Transfer news UPDATES: Chelsea to sign Higuain, Man Utd Skriniar £54m bid, Arsenal deal
Posted Thursday, January 10, 2019 by Express.co.uk
TRANSFER NEWS live updates as Premier League starts to get active in the January window. Chelsea are expecting a busy month, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are trying to get deals done. Barcelona and Real Madrid could also make moves before the window closes.
Done deal: Lewis Baker signs
Reading have signed Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker on a six-month loan deal.
Baker, 23, was scheduled to stay with Leeds for the season when he arrived in the summer, but having started only two games under boss Marcelo Bielsa - Chelsea cut his loan spell short.
Manager Jose Gomes said, "Lewis is a player of undoubted ability who, having grown up at Chelsea, has gone on to regularly represent his country at youth level and earn valuable first team experience on loan both in England and Holland.
"Importantly, he also knows what it takes to meet the demands of this division and I am looking forward to him joining the group in training for the first time tomorrow."
Transfer news: Man Utd have reportedly made a move for Milan Skriniar (Image: GETTY)
Christian Eriksen interest
Manchester United and Liverpool would be interested in signing Tottenham star Christian Eriksen, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
The 26-year-old still hasn't signed a contract extension, which has led to reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, according to journalist Duncan Castles.
However, Maguire thinks Premier League rivals United and Liverpool could also be interested.
"I think he would certainly be of interest to them," Maguire told the Daily Star. "And he would also be of interest to Liverpool as well.
"He's a superb player who can score goals from the midfield. "Players of that calibre are few and far between. With 18 months to go on his contract, Spurs could probably get ï¿¡45m for him."
Transfer news: Latest news and gossip as the deals start to happen in the January window (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd bid for Skriniar
Manchester United have made a ï¿¡54m (€60m) bid for Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar, it's claimed in Italy.
According to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, United are desperate to sign Skriniar, 23.
They say the Red Devils have already made a ï¿¡54m (€60m) offer for Inter Milan centre-back.
However Inter are said to be demanding around ï¿¡81m for the defender.
Kostas Manolas latest
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Roma defender Kostas Manolas, according to reports in Spain.
The Red Devils are looking to strengthen their defence after 32 goals in their 21 Premier League matches.
And Marca claim United are close to signing the impressive Manolas.
The Greece international has a ï¿¡30.75million release clause in his contract but it doesn't become active until the summer.
Manchester United are unwilling to risk missing out on Manolas though and want him to make the switch to Old Trafford this month.
Reading have signed Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker on a six-month loan deal (Image: READING FC)
Ramsey considering Spanish club
Aaron Ramsey is considering an offer from a Spanish club, according to Guillem Balague.
"Because he's free, he's got quality and experience he is wanted by many others including two Spanish clubs," he told the GB Transfer Podcast.
"I think he's said no to one of them, but he's considering the other one which means he hasn't taken a decision yet of going to Juventus yet.
"He's leaving that for a little bit later."
Hector Herrera battle
Arsenal are one of several clubs chasing Porto midfielder Hector Herrera.
That's according to Italian website Tuttomercatoweb, who claim Herrera could potentially replace Aaron Ramsey at the Emirates Stadium.
Herrera's contract expires in June and the Mexico international will be available on a free transfer.
It's believed Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Wolves, Roma and Inter Milan are all monitoring the situation wth interest.
Transfer news: Aaron Ramsey is weighing up a move to Spain (Image: GETTY)
Mauro Icardi latest
The agent of Inter Milan star Mauro Icardi has confirmed that Barcelona are interested in signing the striker.
Nara Icardi, Mauro's wife and representative, gave a revealing interview with Spanish newspaper AS in which she fuelled the recent transfer speculation.
The Argentina forward's contract runs until June 2021 but talks over a new deal haven't progressed with Nara claiming the two parties are "very far away" from an agreement.
"Right now, Icardi's renewal with Inter is very far away," Nara Icardi told AS. "We're far from reaching an agreement. The figures being talked about in Italy aren't true and we haven't received a satisfactory proposal from Inter yet.
"I won't deny that we can reach an agreement, but right now we're very far apart. It's not logical to renew Mauro's contract for the amount he currently earns.
"We believe Mauro is worth more than that. There are some very important clubs interested in signing him.
"For example, there are the two biggest clubs in Spain, with whom we have excellent relationships, plus an English team and a French one."
Barcelona news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from the Nou Camp (Image: GETTY)
Fabregas deal latest
Cesc Fabregas has agreed a contract to join Monaco, but the deal will not go through until Chelsea sign
According to Balague, the deal will only be completed once a replacement is signed.
"Everything has been confirmed, that he's got an agreement with Monaco for three years from the summer," he said on the GB Transfer Show.
"But Chelsea wants a replacement before they let him go. I can tell you that I think he's ready to make that move.
"It will be important that Monaco do their part as well because if in the next four games, maybe the whole of January, if Chelsea are looking for their replacement and do not get any victory the target of staying up is going to be very, very difficult.
"The rules is that Chelsea will look for somebody else in his place and he is ready to move on."
Transfer news: Cesc Fabregas is set to join Monaco (Image: GETTY)
Bayern 'really want' Callum Hudson-Odoi
Bayern Munich chief Hasan Salihamidzic has confirmed the club 'really want to sign' Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi.
They have launched a number of bids for the 18-year-old already with the latest said to be ï¿¡35m despite there being just 18 months to run on his contract.
And sporting director Salihamidzic has confirmed Bayern are desperate to land him.
"He is a very interesting player whom we really want to sign," Salihamidzic added of the 18-year-old.
"He has qualities that fit into our game. He can dribble well and has a drive towards goal. He has a lot of potential."
Transfer news: Bayern chief confirms they want to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi (Image: GETTY)
Palace eye Abraham deal
Crystal Palace have entered the complicated race for Tammy Abraham.
Abraham, on loan at Aston Villa from Chelsea, rejected a move to Wolves yesterday suggesting he would stay put in the Championship.
The striker had missed training at Villa on Monday while talk of a move to Wolves increased.
Chelsea appear to be keen to move him to a Premier League side after scoring 16 goals in 20 Championship games.
But he opted against joining Wolves on loan instead and now Crystal Palace want to get involved.
Transfer news: Tammy Abraham is on Crystal Palace's radar (Image: GETTY)
Guardiola wants Kompany stay
Pep Guardiola wants Vincent Kompany to stay at Manchester City as he enters the final months of his contract.
Guardiola said: "I would like it.
"He is our captain, he has spent 11 years here.
"We saw with the last two games, his problem is that he can only play in one of them [Kompany was in the line-up against Liverpool last week but then sat out the FA Cup win over Rotherham].
"His only problem is his physical injuries."
Transfer news: Pep Guardiola wants Vincent Kompany to stay at City (Image: GETTY)
Wolves told to go for Wilson
Former Wolves winger Shane Tudor has told the club to forget Tammy Abraham and go for Callum Wilson.
Wilson is on Chelsea's radar as Maurizio Sarri looks for a striker, but Tudor thinks Wolves should turn it into a ï¿¡40m battle.
"I feel you'd have to spend ï¿¡40m, but ï¿¡40m guarantees you a striker who is going to score goals. In the Premier League, ï¿¡20m is a gamble.
"Is he going to score goals? I know Jimenez misses a host of chances, probably most, week-in and week-out.
"But he can hold the ball up. He still brings others in to play and he's been effective at times. Is Abraham going to provide that in the Premier League? There's a massive gap between the two.
"For me, I'd be tempted to double the money and go out and sign - or at or least be in the market - for Callum Wilson. You might not compete with Chelsea, but be in the market."
Transfer news: Callum Wilson is on Chelsea's radar in the transfer window (Image: GETTY)
Suarez deal
Arsenal could look to use Aaron Ramsey in part of the deal to sign Denis Suarez, according to the Evening Standard.
Suarez is Unai Emery's top target and is keen to seal a switch away from Barcelona while Aaron Ramsey is expecting to leave in the summer.
Juventus are the favourites to land Ramsey but Barca were interested at one point and the Standard say a compromise could be met between the two clubs to swap the players.
But it is also said that Emery wants both Ramsey and Suarez for the second half of the season.
Transfer news: Arsenal are hoping to sign Denis Suarez from Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Higuain could sign today
Gonzalo Higuain's move to Chelsea could be finalised today, according to Spanish publication Marca.
Higauin, who played for Real Madrid in Spain, has reportedly agreed to Chelsea's offer and the two clubs are now thrashing out a deal.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to invest in the team this month after already shelling out on Christian Pulisic.
And a striker is top of Maurizio Sarri's agenda - and Higuain his top target.
Transfer news: Gonzalo Higuain is Maurizio Sarri's top target for Chelsea (Image: GETTY)
Koulibaly wait
Manchester United have accepted they will have to wait until the summer before signing Kalidou Koulibaly, according to ESPN.
The Napoli star is among United's defender targets as they look to add a top quality centre-back.
But the Serie A side are unlikely to let him leave this month leaving United needing either to wait or look at other options.
And ESPN claim United are willing to wait although they are also keen on Inter's Milan Skriniar, AC Milan's Alessio Romagnoli and Leicester's Harry Maguire.
Arsenal have triggered an extension to the contract of left-back Nacho Monreal (Image: GETTY)
Nacho Monreal contract
Arsenal have triggered an extension to the contract of left-back Nacho Monreal.
The Spaniard is now tied down at the Emirates until the end of next season.
ESPN claim Arsenal have confirmed to them that Monreal is now signed up until the summer of 2020.
Unai Emery was keen to keep the 32-year-old as he is the most senior left-back at the club.
Talks over a long-term contract have been put on hold now with questions over the defender's fitness.
Almiron Newcastle deal at risk
Miguel Almiron wants ï¿¡100,000 a week to join Newcastle and could miss out on a move because of his huge demands.
The Atlanta United star is Rafa Benitez's top target this month but time is running out to secure a deal.
Newcastle are hopeful of adding to their squad this month as they try to avoid relegation.
But the player's wage demands, which amount to in excess of ï¿¡100,000 a week, and agent fees are major stumbling blocks.
Sources on Tyneside have described the figures involved as "astronomical", with the gap between what the Almiron camp wants and what the Magpies are prepared to pay a significant distance apart.
John Aldridge has called on Jurgen Klopp to sign a centre-back of Kalidou Koulibaly's stature (Image: GETTY)
Wanted: Kalidou Koulibaly
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has called on Jurgen Klopp to sign a centre-back of Kalidou Koulibaly's stature in January.
Aldridge doesn't think Dejan Lovren isn't good enough to help Liverpool secure their first league title in 28 years.
Koulibaly, meanwhile, has been in superb form again this season and is said to be wanted by Manchester United.
Speaking to the Irish Independent he said: "We have seen the impact made by Virgil van Dijk since his ï¿¡75m arrival last January and I wonder whether a move for a powerhouse defender like Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly could give Klopp's side the bit they need at the back.
"Top-quality opposition continue to get joy out of targeting Lovren, as he as a tendency to lose concentration and this is why I believe Van Dijk needs an A-list defensive partner."
Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea and Tottenham want AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie (Image: GETTY)
Elseid Hysaj pursuit
Chelsea are still interested in signing Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj.
The Blues have often been linked with the versatile full-back, who can play on either flank, but a transfer has never materialised.
Now, the Evening Standard report that a deal could happen this month.
They claim that Maurizio Sarri wants his former Pupil at Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.
However, It's said that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis could did his heels to stop his former manager luring the Albania international to London.
Hysaj, 24, could cost upwards of ï¿¡45million.
Transfer News: Chelsea are still interested in signing Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj (Image: GETTY)
Tottenham vs Chelsea transfer battle
Tottenham could fight London rivals Chelsea for AC Milan star Franck Kessie, reports indicate.
ESPN claim Spurs are keen on getting Kessie on board during the January transfer window.
And it appears that interest has come as they have kept tabs on him as he has flourished at Milan.
Spurs are not alone in eyeing up Kessie, with cross-city foes Chelsea also said to be eager to snap him up.
Transfer News: Chelsea are still interested in signing Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj (Image: GETTY)
Munir El Haddadi exit
Barcelona and Ernesto Valverde want Munir El Haddadi sold in January.
El Haddadi's contract expires in June and the once-capped Spain international has decided NOT to extend his stay at the Nou Camp.
The snub means Munir will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club outside of Spain and leave on a free transfer this summer.
The decision has not gone down well with Munir being told he would no longer be selected for first-team duty.
"It seems Munir has taken a decision and, evidently, the club have also made a decision," Valverde said. "We want a solution as soon as possible. If that can be this month, even better."
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