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.
Belgian side KRC Genk have opened talks to sign Fulham's teenage midfielder Matt O'Riley.
The 19-year-old is out of contract this summer and is free to negotiate a summer move with overseas clubs.
Fulham are keen to hold onto O'Riley, who has represented England at U16 and U18 level, and has been with the club since the age of eight.
Stuttgart, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund have all previously scouted O'Riley.
Bristol Rovers have confirmed the signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Jamal Blackman on loan until the end of the season.
Blackman had begun the season on loan at Vitesse but saw his time in Holland hampered by injury.
Valencia are hoping to sign Dani Ceballos on loan this month, according to reports in Spain.
Arsenal are reluctant to let the midfielder return to Real Madrid, however, he is believed to be unhappy at the club and wants to try and cement a place in Spain's Euro 2020 squad. He is yet to make an appearance under Mikel Arteta.
Aston Villa's Academy Manager Mark Harrison has lauded the signing of Louie Barry from Barcelona.
Barry will complete his move to Villa Park subject to international clearance.
“It (Louie’s signing) sends a powerful message about the ambition of this football club,” Harrison told Villa TV.
“We’re delighted - Louie is a local person and his family are all Villa fans, as is Louie.
“He is still a very young man but as he’s developed, he’s always been one player that you always recognise as having outstanding attributes. He’s got a fantastic mentality, he’s desperate to do well for this football club.
“He’s really driven, he’s got great family support, but in terms of what he can achieve, we firmly believe that he can be an outstanding number nine for this football club.”
To Manchester United and an update on where things stand from our man Miguel Delaney.
"They have been pursuing Bruno Fernandes but do want to take a fair long-term view there, and not make the kind of expensive signing that is only for the short-term. They still want James Maddison.
"They have investigated the possibility of Edinson Cavani this window, among a few striking options."
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has dismissed speculation linking Jannik Vestergaard and Che Adams with January transfers and insists he is not interested in selling players.
Defender Vestergaard has reportedly emerged as a surprise target for Premier League rivals Leicester, while striker Adams is rumoured to be interesting Championship club Leeds.
Both players have been peripheral figures at St Mary's this season but Hasenhuttl says neither has expressed a desire to leave.
"I've recognised it now that our players are interesting for other clubs, that shows that we do a good job here because they want to have him (Adams)," said Hasenhuttl.
"He's not playing in the moment all that much but I think he feels how important he is for this team.
"I need every player in my squad and this is what I always tell them, so for us there is no option because we need every player, I trust every player. I don't want to let anybody go.
"Nobody was is in my office and wanted to leave us. Also, we don't have to sell any players. We need every player in the moment, the squad has good balance."
Genk say they have an option to buy Eboue Kouassi after signing the Celtic midfielder on loan.
The 22-year-old has joined the Belgian champions until the end of the season.
The former Krasnodar player made the last of his 22 appearances for Celtic in October 2018.
The Ivorian joined Celtic on a four-year contract in a £2.8million switch three years ago.
Newcastle have apparently come to an agreement with Inter Milan over a loan for winger Valentino Lazaro.
Sky Sports report that the Austrian international will arrive on Tyneside tonight.
He will undergo a medical tomorrow and join for the remainder of the season.
Liverpool "don't need" to make a move for PSG star Kylian Mbappe, according to former Red Steve McManaman.
The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks and recently expressed his admiration for the European champions.
But McManaman, who made 272 league appearances for Liverpool, says Jurgen Klopp has more than enough talent at his disposal in the form of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
"I've said for the last three or four years that he's going to be the best around, but Liverpool are flying at the moment and they don't necessarily need Kylian Mbappe at this moment in time," he said.
"They're going to have to pay £250 million for him. Let's be honest, that's what he would cost. Liverpool are the best around at the moment, so if you're going to take a jump like that then there's going to be a lot of baggage that comes with that.
"I think the happiness of the team is more important than anything and actually the harmony of the front three of Liverpool, where you've got Divock Origi coming off the bench, to a certain extent it works.
"Everybody has got their job to play because Liverpool will play 60 games over the course of a season if they go far in the Champions League, so everybody knows that they have to play their part."
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