Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal ‘plot improved Watkins bid’, Man Utd and Spurs ‘eye Tel’, Casemiro ‘EXIT’, Rashford latest

 

Al-Ahli are preparing a record-breaking €350m bid for Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior this summer. (Ben Jacobs)

 

Liverpool are leading Arsenal in the race to sign Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. (Football Transfers)

 

Newcastle are considering signing Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres this summer, but only if Alexander Isak is sold. (Football Transfers)

 

Manchester City are preparing a €65m bid for Andrea Cambiaso as they continue their winter transfer business. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

 

Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to leave the club this month, with Borussia Dortmund reportedly interested in signing him. Arsenal are open to offers but will only sell if they secure a replacement. (Sky Sports)

 

Marseille have entered the race to sign Marcus Rashford, with hopes of loaning the Manchester United forward for the remainder of the season. (L’Equipe)

Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal ‘plot improved Watkins bid’, Man Utd and Spurs ‘eye Tel’, Casemiro ‘EXIT’, Rashford latest

 

THE January transfer window is heating up with some MAJOR moves in the pipeline as Deadline Day quickly approaches.

 

Arsenal are reportedly readying their second bid for Aston Villa’s England forward Ollie Watkins, however, Jhon Duran has completed his medical ahead of a £65m move to Saudi Arabia which could scupper any hopes of the move.

 

Meanwhile, Manchester United and Tottenham are eyeing up a move for Bayern Munich star Mathys Tel.

 

The Red Devils are also closing in on the signing of Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu.

 

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro is reportedly open to joining Roma this month after becoming out of favour at Old Trafford.

 

 

Henderson Ajax exit?

 

Jordan Henderson has been replaced as Ajax skipper by the oldest player in their history – amid claims the Liverpool icon threatened to go on strike.

 

Henderson was stripped of the captaincy shortly before Thursday’s 2-1 Europa League win over Galatasaray.

 

Ajax are reportedly furious the former England midfielder is pressing to join Monaco on a free transfer.

 

The 34-year-old is under contract with the Dutch giants until 2026 – after they rescued him from an unhappy six months with Saudi side Al-Ettifaq.

 

 

Jhon and Ollie can’t both go

 

Aston Villa are insistent they won’t lose both their main strikers before Monday’s transfer deadline.

 

Jhon Duran’s big-money switch to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr appears nailed on for completion soon.

 

But Villa have rebuffed a reported £60million bid from Arsenal for their first-choice frontman Watkins

 

And Sky Sports say club chiefs are determined not to suffer a double exit blow.

 

That’s especially after Villa nicked the final automatic qualification spot for the Champions League KO phase with an epic 4-2 defeat of Celtic.

 

 

Hammers, Bournemouth and Fulham eye Ferguson

 

West Ham are leading the race to sign Evan Ferguson after having a bid for PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi rejected, writes JACK ROSSER.

 

Talks are progressing over a loan deal for Brighton’s Irish star this month, though the Hammers are waiting for more clarity on his injury situation.

 

 

Ferguson has not played since before Christmas and while he has returned to training is yet to be named on the Seagulls bench.

 

Brighton are open to offers, with Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham and Bournemouth all interested.

 

But if Ferguson is to move, the London Stadium is his expected destination.

 

New West Ham boss Graham Potter handed Ferguson his Brighton debut, though the striker only made five appearances under him.

 

 

Nkunku exit in doubt

 

Bayern Munich’s interest in Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku lies in the balance.

 

Bild journalist Christian Falk reckons any deal with the German giants is “off at the moment”.

 

However, it’s understood Bayern could yet put in a bid before Monday’s transfer deadline.

 

Cottagers chase two signings

 

Fulham are keen to bring in replacements for crocked widemen Harry Wilson and Kenny Tete.

 

Winger Wilson has been ruled out for 10 weeks with a stress fracture in his foot.

 

And Dutch right-back Tete will miss around four weeks.

 

Boss Marco Silva said: “It’s a really short period until the end of the winter market but let’s see what we can do.

 

“When you have the situation of Tete, we are trying to get a player for his position because it’s going to be a long period.

 

“It’s not an easy market. After the injury of Wilson, yes we’re looking for a player in that position.”

 

Almiron clinches Atlanta return

 

Miguel Almiron has completed his return to Atlanta United from Newcastle.

 

The Paraguay winger, 30, became a fans’ favourite in six years at St James’ Park.

 

MLS side Atlanta are thought to have paid a sum that could reach £11million.

 

 

Better Latte than never

 

Middlesbrough’s main man Emmanuel Latte Lath is close to joining Atlanta United for a record MLS fee.

 

Atlanta are reportedly ready to pay £18million plus add-ons for the 26-year-old Ivorian striker.

 

Sky Sports say the former Serie A star with Atalanta star has completed a medical.

 

 

Arsenal win race for Kelly

 

Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly has joined Arsenal on loan for the rest of the season – after interest from Man Utd.

 

The Lioness, 27, completed the move just minutes before the Women’s Super League transfer deadline.

 

Kelly will be a free agent when her City contract expires in the summer.

 

 

Alli’s amazing rise continues

 

Millenic Alli was a little-known striker playing for fifth-tier Halifax until last January.

 

Now Championship strugglers Luton have splashed out for the 24-yer-old after his scoring blitz for Exeter in League One.

 

Dublin-born Alli has stepped up a division for an undisclosed fee.

 

The ex-South Shields and Stockport player has scored seven times in his last 8 league games for Exeter.

 

Alli said: “I’m very happy and I feel very blessed to be here at Luton… it’s a great opportunity for me to see what I can do.”

 

Seagulls splashing out on Rams star

 

Brighton have agreed a fee for Derby centre-back Eiran Cashin.

 

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 star is thought to have long been on the Seagulls’ radar.

 

And Derby rejected a Brighton bid for the 23-year-old earlier in the transfer window.

 

More talks have now put Cashin on the brink of moving.

 

 

PSG offload Xavi

 

Netherlands winger Xavi Simons is departing PSG for RB Leipzig.

 

It’s understood the Bundesliga club have splashed out more than £40million on the 21-year-old.

 

Prem clubs were said to have been keen on Simons last summer.

 

 

Bayern ‘yet to bid for Nkunku’

 

Bayern Munich’s interest in Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku lies in the balance.

 

Bild journalist Christian Falk reckons any deal with the German giants is “off at the moment”.

 

However, it’s understood Bayern could yet put in a bid before Monday’s transfer deadline.

 

Wolves ponder bid for Udinese ace

 

Wolves could be close to bidding for Udinese’ s Thomas Thiesson Kristensen.

 

The Prem strugglers have been linked with a handful of defenders.

 

Juve are battling Wolves for Lens’ Kevin Danso.

 

Chelsea’s Axel Disasi has also been mentioned – but Aston Villa are said to also be keen.

 

And now Kristensen is reportedly on the radar of Molineux chief Vítor Pereira.

 

Kristensen is pictured taking the ball out of defence for UdineseCredit:

 

Emi off to Leverkusen

 

Emi Buendia is off to Bayer Leverkusen on loan for the rest of the season.

 

The Argentinian midfielder, 28, extended his contract at Aston Villa despite failing to start a Prem match this season.

 

 

Cottagers yet to seal Seth deal

 

Manchester City midfielder Seth Chingwaro, 17, is still regarded as a £750,000 Fulham target.

 

The Cottagers reportedly want the starlet on a long-term deal.

 

 

Pilgrims in for Ukraine defender

 

Ukraine defender Maksym Talovierov could move from Austrian side LASK to Championship strugglers Plymouth.

 

Pilgrims boss Miron Muslic revealed he is a big admirer of the ex-Slavia Prague star, 24.

 

Plymouth’s backline has been rocked by injury ruling out Brendan Galloway for the season and Preston signing Lewis Gibson.

 

Muslic said: “He’s a nice player, he’s a nice profile and that’s a profile and a kind of player I like.

 

“So let’s see, things are moving and hopefully very soon we will have some confirmation.”

 

Juve fight Wolves for Danso

 

Wolves’ hopes of landing Lens centre-back Kevin Danso have been hit by rival interest from Juventus.

 

The Prem strugglers had hoped to recruit the Austria star in a loan for the rest of the season costing up to £4million.

 

Wolves would then have an obligation to buy.

 

But Sky in Italy say Juve have put in an offer for a half-season loan without a clause to purchase Danso.

 

 

Al-Nassr eye huge TREBLE raid on Prem

 

Al-Nassr are planning a £140million Premier League TRIPLE RAID on the final day of the Saudi transfer window, writes JACK ROSSER.

 

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is expected to fly out tomorrow to complete a £64m move to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Riyadh, while the Saudi Pro League side are also in for Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.

 

Mateo Kovacic has become Al-Nassr’s third Prem target

 

Brighton rejected the first bid but are braced for an eye-watering offer with Al-Nassr prepare to pay £75m for the Japan international.

 

The Seagulls are adamant they will not sell but could find it hard to reject such an enormous fee for a 27-year-old.

 

Mitoma is settled at Brighton and is not thought to be overly keen on a move out of European football.

 

Al-Nassr have a delegation in London looking to seal the moves before their window shuts tonight.

 

They are also weighing up a stunning move for Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic, who scored against Club Brugge on Wednesday night.

 

No approach has been made so far and a move for the former Chelsea man is complicated by the fact that City would need a replacement.

 

City are interested in Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz but the two clubs are currently struggling to agree terms over a loan.

 

 

Emm-azing transfer record

 

Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath is on the verge of becoming the most-expensive player in the history of the MLS, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.

 

The Ivorian striker, 26, will cost big-spending Atlanta United, who have also forked out for Miguel Almiron from Newcastle, around £22.5m.

 

He has already passed a medical and Latte Lath will jet to America to complete the transfer over the coming days.

 

Boro, who have made an almost £18m profit on the star, have planned for his exit.

 

The Championship promotion hopefuls will provide boss Michael Carrick with a replacement for his 11-goal top scorer before Monday’s deadline.

 

Slovan Bratislava’s David Strelec, who represented Slovakia at Euro 2024, is one of the potential targets for Boro.

 

 

Hammers ‘lead Prem rivals in Evan hunt’

 

West Ham are leading the race to sign Evan Ferguson after having a bid for PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi rejected,

 

Talks are progressing over a loan deal for Brighton’s Irish star this month, though the Hammers are waiting for more clarity on his injury situation.

 

 

Ferguson has not played since before Christmas and while he has returned to training is yet to be named on the Seagulls bench.

 

Brighton are open to offers, with Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham and Bournemouth all interested.

 

But if Ferguson is to move, the London Stadium is his expected destination.

 

New West Ham boss Graham Potter handed Ferguson his Brighton debut, though the striker only made five appearances under him.

 

Share

 

30th Jan 2025, 19:35By Ian Tuckey

 

Spurs bag Man City whizkid

 

Spurs are set to sign a new midfielder – but for their academy in the form of Manchester City’s Daniel Batty.

 

The 18-year-old moves on a free transfer but with add-ons and a sell-on percentage.

 

Share

 

Advertisement

 

30th Jan 2025, 19:26By Ian Tuckey

 

Leipzig leap in for PSG winger

 

Netherlands winger Xavi Simons is departing PSG for RB Leipzig.

 

It’s understood the Bundesliga club have splashed out more than £40million on the 21-year-old.

 

Prem clubs were said to have been keen on Simons last summer.

 

Share

 

30th Jan 2025, 19:22By Ian Tuckey

 

Hammers target ‘seriously injured’

 

West Ham target Ricardo Pepi has reportedly suffered a serious knee problem.

 

PSV are keen to keep the USA striker, who netted in the 3-2 win over Liverpool last night.

 

Share

 

30th Jan 2025, 19:17By Ian Tuckey

 

Real legend Ramos ‘agrees surprise move’

 

Sergio Ramos has reportedly agreed to join Mexicans Rayados Monterrey.

 

The Spain and Real Madrid defensive legend, 38, has been club-less since leaving Sevilla last summer.

 

It’s claimed a deal has finally been struck with Rayados after Ramos’ wages were a stumbling block.

 

But the 2010 World Cup winner has yet to have a medical.

 

Rayados reckon the hardman will strengthen their Club World Cup chances.

 

Credit: AP

 

Share

 

30th Jan 2025, 19:14By Ian Tuckey

 

Lions pounce for Boro forward

 

Millwall have bagged Middlesbrough’s home-grown striker Ajay Matthews.

 

The Teessider, 18, has switched Championship clubs for an undisclosed fee.

 

Millwall say the England U-18s ace has signed a long-term deal.

 

The Lions’ director of football Steve Gallen told the club’s website: “Ajay’s an old-fashioned centre-forward who we’ve identified as having a number of positive attributes already for his young age.

 

“His pressing, aerial threat and the desire to have the ball to feet is impressive and – most importantly – he loves to score goals.

 

“He is only 18 years old, so we will have to be patient and protect the expectations around him.”

 

“We look forward to seeing the impact he can make in the future.”