THE transfer window is almost here as clubs look to freshen up their squads going into a packed second half of the season.
All Europe's top leagues are currently experiencing competitive title races meaning there's plenty of work to be done among the big guns.
Get all the latest transfer news, gossip and updates here…
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
The January transfer window for all English clubs is officially OPEN.
Brighton could end Sergio Romero’s Manchester United nightmare with a January transfer.
The club are looking to bring in another keeper after telling former No1 Mat Ryan he is free to go.
United and Arsenal could face stiff competition in the pursuit for Real Madrid midfielder Isco, according to AS.
The Red Devils are said to be keeping an eye on the Spaniard, but Sevilla have entered the race and Isco is keen on a reunion with former coach Julen Lopetegui.
Arsenal defender Sokratis could finally be on his way out of the club with both Napoli and Fenerbahce interested in signing him.
The 32-year-old was not registered for the Gunners' Premier League or Europa League squads, and with his contract due to expire in the summer Arsenal could look to move him on.
The North Londoners are also said to be looking at bringing in Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie, according to reports.
The 25-year-old's contract is due to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season and according to 90min, he has given no indication that he intends to renew his contract.
Arsenal may have a secret weapon up their sleeve should they pursue a deal for Christie.
Former team-mate Kieran Tierney joined the Gunners back in 2019 and could prove to be rather useful in luring the Scotland international to the Emirates.
Elsewhere, West Ham are interested in bringing former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle back to the Premier League, according to respected journalist Nicolò Schira
He scored 30 goals during his two-year stay on the south coast.
The 35-year-old is now a free agent after leaving Chinese club Shandong Luneng.
Pelle almost joined the Hammers three years ago.
Finally, Chelsea are plotting an audacious move for AC Milan wonderkid Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to respected Chelsea blogger Simon Phillips.
The Blues would face stiff competition from Juventus and AC Milan, but they’re believed to have already made contact.
Donnarumma’s contract is set to expire in the summer and the player is free to speak to other clubs over potential pre-contract agreements.
The shot-stopper made his Milan debut at the tender age of 16 and has been a regular feature ever since.
- Joshua Mbu
HASSELBAINK RETURNS
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been reappointed manager at Burton Albion.
Hasselbaink returns to Burton five years after leaving for QPR.
Speaking to the club after his reappointment, Hasselbaink said: "It’s great to be working with Ben Robinson again. We had a really good working relationship last time and hopefully we can get that back on track.
“Burton Albion is a club which is very close to my heart and a really special club for me and my family.
“The job is totally different from the first time, but we are coming in to try as quickly as possible to get us up the league and keep ourselves in League One – that’s our aim and first and foremost that’s what we will be trying to do.
“We know there is enough quality in the playing squad but that’s not reflected in where we are in the table so there is a lot of hard work to be done."
Credit: Getty Images - Joshua Mbu
FRESH START
Brighton are interested in signing Man United outcast Sergio Romero, according to reports.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Brighton want to bring Romero to the south coast after telling Mat Ryan he is free to go.
The Argentine has not made any of the match day squads this season with Dean Henderson taking the No2 spot since returning from his loan spell at Sheffield United last season.
Romero’s wife famously took to Instagram to express her displeasure with the club not allowing him to leave in the summer.
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- Joshua Mbu
LAMPARD HINT ON BLUES OUT-GOINGS
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has dropped a hint on whether players will be leaving Stamford Bridge in January.
Lampard said: “We have a big squad, we will see if that changes – if there are opportunities for players that aren’t playing so much.
“That will be a conversation for the player, club and myself.
“Then we will see if we feel we can strengthen in the right way but we are not jumping up and down to do so.
“My focus this year is purely on work, because we have new players, because we have young players. I’m focusing on that. But we’ll see. It’s a long month.”
- Joshua Mbu
MOYES ON JANUARY TRANSFERS
Speaking after his West Ham's impressive 1-0 win away at Everton, Moyes admitted that signings could be made in January if the deal is good.
Moyes said: "I think if the right things were out there, we would try but we’re very aware that there’s been no money coming through the club so everyone should be aware that there’s not as much money around to go and make deal.
"But if there was something out there that we really wanted, we might go for it."
- Joshua Mbu
PUT A SOK IN IT
Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos is a transfer target for Italian outfit Napoli and Turkish side Fenerbahce, according to the Daily Mail.
The centre-back joined the Gunners from Borussia Dortmund for £17million back in 2018, but has since fallen out of favour.
Sokratis, 32, was not registered for both the Premier League and Europa League squads alongside Mesut Ozil.
With his deal set to expire in the summer, Arsenal could look to offload him sooner.
- Joshua Mbu
CELTIC EYE PEARSON
According to Sky Sports News, Celtic are looking at signing Preston midfielder Ben Pearson on a pre-contract.
The 25-year-olds current deal expires in the summer and contact has been made over a potential move.
Pearson started his career at Manchester United before moving on to Preston North End.
Credit: Getty Images - Joshua Mbu
DIEGO NO-GO
Wolves have been warned that signing Diego Costa would be a ‘dangerous’ move.
Tony Cascarino has urged Nuno Espirito Santo to think twice about offering Costa a contract after the 32-year-old was released on a free transfer by Atletico Madrid.
Wolves lost Raul Jimenez to a head injury sustained against Arsenal last month.
And SunSport exclusively revealed Costa is being lined up for a stunning Molineux switch to replace the Mexican in attack.
Costa is well known by Premier League fans, having spent three seasons at Chelsea.
The Spainiard scored 59 goals in 120 games while winning two Premier League titles under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
Read more
- Joshua Mbu
NEW YEAR, NEW DEAL
Southampton announced earlier that midfielder Stuart Armstrong has signed a new deal.
- Joshua Mbu
"I'M HAPPY WITH IT"
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is not expecting a busy January transfer window and has admitted he is happy with his squad.
Palace are however looking to tie some players down whose current deals expire in the summer.
Gary Cahill, Mamadou Sakho, Max Meyer, Andros Townsend, Patrick Van Aanholt, Christian Benteke, Vicente Guaita and James McArthur all have six months left on their contract.
Hodgson said: "Our squad is a good one at the moment and I’m happy with it.
"It’s a full squad with no particular gaps to fill so if anything is going to happen it would be on the basis that some players leave us.
“If that moment arrives I’m sure it’ll be a reason to sit down and talk about it, but there’s no point at the moment talking about these things.”
- Joshua Mbu
AOUAR NO GO
Arsenal will not make a move for long-term transfer target Houssem Aouar, according to reports.
Due to the players £45million price tag, he is unlikely to move in the January transfer window.
And Arsenal will face stiff competition from the likes of Juventus if they want to land the midfielder.
Goal’s Charles Watts has said the player is likely to stay put until the summer.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts said: “Houssem Aouar was the big talking point of the summer, it ran through most of the summer and it didn’t happen in the end.
“I always get lots of questions, are Arsenal going to go back in for Aouar in January?
“I can’t see that happening. I’ll say that right now. I just think it’s going to cost too much money. I think Lyon are top of Ligue 1 at the moment as well and you know, flying and really having a go at beating PSG to the title.
“I cannot see there is any way that Aulas is going to let Aouar or any of his top players go at this stage of the season when Champions League qualification is on the line, the title’s on the line and they’ve got such a good chance of winning the title in France.
“That’s not one to think about this January, there’s too much money and too much going on at Lyon for something like that to happen.”
- Joshua Mbu
GUNNERS EYE CHRISTIE
Arsenal are weighing up a move for Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie, according to reports.
January may be Mikel Arteta's saving grace and with the team struggling to score and create goals, a creative midfielder may be top of his wish list.
The 25-year-olds contract is due to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season and according to a report by 90min, he has given no indication that he intends to renew his contract.
Arsenal may have a secret weapon up there sleeve should they pursue a deal for Christie.
Former team-mate Kieran Tierney joined the Gunners back in 2019 and could prove to be rather useful in luring the Scotland international to the Emirates.
- Joshua Mbu
PELLE'S RETURN?
According to respected journalist Nicolò Schira, West Ham are interested in bringing former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle back to the Premier League.
He scored 30 goals during his two-year stay on the south coast.
The 35-year-old is now a free agent after leaving Chinese club Shandong Luneng.
Pelle almost joined the Hammers three years ago
- Joshua Mbu
GET IT DONN
Chelsea are plotting a move for highly rated Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, despite signing Edouard Mendy last summer.
According to respected Chelsea blogger Simon Phillips, the Blues have made contact with Donnarumma whose contract is set to expire this summer.
Chelsea are hoping to persuade the 21-year-old to join, but will face stiff competition from a host of top clubs across Europe.
Rivals Inter Milan and Juventus are believed to also be tracking Donnarumma, hoping to convince him to stay in the Serie A.
The player's future will primarily depend on the how successful negotiations over a new contract with AC Milan go.
Credit: Getty Images - Kostas Lianos
REAL DECISION
Arsenal will have to wait and see if Real Madrid will allow Isco to look for another team during the January transfer window.
That is according to Goal, who claim that although Gunners boss Mikel Arteta would be keen to have the attacking midfielder over at the Emirates he will have to be patient and see what Real boss Zinedine Zidane wants first.
The Spain international has struggled for minutes this season as he has fallen down the pecking order and only managed to play 11 times this season.
However, even if the defending La Liga champions allow him to leave he appears more likely to join Sevilla as he prefers to stay in Spain
- Kostas Lianos
ISCO WARNING
Arsenal have been advised not to sign Isco in the January transfer window.
The Gunners have been linked with a bid for the Real Madrid star as manager Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen his midfield.
However, club legend Kevin Campbell insists the north Londoners already have enough creative midfielders in the squad already.
Campbell told Football Insider: “Well Emile Smith Rowe’s been creative, [Bukayo] Saka’s been creative. So I’m not sure where Isco would fit.
“He’s s a gifted player, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not someone who’ll pick the ball up and go past people. He’s a technical operator.
“You need to be playing half-decent to get the best out of him. I’ve seen him a lot and when you play well, he tends to play well.
“But he’s not someone who takes the game by the scruff of the neck. I might be wrong, but there are other players I think they should go for.”
- Kostas Lianos
ISCO RIVALRY
Manchester United and Arsenal could find themselves in a bidding war over Real Madrid star Isco.
Reports suggest the Gunners are among many teams targeting the attacking midfielder amid the January transfer window.
But AS, claim that United are also keeping tabs and could make a bid for Real’s forgotten man.
But the same Spanish outlet insists that Sevilla remain favourites to sign the Spain international as he is keen on a reunion with former coach Julen Lopetegui
- Kostas Lianos
CHRIST-MAS HIT
Arsenal are among a number of clubs interested in Celtic ace Ryan Christie amid the January transfer window,
That is according to 90Min, who claim the Gunners have joined the bidding war to sign Christie along with the likes of Leicester, Newcastle, Southampton, Brighton and Burnley.
The north Londoners are on the lookout for a player who would add some spark in midfield as well as attack and thus have been linked with the likes of Isco, Julian Brandt and Marcel Sabitzer this month.
Christie is said to be considering his options and would be open to a move if Celtic accepted an offer
- Kostas Lianos
BRANDT TARGETED
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund ace Julian Brandt amid the January transfer window.
According to Sport Bild, Gunners scouts have already “made moves” for Brandt as manager Mikel Arteta is looking to add some spark in his midfield.
Arteta is also looking for someone to strengthen his attack with the likes of Willian, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette struggling for consistency.
Brandt has only made 22 appearances across all competitions so far this season
GETY IMAGES – GETTY - Kostas Lianos
SANCHO KEEN
Jadon Sancho's representatives would be keen to listen to any offers for the Borussia Dortmund star.
Sancho came close to joining Manchester United in the summer but the Premier League giants withdrew their bid after refusing to match his £108million asking price due to the financial impact of the coronavirus.
According to 90Min, United are still monitoring the situation just like Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.
There is currently no proof suggesting that Real Madrid and Barcelona will join the race
- Kostas Lianos
ISCO UPDATE
Arsenal target Isco is keen on leaving Real Madrid this month but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be joining a Premier League team as reports suggest he’s also keen on Sevilla.
However, Goal journalist Charles Watts explained that it still not certain if Real are willing to let him go mid-season amid their title challenge.
Watts said: “I’ve learned a little bit more on the whole Isco situation. At the moment, Arsenal are interested in potentially doing something with him on loan in January until the end of the season.
“Now, people that I’ve spoke to very close to Isco have said they still are unaware on whether Real Madrid are going to let him leave in January so it’s a little bit of a waiting game when it comes to Isco.
“Isco’s very keen on leaving, not necessarily to Arsenal, Sevilla have certainly been linked and the reports in Spain – I can’t confirm or not – are that he would prefer to stay in Spain ahead of the Euros this summer and potentially go to Sevilla.”
- Kostas Lianos
RED TARGETS
It is not surprising that Liverpool are searching for a new centre-back to fill in for the injured Virgil van Dijk as their defensive cirisis this season is well documented.
According to The Guardian, the defending Premier League champions may have to splash the cash if they wish to sign any of their top targets.
The Reds are reportedly keen on Brighton ace Ben White, Ajax’s Per Schuurs and RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano.
Manager Jurgen Klopp might want to make sure he gets a defender as Van Dijk could miss the rest of the season
- Kostas Lianos
TUCH AND GO
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has received a boost amid speculation suggesting he could be replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
And that is because Tuchel, who was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain in late 2020, has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
According to BILD, several Barca presidential candidates have named the German manager as a potential replacement to Ronald Koeman who has overseen a poor start in La Liga.
The Blaugrana are sixth in the table with only seven wins and four losses in 15 matches.
Lampard has also been struggling recently as he's only managed one win in the last five Premier League matches
- Kostas Lianos
SABITZER CONFIRMATION
Arsenal and other English clubs are indeed among the clubs that have shown interest in signing RB Leipzig star Marcel Sabitzer.
That is according to French journalist Julien Laurens, who confirmed the Gunners have joined the bidding war and should they come out on top then their squad will be dramatically improved.
Spurs have reportedly joined the race to sign the midfielder who played a big part in knocking them out of the Champions League last season.
Laurens told ESPN podcast ‘Gaby and Jules’: “There is another club [interested in Sabitzer], I think Arsenal are very keen as well. I think there’s a few English clubs.
“He would be a great signing, potentially quite cheap as well for the kind of player that you’re getting. It’s a no-brainer.”
GETTY IMAGES – GETTY - Kostas Lianos
SOL TRANSFER MOVE
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn’t appear set to make too many moves in the January transfer window.
According to the Daily Mirror, however, Solskjaer may still try and fine tune his squad ahead of the second half of the season.
And it seems like the Norwegian manager may try to sign a right-back that would offer competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Various names have been mooted as potential targets, such as Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier, Real Madrid ace Lucas Vazquez and of course Norwich defender Max Aarons
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