January window enters final stretch ahead of February 2 deadline
Targets: Mohamed Kader Meite, Julian Alvarez, Trent Alexander Arnold
London Standard
Alex Young @ alexwsyoung
Transfer news LIVE!
The January window has entered its finally stretch as the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool look to strengthen their squads ahead of the February 2 deadline. Arsenal has stepped up their interest in Julian Alvarez by holding talks over a possible £80million deal for Atletico Madrid forward, and are monitoring Real Madrid wonderkid Victor Valdepenas ahead of a possible double Spanish swoop.
Chelsea want to add a new midfielder and defender before next week, and are exploring hijacking Douglas Luiz’s loan deal with Nottingham Forest amid ongoing talks with Rennes for Jeremy Jacquet and interest in Mohamed Kader Meite. Manchester United also want Jacquet and Meite, and expect to miss out to the Blues for English wonderkid Yisa Alao. Aaron Anselmino’s loan spell at Borussia Dortmund has been cut short.
Tottenham’s move for Andy Robertson appears to have collapsed, with Liverpool struggling to find a replacement. There is much turmoil at Anfield following yet another defeat, amid reports Xabi Alonso has been contacted over taking Arne Slot’s job. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Latest transfer news headlines
Michael Carrick has already revealed Kobbie Mainoo plan
Michael Carrick’s previous Kobbie Mainoo admission should serve as a massive boost to the Manchester United youngster.
The 20-year-old saw his minutes reduced under Ruben Amorim, failing to start a single Premier League game this season amid competing with captain Bruno Fernandes for a place in the side.
Amorim has since been sacked, though prior to his departure there was talk of Mainoo also leaving Man Utd, albeit on loan, during the January transfer window.
Despite links to Napoli it would appear Mainoo is staying put this month, though there are widespread reports that the midfielder has no intention of remaining at United in the long-term should his minutes continue to be restricted.
With that said, Man United’s appointment of Carrick as head coach until the end of the season could go a long way to securing Mainoo’s future.
Getty
Double Aston Villa deal
Aston Villa are about to let Donyell Malen join Roma initially on loan and replace him with Tammy Abraham.
As per the Times, Villa are closing in on the signing of Abraham after beating rival clubs to his signature.
Abraham enjoyed a successful loan spell with Villa during the 2018-19 season and it set to sign a long-term contract on a permanent deal.
Getty Images
Spurs appointment
Tottenham have confirmed the appointment of Carlos Raphael, ‘Rafi’, Moersen as director of football operations.
Moersen takes up a newly created role at Spurs after spending more than a decade with the City Football Group (CFG).
He will officially join the club in the next few months after he has served gardening leave.
Moersen’s appointment is part of a continued effort to remodel the football structure at Spurs, with Dan Lewindon set to be announced as performance director next month.
Getty Images
West Ham star fighting for place amid January exit links
Mads Hermansen is fighting for his place at West Ham despite being linked with a move away from the club in January, writes Sam Tabuteau.
Standard Sport understands that the Danish goalkeeper, who only joined the Hammers from Leicester in an £18million deal in the summer, is the subject of loan interest from a number of clubs in England and Europe.
However, despite a lack of minutes this season, Hermansen could yet compete to regain the starting role from rival Alphonse Areola.
Getty Images
APPOINTMENT CONFIRMED
Big news from Tottenham this afternoon, Carlos Raphael Moersen has been appointed as Director of Football Operations.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
Facundo Buonanotte’s loan move to Leeds is gathering pace.
Buonanotte on the move
More Chelsea transfer news!
Facundo Buonanotte’s loan move is set to come to an end, according to Fabrizio Romano.
This is because Leeds have reached a verbal agreement to sign the attacking midfielder on loan for the remainder of the season.
Getty Images
Chelsea recall goalkeeper
Chelsea have recalled goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe from his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, writes Dom Smith.
The Blues confirmed their decision on Wednesday, just hours before first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made two high-profile blunders that both led to Arsenal goals in Chelsea’s 3-2 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea activated a break clause in Sharman-Lowe’s contract at Bolton, where he had initially joined on a season-long loan in the summer.
It is understood that Chelsea will now consider the best next step for the 22-year-old shot-stopper, with one option for him to remain with the first team for the remainder of the season.
FULL STORY!
Getty Images
Gallagher sends message to Tottenham fans
Conor Gallagher has revealed that he wanted to become a Tottenham player after he became the club’s first signing of the January transfer window.
The England midfielder completed a £34.6million move Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, bolstering Thomas Frank’s midfield at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It had been previously reported that Aston Villa were interested in signing Gallagher, but Spurs have beaten their rivals to his signature.
Click here for Gallagher’s first words as a Tottenham player!
Tottenham Hotspur
Juventus handed 'green light' for Mateta move
Juventus have asked about signing Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this month.
That is according to Sky in Italy as they claim Luciano Spalletti has given the ‘green light’ to pursue a deal for the France international.
While Palace are unlikely to be welcoming offers for their star striker, reports suggest Juve want Mateta immediately but could wait until the summer as they work on a long-term replacement for Dusan Vlahovic.
Getty Images