Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool deal close, Man Utd's Koulibaly boost, SHOCK Arsenal exit
TRANSFER NEWS continues to dominate the back pages with the January window at the halfway stage and Starsport is on hand to bring you all the latest football gossip.
Posted Wednesday, January 16, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk
- Manchester United are confident they can lure Kalidou Koulibaly to Old Trafford in the summer with the defender unhappy in Italy amid racist abuse he's received
- Liverpool are reportedly edging closer to signing Red Bull Salzburg striker Moanes Dabour
Luiz contract talks
David Luiz remains in talks with Chelsea over a new contract, contrary to reports.
Brazilian publications claimed the defender was at odds with the Blues in recent days.
But agent Kia Joorabchian has dismissed such rumours as fiction.
"Contrary to some reports we are in a very amicable situation with Chelsea," Joorabchian told The Sun.
"We are trying to work out a deal for David Luiz because he wants to stay, the manager wants him to stay and so does the club.
"I'm sure something will be worked out."
Transfer news: David Luiz is in talks over extending his Chelsea stay (Pic: GETTY)
Fulham DONE DEAL
Fulham have signed Ryan Babel on a permanent deal until the end of the season.
The winger makes his return to English football having previously played for Liverpool between 2007 and 2011.
Babel scored 29 times in 89 games for previous club Besiktas.
Babel told the club's official website: "My first impressions are good and I'm very excited.
"I definitely have faith that Fulham can stay up. That's one of the reasons that I'm here, to try and help that to happen. I'm ready to go, I'm excited and I can't wait."
Transfer news: Fulham have signed Ryan Babel (Pic: GETTY)
Arsenal eye Rodriguez
James Rodriguez is supposedly available to Arsenal for just £3m with Bayern Munich ready to end his loan spell from Real Madrid.
The Gunners have been alerted to the possibility of taking over the deal until the summer.
Rodriguez is currently 18 months into his two-year loan with the Bundesliga champions.
According to the Daily Mail, Bayern would let him go if Arsenal pay the £3m to which Real would be entitled for the six remaining months of his loan.
Rodriguez's potential arrival in north London is not specifically said to rely on Mesut Ozil leaving the club this month.
Transfer news: Arsenal are keeping tabs on James Rodriguez (Pic: GETTY)
Man Utd's Koulibaly boost
Manchester United will offer Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly an escape route away from Italy's racists.
The Red Devils have made the Senegal star, 27, a prime summer target.
And they believe he will attempt to force his departure from the serie A club after being targeted by bigots.
The centre-back was sent off after being targeted with monkey chants when Napoli were beaten 1-0 at Inter Milan on Boxing Day.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti blamed the red card on the referee's refusal to halt the game – and later backed his player when he threatened to walk off the pitch if there was any repeat of the problem.
The issue has left Koulibaly devastated – and a move now appears the most likely outcome.
Transfer news: Starsport brings you all the latest football gossip during the January window (Pic: GETTY)
Liverpool deal close
Liverpool are reportedly edging closer to signing Red Bull Salzburg striker Moanes Dabour and are pondering over whether to launch a bid.
Liverpool have already allowed Dominic Solanke to join Bournemouth leaving a gap in their forward ranks.
According to Transfer Market Web, the Israeli international is getting 'closer and closer' to joining the Reds.
They say Liverpool are now weighing up whether to launch a €25m (£22m) bid for the 26-year-old.
Dabour has been linked with a switch away from Austria with Fulham, Leeds and Valencia all linked with the striker keen on a fresh challenge.
Transfer news: Could Moanes Dabour become Jurgen Klopp's first January signing? (Pic: GETTY)
Chelsea's Paredes pursuit
Chelsea's pursuit of Leandro Paredes could see N'Golo Kante or Jorginho leave the club.
That's according to football finance boffin Kieran Maguire.
But the football finance expert believes this move could see others leave London.
Speaking exclusively to Starsport, Maguire said: "Fabregas became a squad player rather than a first choice.
"So I think he [Paredes] could shake things up.
"Their biggest issue is Kante and Jorginho.
"Trying to play those two in the same team is like playing [Frank] Lampard and [Steven] Gerrard in the same team.
"It doesn't quite work.
"So if he does come in, Sarri may have to let one of the others go."
Transfer news: Leandro Paredes is the subject of interest from Chelsea (Pic: GETTY)
Arsenal dilemma
Arsenal's head of recruitment Sven Mislintat could be heading back to Germany after only one year at the Emirates.
The former Borussia Dortmund talent-spotter is being chased by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who feel they can bring him back to Germany before the end of the season.
Mislintat is highly-regarded in his field and was expected to oversee major changes at the Arsenal helm.
But according to the Independent, the 46-year-old is already at odds with key member of the Gunners' hierarchy.
The publication write that Mislintat is failing to see eye-to-eye with director of football Raul Sanllehi, who also joined the north London side recently.
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