Transfer news LIVE: Everton sack Frank Lampard, Chelsea want Fernandez and Kane could stay at Tottenham
Everton have also rejected a bid from Al Nassr for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic whilst pressure mounts on boss Frank Lampard
Chelsea’s spending spree looks set to continue after the club has reignited interest in Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The Blues targeted the 21-year-old right at the start of the January transfer window but talks between them and Benfica broke down as despite Cheslea believing they had agreed an appropriate fee. A bid of £112million was reportedly accepted by Benfica and personal terms agreed with Fernandez before the Portuguese club decided not to sell. Now the Blues look set to re-open talks and get a deal over the line before the deadline.
Elsewhere, Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Tottenham’s Harry Kane with the Athletic reporting that the 29-year-old striker is open to extending his career at Tottenham and will enter talks with the club this month over a contract extension. The England captain’s current deal runs out in the summer of 2024 with United reportedly hoping to bring him to Old Trafford this coming summer.
Also in the news, Everton have rejected a bid from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr who made a move for back-up goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. Thomas Frank has shut down any talk of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya possibly leaving and Hakim Ziyech is being eyed by Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
Follow all the latest January transfer rumours and confirmed news below:
Nathan Jones aims to replicate what Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle
Southampton boss Nathan Jones wants to replicate what Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle.
Saints host Howe’s in-form side in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Both managers have had remarkably similar career paths, Jones enjoying lower-league success with Luton and Howe at Bournemouth, either side of disappointing spells at Stoke and Burnley respectively.
Howe is now flying high in third place in the Premier League despite largely relying on the players he inherited in what was a struggling team.
Nathan Jones aims to replicate what Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle
Saints host Howe’s in-form side in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Why selling Harry Kane could make sense for everyone
If there is a lot of back and forth in the media about Harry Kane, it only reflects his mindset. The Tottenham Hotspur striker is again at the point where he is considering his future.
How could he not? He is going to be 30 in July and will at that point have just a year left on his contract, with the prospect of winning a major club trophy highly unlikely.
Kane will be in a far stronger position than he was in the summer of 2021, which was the last time he agitated.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy simply wouldn’t give in at that point, but he won’t have anything like the same hand now, and not just because of the danger of losing his best asset for nothing in 2024. Kane wanted to go after Euro 2020 but his mood did shift when Antonio Conte came in as manager, and the team went on a run that took them to a relatively unlikely Champions League place.
There was a conviction reminiscent of the Mauricio Pochettino period again. There was ambition. Kane was delighted to be working with one of the best managers in the game, and there was tentative hope he would even sign a new deal.
It’s just as well for his options that didn’t happen.
Why selling Harry Kane could make sense for everyone
As Kane considers his future, Tottenham need a rethink: the harsh truth is that a departure this summer may suit both parties
Man Utd face competition for Osimhen
Manchester United face competition from Real Madrid to sign Victor Osimhen, according to La Domenica Sportiva.
A fee of up to €140m has been mooted by journalist Ciro Venerato if both clubs make a push for the Nigerian forward in the summer.
Osimhen, the leading scorer in Serie A this season, is understood to be an option for Manchester United if Harry Kane opts to stay at Spurs.
Sean Dyche favourite to replace Lampard at Everton
Former Burnley boss Sean Dyche is the favourite to be next Everton manager after Frank Lampard was sacked on Monday afternoon.
According to Betfair Dyche is the 7/4 favourite to be the next permanent Everton manager
Everton legend Duncan Ferguson follows behind at 3/1, with Marcelo Bielsa (10/3), Wayne Rooney (17/2) and David Moyes (10/1) among the other contenders
Odds on next Everton manager:
Sean Dyche: 7/4
Duncan Ferguson: 3/1
Marcelo Bielsa: 10/3
Wayne Rooney: 17/2
David Moyes: 10/1
Nuno Espirito Santo, Sam Allardyce, Domenico Tedesco: 14/1
Ange Postecoglou: 25/1
Manchester United to take on Aston Villa in WSL clash at Old Trafford
Manchester United will return to Old Trafford in March when they face West Ham in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The fixture on Saturday, March 25 will be United’s first women’s match of the year at Old Trafford, where Marc Skinner’s side have a 100 per cent record.
Skinner told the club’s official website: “Our entire group of players and staff are extremely excited to perform in front of our incredible fans at Old Trafford, for the second time this season.”
Manchester United to take on Aston Villa in WSL clash at Old Trafford
The match in March will be United’s first women’s match of the year at Old Trafford.
Everton reject bid for Begovic
Everton have rejected an offer from Al Nassr for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Begovic is firmly the number two at Goodison Park having made only three appearances for the club this season with his contract also running out this summer.
Al Nassr - the Saudi Arabian club that Cristiano Ronaldo moved to - reportedly want to sign the goalkeeper on loan but their proposal was rejected by the Toffees.
It’s expected Al Nassr will return with a second offer in the coming days.
Frank Lampard sacked as Everton manager
Everton have sacked Frank Lampard as manager.
Lampard departs short of a year in charge at Goodison Park with the Toffees 19th, in the relegation zone and two points adrift of safety.
Some Everton players felt it was inevitable last night, the Independent understands.
Everton have endured a dismal start to the season with Lampard’s side last winning against Crystal Palace in October, meaning just one victory in their last 12 Premier League games after defeat to West Ham last weekend.
Frank Lampard sacked as Everton manager
The Toffees have lost six and drawn two in their last eight Premier League matches
Danjuma to join Everton
Everton are set for a boost as Arnaut Danjuma will join the club over the course of the next 24 hours.
Sky Sports News reported on Saturday that Frank Lampard played a key role in the deal though there are now whispers that Lampard faces the sack from the Everton higher ups.
Danjuma said to be aware of the challenge of joining a club in the midst of a relegation fight but he wants to test himself and help the Toffees stay in the Premier League.
The forward has completed his medical and the paperwork should be signed and completed soon.
West Ham to offload Antonio?
West Ham sealed the signing of Danny Ings from Aston Villa last week and may still be in the market for another striker as they look to up their goal scoring tally.
The Hammers have bid £25m for Terem Moffi with Lorient on the verge of accepting the bid should the player fancy moving to London. Moffi is said to be undecided about the move though.
If they manage to get that deal over the line or one for an alternate striker then West Ham are reportedly willing to consider offers for striker Michail Antonio who has interest from other Premier League sides.
Ziyech to Newcastle?
It’s already been said that Hakim Ziyech may now be surplus to requirements at Chelsea - especially after the arrivals of Mykhaylo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Joao Felix - meaning clubs across Europe are now enquiring over his availability.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma have already been in contact over a move for the Morocco international and now it’s said Newcastle United could rival them for his signature. That’s according to The Evening Standard.
Everton are also understood to be keen on the former Ajax star, who has reportedly already opened talks over a Roma switch.
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