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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Jack Rathborn

Transfer news: Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea set to make moves in January

The January transfer window is here with Liverpool storming towards the Premier League title.

But there is intrigue with Chelsea, Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and even Arsenal battling for that final place inside the top four behind Leicester and Manchester City.

All of those sides will be in the market looking for that edge in the second half of the season and we'll keep you up to date with the latest rumours and done deals across the continent.

Manchester United are in a spot of bother with Paul Pogba now seemingly close to being confirmed out for a few months.
 
The Sun claim United have decided Pogba's time is up at Old Trafford and that they will sell him, perhaps as early as this month.
 
They add Toni Kroos could move in the opposite direction as part of a deal to take Pogba to Real Madrid.
 
Norwich's Todd Cantwell has shone this season, despite the Canaries languishing at the bottom of the table.
 
The Mail claim Man United, City and Spurs are all keen on the midfielder.
 
The 21-year-old will cost in the region of £30m, with his contract running until 2022.
 
Arsenal have joined the race to sign Nathan Ake from Bournemouth following the injury to Callum Chambers. 
 
The Telegraph report the Gunners will rival Chelsea for the Dutch defender.
 
The Blues have a buy-back option for Ake, set at £40m, meaning the Cherries may consider offers of around £45m.
 
Arsenal may move quickly following Chambers sustaining a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Paul Pogba will miss some time with an ankle injury.
 
And that means, according to ESPN, that Emre Can and Sean Longstaff could be targeted as cover in January.
 
Can has been out in the cold this season at Juventus under Maurizio Sarri, while Longstaff has been a pivotal part of Steve Bruce's side.
 

Modric, Eriksen, Cazorla and the 70 players available on a free transfer this summer

 

With the January transfer window officially open, clubs across Europe are now entering into contract talks with a hoard of players set to become free agents in the summer.

In England a number of established elite-level players are yet to commit to new deals, with Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen, Willian, David Silva and Fernandinho all set for lucrative moves. The likes of Ryan Fraser and Adam Lallana are also available, while a host of veterans lower down the table, led by the likes of Premier League title-winning captain Wes Morgan, will need to decide on one final step in their futures.

It's in La Liga, though, where the spotlight shines brightest with Luka Modric set to draw the curtain on his Real Madrid career after eight trophy-laden years. Santi Cazorla too will decide whether retirement or the MLS beckons after another defiant season with Villarreal.

Italy could also be saying goodbye to one of its much-loved veterans as Giorgio Chiellini's contract expires. The Juventus captain, who boasts over 100 caps at international level, has seen his 15th year at the club derailed by an anterior cruciate ligament injury. However, the Old Lady might still be tempted into offering him a final one-year extension. Blaise Matuidi is yet to commit to a new deal with the champions while at AC Milan both Lucas Biglia and Giacomo Bonaventura are set to depart.

A number of the youngest stars on the continent are also holding out in search of more playing time after a lack of assurances from their clubs. Manchester United are losing hope of convincing Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong to sign contract extensions while PSG are on the verge of losing precocious French midfielder Adil Aouchiche, who starred at this year's U17 World Cup.

 

Juve sign Atalanta star Kulusevski

 
Juventus have signed Dejan Kulusevski from Atalanta for an initial €35m. 
 
A further €9m could arrive in add-ons, with the player remaining on loan at Parma for the remainder of the season.
 
Aston Villa are considering a loan deal for Michy Batshuayi with a view to a permanent move.
 
The Chelsea forward has played back-up to Tammy Abraham this season and with Wesley now out for the season with a knee injury, Villa are desperate for a replacement.
 
Foot Mercato believe the Belgian could join with a view to a permanent move, given his deal at the Bridge runs out in 2021.
 
Man United are looking into moves for a creative midfielder.
 
The Athletic report James Maddison, Jack Grealish, Christian Eriksen and Kai Havertz are under consideration for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
 
 
 
 
 
Christian Eriksen looks destined to leave Spurs on a free transfer this summer.
 
And Inter Milan are the latest club to make contact with the Danish midfielder.
 
Sky Sports believe Inter would prefer Arturo Vidal, but Eriksen, too, is under consideration. 
 
 

Ibrahimovic vows to improve at Milan at 38

 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has vowed to improve at AC Milan, despite entering his second spell at the club at 38 years of age.
 
The Swede penned a six-month deal with the option to extend that by a further 12 months, and he remains bullish about his potential.
 

"I am here to improve things, I have watched the squad from the outside," Ibrahimovic said. "Let's take it one match at a time -- there is a lot of quality in the squad.

"The results are not 'wow,' but it's a marathon not a sprint."

Galaxy sign former Liverpool defender Insua

 
The LA Galaxy have signed former Liverpool left-back Emiliano Insua from Stuttgart.
 
The Argentine will take up an international spot, with Galaxy general manager Dennis te Kloese praising his latest signing.
 

"Emiliano is an experienced defender who has played for decorated clubs throughout the world," Te Kloese said.

"We think he will boost our team on the defensive side and will add a veteran presence to our club. We are glad to add Emiliano to our team and are excited that he will represent the LA Galaxy."

Real Madrid eye Lille trio 

 
Lille trio Gabriel Magalhaes, Boubakary Soumare and Victor Osimhen are on the radar of Real Madrid.
 
Zinedine Zidane could add the centre-back, centre midfielder and striker, report Marca, as they continue to rebuild the squad at the Bernabeu.
 
 

Arsenal and Spurs to battle it out for Everton star 

 
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Everton youngster Jonjo Kenny, following an impressive spell on loan at Schalke.
 
Spurs are also keen, report the Express, with the 22-year-old right-back scoring once and assisting twice from 17 Bundesliga appearances this season.

Cavani moves closer to Atletico 

 
Edinson Cavani is edging closer to a move to Atletico Madrid, report Marca.
 
The Uruguayan wants to move this January, with his contract expiring this summer. 
 
Cavani, 32, will need to compromise on his wages to fit under the wage cap at the Wanda Metropolitano, but his desire to work with Diego Simeone should see a deal completed this month.
 
 
 

Lille respond to Real Madrid speculation

 
Lille boss Christophe Galtier insists he is ignoring speculation linking three of his players with a move to Real Madrid.
 
Reports in Spain have suggested Real Madrid are following Gabriel Magalhaes, Boubakary Soumare and Victor Osimhen, but Galtier remains focused on football.
 
"I am focused on the competition (Coupe de France) and only the competition. What goes on in the media, that doesn't interest me," said Galtier (via Get French Football).

Real target Reinier Jesus set for big move

 
Flamengo wonderkid Reinier Jesus is on the radar of Real Madrid.
 
And Jorge Jesus appears to have suggested the 17-year-old sensation could move on soon, with the Bernabeu a likely landing spot. 
 
Jesus stated: "[Reinier Jesus] will be sold to a big European club for many millions"
 
 
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Rodwell signs for Blades

 
Jack Rodwell has signed for Sheffield United until the end of the season. 
 
Manager Chris Wilder said the 28-year-old's versatility was attractive.
 

"Jack has been with us for a couple of weeks or so now and he's been excellent around the place," Wilder said.

"He offers us versatility and experience in a number of key positions and adds further depth to the group which is important at this stage of the season."

 
 

Napoli target Celta star 

 
Napoli are in talks to sign Celta Vigo's Stanislav Lobotka. 
 
Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia report that terms are agreed with the player, but the La Liga club want €22-23m, while the Serie A club are only willing to pay €17-18m for the 25-year-old ball-playing midfielder.
 
 

Premier League trio target Simakan

Southampton, Watford and Crystal Palace are all targeting Strasbourg full-back Mohamed Simakan, according to The Guardian.

 
The 19-year-old is reportedly valued at €25m, with Palace in particular looking to secure the services of a new right-back since failing to sign Reece James from Chelsea in the summer.

Arsenal keen on Boateng

 

The Gunners could buy Bayern defender Jerome Boateng for £12.8m.
 
Mikel Arteta is searching for a new centre-back after Calum Chambers suffered a season-ending knee injury.
 
And the 31-year-old appears to be an attractive option to immediately upgrade his back line, according to Sky Sports.

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