Riyad Mahrez to Arsenal and Tottenham; John Stones to Chelsea; Eden Hazard to Real Madrid; Charlie Austin latest
TRANSFER TALK: A look at some of today's most intriguring tittle-tattle
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Your support makes all the difference.Riyad Mahrez has delivered the news all Leicester fans wanted to hear after he stressed that a January move to either Arsenal or Tottenham is not on the cards, despite being linked with a transfer to north London. Mahrez has been instrumental in Leicester’s rise to the top of the Premier League, and he scored his 11th league goal of the season in the Foxes 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Monday night.
Speaking to French radio station RMC, Mahrez admitted that he has already decided to stay with Leicester until the end of the season at least before he weighs up his options.
Chelsea have already been issued with a warning from Everton over the availability of defender John Stones in the January transfer window. Toffees manager Roberto Martinez and chairman Bill Kenwright were defiant in their decision not to sell Stones last summer, and the Spaniard has already spoken to make their stance clear once again amid reports of an imminent £40m transfer offer.
“We’ll never lose anyone in January — unless it’s somebody who hasn’t been playing and we need to find a solution. If he’s a top performer, it’s not even a consideration,” said Martinez.
According to BBC Radio 5 Live, one player who will not be leaving Stamford Bridge in January is Eden Hazard. The winger has not scored a goal this season having won the PFA Player of the Year award last time out, and his dramatic slump has coincided with Chelsea’s plummet down the league table. However, despite links with a move to Real Madrid, it’s claimed that the Belgium international will not be on the move in January.
Southampton are believed to have entered the race to sign unwanted Tottenham midfielder Andros Townsend as he nears a White Hart Lane exit when the transfer window reopens, according to The Sun. Both West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle are believed to be interested in signing the 24-year-old England international, who is yet to start a Premier League match this season.
Finally, Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin has reiterated his desire to see out the season with the Championship side before assessing his options when his contract expires, but new Rangers manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink admitted that the club could look to sell him in January if the right offer comes in.
Austin has been praised for his commitment to Rangers, but after seeing the striker score twice to salvage a 2-2 draw with unbeaten Brighton and Hove Albion, Hasselbaink said: "I think in football you can't guarantee anything. Everyone wants to make profit and at the end of the day it's a business. We have to understand that, as a manager and as a club.
"Do we want to put him up for sale? No. The club does not want to sell him. But, on the other hand, it's up to the owners. I can only advise. I can only say, 'No, I don't want him to leave, I need him'. I think they will respect that."
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