Thursday’s transfer news: Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes deal collapses, Liverpool continue talks for Pedro Brazao as Tottenham turn to £40m Willian Jose
All of the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals from Thursday 23 January
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Your support makes all the difference.Welcome to our live coverage of today’s latest transfer news, gossip and done deals as we bring you the very latest rumours from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and more.
The biggest transfer story of the window has, of course, been Manchester United’s interest in Sporting Lisbon skipper Bruno Fernandes. After weeks of little movement we are expecting that story to progress significantly in the next 48 hours, as United move to bolster their injury-hit squad. One of Wednesday’s most intriguing rumours was that Daniel Levy has contacted Real Madrid about potentially bringing Gareth Bale back to the club on loan. The Welshman would be open to the move and Real are desperate for him to leave the club – but will Spurs be able to afford his staggering wages, even if partially subsidised by the Spanish giants?
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been fairly active this month and could move for a third younger player while also continuing to monitor Timo Werner, who appears increasingly open to a move to Anfield. And Chelsea are also chasing a new striker and expect the Premier League rivals to clash over the next few days as they pursue similar transfer targets. So stick with us and follow all of the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals live below.
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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.
Championship managerial news, and Charlton have signed Lee Bowyer to a three-year contract extension.
Ukraine defender Mykola Matvienko's agent says Arsenal are in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over a potential transfer, according to Sky Sports.
The 23-year-old left-back would solve a problem position for Mikel Arteta which is currently being filled by young winger Bukayo Saka.
A reminder of the Gareth Bale news earlier: his agent Jonathan Barnett has rubbished reports that his is preparing to leave Real Madrid on loan this month, saying the idea is "ridiculous".
Bale has been linked with a return to Tottenham Hotspur but is said to be intent on remaining at the Bernabeu until the end of his contract in 2023.
Manchester United are in pole position to sign Birmingham City's prodigious young talent Jude Bellingham.
The 16-year-old has been a revelation this season in the Championship and is being chased by Arsenal, Bayern Munich and several other major clubs across Europe, according to Sky Sports, but United are most willing to offer up what Birmingham are after, which is more than £30m.
Any deal would involve the player being loaned back to the West Midlands club for at least 18 months.
Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of Thursday's transfer news, rumours and done deals.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has dismissed speculation linking Xherdan Shaqiri with a loan move to Italy, saying the club has no intention of letting any of their first-team players leave in the January transfer window.
"We had the majority of December and January with a bench full of kids. Wonderful kids, but kids," Klopp told a news conference on Wednesday.
"It's not about Shaq or whatever, it's about pretty much everybody. We have to keep them for sorting our situation and not the situation for different clubs."
However, Liverpool remain in talks with Nice over a transfer for wonderkid Pedro Brazao, according to the rumour mill this morning.
French publication Footmercato claims that both Liverpool and PSG have already made contact with the player's representatives over a potential transfer.
The two clubs are said to be ahead of the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon in the race for his signature.
Disappointed Manchester United fans should remain positive after last night's defeat by Burnley, according to Paul Scholes.
Because he has claimed that the 2-0 loss at Old Trafford could finally spur United into action when it comes to signing Bruno Fernandes from Sporting.
“Too often this season Manchester United have had two good results and then had two or three bad results,” Scholes told Premier League Productions’ on Wednesday night.
“That performance tonight might do him [Solskjaer] a favour in the transfer market.
“It might spur the club on to spend that few extra million on the players they’re looking at like Bruno Fernandes.
“It might get done tomorrow because of this.
“He needs more bodies in the building. He’s got some big injuries so he needs help.
“The club need to help him now. I fear for the next few weeks because the injured players aren’t coming back for a while.
“He’s stuck with these players for now unless they sign anyone.”
Some early morning news from Sky: the broadcaster claims that West Ham are not interested in re-signing Dimitri Payet from Marseille.
L'Equipe had earlier claimed that Payet could be tempted into a move back to east London, but those trusty 'Sky Sources' say there's little chance of the deal happening.
The latest news from Tottenham Hotspur this morning: Spurs are set to turn their attentions to Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose after struggling to recruit a new striker this window.
The club had previously been interested in Krzysztof Piatek and, according to numerous reports in France, had failed to tempt Edinson Cavani into moving to north London.
And now The Guardian and others claim that they are holding talks with the Brazilian striker Willian Jose.
The Sociedad striker was left out of their match against Espanyol last night as talks progressed. A tweet from the club read: "Lobete enters the list instead of Willian Jose. The forward has asked the club to remain on the sidelines until his situation is clarified."
When asked about the move, Jose Mourinho meanwhile commented: "He's a Real Sociedad player. I don't comment on players from other clubs. I can only speak about my players. I think it's a question of respect to the coaches and the clubs where the players belong."
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