Transfer news UPDATES: Chelsea agreement, Man Utd talks, Liverpool target, Arsenal latest

Posted Thursday, January 17, 2019 by Express.co.uk

TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - Follow the latest news and gossip as Manchester United open contract talks, Chelsea look to sign Gonzalo Higuain, and Liverpool target a versatile defender. Barcelona, Arsenal and Real Madrid also consider targets.

Gonzalo Higuain to Chelsea agreed

Chelsea have agreed to sign Gonzalo Higuain.

The Blues will sign the striker on a six-month loan deal after agreeing a deal with Juventus.

The Argentine, currently on loan at AC Milan, is desperate to reunite with Maurizio Sarri.

Sky Italy claim the Blues could then sign Higuain on a permanent deal in the summer.

Transfer news UPDATES: Chelsea agreement, Man Utd talks, Liverpool target, Arsenal latest
Transfer news LIVE (Image: GETTY)

Denis Suarez to Arsenal update

Arsenal are facing serious financial problems which could hinder their move for Barcelona ace Denis Suarez, football finance expert Kieran Maguire claims.

He told the Daily Star: “This is where Arsenal have got a problem.

“They’ve got to be careful because of the problems they’ve got with financial fair play.

“Not qualifying for the Champions League has cost them a lot of money.

“I know they've been linked with Denis Suarez and they could probably get him for £10m.

“But the most they can afford over this window is £20-£25m.

“I don't think they'll be at the upper ends of the market in terms of what they can afford to buy and also if you look at Stan Kroenke, he's said he wants the club to be self-financing.”

Transfer news UPDATES: Chelsea agreement, Man Utd talks, Liverpool target, Arsenal latest
Transfer news LIVE (Image: GETTY)

Philippe Coutinho swap?

Barcelona may consider selling Philippe Coutinho to Chelsea if Willian and a significant cash sum is sent in the opposite direction.

That’s according to The Guardian, who suggest Stamford Bridge could be a viable option for the Brazil international.

Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in a £142million transfer deal back in the summer but, despite that, has struggled at the Nou Camp.

As a result, talk is rife the Brazil international could join Manchester United either this month or at the end of the season.

ESPN journalist David Aymoral believes the Catalan giants would sell for £88million - but Chelsea could potentially lower than fee by using Willian as a makeweight.

Transfer news UPDATES: Chelsea agreement, Man Utd talks, Liverpool target, Arsenal latest
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

Wanted: Leon Bailey

Chelsea have made an approach for Bayern Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, according to the Jamaican’s step-father, Craig Butler.

Bailey, 21, has frequently been linked with a Premier League switch but has rejected deals in favour of regular first-team action in the Bundesliga.

However, he’s been used as more of an impact substitution this campaign - and Bailey’s step-father says he’s struggled to come to terms with the situation.

“I am very happy that this change has come about,” Butler told German outlet SportBild. “Leon did not develop under Heiko Herrlich.

“For Leon it is very important that he enjoys football, he lives alone in Germany, the family is in Jamaica, and if Leon does not have fun, it kills him.

“Top clubs have come forward, Real and Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Roma, and in recent months they have been surprised that Leon plays so seldom, wondering why a top league player like him is suddenly sitting on the bench.”

Eder Militao battle

Manchester United face competition from Liverpool and Everton in the race for Portuguese defender Eder Militao.

The defender had been earmarked as a potential signing by Jose Mourinho last month and the club are still monitoring his situation.

However, according to UOL Sport, Manchester United will need to battle with Everton and Liverpool.

Real Madrid have also been linked but the Brazilian publication claims the defenders wants to move to England.

Krzysztof Piatek help?

Barcelona could hand Chelsea a huge boost as they divert their attention away from Genoa forward Krzysztof Piatek.

AC Milan are desperate to snare him.

And, crucially for Chelsea, Gonzalo Higuain will only be allowed to leave the San Siro and join the Blues once a replacement is sourced.

Barca had been touted as potential suitors.

However, according to Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo they are more interested in Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Luka Jovic.

Chelsea’s life has been made easier with Barca ruling themselves out of contention.

Piatek has already bagged 19 goals for Genoa this season and Milan chiefs view him as a direct replacement for Higuain.

Steven Bergwijn

Manchester United are considering a move for PSV Eindhoven winger Steven Bergwijn, reports claim.

The Red Devils reportedly sent scouts to watch Bergwijn, who has scored 10 goals and provided eight assists in all competitions this season.

The Sun claim United and Premier League rivals Liverpool went to watch the twice-capped Holland international last year.

And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are now weighing up a £25million offer.

Luca Ercolani talks

Manchester United have opened contract talks with defender Luca Ercolani, reports claim.

Ercolani, 19, joined Manchester United from Serie D side Forli in 2016 and has since represented Italy at Under-20 level.

His current contract is sue to expire in June with various clubs in Italy and across Europe interested in securing the teenager’s signature.

However, website Tuttomercatoweb report that ‘negotiations have begun’ over the last couple of days to extend Ercolani’s stay at Old Trafford.

Ercolani hasn’t made his senior debut with United but has made a number of appearances for the club’s development team in Premier League 2 and in the UEFA Youth League.

Scott McTominay loan

Manchester United are considering sending midfielder Scott McTominay on a sixth-month loan deal.

That’s according to Sky Sports, who claim various clubs in England and Scotland have expressed interest in McTominay.

The 22-year-old has played one-minute of Premier League football under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and could sent on loan to secure regular first-team football.

It’s said that United are still undecided whether to let McTominay leave Old Trafford because of fellow midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

He’s only one Premier League game since United were defeated at Manchester City on 11 November and has been linked with an exit.

Jurgen Klopp transfer plan

Jurgen Klopp is targeting one player that can play in two positions this month.

The German is looking for a versatile defender following a raft of injuries to players in his backline.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren are all out and with Nathaniel Clyne leaving on loan for Bournemouth, the Reds are short.

The Daily Record claim Liverpool’s recruitment team are looking for a defensive midfielder this month who is also comfortable playing at centre-back.

Liverpool are looking for Premier League title glory but are aware it may take bolstering their defensive options this month to achieve that goal.

Chelsea swap deal

Chelsea’s efforts to sign Gonzalo Higuain have taken another twist, with Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett claiming there have been talks over two possible swap deals involving the Argentine.

He claims Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata could move to Milan in a straight swap.

But Dorsett also says Juventus are keen on Blues wing-back Emerson Palmieri and a deal could instead be sorted with the Italian.

“It just adds more complications to it because there is two possible swap deals that we understand are being discussed,” Dorsett said on Sky Sports News.

“The first could be a straight swap with Alvaro Morata going to Milan and Higuain going in the other direction.

“A slightly more complicated one concerns Emerson. Chelsea would let him go and there is some talk of him possibly being used in a swap deal with Juventus who are keen on him, with Higuain coming as part of that deal.

“So again more complications to this deal, there is a lot of complex conversations going on behind the scenes.”

Denis Suarez talks

Arsenal have moved a step closer to signing Denis Suarez from Barcelona after holding positive talks.

Arsenal want to sign the midfielder on loan and are likely to have to include a permanent signing clause for the summer worth around £18m.

Barcelona only want to do a permanent deal but a compromise is now close.

Emery wants to use Suarez on the wings where Henrikh Mkhitaryan has underperformed, Mesut Ozil is being frozen out and Aaron Ramsey is heading for Juventus.

Philippe Coutinho fee

Philippe Coutinho has been tipped to leave Barcelona for Manchester United - and the Barcelona will reportedly demand only around €100million (£88m) to let the Brazilian go.

Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in a £142million transfer deal back in the summer but, despite that, has struggled at the Nou Camp.

As a result, talk is rife the Brazil international could join Manchester United either this month or at the end of the season.

Reports from Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo have claimed Manchester United have contacted the player’s agent about a transfer as they look to sharpen their vastly-improving attack.

ESPN journalist David Aymoral believes a deal is unlikely this month.

But Barcelona will reportedly demand around £88m to let the player go - which seems relatively low.

Aymoral told ESPN: “A deal looks rather unlikely in January, since the Blaugrana would want more than €100 million to even consider the departure of the crown jewel of their transfer campaign last winter.”