Transfer news as it happened: Swansea appoint new manager while Liverpool sign Virgil van Dijk
Follow the latest ahead of the January transfer window
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Liverpool broke the world record fee for a defender on Wednesday after announcing that they have agreed to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton on 1 January for an incredible £75m in a move that could kick the January transfer window into life.
Manchester United are currently weighing up the prospect of losing Marouane Fellaini for free, after the midfielder admitted that he rejected the club’s initial contract offer, and Paris Saint-Germain and believed to be interested in the Belgium international. United are keeping one eye on incoming signings though, with The Independent revealing this week that they want to sign Juventus striker Paulo Dybala. However, the Italian champions will rebuff the Premier League side, with United’s £60m interest falling well short of their £140m valuation.
The Independent can also reveal that Liverpool’s out-of-favour striker Danny Ings is a transfer target for West Bromwich Albion, with Baggies manager Alan Pardew identifying the fit-again striker as the key to his plan to keep the club in the top flight.Chelsea are looking at a bidding war with Bayern Munich in the hunt for Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco, with something of a squad revamp on the cards at the Wanda Metropolitano.
13 Premier League transfers that could happen in January
Show all 13Finally, it’s being reported that Arsenal have made their first move in trying to sign Jack Wilshere down to a new contract, but have told the midfielder that he must be prepared to accept a lower wage deal to remain at the Emirates.
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BREAKING NEWS
Swansea City have named Carlos Carvalhal as their new manager until the end of the season, with the Spaniard agreeing to replace Paul Clement just four days after being sacked by Sheffield Wednesday.
A Swansea City statement read:
Swansea City have today appointed Carlos Carvalhal as the club's new manager. The 52-year-old former Besiktas, Sporting Lisbon and Sheffield Wednesday boss has been given the Swans job initially until the end of the season with the option of an extension.
Carvalhal, who parted company with Sheffield Wednesday on Christmas Eve after leading the Owls to the Championship play-offs in successive seasons, will take charge of the Swans for the first time at Watford on Saturday.
The Portuguese agreed the deal late last night and travelled straight to Swansea overnight to meet his new squad and take training this morning.He replaces Paul Clement, who left the club a fortnight ago, and takes over the managerial duties from Leon Britton, who had taken caretaker charge for the last two games.
As is always the way with managerial appointments in the Premier League, Swansea have provided pictorial confirmation of Carvalhal's arrival...
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois' has informed Real Madrid he is keen to join Zinedine Zidane's side according to AS. The Belgian keeper rejected a new contract offer from the London club in May, with his current contract set to run for another 18 months.
Madrid are known to be on the lookout for a goalkeeper, with reports they are close to agreeing a fee with Athletic Bilbao for 23-year-old goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Barcelona midfielder Paulinho has added further speculation to the ongoing Coutinho transfer saga in an interview with deportivomundo.com.
"I make jokes that people are already looking for a house for him.
“He has a way of playing that everyone observes, both in Liverpool and in Brazil,” added the Brazilian.
“He can play in two or three positions and I think that will also help the coach and the players. Now I just have to encourage it to happen.”
Countiho's recent form for Liverpool will have done little to ease the Catalan club's desires of adding the playmaker to their attack with three goals and two assists in his last three games.
Real Madrid star Marco Asensio is said to be disappointed by his lack of first team opportunities this season under manager Zinedine Zidane, having started only nine games for Los Blancos in La Liga. The attacker is said to be infuriated by his lack of first team action given Gareth Bale's injury struggles and Isco's recent loss of form.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in the attacker, with Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez set to depart the London club in the next six months. Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea are also long-term admirers of the Spanish International.
Spanish newspaper Marca claim that Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, entering the final six months of his contract with the Gunners, is a target for La Liga table-toppers Barcelona. The Catalan club are said to be keen on the German who has four goals and five assists for the London club this season.
It is thought that Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde is keen to add creativity to his side, in a bid to avoid becoming over-reliant on Lionel Messi, and Ozil is one of six players being considered for the role.
Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez is attracting interest from long-term admirer Arsene Wenger again after scoring four goals in his last eight games. With Alexis Sanchez seemingly on his way out of the club either in January or the summer once his contract expires, Arsenal are in the market for a replacement.
The Algerian winger came close to a move to AS Roma in the summer and would welcome the interest of the London club.
Bayern Munich have entered contract discussions with Joshua Kimmich. Capable of playing in midfield and defence, the 22-year-old has started 15 games at right-back in the Bundesliga this season. The club are eager for Kimmich to sign a new 5 year contract that will see him contracted to the club until 2023.
Thought to be a target of Manchester City after playing under Pep Guardiola during his stint as Bayern manager, the young German has been excellent for the Bavarian club this year, and in penning a new deal will have warded off potential interest for his signature in January.
After reporting earlier today of Everton's interest in Besiktas' Cenk Tosun, it is now being reported by The Guardian that an agreement has been reached for the Turkish striker to sign for £25 million.
The Besiktas striker has been in fine form this season, scoring 13 goals in all competitions. Besiktas, currently fourth in the Super Lig, are reportedly willing to let their striker go despite competing for the title this season.
Everton have only scored 24 goals this season and have wanted to bring in a forward to provide competition for promising youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin with Wayne Rooney playing in midfield for the Toffees.
West Ham's Reece Oxford has reportedly agreed a move to RB Leipzig for £16 million.
The 19-year-old is currently on loan with Bundesliga side Borrusia Monchengladbach, making three appearances for the side so far this term. The youngster would need to be recalled by West Ham before a move can take place.
Leipzig came close to agreeing the signature of Oxford back in 2016 and have shown that they are willing to give young players game time this season with Dayot Upamecano, 19, making 13 appearances fro the side in the Bundesliga.
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