Transfer news LIVE: Osimhen ‘agrees’ Chelsea move, Sancho leaves Man Utd and Arsenal target Ajax wonderkid
Brentford have set a huge price for Arsenal and Chelsea target Toney, while Tottenham and Manchester United are also lining up January targets
The January transfer window is well under way with deals being made and moves getting finalised. Arsenal have seemingly made Ivan Toney their ideal target for this window and have been told that it will take at least £100m to prise him away from Brentford. Chelsea are also interested in the striker but will need to offload several members of their huge squad to raise the funds for a deal.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have awarded a six-year contract to Pape Matar Sarr following his impressive season and have their sights set on Genoa defender Radu Dragusin. Spurs are reportedly hoping to finalise a £25m deal to bring the 21-year-old centre-back to the Premier League, although Napoli are now also in for the Romanian.
Elsewhere, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is making his presence known at Old Trafford following his minority takeover. The billionaire is now in charge of football operations and wants to bring Newcastle United chief Dan Ashworth on board to replace John Murtough as sporting director. Ashworth impressed during roles with the FA and Brighton before joining Newcastle 18 months ago and Ratcliffe is prepared to pay ‘whatever it takes’ to secure his services.
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Spurs willing to listen to offers for Spence
Tottenham are open to offers for Djed Spence after Leeds ended his loan spell early by activating a break-clause in the deal. The London club are also open to another loan for Spence, who will not feature for them this month.
Sergio Reguilon is also available for transfer or loan too after Man Utd activated a break-clause in his loan deal.
Man Utd and Dortmund agree deal in princple for Sancho
Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have agreed a deal in principle for Jadon Sancho to return to the German club on loan for the rest of the season.
The two clubs are not yet sure when the winger’s move can be confirmed but Sancho is set to rejoin Dortmund. The Bundesliga club are expected to pay a loan fee and a percentage of his wages, with United set to have to subsidise them.
Emery unsure if Villa will bring in reinforcements
Aston Villa find themselves waist deep in a Premier League title race as they are second behind Liverpool in the table.
The midlands club may never get a better opportunity to lift the title but doing so would require further investment to strengthen the squad for the back half of the year.
Manager Unai Emery has conceded that it is unclear if Villa will sign anyone in January, despite injuries and absentees.
Villa are still tight on financial fair play (FFP) regulations but there is a growing feeling Emery wants to strengthen at right-back, with Matty Cash the only specialist option currently in the squad.
Emery said: “One or two players could leave. Maybe. It’s not clear. And if we are trying to get someone, it is because we are very convinced they will increase our level in squad. And it’s not clear in January we are going to get it.”
Sevilla interested in Fofana
Sevilla are interested in signing Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana. The striker is currently on loan at Union Berlin and the Spanish side would need Chelsea to facilitate cutting that loan short to allow him to join.
Fofana wants to make the move for a fresh start after a difficult spell in Germany. He has scored two goals in 17 appearances for Union and hasn’t started a game since November 25.
The 21-year-old signed for Chelsea from Molde last January for £11m on a contract until 2029, with the option of a further year.
Eddie Howe reacts to ‘inappropriate’ bar blunder overshadowing Tyne-Wear derby
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has played down the significance of a blunder which saw a bar at the home of arch-rivals Sunderland decorated in his club’s colours ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup derby.
The Wearside club have launched an investigation into how the Black Cats Bar at the Stadium of Light, which will host corporate hospitality for travelling fans, was decked out in black and white and Magpies slogans, sparking fury from home supporters.
But as “disgusted and hurt” Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus vowed to address the issue, Newcastle head coach Howe waved away suggestions the 6,000 visiting supporters had been handed a head-start in the run-up to the eagerly-anticipated third-round fixture.
Eddie Howe reacts to ‘inappropriate’ bar blunder overshadowing Tyne-Wear derby
Sunderland have apologised to fans after a bar at the Stadium of Light was decked out with ‘inappropriate signage’ in Newcastle colours ahead of the derby this weekend
Arsenal target Ajax wonderkid Jorrel Hato
Arsenal are thinking about a move for Ajax teenager Jorrel Hato as the club looks to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s defence in the long-term.
The 17-year-old is regarded as an exciting prospect in Europea and can play as both a centre-back or a left-back. Hato has 18 months remaining on his current contract though Ajax want to tie him down to a new long-term deal.
Hato’s performances have been a bright spark in a challenging season for Ajax who seem confident that Arsenal will formalise their interest this summer, rather than during the January window.
Arsenal have a recent history of doing transfer business with Ajax, having signed Jurrien Timber from the Dutch club in a deal worth up to £39m last summer.
Sancho closing in on Dortmund loan
Borussia Dortmund are finalising the details on the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho.
There is optimism that the deal will be formally completed this weekend when Sancho is expected to join up with the Dortmund squad at their training camp in Marbella.
Currently the deal is for a straight loan with no buy options included.
Sancho’s long-term future with Manchester Untied will be assessed in the summer but his contract runs until 2026, with the club holding the option to extend for a further year.
Kalajdzic heading to Germany
Eintracht Frankfurt have reached a verbal agreement with Wolves over a six-month loan deal for Sasa Kalajdzic. Sky Sports News reported earlier this week that both Eintracht and Wolfsburg were interested in signing him.
Kalajdzic will be involved in Wolves’ FA Cup game at Brentford this evening so completion of the transfer will not be happening soon though the striker should depart before the end of the window.
Eintracht have an initial agreement with Wolves to take him for the rest of the campaign.
Arsenal looking for defensive reinforcements
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed that the Gunners are in the market for more defenders to cover the current spate of injuries in their squad.
“Unfortunately, Jurrien [Timber] has a very long-term injury. He’s doing really well but is still far from training with the team.” said Arteta,
“It’s what we have, with Tomi [Takehiro Tomiyasu] having to leave [for the Asia Cup]. We’re open for the market, but the emphasis is of making the most of the players we have.
“We’ll work with the club to understand if there are any possibilities.”
When asked if Arsenal could get some business done in January, Arteta replied: “It’s a possibility.”
Tierney not returning to Arsenal in January
Kieran Tierney won’t be returning to Arsenal from Real Sociedad this month despite the injuries to the Gunners’ remaining left-backs.
The 26-year-old’s season with Real Sociedad has been hit by injury but he is back fit and playing in a side sitting sixth in La Liga with the Champions League knockout stages to look forward to.
Tierney said: “Several people have asked me about this but the answer is no. I am definitely staying here (in January). Arsenal fans are great, they always gave me a lot of support. During the four years I was there, I will always be grateful to the fans.
“I don’t want to speak badly about the Premier League because there are some great atmospheres, but in Spain it really is amazing. If you hear fans from Osasuna and Cadiz, they don’t stop singing. It is great here.”
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