groups asked him to call it quits on Boxing Day, and the club is now open for bids as a result.
The statement, which says that the Black Cats are one of the "very few in the EFL to be debt free and break even," called for fans to unite behind the players and coaching staff while the sale process is ongoing. Sunderland are ninth in League One, one point off the play-off spots.
Former Man United full-back Matteo Darmian has reportedly agreed a move to Inter Milan for the summer.
The Italian defender switched Old Trafford for Parma in the summer, signing a long-term deal, but has impressed sufficiently to encourage Antonio Conte to make an early move.
While the deal may go through in January, a summer move is more likely once Parma are guaranteed survival - which, given their current top-half status, shouldn't prove an issue.
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has had a tough time since joining Juventus, failing to establish himself as a regular and being left out of their Champions League squad this season.
Inevitably, rumours have grown over which teams want to sign him, with Man United keen to make him a cornerstone of their midfield restructuring.
ESPN report, though, that Juve director Fabio Paratici says Can is too important to let go and will remain with the Turin club this season.
Not content with only Eriksen and Darmian, Antonio Conte is pushing ahead with his apparent mission to reunite the Premier League's finest from three or four years ago.
Olivier Giroud is still on the wanted list for this month, report Sky Italia, though there have not been any new discussions since the possibility was first brought up before Christmas.
The striker has made just five league appearances this season under Frank Lampard and is without a goal.
Liverpool's talented teen striker Rhian Brewster is almost certain to complete a loan move to Championship side Swansea.
Reports widely suggest the deal could be completed early this week, with the striker having the final say over a move amid interest from multiple clubs.
Swans' boss Steve Cooper was Brewster's boss with the England U17s when they won the World Cup, giving the club an edge over rivals.
Reports in Italy suggest Aston Villa are looking to ease their injury crisis with a big-money move for Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek.
An ambitious £30 million bid is suggested to be on the cards by Corriere della Sera for Piatek, who has four Serie A goals this term.
First-choice striker Wesley is out for the season with a knee injury; Villa have also been linked with Emmanuel Adebayor and Daniel Sturridge, both playing in Turkey.
Man United and Chelsea have been linked with PSG striker Edinson Cavani, but the Uruguayan is tipped to join Atletico Madrid instead.
There have been reports of a pre-contract agreement which would see him swap Ligue 1 for LaLiga in the summer, but a lack of playing time has brought that forward and Cavani wants a January move, says RMC Sport.
Cavani has just shy of 200 goals for PSG in his seven-and-a-half with the club.
Former Leicester title-winner Danny Drinkwater has seen his career nosedive over the last couple of years, failing to play a significant role at Chelsea and even failing to win a spot on loan at Burnley this season.
A second loan spell beckons this month and Aston Villa are taking the plunge, with the Mail reporting he is having a medical with the Midlands club.
The Villains will have to pay the entirety of his £110,000-a-week wages during his loan as they look to avoid the drop.
Striker Billy Sharp has opted against a January departure from Sheffield United, saying he'll stay until his deal expires in the summer.
Celtic and Nottingham Forest were both interested in signing him, but the veteran forward has told Chris Wilder he'd rather remain in the Premier League to play a supporting role for his team.
Sharp has been used mainly as a sub this term, starting once, and has scored one goal in the top flight for the Blades.
