Another day filled with rumours of clubs trying to address their urgent requirements and not so urgent requirements. Welcome to another chaotic entry of the January transfer window where we bring you the latest gossip, rumours, reports, and news of every transfer that occurs in Europe.
Tottenham are re-signing Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric
According to Fichajes, while Real Madrid and Luka Modric are in talks over extending his contract beyond the end of the current season, Tottenham are keeping a close eye on proceedings with Spurs looking to make a move for their former midfielder.
The 36-year-old is reportedly keen on staying in Madrid but Fichajes has reported that the North London side believe they can convince the Croatian to re-sign for them, on a free-transfer, but only if Real Madrid can’t convince him to sign a new contract.
AC Milan looking at Eric Bailly and Abdou Diallo to replace the injured Simon Kjaer
With Simon Kjaer potentially ruled out for a large portion of the remaining season, AC Milan have reportedly targetted defensive reinforcements this month and Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Rossoneri have shortlisted it to Eric Bailly and Abdou Diallo.
The transfer expert reported that the two men are part of a bigger list and that Milan have made contact with Manchester United over a move for Baillly. However, nothing has materialized so far and Diallo is also on their list but only if PSG are willing to let him leave on loan.
Borussia Dortmund preparing new talks with Erling Haaland over his future
According to SportBILD, Borussia Dortmund are set to have a new talk with Erling Haaland over his future at the club and are preparing to offer the Norwegian starlet a lucrative contract extension to stay beyond the summer of 2022.
The report has indicated that Dortmund are willing to hand him somewhere around €20 million-a-year in wages but only if Haaland agrees to stay and sign the new contract, that will also remove his €75 million release clause that activates in the summer of 2022.
Everton are interested in signing Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi on loan
With Aston Villa and Everton in talks over Lucas Digne, Sky Sports has reported that the Toffees have used that chance to ask about a potential move for Anwar El Ghazi. Rafael Benitez is looking to sign reinforcements this month to help battle against relegation and believes El Ghazi can help them with that.
However, any deal for the Egyptian is separate to the talks for Lucas Digne as Everton are not looking at a swap or player-plus-cash deal for the left-back. Sky Sports has further reported that Aston Villa want around £15 million for El Ghazi although they are said to be open to letting him leave on loan.
Sérgio Oliveira set to undergo medical in Italy today ahead of his loan move to AS Roma
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Porto midfielder Sérgio Oliveira is set to arrive in Italy today ahead of his medical before he can complete his loan move to Porto. The two parties have indeed come to an agreement over a move for Oliveira, with it set to be a six-month loan move with a buy-option.
Romano has reported that Roma will pay Porto a €1 million loan fee and also have a €13 million option to sign the midfielder permanently at the end if they should desire to do so.
Antonio Conte is confident that Tottenham will extend Hugo Lloris’ contract
Ahead of Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, Spurs boss Antonio Conte revealed that he is very confident that the club will extend captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ contract beyond the current season.
The Frenchman has less than six months left on his current deal with the North London side and reports have indicated that Lloris is keen on signing a new contract with the club.
“He knows very well Tottenham. He loves this shirt and this badge. For me he is an important player and I’m sure that they are going to find a solution for him to continue to play with Tottenham. I am very confident about this situation to be positive,” Conte told Sky Sports.
Newcastle United set to sign Burnley forward Chris Wood after meeting £25 million release clause
According to Sky Sports, Chris Wood is set to sign for Newcastle United within the next few days after the Magpies met the center-forward’s £25 million release clause earlier this week. The St James’ Park side have been looking to sign a new forward to reinforce their front-line and shortlisted Wood because of his release clause.
Furthermore, Fabrizio Romano has reported that the two parties have already agreed to personal terms with Wood keen on signing for Newcastle this month. Sky Sports, on the other hand, has reported that Burnley have two targets to replace the forward although both happen to play outside England at the moment.
AS Roma looking to revive their interest in Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka
Despite signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan and with a move for Sergio Oliviera nearly done, Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that AS Roma are looking to get Granit Xhaka into the club as well before the window transfer window slams shut.
The Swiss international was heavily linked with a move to Roma in the summer of 2021 but Arsenal reportedly rejected the move. However, the 29-year-old still remains Roma’s primary target and they’re looking to get a deal done for the midfielder especially after having opened a line of contact with the Gunners through Maitland-Niles.
Atletico Madrid looking to let Luis Suarez leave as free-agent at the end of this season
According to COPE, Atletico Madrid are planning their 2022/23 season without Luis Suarez and are set to let the veteran forward leave the club once his contract expires at the end of the current season. The 34-year-old is the club’s top scorer at the moment and finished last season in the same spot, leading them to a league title as well.
However, Suarez has been mooted with a move to the MLS and is reportedly keen on playing in the United States before he retires which is playing into Atletico Madrid’s plans as well. COPE has further reported that the Los Rojiblancos are looking to bring in new blood next summer and want to refresh their front-line in the process.
Porto’s Jesus Corona closing in on a move to Sevilla
With Sevilla looking to continue their push for a Champions League place, ESPN has reported that the La Liga side are closing in on a move for Jesus Corona with the forward a long-term target for both Monchi and head coach Julen Lopetegui.
The Mexico international has only six months left on his current contract and thus Sevilla are set to pay Porto a small fee, with the two parties in negotiations at the moment. ESPN has further reported that Lopetegui has pushed to sign the 29-year-old as he believes Corona’s versatility and ability could be the push that Sevilla need.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirms that Eddie Nketiah will not leave
Amidst links of a potential move to Germany and within England, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has asserted that Eddie Nketiah won’t be leaving the club this month. The forward has less than six months left on his current contract and has been linked with a move to Germany, Crystal Palace and a few other sides.
“He’s our player and he’s going to stay with us,” Arteta said, when asked about Nketiah’s future.
The forward isn’t the only one linked with a move away as Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares and a few others all could leave the club in January. But Arteta admitted that each situation is different and there are a lot of factors involved.
“Every situation is different. There’s a lot of factors that make that decision at the moment. Everybody here is involved,” Arteta added.
AC Milan and Theo Hernandez come to an agreement over contract worth €4 million-per-year
According to Calciomercato, Theo Hernandez is set to snub Manchester City in order to sign a new and improved contract with AC Milan within the next few weeks. The French left-back has thrived since arriving in Milan and has been heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and City.
The report has indicated that Hernandez is set to get a raise, taking his current €1.5 million-per-year salary to €4 million-per-year with an additional €1 million through various bonuses.
Manchester United to prioritize a new contract for Marcus Rashford in the summer
With both Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard looking to leave on free-transfers at the end of this season, ESPN has reported that Manchester United are looking to avoid that situation with Marcus Rashford and are thus looking to tie him down to new terms.
The Englishman has less than eighteen months left on his current contract and is reportedly keen on signing an extension with the Red Devils although discussions or any talks are yet to take place between the two parties.
Ousmane Dembele won’t leave Barcelona this month
According to El Largueno, Ousmane Dembele will not be leaving Barcelona this month despite the fact that the Frenchman has less than six months left on his contract. But the forward has reportedly refused to sign a new contract with the club and is still waiting for Barcelona to meet his terms.
However, the club have handed him an ultimatum to either sign the contract on the table or leave. Yet, despite that El Largueno has reported that while Dembele is willing to sign a new deal, it’s only if Barcelona meets his demands and if not, then he’s open to leaving as a free-agent in the summer, with an aim of playing in the Premier League.
Florian Balogun joins Middlesbrough on loan for the rest of the season
After weeks of speculation, reports indicated that Florian Balogun was set to leave Arsenal on loan for more game-time with Middlesbrough said to be the forward’s top choice although several Championship clubs were keen on a move.
However, after all the speculation, Boro have confirmed that they have indeed completed a move for the forward on loan for the remainder of the season.
“The club have finalised a loan move for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun. The England Under-21 international has joined the club until the end of the season. Boro fought off competition from a number of clubs to secure the services of the highly-rated young marksman,” reads the statement.
Aston Villa and Everton come to an agreement over £25 million deal for Lucas Digne
According to Sky Sports, Aston Villa are set to sign Lucas Digne from Everton after coming to an agreement over a £25 million transfer fee. The French left-back hasn’t played for the club over the last month or so after a reported disagreement between him and Rafael Benitez.
It does bring an end to the transfer saga although Digne had interest from Napoli, Newcastle United, Chelsea and West Ham amongst other sides although the deal is still reportedly in its final stages with the two clubs still in talks to finalise things.
David Moyes confirms that West Ham are looking to sign a defender and an attacker
With both Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma injured, reports had indicated that West Ham were looking to sign a new defender this month as well as a new striker to help ease Michail Antonio’s burden. However, while no deal has materialized as of yet, David Moyes confirmed that those are the two positions that the club are targetting.
“It would be ideal if we could do that, it really would. But it’s never exactly the way you want it in football. It’s very hard to get exactly who you want when you want them. I try not to make the decision that everybody thinks we should do. I try to do what I think we should do. I’m trying to find ways of adding more goals to the team and adding players who will help us stop conceding more goals,” Moyes said, reported the BBC.
Luka Jovic not looking to leave Real Madrid this month despite a lack of game-time
According to Marca, Luka Jovic is not interested in leaving Real Madrid in this transfer window despite the fact that the Serbian striker has barely featured for the club. The 24-year-old has made thirteen appearances this season but a large portion of his minutes have been off the bench.
That has been the same ever since his €60 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt but Marca has reported that Jovic believes he can offer the Los Blancos something different and play a key part in their charge for the La Liga title this season.
Arsenal and West Ham are set to battle it out for Filip Kostic
With eighteen months left on his contract, Calciomercato has reported that both Arsenal and West Ham are keen on signing Filip Kostic although they aren’t the only clubs. The wing-back has also been linked with a move to Inter, Fiorentina, Lazio, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid as well although he is yet to make a decision on his future.
The report has further indicated that Eintracht Frankfurt are looking to extend his contract beyond the summer of 2023 but have yet to offer the 29-year-old an extension.
