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The Independent UK

Sport

Sports Staff

Friday's transfer roundup: Marko Arnautovic staying at West Ham as Crystal Palace deny Borussia Dortmund approach for Wilfried Zaha

Marko Arnautovic put an end to “all the writing and speculation” as the Austrian took to Twitter to confirm he will stay at West Ham this season.

The striker had been subject to lucrative bids from China and appeared to wave goodbye to supporters before insisting today that his future was with the club.

The Hammers were reported to have Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez lined up as a replacement and remain in talks with the Spanish side.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Roy Hodgson denied that Crystal Palace had been approached by Borussia Dortmund over Wilfried Zaha while Mauricio Pochettino confirmed Tottenham are looking at new signings.

2019-01-25T07:45:40.450Z

Good morning and welcome to today's Independent transfer live blog.

The January window is upon us with the Premier League’s biggest clubs set to spend, spend, spend as the sales re-open.

We'll bring you all the latest news plus all the done deals and the juiciest gossip throughout the day right here so don't touch that dial.

Without further ado, off we go.

2019-01-25T07:53:59.486Z

Let's start at the Emirates and what could be a headline-grabbing, late-window move.

Arsenal have investigated the possibility of signing James Rodriguez on an initial loan deal, with intermediaries having made contact.

The Colombian star is currently on an extended loan at Bayern Munich, and set to return to parent club Real Madrid at the end of the season.

The European champions want to sell James on a permanent deal at that point, with that having attracted interest from Arsenal as well as Napoli.

All clubs have would favour an initial loan now, something it is believed that Bayern would not be averse to.

2019-01-25T07:59:57.326Z

To Manchester United where Juan Mata could be on the move.

Goal report that Barcelona have approached the Spaniard over a potential summer move to the Nou Camp.

The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer and as a result could leave Old Trafford for nothing.

2019-01-25T08:11:28.063Z

Over to Manchester City where the champions could be tempted back into the market before the window shuts.

They want Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt, according to the Sun, but would have to let Nicolas Otamendi leave to do it.

Barcelona are interested in the Argentine.

2019-01-25T08:24:10.513Z

Manuel Pellegrini does not know whether wantaway striker Marko Arnautovic has played his last game for the club.

Arnautovic did not travel with the Hammers for last weekend's defeat at Bournemouth after revealing he wants a big-money move to China.

West Ham have turned down an initial bid of £35million from Shanghai SIPG and maintain they do not want to lose their joint top-scorer.

Pellegrini wants to keep the Austrian, at least until the summer, but will agree to the sale this month if his price tag is met.

2019-01-25T08:37:08.050Z

Liverpool have joined the race to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea.

That's according to Bild who say the Reds are interested in taking the 18-year-old, who only has 18 months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Bayern Munich remain favourites, however, and have persuaded the youngster to turn down a £85,000 per week contract offer from the Blues.

2019-01-25T09:02:51.133Z

Manchester United are looking to revamp their sporting structure and there's a new name in the frame to lead it.

Atletico Madrid's Andrea Berta is apparently the man United want to become their new technical director.

However, according to the Mirror, the Spanish side are readying a bumper offer to keep hold of the 47-year-old, who's pictured below on Thomas Lemar's left.

2019-01-25T09:17:20.676Z

To Chelsea who look like they're going to be busy over the final week of the window but one man not arriving is Leandro Paredes.

The Telegraph report that PSG have won the race for Zenit's Argentina international midfielder.

The move will cost the French champions upwards of £31m.

2019-01-25T09:31:49.086Z

Staying at Chelsea and Victor Moses looks set to leave.

The 28-year-old is set to join Fenerbahce on loan for the remainder of the season after falling down the pecking order following Maurizio Sarri's arrival last summer.

2019-01-25T09:50:40.150Z

Could Wilfried Zaha be off to Germany?

Well, Borussia Dortmund are keen on him according to Bild.

Crystal Palace would want upwards of £50m for the 26-year-old but have money to spend after agreeing to sell Christian Pulisic to Chelsea.

2019-01-25T10:05:53.050Z

Could Rafa Benitez leave Newcastle?

It never feels too far away with the Spaniard but, according to the Telegraph, unless the club the two signings he asked for this month he's off.

Monaco's Antonio Barreca and Atletico Madrid's Gelson Martins have been linked with Lazio's Jordan Lukaku, Romelu's brother, set to sign on loan imminently.

2019-01-25T10:19:56.783Z

Watford have no interest in selling Abdoulaye Doucoure this month.

The in-form midfielder is catching the eye this season with Paris Saint-Germain particularly interested.

But the Evening Standard say the 26-year-old is staying put, for now at least.

2019-01-25T10:35:30.613Z

To Spain where another Real Madrid star could be set to follow Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.

Marcelo is the latest player to be linked with a switch according to Marca who is reported to have told bosses at the Bernabeu "if they make an offer for me, you have to let me go".

2019-01-25T11:01:13.846Z

Roma’s Monchi is one of the top names being considered for Arsenal’s technical director, and there is a growing feeling a deal can be done.

The London club are pressing ahead with restructuring of the technical staff, in moves that played a part in Sven Mislintat’s impending departure.

The outgoing head of recruitment had initially been seen as a candidate for technical director, but main target Monchi is probably one of the few football figures in Europe with a reputation equal to that of Mislintat for finding players, and would represent another coup.

Roma are said to be bracing themselves for the departure of the 50-year-old, who only joined from Sevilla in April 2017, signing a four-month contract.

It was at the Spanish club that Monchi - full name Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo - enjoyed a close relationship with current Arsenal manager Unai Emery.

2019-01-25T11:21:07.736Z

Up to Manchester United where Eric Bailly won't be going anywhere.

Arsenal have been linked with the Ivorian centre back and a short-term loan-to-buy deal.

But the Mail report Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no intention of letting him go.

2019-01-25T11:37:47.640Z

Over to France where PSG could be set to make the biggest splash of this winter window.

The French champions are set to complete a £88m move for Napoli midfielder Allan in the next few days.

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis is said to be in Paris, according to today's Gazzetta dello Sport, with a deal close.

2019-01-25T11:55:38.706Z

Let's take a trip to the champions and a possible surprise loan move before the window.

Schalke's Sebastian Rudy is the target, according to the Sun, with Pep Guardiola apparently a fan of the German international.

2019-01-25T12:13:09.970Z

Manchester United are ready to double Marcus Rashford's wages to close to £150,000 per week to keep him at Old Trafford.

That's according to the Mirror who say a host of Europe's top clubs are keen on the England international.

2019-01-25T12:20:35.883Z

More on Leandro Paredes whose move to PSG looks set to be completed.

French media are now reporting a €45m deal is close with only a medical left to sort.

Chelsea were interested the French champs appear to have won the race.

2019-01-25T12:34:44.476Z

Eden Hazard hopes that Gonzalo Higuain’s goals can make the difference for Chelsea now that he has completed his move from AC Milan, and that he can finally replace the penalty box ruthlessness of Diego Costa.

The Argentine striker was paraded before fans at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night and is set to make his debut against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Chelsea have struggled with their number 9 options ever since Diego Costa fell out with Antonio Conte two years ago, even before he went back to Atletico Madrid. So far this season Alvaro Morata has five league goals and Olivier Giroud just one. Hazard is their top league goalscorer with 10.

But Hazard cannot do it all himself and he is looking forward to partnering with someone who has led the line for Real Madrid, Juventus and Napoli over the years.

And who can give Chelsea that extra edge in the penalty area that they have been missing. He thinks Higuain can be just as good as Costa, the man whose strength and courage helped the team to the Premier League titles in 2014-15 and 2016-17.