Transfer news UPDATES: Chelsea signing 'agreed', £27m Liverpool talks, Man Utd, Arsenal
Posted Monday, December 31, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: Starsport brings you the latest gossip coming out of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd ahead of the January window.
Higuain to Chelsea odds
Chelsea are the hot favourites to sign Juventus ace Gonzalo Higuain in the January transfer window.
Blues head coach Maurizio Sarri is desperate to land a new No.9 after dropping Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata to the bench in recent weeks.
Sarri is eager to work with Higuain again, having got the best out of him at former club Napoli.
As a result of Chelsea’s mounting interest, Coral have slashed the odds on the 31-year-old joining from 4/5 to 1/2 on.
Coral spokesman John Hill told Starsport: “The betting suggests Gonzalo Higuain moving to Chelsea is one of the most likely transfers to take place next month as Maurizio Sarri will be keen to add his ranks up front in his squad.”
Transfer news: Chelsea are odds-on favourites to sign Gonzalo Higuain (Pic: GETTY)
Rangers transfer discussions revealed by Gerrard
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has revealed what is being discussed behind-closed-doors at the club - with recalling striker Ryan Hardie from a loan spell at Livingston on the agenda for January.
“It's a possibility that we might recall Ryan in January," he said. "It's one that we're discussing in-house at the moment but haven't made a final decision on.
“What it will depend on is if we're able to add someone to the squad. If we do that, we'll probably leave him where he is. But if we can't make that happen, it's an option."
Chelsea only side to bid for Pulisic
Chelsea are the only side to have made a firm offer for Christian Pulisic, the Borussia Dortmund and USA star.
That's according to German football expert Raphael Honigstein.
”My understanding is that Chelsea are the only team that have made a firm offer at the moment," he said on the Sunday Supplement.
“It is kind of agreed that the player will move in the summer definitely because he still has a year to run on his contract.
"Unless someone matches Chelsea's offer or exceeds it, he'll go there."
Juventus want Paul Pogba back
Juventus are confident they can get Paul Pogba back at the club next summer.
The Sunday Express report the Italian champions won't give up on a deal for the Manchester United star, who left Turin for Old Trafford in 2016 for £89m.
Barcelona are also keeping tabs on the situation.
Transfer news: Aaron Ramsey is attracting interest from Juventus (Pic: GETTY)
Chelsea eye £80m Real Madrid star Isco
Chelsea are plotting an £80m deal for Real Madrid's Isco.
The Spanish playmaker is wanted by the Blues, and the Sun on Sunday report he could cost £80-£100m in January.
Celtic eyeing THREE January deals
Brendan Rodgers wants two strikers and a full-back in January at Parkhead.
The Scottish Daily Star understands a £1.75m bid for Ivorian striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo has been tabled, with a loan swoop for PSG's Timothy Weah being worked on too.
Celtic are also keen on Atalanta’s Belgian international full-back Timothy Castagne but the Italians are unwilling to make him available next month.
Liverpool to sign £27m midfielder?
Liverpool have reportedly opened talks with Trabzonspor over a deal for midfielder Abdulkadir Omur.
Jurgen Klopp has made it clear he is happy with his squad but he may be looking at ways to strengthen as Liverpool continue their title charge.
Reports have suggested Fabinho could be set for a move to PSG and his departure would leave a gap in midfield.
According to Turkish newspaper Fotomac, Liverpool are considering a move for Omur.
The 19-year-old is among Europe’s brightest prospects and his club value him at around £27m.
But the report claims Liverpool face competition for his signature, with Roma and Manchester City also believed to be keen.
Pirlo on Ramsey
Andrea Pirlo believes Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey is a ‘complete player’ and believes he would be a good signing for Juventus.
Juve are working on a deal to sign the Welshman with Arsenal ready to let him go when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Ramsey will be free to talk to foreign clubs about a summer move from January 1, with his Arsenal deal set to expire in June.
"He is a talented player," Pirlo told Sky in Italy. "He is a complete player who can do pretty much everything. And he scores a lot. Ramsey is a great purchase."
Transfer news: Adrien Rabiot remains linked with Liverpool (Pic: GETTY)
Liverpool linked with Rabiot
Liverpool are being linked once again with a move for PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
A report in the Mirror reads: “Liverpool could reignite their interest in Adrien Rabiot with PSG eager to cash in on the Frenchman in January.
“Rabiot has been banished by boss Thomas Tuchel after failing to sign a new contract with the Ligue 1 leaders.
“The midfielder’s last appearance came as a substitute in the win over Red Star earlier this month.”
Klopp warned
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been warned off adding new players to his squad in January.
Tim Sherwood believes Klopp would run the risk of upsetting the dressing room if he dips into his kitty next month.
"It's really dangerous for people to think they need to add extra players," Sherwood told Sky Sports’ The Debate.
"You can change the whole dynamic of your dressing room by doing that. They are in this position and I wouldn't sign another player."
Madrid eye Ramsey switch
Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey is wanted by Real Madrid and Gareth Bale may be key to a deal materialising, according to reports.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, PSG, Juventus and Real Madrid have all been linked with a move for the midfielder recently.
But according to Calciomercato, the latter may have a good chance of nabbing Ramsey due to Bale.
The Italian outlet claims Madrid will attempt to lure the Arsenal star to the Bernabeu by getting fellow Welshman Bale to urge his counterpart to choose the La Liga side.
Transfer news: Aaron Ramsey set to join Juventus? (Pic: Getty)
Ozil to go?
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has called on the club to SELL Mesut Ozil as soon as possible.
The Starsport columnist said: "Arsenal have got to get rid of Mesut Ozil.
"They need his wages off the books because he is giving them nothing at the moment.
"He hardly ever plays and, when he does, the manager is taking him off at half-time."
Transfer news LIVE - All the latest gossip from around Europe (Pic: Getty)
Isco chase heats up
Manchester United will hold talks with Isco’s agent about a move to Old Trafford for the Real Madrid star.
But it is claimed Isco favours a move to PSG, with Real pal Karim Benzema offering advice about a move to France.
Paris United claim the club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi yesterday met with Isco’s dad to talk over a potential move.
The publication claims United, Juventus, Paris St-Germain, Barcelona, United and Chelsea have all been contacted about a move also.
Transfer news: Isco is being chased by a number of clubs (Pic: Getty)
Ramsey to Juve done?
Arsenal ace Aaron Ramsey has agreed to join Juventus, it has been claimed.
The Welshman is free to talk to foreign clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement from January 1.
But Rai Sports journalist Ciro Venerato believes Ramsey has already agreed to join Juventus.
"Aaron Ramsey will sign a four-year contract with Juventus until 2023 with an option for another year. Earning £7.2million (€8million) per year," he said.
Transfer news: Pulisic to Chelsea? (Pic: Getty)
Pulisic odds
Chelsea are odds-on favourites to sign Borussia Dortmund ace Christian Pulisic after a flurry of bets on the deal going through next month.
The Blues are on the hunt for long-term replacements for Pedro and Willian - and Pulisic would fit the bill.
Jurgen Klopp briefly worked with the Pennsylvania-born star during his spell in charge of Borussia Dortmund.
But Liverpool are only second favourites at 7/2 to sign Pulisic, while Chelsea are 8/11 to seal his signature in the January transfer window.
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