Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool and Man City target Adama Traore as Manchester United eye Daniel Cabral
Follow all the latest transfer news and gossip from the Premier League and around Europe in the January window
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The January transfer window is open but there has been a shortage of big-money moves so far, aside from Manchester United’s Amad Diallo in a £37m move from Atalanta.
With the coronavirus causing havoc with teams’ squads and the fixture schedule, there could be a temptation to secure strength in depth for what could be a frantic close to the season. Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham have dropped more points and now look to be embroiled in a battle for a top four finish, rather than a title race, and with their defence their weakness to date, Real Madrid defender Eder Militao – who is also wanted by AC Milan, inter and Roma – could be of interest. While Stuttgart’s Argentine forward Nicolas Gonzalez is another target, with Premier League side Leeds and La Liga outfit Valencia joining the pursuit of the former Argentinos Juniors star. Interestingly, Valencia are also thought to be keen on taking Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks on loan.
Elsewhere in north London, Arsenal have been priced out of a deal for Norwich’s Emi Buendia and so could move for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma, though a summer switch appears more likely in this case, with the Seagulls close to securing Moises Caicedo from Independiente del Valle but expected to loan the 19-year-old to either Manchester United or Chelsea. Those powerhouses are also in a race to sign RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, but Bayern Munich have joined that race.
Follow live updates from the January transfer window below.
DRINKWATER IN TURKEY TO COMPLETE LOAN MOVE
Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater is in Istanbul to undergo a medical ahead of a loan move to Kasimpasa, according to the Mail.
The 30-year-old reached an agreement with the Super Lig club earlier this month but Covid restrictions delayed the deal.
Chelsea will reportedly pay "a substantial amount" of Drinkwater's salary during the loan spell.
TOMORI PRICE TAG SET AT £26.7M
Chelsea have set the price tag for Fikayo Tomori’s buy option at £26.7 million, according to Fabrizio Romano.
AC Milan appear set to loan the Chelsea youngster with the option to make it permanent in the summer, though there is no obligation on the Italian side’s part.
The Rossoneri are sitting top of Serie A currently with the English defender set to add strength in depth.
QPR STRIKE DEAL FOR DE WIJS
QPR have completed the loan signing of Hull defender Jordy de Wijs.
The 26-year-old Dutchman first joined the Tigers in 2018 and has since made 76 appearances.
Although De Wijs' move back up to the Championship is initially on a loan basis, QPR have expressed their intent to make the signing permanent over the summer transfer window.
"This is a step up again and I am very happy to be here," De Wijs said on the club's website.
"This is a big club with a good stadium, great fans, and for me it is brilliant to be back in the Championship and play at this level again."
Manager Mark Warburton added: "We are delighted to bring Jordy on board.
"He is a proven Championship defender with real physicality and he possesses quality on the ball.
"He will add real competition to the squad in a very important position.
“As we know there are so many games in the Championship and we need to be sure we have that depth in all areas.”
PARLOUR WOULD ‘LOVE TO SEE’ ZAHA AT ARSENAL
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has admitted he is enticed by the prospect of seeing Wilfried Zaha in an Arsenal shirt.
The Crystal Palace winger recently revealed that he was approached by Arsenal before they opted to sign Nicolas Pepe instead.
“I’m sure Emery would have loved to have someone like Zaha but again it’s down to the board and money available, I don’t know what the situation was with the funds they had behind the scenes," Parlour told Stadium Astro.
“Pepe, they did that in a staggered way, probably paying £15m a year, which suited the French side [Lille] as well where he came from.
“Probably Crystal Palace wanted the money up front, which Arsenal couldn’t have done at that time, because they need to replace him - if you lose your best player you need to replace him. The deal probably wasn’t right for Crystal Palace if Arsenal couldn’t pay it up front - but certainly he’s a real talent.
“When he’s running at you full pelt, I wouldn’t like to play against him as a defender! You know he makes things happen, he goes down, he gets free-kicks in good areas, he can get penalties at times. He’s a real talent. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see him in an Arsenal shirt.”
REAL MADRID CONSIDER GIROUD MOVE
Real Madrid have identified Olivier Giroud as a potential target, according to AS.
The Chelsea striker is out of contract in the summer and is viewed as a suitable backup option to Karim Benzema.
Despite his advancing age, Real Madrid are considering signing Giroud on a free transfer, though it remains to be seen if Chelsea will offer the Frenchman a new deal.
BETIS FAVOURITES TO SIGN ARSENAL DEFENDER
Real Betis are now strong favourites to sign Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, according to Estadio Deportivo.
Genoa were reportedly interested but will now look elsewhere in their search for a new centre-back.
Talks between Arsenal and Betis are said to be at a "very advanced" stage.
INTER COULD BE FORCED TO SELL STAR PLAYERS
Inter may be forced to sell a host of big-name players, with the Serie A club expected to post major losses for the last financial year.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the Nerazzurri have been badly hit by the pandemic.
They could be forced to sell key players just to balance the books, and that will no doubt alert some of Europe's biggest clubs.
The likes of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez will undoubtedly attract interest, with the latter said to be a target for Barcelona and Manchester City.
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