Transfer news: Man Utd to spoil Arsenal and Tottenham plans as Liverpool eye £54m wonderkid
Review the day's transfer stories with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all facing a busy month in the hunt for reinforcements
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Review all of Friday's transfer news, rumours, done deals and collapsed moves from around the world.
Manchester United and Arsenal were both in the headlines as they consider moves for Paris Saint-Germain's soon-to-be departed striker Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan is out of contract at the end of the season and available on a free transfer, and reports in his homeland suggest that offers have already been made from the two Premier League clubs along with Atletico Madrid. Chelsea meanwhile are on the hunt for a defender, with eyes on Issa Diop of West Ham and their former centre-back Nathan Ake at Bournemouth, with £40m bids prepared for both depending on who the club decide to focus on.
Tottenham Hotspur meanwhile are looking at Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti despite long-term interest from Arsenal and United, with the France international facing a somewhat uncertain future as Barca are keen to move him on this season, while another star defender who appears to be on the market is Juventus's Matthijs de Ligt, who despite only arriving in Italy at the start of the season is already being linked with a loan move back to Ajax after failing to settle in Turin. Review all of the stories below.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
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.
Frank Lampard has been speaking about Chelsea transfer target Moussa Dembele.
"He is a player I know, and the club knows. But it is a surprise for his name to pop up so much when it’s not as much in my conversations. At the moment we are working very hard in the training ground.
"I don’t want to cut and dry on anyone, but it is not one we are talking about."
New signing Danny Drinkwater could make his Aston Villa debut when they host Manchester City on Sunday.
The midfielder joined on loan from Chelsea this week and is available to face the champions.
Matt Targett (hamstring) is also back but Jonathan Kodjia (illness) is likely to miss out.
Granit Xhaka’s brother has denied the Switzerland international is poised to exit Arsenal this month.
“I don’t know if Hertha BSC were a concrete option for Granit at all. I spoke to him on the phone and he told me that the Bundesliga was an attractive league.
“But, he definitely wanted to stay in the Premier League. He feels very comfortable with Arteta.”
Back to Villa where the Premier League new boys are looking for a forward after Wesley's season-ending knee injury on New Year's Day.
They've been linked to Chelsea's Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi but remain frustrated.
Manager Dean Smith says: "We're working on it all the time, do I think we'll have it before Sunday? No. We're working around the clock to bring players in but it's a narrow window and a lot of clubs don't want their better players to be leaving.
"When you are after players, four things need to align, the selling clubs want to sell, the buying club wants to buy and have the funds and then the player and his agents.
"There are four boxes and we're not any closer to doing that at the moment."
Danny Drinkwater could make his Aston Villa debut when they host Manchester City on Sunday.
The midfielder joined on loan from Chelsea this week and is available to face the champions. Matt Targett (hamstring) is also back but Jonathan Kodjia (illness) is likely to miss out.
Keinan Davis (hamstring) is sidelined along with Tom Heaton and Wesley, who both had surgery on season-ending knee injuries this week, as well as John McGinn (fractured ankle) and Jed Steer (Achilles).
Frank Lampard has admitted that it is possible Andreas Christensen could leave Chelsea on loan before the end of the month.
"I can rule it out. I like Andreas as a player; I’ve always liked him. I used to train with him and saw the talent coming through.
"I want Andreas to be the best he can be. When you see the height, the athleticism and the quality on the ball. The reality is we have competition at centre-back here.
"I have to choose on what I see and generally two of them won’t be happy."
Daniel Farke has today touched on Norwich's links to Hertha Berlin midfielder Ondrej Duda saying: "We're looking to strengthen and bring in some options. I think we need a few more options. Duda, we know this player and he is a good player without any doubt. Let's see how the next days develop."
The 43-year-old manager also warded off interest in young full-back Max Aarons, who is linked with a lucrative move to Germany, saying: "I wouldn't spend too much energy listening to all these rumours. Listen, Max is a young guy, only 20 years old and he has four years on his contract.
"It's not the right time for him even to think about a January move. If I am honest when you see so many clubs linked with him you have to be very doubtful.
"In Germany a few days ago they say he had already signed for Bayern Munich, then the next day it is Borussia Dortmund. Here in England rumours each and every top club want him.
"When so many clubs are in the race it is very doubtful if that is the case. He has a long contract here and he's totally at the right place. I think he has played something like 21 Premier League games so far, leave him alone and let him play his football."
Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo has said that he will bring new signings to Molineux this transfer window.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's fixture with Newcastle United, the Portuguese manager also expressed his regret that summer signing Patrick Cutrone had not made more of an impact since joining from AC Milan in a £16.2m move.
The Italian, who scored only 3 goals for Wolves, is now in the process of completing a loan move to Fiorentina which will become permanent in 2021.
The departure leaves Wolves in need of new recruits and Nuno revealed that the West Midlands club are "working on" a number of targets, saying: "We have to. There are a lot of names, not only linked with Wolves, all the clubs but most of them are not true.
"It's a reality, we need to bring players and we will bring players. It needs time, needs proper decisions for us to bring players that can really help us and bring different characteristics to our squad."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments