Transfer news LIVE: Manchester United to announce Bruno Fernandes today, Chelsea target Dries Mertens plus latest rumours, gossip
It’s going to be a busy end to the transfer window as the Bruno Fernandes saga nears completion after Manchester United made a breakthrough over a fee, which promises to be around £46.6m with a further £8.5m in add-ons. The Red Devils may finally deliver Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the upgrade he needs amid an injury crisis involving Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay. While there will be much more away from Old Trafford as Tottenham Hotspur appear keen to be innovative to salvage their hopes of beating rivals Chelsea to a top four place: namely through a surprise Olivier Giroud, who is unwanted by Frank Lampard and now Jose Mourinho is eager to sign the French striker on an 18-month deal to cover for the injured Harry Kane – though it remains to be seen whether the Blues will accept a deal from a direct rival.
Serie A clubs are always active late in the window and Barcelona promise to make a significant move late on as they bid to replace Luis Suarez. Rodrigo from Valencia is the most likely option, though they will have to pay up, with Los Che knocked back when they asked about Nelson Semedo being sent to the Mestalla as part of the deal. Liverpool FC are sitting easy at the top of the Premier League and did their business nice and early with the signing of Takumi Minamino from RB Salzburg, though Jurgen Klopp may yet send out a youngster on loan for experience.
Arsenal have been quiet, with Mikel Arteta still assessing his squad and utilising his youngsters before making key decisions on the first team squad. Pablo Mari appeared to be the first signing of Arteta era but the Brazilian centre-back was sent back to Flamengo with a deal seemingly collapsing. Look out for Krzysztof Piatek too, Spurs and Chelsea have been mentioned, with AC Milan possibly open to a loan deal after the Polish forward’s struggles this season saw the Rossoneri snap up Zlatan Ibrahimovic to drive their second half of the season.
The Times report they have turned to Salomon Rondon, formerly of West Brom and Newcastle fame.
They say that having missed out on AC Milan striker Krzysztof Piatek they will now look to thrash out a deal for the 30-year-old Dalian Yifang forward.
The coronavirus epidemic has caused the Chinese Super League to be indefinitely suspended leaving some of the competition's star names now assessing their options.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed new signing Kyle Walker-Peters will not be in the squad for Saturday's Premier League trip to leaders Liverpool, but he is confident the full-back can make the most of the opportunities ahead.
"I think he can learn a lot and if a player wants to come to us a hundred per cent, then he is always welcome," Hasenhuttl said. "The whole package is something we can develop and this is our goal.
"It is important for him to learn as quickly as possible. He cannot play against Tottenham in the FA Cup (replay), but then we have two good weeks to prepare for the Burnley game and this time, he will need."
Brighton defender Gaetan Bong is close to finalising a move to Nottingham Forest.
Seagulls manager Graham Potter confirmed the 31-year-old, who will be out of contract at the end of the season, is undergoing a medical with Forest.
Potter added: "Nothing's confirmed, we are not at the stage when we can announce anything but if and when something does happen we can speak about it then."
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed Cedric Soares will be allowed to leave ahead of the January transfer deadline after bringing in full-back Kyle Walker-Peters on loan.
Portuguese defender Soares, currently recovering from a knee problem, is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a move to Arsenal.
Asked if the arrival of Walker-Peters from Tottenham meant Soares was now likely to leave, Hasenhuttl said: "From our side, yes. The fact is that he's out of contract in the summer."
The Southampton manager told a press conference broadcast by the club: "Sometimes things change quickly in football.
"Then for the club and for him, it is the best that we say 'okay, if you want to leave, you have only two or three more months (of) contract, then it's better to go' and we are concentrating on developing other players."
Bristol City have registered an interest in Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu, according to the Bristol Post.
The Wales international has made just five appearances since joining RB Leipzig on loan last summer, however, the German side are reluctant to cut 19-year-old's spell short.
Chelsea's George McEachran has joined Cambuur in Holland.
The 19-year-old heads out on loan for the first time in his career after shining throughout the Blues' youth teams and being part of England's Under-17 World Cup squad.
Barcelona are looking to sell Philippe Coutinho now to raise funds to find a replacement for Luis Suarez.
That's according to Catalunya Radio Barcelona, who report that the club have been knocked back by the Brazilian's loan club Bayern, who refused to pay the £102m option to buy.
