Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd agree deal, Mesut Ozil Arsenal claim, Liverpool, Chelsea news

Transfer news LIVE - all the latest rumours and gossip coming out of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Posted Friday, October 25, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Mateo Mejia settlement

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Spanish prodigy Mateo Mejia.

That’s according to El Periodico, who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will pay £130k for the teenager.

Mejia, 16, has been a Manchester United player since June but a financial agreement that will remove the need for UEFA to get involved has only just been reached.

Meija scored 60 goals last season in Zaragoza's youth side and has linked up with United’s Under-18 squad - making the bench twice against Derby and Everton in recent weeks.

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd agree deal, Mesut Ozil Arsenal claim, Liverpool, Chelsea news
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

Ben Chilwell and James Maddison blows

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is facing a January transfer blow with Leicester duo Ben Chilwell and James Maddison reportedly almost impossible to sign in January.

United feel they need someone to challenge Luke Shaw at left-back, which is why Chilwell is on their radar.

Maddison, meanwhile, is seen as the creative talent needed to help attackers Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in their quest for goals.

Yet the Manchester Evening News say that both players will be almost impossible to sign in January.

That’s because Leicester are pushing for Champions League football next season and want to keep their squad together.

Thomas Muller plan

Manchester United are eyeing a surprise transfer deal for Thomas Muller, reports in Germany claim.

The 30-year-old has had to settle for a bit-part role at Bayern Munich in recent times, leaving the German international questioning his future.

And according to BILD, Manchester United are lining up a winter move.

The forward has been on the club’s radar for quite some time, with former boss Louis van Gaal failing to sign him in the summer of 2015.

Muller has fallen out of favour under Niko Kovac but recently defused speculation claiming that he could leave the Allianz Arena.

Wanted: Denis Zakaria

Manchester United are looking to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria.

That’s according to reports in Germany, that claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified Zakaria as the man to replace Ander Herrera.

Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have all expressed interest in the 22-year-old.

But the Red Devils could land the first blow for the Switzerland international, who is valued at £43million.

Barcelona double swoop

Barcelona are monitoring two of Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan defenders.

The Spanish champions are short at the back with centre-back Samuel Umtiti out injured and defensive reinforcements are a top priority.

Calciomercato claim Barcelona have their sights on Stefan De Vrij and Milan Skriniar, who have both played every minute of Inter’s last nine fixtures in all competitions.

Skriniar, who has also been linked with Manchester City and Manchester United, and de Vrij are both contracted at the San Siro until June 2023.

Zidane sack latest

Real Madrid’s players are working even harder to help manager Zinedine Zidane avoid the sack.

Reports claim Jose Mourinho has been tipped to replace the French tactician at the Bernabeu.

And that, according to Spanish newspaper AS, has galvanised the Real Madrid dressing room to raise their levels to avoid Mourinho’s return.

AS claim the squad has ‘little appetite for a change of coach’ and the seven senior figures from Mourinho’s three-year tenure are against the prospect of the Portuguese in the dugout.

Fabian Ruiz chase

Manchester City are interested in signing Fabian Ruiz as they look to open transfer talks with Napoli for the first time since the summer of 2018, when they tried to convince Jorginho to head to the Etihad Stadium.

City stepped up their pursuit of Ruiz on Wednesday night as they scouted the midfielder as Napoli won 3-2 away to Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League, report The Guardian.

Napoli’s £155.5m valuation may be key as City look to re-engage in transfer talks with the Serie A club for the first time since they tried to sign Jorginho in 2018.

Etihad chiefs were in fierce competition with Chelsea for the midfield metronome but missed out as the Italian followed Maurizio Sarri to Stamford Bridge.

Relations between the two clubs were said to have taken “a turn for the worse” over the transfer.

But that should not play against City’s chances of signing Ruiz - with Barcelona and Real Madrid also interested - unless they fail to meet Napoli’s valuation.

Dani Ceballos deal?

It’s too soon to talk about Arsenal signing Dani Ceballos on permanent basis.

That’s according to Gunners boss Unai Emery, who claims the Spanish star still needs time to adapt to the Premier League.

"I think it is too soon to say that. Ceballos is doing great things here, he is playing regularly,” Emery said when quizzed about signing the Real Madrid loanee.

"Of course I know he has a lot of potential and I think this is just the beginning. But, always, all the players need time to adapt to the Premier League. We are only in October, still a long way to take that process.”