Tuesday’s transfer news: Arsenal target John Stones as Man United hit Bruno Fernandes roadblock
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Your support makes all the difference.After a tepid start to the January transfer window, it's beginning to heat up somewhat, with Manchester United edging towards a massive £60m move for Bruno Fernandes and Arsenal seemingly keen to acquire a new defender with Manchester City's John Stones said to be Mikel Arteta's ideal choice.
Liverpool have already signed Takumi Minamino, while Chelsea have added youngster Bryan Fiabema, but appear to have the potential to add more established names now that their transfer ban has been lifted. Manchester United and Arsenal could compete for Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani, who will be available for free this summer, though Atletico Madrid remain primed to add the Uruguayan - possibly this month, to boost their Champions League campaign, where they take on Jurgen Klopp's side next. Chelsea have highlighted their defence as an area to upgrade, leading to rumours of moves for Issa Diop of West Ham and their former centre-back Nathan Ake at Bournemouth, with £40m the likely fee for both players.
Tottenham Hotspur could be ambitious with Jose Mourinho eager to overhaul his squad and now desperate to strengthen in the market due to Harry Kane's long-term injury. Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti could be targeted, but with Ernesto Valverde's departure and the arrival of Quique Setien, Spurs may have to look elsewhere, while one of the stars of last season Matthijs de Ligt has failed to settle at Juventus and has been linked with a loan move back to Ajax, but the season-ending injury to Merih Demiral should end any possibility of that for now.
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United and Chelsea have both been linked with Dinamo and Spain star Dani Olmo. There could also be some big moves across Europe. Real Madrid have been linked with a £68m move for Timo Werner, as well as Flamengo wonder kid Reinier, while Arsenal have turned their eyes to RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano as a long-term target.
Premier League transfers: The 30 strangest deals in football
The January transfer window threatened to take an unusual turn this weekend with the news that Wolverhampton Wanderers are now in ‘pole position’ to sign Thomas Lemar from Atlético Madrid.
Lemar cost Atlético £51m in the summer of 2018 – that’s over £20m more than Wolves paid for their record signing, Raúl Jiménez – but the France World Cup winner has failed to impress at the Wanda Metropolitano. The forward has scored just four goals in 64 appearances for the Spanish side, failing to hit the target this season. Yet that hasn’t put off the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur– all of whom have been linked to Lemar at various points over the last few months.
However, a report in The Sun this weekend claims that Wolves are now frontrunners to sign Lemar, owning to the close relationship his agent, Jorge Mendes, has with the Midlands club, having previously helped to take Jimenez, Jonny Otto and Diogo Jota to the Molineux...
Roma have seen a loan offer for Xherdan Shaqiri rejected by Liverpool.
The Reds knocked back the Italians after the Swiss international was highlighted as a potential replacement for Nicolo Zaniolo, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 28-year-old has featured in just six Premier League matches this term and one Champions League game.
Newcastle will allow Dwight Gayle to leave on loan to the Championship.
The Telegraph claim that the striker can join on a "free loan", but the Magpies will demand a £20m fee if the club achieve promotion with the help of Gayle.
Any interested club must pay his £60,000 per week wages as well.
Liverpool have tabled a €15m offer for Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, according to Sabah.
Loris Karius could also be thrown into a deal, but a straight cash deal now looks most likely.
Cakir could provide an upgrade on Adrian, who has stepped in for Alisson this season at times and impressed.
Southampton want to keep Che Adams this month, despite Leeds showing interest in bringing the former Birmingham forward in on loan.
The Mirror claim Ralph Hasenhuttl has blocked a possible exit this month for the £15m signing.
Adams has yet to score in 19 appearances for the club so far, with Leeds desperate to secure more firepower, having seen moves for Billy Sharp and Rhian Brewster fail to materialise and Eddie Nketiah returning to Arsenal.
Atletico Madrid are looking into offering Thomas Lemar in exchange for Alexandre Lacazette.
Marca report that Diego Simeone is desperate to bring in depth up front, with Alvaro Morata his only recognised available centre forward currently.
The Gunners could then take the French winger back to boost their wide options, though Atleti remain keen on Edinson Cavani, whose contract will expire this summer at PSG.
Tottenham look set to sign at least one player this month in the form of Gedson Fernandes - and more if Jose Mourinho gets his wish - but the Spurs boss has been discussing why the limitations in the transfer market leaves them on a different level to Manchester City and Liverpool.
The former Chelsea and United boss believes that in taking the Tottenham job, he is embarking on his toughest role since taking the Porto job at the start of his career, and one glance at their Premier League rivals explained exactly why he thinks that.
Roma are pushing ahead with plans to replace the injured Nicolo Zaniolo with Matteo Politano their latest target.
The Inter forward could move in exchange with Leonardo Spinazzola, reports Gianluca Di Marzio.
Milan's Suso is another target, but Politano now appears to be the priority, with his value equal to Spinazzola at €25m.
Christian Eriksen has agreed a deal in principal with Inter Milan, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Danish playmaker would command a net salary of €7.5m, while a fee would also need to be agreed with Spurs.
Inter are reluctant to pay more than €10m, while Spurs want €20m for the 27-year-old.
Conte demands three recruits
Antonio Conte has demanded three new signings and they could all come from the Premier League.
Inter Milan sit two points behind Juventus at the top of Serie A, with the former Chelsea boss revitalising the Nerazzurri since taking over last summer.
And Corriere dello Sport claim that Conte is pushing director Beppe Marotta for three signings: Christian Eriksen or Arturo Vidal, Ashley Young and Olivier Giroud.
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