Transfer news LIVE! PSG identify Mbappe replacement, Haaland Barcelona latest; Chelsea and Arsenal rumours

Transfer news LIVE!

The New Year is upon us and that means that the transfer window is open and the rumour mill churning.

Much of today’s major news revolves around Romelu Lukaku after the Chelsea striker was left out of yesterday’s draw with Liverpool off the back of an explosive interview.

Lukaku is set to meet with Thomas Tuchel today and it seems Chelsea have no intention of cutting their losses with a January sale, but reports in the Italian press claim the Belgian is keen to force through a shock move to Tottenham, where he would be re-united with Antonio Conte.

Antonio Rudiger is another Blues star attracting interest with Real Madrid one of four clubs reportedly in talks to sign the defender on a free transfer in the summer.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have been linked with several strikers, including Ollie Watkins, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dusan Vlahovic, while their own Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the subject of speculation over a move to Newcastle - as are half of the other players in the country.

On the continent, meanwhile, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has been addressing the latest reports over his club’s proposed move for Kylian Mbappe, while Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been discussing the chances of a move for Erling Haaland.

Keep up to date with all of today’s latest transfer news, rumours and gossip with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!

Latest transfer news and rumours
Lukaku ‘wants shock Spurs move'
Laporta quizzed over Haaland chances
Newcastle closing on Trippier deal
Arsenal target Vlahovic discusses speculation
Real Madrid in four-club battle for Rudiger
PSG identify Mbappe replacement

Arsenal ‘win race’ to sign Real Sociedad striker Isak
08:14 , George FloodArsenal have ‘won the race’ to sign Sweden striker Alexander Isak, reports suggest.El Nacional claim that Real Sociedad have blocked a move for the highly-rated 22-year-old to domestic rivals Barcelona, leaving the path clear for the Gunners to pounce.Isak would be seen as a long-term replacement to deposed captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is apparently now being offered to big clubs around Europe with his Emirates future in severe doubt.

Arsenal and Tottenham face Kulusevski competition
22:13 , Marc MayoSevilla could rival Arsenal and Tottenham for Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski.Spanish newspaper Sport say a bid of around £30million will be enough to sign the Swede - but Sevilla are unable to afford such a deal.Therefore a loan deal until the summer is most likely on the cards.

Tottenham on Traore trail
21:55 , Marc MayoThe Telegraph report on Tottenham chasing Adama Traore from Wolves.A fee of around £20million is said to be enough to tempt the Molineux club to sell the winger, who started on the bench for tonight’s win at Manchester United.West Ham are also named as interested.

21:42 , Marc MayoPSG could attempt to snatch one of Real Madrid’s key players amid the hunt for Mbappe.El Nacional claim Casemiro is a top target for the French club in their search for a new central midfielder.It is said that PSG are ready to bide their time and approach the deal carefully, with a summer bid on their agenda.Paul Pogba, Marcelo Brozovic and Franck Kessie have also reportedly interested Les Parisiens.

PSG identify Mbappe replacement
21:33 , Marc MayoMauricio Pochettino will ask PSG to bid for Joao Felix if Kylian Mbappe leaves for Real Madrid.The French striker is hotly tipped to sign for Los Blancos when his contract expires in the summer.And Les Parisiens could have their replacement already on their radar as Spanish outlet Sport report on Felix being Pochettino’s ideal new signing - amid competition from Juventus and Manchester City.

Icardi wants out due to Messi?
21:19 , Marc MayoMauro Icardi is nearing a move to Juventus after reportedly falling out with Lionel Messi.The Mirror claim that Juventus are in pole position to sign the PSG striker, who has fallen out of favour under Mauricio Pochettino.Calciomercato add that Manchester United are interested as a replacement for Edinson Cavani.Icardi is even said to feel that Messi is behind his lack of call-ups for Argentina in recent years…

West Ham chase Gabigol
21:05 , Marc MayoWest Ham are in talks over a deal for Gabriel Barbosa, according to Sky Sports.The Brazilian, known as Gabigol, was a youth prodigy who struggled at Inter Milan and now plays for Flamengo.A move to England is said to interest the 25-year-old, with three other Premier League teams said to be tracking him as he looks to cement his place in Brazil’s World Cup squad.The Hammers are well known to be chasing a striker to support Michail Antonio in their bid for a top-four finish.

Arsenal duo return
20:36 , Marc MayoJonathan Dinzeyi and Nikolaj Moller are back at Arsenal after being recalled from their loan spells.Dinzeyi only made three appearances with League Two Carlisle while Moller featured 13 times for third-tier German side Viktoria Koln.

Real Madrid, Bayern, PSG and Juve want Rudiger
20:12 , Marc MayoFour teams are said to be in talks with Antonio Rudiger over a pre-contract agreement.The Chelsea man is free to discuss a summer move with European clubs ahead of his Blues contract expiring in June.According to Sky Sports, Juventus, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG have all made contact with Rudiger’s camp.Earlier tonight, Chelsea sealed the future of Thiago Silva while Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are also out of contract this year.

Patterson confirmation imminent
19:54 , Marc MayoThe Scotsman report that Rangers defender Nathan Patterson arrived on Merseyside today for a medical at Everton.An initial £12million deal to take the 20-year-old to Goodison Park could rise to £16m.The final details of the transfer are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

Bale’s Madrid stay due to end
19:33 , Marc MayoGareth Bale, Isco and Marcelo are all set to leave Real Madrid in the summer to free up over £50million in wages.The trio are out of contract at the end of the campaign and Los Blancos are linked with moves for Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.According to AS, Madrid have made up their mind with Bale among their highest earners at £600,000-a-week.

Eagles seeking young star
19:05 , Marc MayoCrystal Palace are keen on Dundee United defender Kerr Smith, according to reports.The 17-year-old would slot into the Eagles’ youth setup, according to Football Scotland.Kerr previously interested Manchester United and Aston Villa and is contracted to 2023.

Conte delivers Tottenham update
18:41 , Marc MayoAntonio Conte has remained coy on his plans for the January window.The Tottenham boss told reporters this afternoon: “My expectation is to speak with my club and then to tell them my opinion.“The club will know after I speak and what decision they want to make.”

Villa fancy Arsenal target
18:21 , Marc MayoArsenal face competition in their bid to snap up Borussia Monchengladbach star Denis Zakaria.The Gunners are strongly linked with a move for the soon-to-be available midfielder, whose contract expires in the summer.Manchester United and Liverpool are also linked but Daily Mail now claim Aston Villa are keen on a move for the Switzerland international.

Silva on new Chelsea deal
17:51 , Marc Mayo“To play here with Chelsea is a real pleasure,” he told the club website. “I never thought I would play for three years here in this great club so I’m very happy to stay for another season.“I would also like to say thanks to my family, the club, Marina and to Mr Abramovich for this opportunity. I will continue to give everything for this club and for the supporters, who have always been by my side since I arrived.“It’s amazing to have this relationship with the fans and not only that but the players, staff and the whole club. I’m going to give everything to keep playing at this level in the most important league in the world.”

Celtic nearing January swoop
17:21 , Marc MayoCeltic are set to press ahead with the £6.5million deal to sign loanee Jota from Benfica.The winger has hit eight goals since arriving at Parkhead and A Bola report on Celtic advancing talks over a permanent move, which they have first refusal on.

Vlahovic speaks out on speculation
16:26 , Marc MayoFiorentina marksman Dusan Vlahovic has given an update on his future amid links with Arsenal, Tottenham, Real Madrid and several top clubs.He told Russian outlet Politika: “I've said it several times so far. “There is a good football story being made here in Florence. We have a good team, great players, great support from the fans. Everything deserves respect.“Only God knows what will happen in the next period. My desire is to take Fiorentina to Europe, because we haven't been in Europe for a long time. We'll see.”

Roma make Maitland-Niles bid
15:51 , Malik OuziaThe Athletic are reporting that Roma have tabled a formal offer for Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles. They say the deal would contain an option-to-buy, with the Serie A side keen to bring the England international in on a permanent basis but not in a financial position to do so during this window.Whether Arsenal would sanction his departure at this stage remains to be seen, however, with central midfielders Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny both having headed to the AFCON.

Laporta quizzed over Haaland deal
15:34 , Malik OuziaWe told you a little earlier on about Joan Laporta’s bullish remarks about Barcelona’s transfer market resurgence. Well, the Nou Camp chief was also asked specifically about the prospect of winning the race for Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland and had this to say:“We’re working to build a top team. Everything is possible if we do things well, and I’m sure we will. Top players are open to joining Barça. We’re definitely recovering our status.”

Botman blow for Newcastle
14:37 , Malik OuziaThe Telegraph are reporting that Newcastle’s pursuit of Sven Botman has hit a stumbling block, with Lille insisting he is not for sale. The Magpies are pushing for defensive improvements, with Kieran Trippier looking likely to join, but a proposed £30m deal for Botman looks to be off the table.

Mourinho eyeing Ndombele reunion?
13:51 , Malik OuziaItalian outlet Calciomercato say that Jose Mourinho is keen on taking Tanguy Ndombele to Roma this month. The Portuguese worked with Ndombele at Spurs, but the midfielder’s stop-start career has continued under both Nuno Espirio Santo and Antonio Conte, and he would appear to be out of favour under the latter.

Could Wijnaldum return to Premier League?
13:14 , Malik OuziaThere’s plenty of speculation around today regarding the short-term future of Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, whose summer move from Liverpool to PSG has not quite worked out as he would have liked. Spanish outlet AS say Arsenal would like to bring Wijnaldum in on loan to cover for the losses of Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny to the AFCON. However, there have also been reports linking the 31-year-old to Newcastle, or even with an immediate return to Anfield, where Liverpool’s midfield has looked weaker for his departure.

Isak boost for Arsenal
12:38 , Malik OuziaArsenal are reportedly close to signing Real Sociedad forward Alexander Isak as they step up their hunt for a new striker.Spanish outlet El Nacional report that the Gunners’ hopes have been boosted by the fact that Sociedad do not want to sell to a LaLiga rival, with Barcelona among the clubs to have been linked with the Swede.

Morata set for Barca switch
12:13 , Malik OuziaAnd while we’re on Barcelona, there are various reports around today suggesting Alvaro Morata’s move to the Nou Camp could be completed as early as this week. In case you were having trouble keeping track of Morata’s travels across Europe, the Spaniard is currently playing for Juventus on loan from Atletico Madrid, but Spanish outlet AS say he will be recalled and sent to Barca on an initial six-month loan, before the deal is made permanent in the summer.

Laporta: Barca are back
11:53 , Malik OuziaSpeaking at that Ferran Torres unveiling, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been dishing out a bit of fighting talk, claiming the club are “back” as a force in the transfer market after their well-documented financial difficulties. “Everybody in the world should get ready, as we are back as big players in the market,” he said, according to Fabrizio Romano. “Barça are back.”

Spurs to rekindle Traore interest?
11:20 , Malik OuziaWolves are ready to sell Adama Traore this month, putting Tottenham and West Ham on alert.That’s according to The Telegraph, who say the Midlands club would accept an offer of £20m or more for the winger as they look to fund their own transfer business.Spurs have been heavily linked with the Spanish international in the past, including in the summer after the arrival of former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo in the dugout.

Gunners recall Clarke ahead of Hibs switch
10:58 , Malik OuziaArsenal youngster Harry Clarke has been recalled from his loan spell at Ross County ahead of a permanent departure from the club. The 20-year-old has impressed during the first half of the season, so much so that Hibernian have moved to agree a deal with the Gunners to take the 20-year-old, initially on loan until the end of the campaign, when his current contract expires.“I hope his time here was enjoyable,” said County boss Malky Mackay.“Although we are disappointed to be losing Harry, I would like to thank him for his contribution in the last six months and I think he has become an even more rounded player in that time.”

QPR set to miss out on Cook
10:43 , Malik OuziaThe Mail say that QPR are set to miss out on signing Bournemouth defender Steve Cook this month, with the centre-half headed to Nottingham Forest. Cook is expected to end his decade-long spell with the Cherries this month and QPR had reportedly been leading the race for his signature but Forest have swooped with a two-and-a-half-year contract offer.

Everton agree £12m Patterson deal
10:28 , Malik OuziaEverton are on the brink of agreeing a deal to sign Rangers star Nathan Patterson, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.The report claims the Toffees will pay £12m for the Scotland international, which would represent a record selling fee for Rangers.

Newcastle closing on Trippier deal
10:01 , Malik OuziaTo Newcastle next, which I suspect is something I’ll be writing quite a lot over the next month.The I say the Magpies are hopeful of having Kieran Trippier signed and ready to feature in time for their next Premier League game, against Watford in just under a fortnight’s time. The England international played 90 minutes for Atletico Madrid in yesterday’s 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano but the Toon are optimistic they will be able to agree a deal, possibly even this week.

Dembele to form part of Martial swap deal?
09:37 , Malik OuziaAnother day, another Ousmane Dembele to the Premier League rumour.Today’s offering comes from Catalan outlet Are, who claim Barcelona will offer the Frenchman to Man United as part of a swap deal for his countryman Anthony Martial.Martial looks likely to leave Old trafford this month providing a suitable offer comes in, with interim boss Ralf Rangnick having admitted as much over the weekend.

Cresswell at centre of race
09:20 , Malik OuziaManchester United and Liverpool are among the top clubs reportedly keen to sign Leeds defender Charlie Cresswell. The 19-year-old has been handed opportunities to impress amid Leeds’ struggles and injury crises this season, though he is currently sidelined himself with a shoulder problem. Along with the likes fo Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips, the academy graudate, who is under contract until 2025, is likely to be one of the club’s most saleable assets should they be relegated at the end of the campaign and according to The Sun, that has put the likes of Liverpool and United on alert.

Mbappe to Real Madrid latest
09:02 , Malik OuziaReal Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has suggested the club will wait until the end of the season before making their move for Kylian Mbappe.Mbappe has already said he will see out the campaign with PSG, rather than looking to move this month, but entering the final six months of his deal, he is already eligible to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs. Asked whether Real could try to get a deal done early, Ancelotti said: “I don’t know. We think we will continue to fight for titles.“It’s an interesting moment because we’re back in La Liga, we have the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. It’s an important moment. [Moving for Mbappe is] the last thing to do, which I think is what will happen on June 30.”

Lukaku to meet with Tuchel today
08:57 , Malik OuziaAs for what we know for sure regarding Romelu Lukaku’s future, the forward is set to hold a crucial meeting with Thomas Tuchel today.Speaking after the draw with Liverpool yesterday, Tuchel said he would also consult senior players before deciding whether to bring Lukaku back into the fold ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham. “I don’t take decisions in the office or around my thoughts,” Tuchel said. “I take decisions for the team and I listen to them.“I hear their opinion, what they think and then I make my decisions once I hear them out. It is their club, their team and it is not a personal thing from me to decide only on my thoughts.“We have a squad who we protect, which is strong in belief and behaviours. This is how we take decisions, not only this time, but we regularly speak to the five or six players to get their opinion and inside view.“We want a clearer understanding of the situation and take a decision on a bigger foundation.”

Lukaku wants shock Spurs move
08:52 , Malik OuziaThere’s only one place to start today and that’s with the latest on Romelu Lukaku’s situation - and a quite stunning report in the Italian press. The Belgian was dropped by Thomas Tuchel for yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool after an explosive interview in which he spoke off his unhappiness at Stamford Bridge and professed his love for Inter Milan.According to Gazzetta dello Sport, it is a reunion with former Inter boss Antonio Conte across London at Tottenham that would interest the forward if he is forced out of Chelsea this month.

Good morning!
08:50 , Malik OuziaHello and welcome to another day of Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the January transfer window. We’ll start with a round-up of all of today’s latest news and rumours...

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