Transfer news UPDATES: Liverpool £61m Benfica BID, Higuain Chelsea medical, Man Utd exit deal
Posted Saturday, January 19, 2019 by Express.co.uk
TRANSFER NEWS live updates - the latest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Real Madrid and Barcelona as the transfer window hots up.
Gonzalo Higuain medical in 48 hours
Gonzalo Higuain will reportedly arrive in London in the next 48 hours for medical and complete an initial six-month loan to Chelsea.
Sarri worked with Higuain at Napoli in the 2016-2017 season and Argentine scored 36 goals.
The Guardian say a breakthrough has finally been reached and the 31-year-old is expected in England this weekend to put pen to paper on a deal.
In a sign that an announcement could be close, the report claims Higuain has already said his goodbyes to his Milan team-mates.
Leandro Paredes agrees PSG deal
Chelsea’s pursuit of Leandro Paredes has taken a shock twist after the player has reportedly agreed a deal with PSG.
Paredes has been on the verge of completing a switch to Stamford Bridge but the deal seems to have gone quiet while Chelsea focus on signing Gonzalo Higuain.
According to RMC Sport, Paris-Saint Germain have now agreed terms with the Zenit Saint-Petersburg midfielder.
The Ligue 1 leaders are keen to bolster their midfield this window and have been tracking Idrissa Gana Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Julian Weigl.
But attentions have now turned to Paredes and they have tabled a four-and-a-half year contract to see him complete the switch to the French capital.
Francisco Trincao in Gunners sights
Arsenal could launch a January move for Francisco Trincao.
Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web claim the Gunners have recently had the Braga striker watched on a couple of occasions.
The 19-year-old is plying his trade with the Portuguese club’s B team and has made seven league appearances this season.
And it seems his performances when Arsenal personnel have been in attendance have led to glowing reports being sent back to London.
Arsenal could apparently soon make an approach to Braga in an attempt to buy Trincao.
Kyle McAllister back at St Mirren
St Mirren have brought Kyle McAllister back to the club on loan from Derby until the end of the season.
The winger made 17 appearances for Saints before being sold to Derby aged 17 two years ago but has yet to make his first-team breakthrough.
In a busy day for the club, defender Anton Ferdinand signed a contract extension until the end of the season while 21-year-old Bournemouth goalkeeper Jordan Holmes joined on loan after Danny Rogers suffered a knee injury.
Manager Oran Kearney told the club's website: "I'm very pleased to have Kyle in. Number one you want to get good players in, but I also think it's very important to have people who have come through the club and know what it is about.”
Emiliano Sala medical
Cardiff have edged closer to making Emiliano Sala their record signing after the Nantes striker underwent a medical on Friday.
The 28-year-old Argentinian would become Cardiff's second signing in the January transfer window after Everton striker Oumar Niasse joined on loan until the end of the season earlier in the day.
But Cardiff are not expected to complete the deal until early next week, with some reports in France suggesting that Sala will make his final Nantes appearance at Angers on Sunday.
The fee for the former Bordeaux and Caen forward, who has scored 12 times in Ligue 1 this season, would set a new club record.
Cardiff's current record transfer is the £11m paid for Chile midfielder Gary Medel in 2013.
Sarri sent message over ‘frightening’ Hudson-Odoi
Chelsea must keep Callum Hudson-Odoi at Stamford Bridge beyond the January transfer window.
That’s the opinion of former blues star Paul Canoville.
Speaking to talkSPORT he said: “Hudson-Odoi is a player Chelsea need. “We NEED that player. I’ve seen the guy play under Jody Morris [Chelsea’s former Under-18 head coach] and he is talented.
“They [Chelsea] know the talent of the player so they’re going to offer him [a new contract]. His agent is going to sort that out for him.
“He doesn’t really want to go, he wants to play. He wants to be starting the game and playing.”
Ousmane Dembele key to Philippe Coutinho's future
Ousmane Dembele could hold the key to Philippe Coutinho's future at Barcelona, reports in Spain suggest.
A few months ago, Dembele was seemingly on the verge of leaving Barcelona having been warned about his professionalism.
The Frenchman has since established himself in Ernesto Valverde’s starting XI forcing Coutinho to play second-fiddle.
Coutinho, 26, is said to be unhappy with his situation with reports linking him with a sensational move to Manchester United.
Marca say that IF Dembele continues to impress and improve - then life for Coutinho will be very difficult.
James Rodriguez staying put
James Rodriguez is set to stay at Bayern Munich for the remainder of the current season, dashing any hopes Arsenal had of signing him.
The Colombian star has been linked with a move to the Emirates but ESPN claim a move is unlikely because Bayern now want to keep him.
And it is claimed a source close to the player revealed he is not interested in the move himself.
Rodriguez has six months left to run on a two-year loan deal with the German giants but has been frozen out of the first team by manager Niko Kovac.
Anthony Martial contract latest
Manchester United are reportedly close to agreeing to a new five-year contract with Anthony Martial.
Martial’s contract was due to end in the summer but towards the end of last year, Manchester United triggered a 12-month extension clause.
And it now appears he is ready to commit his future to the club.
Sky Sports claim there has been a breakthrough in discussions with Martial and his representatives after he rejected an offer in October.
And the report says the 22-year-old is on the verge of signing a new five-year contract.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer talks Scott McTominay
Celtic were dealt a blow in their chase of Scott McTominay by Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
McTominay has acquired interest from Scottish champions Celtic, according to the Daily Record, who believed they could fashion a loan deal.
But Solskjaer has dampened speculation of McTominay, whose contract expires in June 2021, leaving.
“Scott is working hard,” the interim boss said. “He’s a young boy that I believe in. We’re working on his contract.
“With injuries, with [Marouane Fellaini] as well and the squad, I’m not too sure we’re going to have any movement at all.”
Liverpool sanction double exit
Liverpool will allow both Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno to leave the club at the end of the season, according to The Times.
The pair are both of contract at Anfield and have only fulfilled back-up roles in Jurgen Klopp’s squad over the last 12 months.
The Times report that Moreno is likely to return to La Liga, having come through Sevilla’s academy before a £12.5million switch to Merseyside in the summer of 2014 under Brendan Rodgers.
Sturridge, meanwhile, has seen his past three-and-a-half seasons struck by consistent injuries, although he has regained fitness this season.
Joao Felix bid rejected
Benfica have reportedly rejected Liverpool’s offer for attacking midfielder Joao Felix, reports claim.
Despite Jurgen Klopp announcing that incoming transfers were unlikely - Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha suggest otherwise.
They claim Liverpool offered £61million for the 19-year-old talent, who has netted four goals in nine league appearances.
Correio da Manha add that Premier League rivals Manchester United and Manchester City are also interested.
Liverpool 'still in’ for Timo Werner'
Liverpool are still interested in signing RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner.
That’s according to the London Evening Standard, who suggest the 22-year-old could replace Divock Origi at Anfield.
Tottenham are currently odds-on favourites to sign Origi before the transfer window closes with Harry Kane sidelined with an ankle injury.
It’s thought that Liverpool currently lead the race for the Germany international, who has scored 13 goals in 21 appearances this season.
Pep Guardiola looks for left-backs
Manchester City will consider signing an alternative left-back in the summer despite Benjamin Mendy's imminent return from injury, manager Pep Guardiola has said.
France international Mendy, signed from Monaco for £49.1million in 2017, has missed large spells of both seasons he has been at the club with knee problems.
"We survived well last season, this season too, but we are thinking about that,” Guardiola said.
"I cannot assure you - as I'm delighted with the players I have - but at the end of the season we are going to decide. We are going to look at both options on the table.”
Regan Poole joins Newport County
Manchester United defender Regan Poole has joined Newport County on loan for the remainder of the season.
Poole, 20, joined United from Newport County in 2015 and returns to his native Wales to help the League Two side push for promotion.
Poole made his Red Devils debut during the 2015/16 campaign against Midtjylland in the Europa League and has been a regular in Ricky Sbragia’s Under-23 side this campaign.
Having completed the switch, Regan said: “I'm really happy to be back. As soon as I knew the club wanted me back on loan, it was a no-brainer really. I feel like Newport County AFC can get promoted this season and I'm here to try and help them achieve that."
Journalist confirms Gonzalo Higuain to Chelsea
Gonzalo Higuain’s highly-anticipated move to Chelsea is a done deal, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Yesterday, Romano tweeted: “Gonzalo Higuain from Milan to Chelsea, here we go!
“Agreement reached between Juventus and Chelsea for Higuain: loan + buy option for 6 months; it can be extended as loan also for one year more (2019/2020 season) if Higuain will get some steps with Chelsea (caps, goals, team targets).”
Asked today for an update on the situation, Romano said: “Done deal mate.”
Gunners worried Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will quit
Arsenal are reportedly fearful Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will leave because of Mesut Ozil.
The Sun say there are fears at Arsenal that Aubameyang could follow Aaron Ramsey out the door because he can't get parity with Ozil.
Ozil, with his massive £350,000-a-week wages, is causing discontent behind the scenes.
He is reportedly being blamed for everything amid his struggles under Emery.
Ernesto Valverde targets Carlos Vela
Barcelona are lining up a shock move for former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela, as they look to bolster their attacking options.
The Catalan club are looking to add reinforcements after the departure of Munir El Haddadi earlier this month.
And according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, Barca have turned their attentions to Los Angeles FC hit-man Vela.
The 29-year-old signed a contract with Los Angeles last year and has scored 14 goals in 29 games with the franchise.
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