Transfer news LIVE updates: Man Utd world record £100m bid, Liverpool deal, Arsenal latest
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Posted Friday, December 14, 2018 by Express.co.uk
£100m bid…
Jose Mourinho is preparing to smash Manchester United’s transfer record in January for Kalidou Koulibaly according to reports.
The 27-year-old was recommended by former scout Javier Ribalta last summer.
And with United’s top four hopes hanging in the balance - Ed Woodward is prepared to splash the cash, according to the Evening Standard.
It’s claimed that with Napoli exiting the Champions League, the club may be prepared to let Koulibaly go for around £100million.
That fee would dwarf the £75m Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk and make Koulibaly, 27, the most expensive defender in history.
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
Alvaro Morata welome at Barcelona
Alvaro Morata would be ‘very welcome’ at Barcelona, according to defender Jordi Alba.
Morata has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge and reports have suggested that he could switch to the Nou Camp.
The striker’s agents are trying to engineer a move away from Chelsea – and intermediaries have made contact with the Spanish club about a possible move in January.
And Alba has spoken out on a potential move to Barcelona for the 26-year-old.
"Morata is a player that I appreciate a lot, he has been a top player for many years," Alba said. "At the end, it's the club's decision if they want to sign him or not, as with any other player.
"If the rumours are true, he would be very welcome, as all the new players are.”
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
Big money arrival
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group could put 'serious money' on the table for a huge January transfer, it's been claimed.
According to transfer expert Duncan Castles, FSG have tremendous faith in boss Jurgen Klopp and the club's recruitment department.
"I think we’ve seen in recent times with Liverpool that Fenway Sports Group have had no hesitation about putting serious money on the table to solve problem areas or improve upon what they’ve got in areas of the team," Castles told the Transfer Window Podcast.
"It would not surprise me if FSG did the same in January, because they’re prepared to go there and they’ve got a lot of faith in Jurgen Klopp and they’ve got a lot of faith in their recruitment department.”
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
Unsettled Ovie Ejaria
Steven Gerrard will hold crunch talks with Ovie Ejaria to decide whether the on-loan Liverpool youngster still has a Rangers future.
The 21-year-old England youth international was left behind in Glasgow while Gers failed to reach the Europa League last 32 after losing 1-0 to Rapid Vienna.
Gerrard admitted the midfield playmaker was "unsettled" at Ibrox after struggling to adapt to the physical nature of the game in Scotland.
Ejaria has often cut an isolated figure since moving to Scotland from Anfield on a season-long deal back in the summer.
And Gerrard now admits he may have to cut that loan arrangement short if the player decides he does not want to see out the campaign with Gers.
"That's something I need to discuss with Ovie in the coming days," Gerrard said. "I had a chat with Ovie a few days ago and he's slightly unsettled.
"Liverpool are aware of the situation - we're in dialogue with them and I'll have a conversation with Ovie on Friday and see where we go from there."
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
Poch jokes about interest
Mauricio Pochettino has joked Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is "worried" about the reports linking him with other jobs.
The Argentinian has been linked repeatedly with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United and his stock has increased yet further after he guided Spurs into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Pochettino, brought to north London by Levy in 2014, said, tongue in cheek, that Levy was "concerned" by the speculation, not that he felt the need to put his chairman's mind at ease.
"He no laugh," he said. "I don't get bored (about reading them) but he maybe is worried, he is concerned.
"But it's normal. It's not nice for Daniel to hear all that history.
"It's like in football, when appear the sporting director or the president and say, 'No, no, no. The manager is going to be here. We trust in him.' The next game, lose the game, out!
"If you reassure something it's because you are thinking in different (ways). He's a worry man! That is different. He suffers."
Romeu Lukaku is set to commit his future to Manchester United (Image: GETTY)
It was announced in April that Lukaku had ditched his agent Mino Raiola to put his professional career in the hands of Roc Nation Sports, whose founder is the rapper Jay-Z.
It came amid tensions between Raiola, Mourinho and Manchester Untied mounting.
Raiola had offered another one of his clients, Paul Pogba, to all the big European clubs just two years after United signed him for £89million.
That move riled Mourinho and United - and Lukaku subsequently took action.
Isco a ticking time bomb heading for explosive Real Madrid exit
The club would like to keep the attacker, but if the situation continues to deteriorate they will be willing to sell him
Isco’s situation at Real Madrid is a ticking time bomb at the club and the reigning European champions may be forced to sell the attacker if there is no improvement soon.
The talented attacker has run afoul of Santiago Solari in recent weeks after the manager’s appointment following Julen Lopetegui’s sacking at the end of October.
Part of the problem with Isco is his place in Solari’s system, which is a 4-3-3 that plays more direct than the playmaker is comfortable with. However, Madrid backs Solari in the matter, and believe Isco must adapt and play better if he is to earn more playing time.
The January transfer window is just weeks away and Premier League clubs are already working on deals to bolster their squads ahead of the second half of the season.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are expected to make moves next month.
While table toppers Liverpool may need to add a defender after Joel Matip joined Joe Gomez in the treatment room.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are also considering their options after mixed first halves of their campaigns in Spain.
Paul Pogba is a shorter price than ever to join Juventus.
Jose Mourinho has been urged to drop Pogba for the Liverpool game on Sunday and reports have emerged claiming Juventus will make an offer for him in January.
And Paddy Power have had to respond to a ‘large series of bets overnight and this morning’ by cutting his price to join in HALF.
Pogba is now 7/1 to join Juventus after being 14/1 yesterday.
Transfer news: Paul Pogba has been slashed to join Juventus (Image: GETTY)
Unai Emery is expected to sign wantaway Chelsea defender Gary Cahill in January.
The Blues captain has played only 21 minutes in the Premier League season with new manager Maurizio Sarri deeming the 32-year-old not a fit for his passing style.
Cahill is seeking a January move in the hope of securing a regular starting place, as he approaches the twilight of his career.
Clubs are circling for Cahill as the January transfer window looms and London rivals Arsenal are now the frontrunners to secure the Englishman’s signature.
On Thursday, Ladbrokes slashed their odds on Cahill’s next club being Arsenal from 6/1 to 7/4.
Transfer news LIVE updates - Follow the latest news and gossip (Image: GETTY)
Sanchez back to Arsenal
Alexis Sanchez will look for a move back to Arsenal this summer - but there’s one problem.
Sanchez has been a disaster at Old Trafford following his move from Arsenal and could look for a route back, according to Andrei Kanchelskis.
"Sanchez was the main man at Arsenal, but he’s just another player at United and he hasn’t been able to adapt to that,” he told Bwin. “He was loved by the Arsenal fans and got to be their idol, which pumped him with confidence every week, but with other major stars around him at United, he is failing to meet expectations.
"I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sanchez look for a move back to Arsenal in the summer transfer window. The only issue is, will he be able to demand the same wage if he leaves Man Utd.”
Transfer news: Alexis Sanchez could move back to Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
Transfer news: Gary Cahill is among Arsenal's targets (Image: GETTY)
Almiron warning
MLS star Miguel Almiron has been valued at over £30m by the Atlanta United president.
Newcastle and Arsenal have been linked with a move for the Paraguay ace.
Atlanta President Darren Eales, formerly of Spurs, said: “I will only get out of bed when it starts with a 3! That is the sort of level it has to be for a player of his quality.
"He’s that good? Yes, he’s great really.I am not surprised there is interest from top clubs. He has got great ability. He is faster with the ball than without. he reminds me a lot of Gareth Bale in that respect, from when I was at Spurs.”
Transfer news: Miguel Almiron will cost at least £30m (Image: GETTY)
Robertson to Barcelona
Liverpool hero David Thompson says Andy Robertson would 'not look out of place' if he signed for Barcelona.
Left-back Robertson, 24, joined Liverpool from Hull for £8million last year and is now regarded as one of the Premier League's best.
He is a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp's side and impressed again in the 1-0 win over Napoli on Tuesday night and Thompson reckons he would be good enough for Barca.
Including a red love heart in his post, Thompson tweeted: "Andy Robertson could play for Barca and not look out of place."
Transfer news: Andy Robertson would not look out of place at Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Hazard the talk of the town
Eden Hazard to Real Madrid is the most talked about transfer right now, according to Football Index.
Isco and Mesut Ozil are next on the list but are miles behind Hazard and a potential move to the Spanish capital.
Adam Cole, Football Index founder and CEO, said: “The transfer window is just around the corner and the drama is starting to unfold with some of football’s biggest names linked with moves in January.
"Transfers don’t get much bigger than Real Madrid’s rumoured pursuit of Eden Hazard, so it’s no surprise the Belgian has been linked with a move away 760 times, 500 times more than any other player.”
Transfer news: Eden Hazard has been linked with a move to Real Madrid (Image: Football Index)
West Ham line up Nasri deal
West Ham are set to sign Samir Nasri in January, according to a club insider.
Reliable Twitter user @ExWHUemployee broke news of all the big signings before they happened over the summer.
Ex - as he is more commonly known - revealed last month that boss Manuel Pellegrini was interested in Nasri, who played under him at Manchester City.
And he says Nasri is now in line to be handed a short-term contract after impressing in training.
Transfer news: Samir Nasri could join West Ham in January (Image: GETTY)
Pogba to Juve?
Juventus want to re-sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United.
The midfielder has struggled this season and has been in and out of the team in recent weeks.
And, according to Tuttosport, Juve could make a move to bring him back in January.
The Italian publication report that they could make an £80m move for him when the window opens.
Eric Bailly to Arsenal
Eric Baily is on Arsenal’s radar after his fall from grace at Old Trafford.
The Ivory Coast defender is among Unai Emery’s targets as he looks for reinforcements in January.
Emery has lost Rob Holding for the season an needs to recruit again in January.
And Bailly could be an option if Jose Mourinho is ready to let him leave United.
Transfer news: Eric Bailly could be on his way to Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
Morata back to Spain
Alvaro Morata could return to Spain after a poor start to the season with Chelsea - but he’s being linked with Barcelona.
Morata has struggled in England, scoring in patches, and is no longer a guaranteed starter at Stamford Bridge.
The 26-year-old has scored five times in 14 appearances in the Premier League.
Chelsea would need another striker if he left with only Olivier Giroud to call upon as back up.
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