Friday’s transfer news: Man United offered Edinson Cavani, Chelsea favourites for Timo Werner plus Liverpool and Arsenal latest
All the done deals and reports from Friday 17 January
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Bruno Fernandes is on the verge of joining Manchester United, with Sporting set to receive around £60m, but the Portuguese midfielder will play in the Lisbon derby tonight against Benfica, which puts the deal in some doubt. Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente could become available due to a lack of playing time, with Diego Simeone eager to shuffle his squad – namely through Edinson Cavani, but Paris Saint-Germain want a big fee, despite the Uruguayan being out of contract in the summer. Arsenal will hope to give Mikel Arteta a couple of new players, either on short-term loans or free transfers, with Layvin Kurzawa an option from PSG to bolster their left-back options. Manchester City do not look likely to sign players, despite being significantly off the pace that Liverpool have set, and the Reds are comfortable right now, both with their lead in the Premier League and the fact they have acquired Japan’s Takumi Minamino from RB Salzburg.
Chelsea could be busy, both in and out: OIivier Giroud looks set for Inter Milan, while the Italians are also looking to add Ashley Young from Man United as Antonio Conte eyes a title in his first season in charge at the San Siro. Tottenham Hotspur have appeased Jose Mourinho to a degree by adding Gedson Fernandes on an 18-month loan and could dip back into the market to add Ze Luis from Porto to cover for Harry Kane, who is out for almost the entirety of the remainder of the season.
Ernesto Valverde’s departure could see Quique Setien handed a few new faces at Barcelona, but it seems as if the Catalans want to trim their squad firstly, with Jean-Claude Todibo set for Schalke in a £25m deal. The 20-year-old joins on loan with a number of options to buy and buy back. Here we detail the latest rumours and news around the continent as we enter the final two weeks of the season.
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Manchester United target Bruno Fernandes could miss tonight's Lisbon derby between Sporting and Benfica.
A Bola report Fernandes is now very close to moving to Old Trafford.
And if United finalise terms on Friday they will insist that the player misses the match, though Sporting's management will resist a full agreement until after the game.
Steve Bruce emerged from his meeting with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley convinced he has his backing as he attempts to improve his squad this month.
Asked about his discussions with Ashley on Tyneside this week, he said: "He's been fully supportive of the idea of trying to improve the squad.
"That's been my remit since I walked through the door, how can I take the club forward? It's my way - and he agrees with it - that we buy quality, not quantity, and that's got to be the mantra if we are going to improve.
"We've got a very, very decent squad now - if we're going to improve, then we've got to bring in that bit of quality that makes us better. That's what we're trying to do."
Zak Rudden admits it was time to move on from Rangers - but still hopes to be back at Ibrox one day.
The 19-year-old has joined Partick Thistle after almost a decade on the Light Blues' books.
But Gers have inserted a clause which would allow them to snap him back up in 18 months' time.
"There is a clause in the deal which means after 18 months Rangers could buy me back. I'm delighted they have got that in there if they see me doing well but my main focus right now is Partick Thistle.
"Is it hard to leave Rangers? Of course it is. After almost 10 years at the club it's a weird one to be leaving. I realised that my dream of making it to the first team might never be realised when I kept getting put out on loan.
"They were ready to put me out on another loan this month but I thought it might be better just to go out and feel comfortable somewhere. I thought it was time to go. But maybe three or four years down the line I would hope to be back at Rangers.
"I do want to play for them because they are a massive club. Steven Gerrard did call me after the deal went through to say all the best, which was very nice of him. But right now Partick Thistle is my priority."
Napoli are the latest club to register an interest in Tahith Chong, report Tuttosport.
Both Inter and Juve are looking into securing a deal before he becomes a free agent this summer.
The Dutch youngster is open to playing in Italy and appears certain to leave Old Trafford, despite United's efforts to offer a new deal.
Jose Mourinho has offered fresh hope that Jan Vertonghen will extend his contract at Tottenham.
"I told you when I arrived we had three players in situation of ending contract," Mourinho said.
"And the one that was easy to resolve was where everybody wanted the same. The player, the agent, the club. Let's see what happens."
Layvin Kurzawa has increased speculation he will join Arsenal this month after joining UK-based agency Sports Invest.
The same company represents Willian and Philippe Coutinho.
"Big news!! I am very excited to join the Sports Invest UK family," Kurzawa tweeted in both French and English.
Arsenal have been linked with the left-back to enhance Mikel Arteta's options.
Islam Slimani is a target for Aston Villa on loan, report Sky Sports.
The Algerian forward could join Mbwana Samatta at Villa Park as Dean Smith bids to cover for the injured Wesley Moraes.
Samatta will cost £8.5m from Genk, while Villa must convince Monaco to end their current loan agreement for Slimani, as well as convince the Foxes to strike up a fresh loan agreement.
Bruce Buck has joked that Chelsea will be signing players before the end of the window.
The Blues chief said: "Who are we signing? I do know, but I won't be telling."
Frank Lampard then spoke to the media immediately afterwards and responded: "That was a joke, there is nothing imminent. There aren't people waiting in the wings that I or you don't know about.
"There's no news on that front. I won't talk about any individuals. I won't be embarrassed that I am being dishonest with a signing in soon."
Frank Lampard has ruled out Ross Barkley joining West Ham this month and provided updates on the futures of Olivier Giroud and Willian.
There is no talk here of Barkley going anywhere, I have a lot of belief in Ross.
Oli, he is experienced and if circumstances fall right it might happen.
Willian is going nowhere. He is still in talks with the club.
Reece James signed a new Chelsea deal this week, committing himself to his home club until 2025.
And Lampard hailed the 20-year-old full-back's new deal as a big coup for the Stamford Bridge club's long-term future.
"I rate him very highly, I knew him as a youth player in the academy here," said Lampard. "He did fantastically well at Wigan last year and I tried to get him to Derby but we couldn't get him in mid-season.
"There's a lot more to come from Reece James, he's a really talented player. He wants to learn, improve, train and do the right things and he has that talent. It's great for the club that he's signed for so long."
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