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:
Leeds interested in defender Monteiro
Leeds are interested in signing a young Portuguese centre-back Diogo Monteiro. The 17-year-old is currently playing for Swiss side Servette.
He has played seven times for Servette’s first-team this season and has been watched by Leeds scouts who are keen to bring him in at Elland Road.
Jan Bednarek back at Southampton after Aston Villa loan is cut short
Defender Jan Bednarek has been recalled from his loan spell at Aston Villa by Southampton.
The 26-year-old Poland international moved to Villa Park in the summer but made just four appearances.
He has now returned to St Mary’s to help Nathan Jones’ squad as they battle against relegation from the Premier League.
Bednarek has played 153 times for the Saints since joining from Lech Poznan in 2017.
Jan Bednarek back at Southampton after Aston Villa loan is cut short
The defender made just four appearances for Villa.
Newcastle to sign another forward?
When Newcastle allowed Chris Wood to leave for Nottingham Forest last week it left a gap in Eddie Howe’s squad up top. They no longer have a tall striker who can hold up play and be a target man for long balls and crosses into the box.
Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Southampton, Howe confirmed he was looking to get in a replacement.
“It’s no secret that losing Chris was a blow for us,” he said. “We’re not necessarily, as I said in the previous press conference, looking for a like-for-like transfer, but someone who can bolster us in the attacking areas.”
No chance to sign Camavinga
Arsenal thought they may have had a chance at bringing Eduardo Camavinga to the Emirates on a loan deal from Real Madrid but that isn’t the case.
Standard Sport claimed last week that the Real Madrid midfielder was on the Gunners wish list as a potential loan option but transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says that Camavinga remains a key player for Real and he won’t be allowed to leave the club.
Cesar Azpilicueta advises ‘very confident’ Mykhailo Mudryk to ignore price tag
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has advised new signing Mykhailo Mudryk not to allow his price tag to stifle his ability to express himself on the field.
The 22-year-old made his debut in the goalless draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, his first action since November, following his move from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal which could be worth £89million.
That figure potentially makes the Ukraine international Chelsea’s second-biggest transfer purchase after Romelu Lukaku but Azpilicueta has urged the player to ignore the numbers around the deal.
Cesar Azpilicueta advises ‘very confident’ Mykhailo Mudryk to ignore price tag
The 22-year-old made his debut in the goalless draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
Premier League talking points
Mudryk makes an early mark
He may not have played since November but new Chelsea signing Mykhailo Mudryk produced an encouraging cameo in an otherwise dreary goalless draw at Liverpool.
The 22-year-old Ukraine international could end up becoming the club’s second most expensive signing after joining in a potential £89million deal but was their liveliest performer in a 35-minute substitute appearance.
Cody Gakpo’s slow start to life at Liverpool can be traced to two key reasons
There were no goals at Anfield but a manager reflected on what he termed “promising signs” from the forward signed in January. It was Graham Potter, not Jurgen Klopp, and the attacker in question was Mykhailo Mudryk, not Cody Gakpo. Any comparison is indirect and inexact, and not merely because Potter was asked about a debutant and Klopp was not quizzed about an arrival making his fourth appearance. It was Arsenal Chelsea pipped for Mudryk’s signature and Manchester United who were caught napping when Liverpool nipped in to get Gakpo.
Mudryk was a substitute, Gakpo a starter but a common denominator was a difficulty finding the target amid some wayward finishing: eye-catching as the £88 million man’s pace was, he directed two efforts into the side-netting and was seemingly caught unawares when his second chance fell to him. Gakpo had seven chances, skying the first and best, and the only one that tested Kepa Arrizabalaga was struck at him, albeit after a deft spin and shot.
But if one fundamental difference is that the Ukrainian cost twice as much as the Dutchman, and would presumably have been beyond Liverpool’s budget, another is that Mudryk’s bow came in his preferred role, on the left wing. It is Gakpo’s best position, too, and with Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz injured, it felt clear his short-term future would lie there.
Gakpo’s slow start to life at Liverpool can be traced to two key reasons
The World Cup star has yet to score or assist for Jurgen Klopp’s team, who are playing well below their best
Will Spurs land Pedro Porro?
Tottenham are desperate to get a deal for Sporting CP’s Pedro Porro over the line and have offered to give up Marcus Edwards’ 50 per cent sell-on fee as part of negotiations.
An offer of £30m has been rejected by Sporting but Spurs have sent a second bid including Edwards’ clause with more money up-front and more add-ons included.
Sporting are adamant that only Porro’s £39.5m release clause, paid in one lump sum, will suffice in order to land the right-back.
Premier League talking points
Forest’s survival bid continues to grow
Nottingham Forest are the lower reaches’ form team as a draw at third-bottom Bournemouth made it 12 points from the last 21.
They have lost just once in that run and are up to 13th, four points clear of danger. The addition of experienced striker Chris Wood from Newcastle, who made his debut against the Cherries, has strengthened them further.
Premier League talking points
It was billed as the game where the loser would get the sack and Everton’s defeat at fellow strugglers West Ham sees Frank Lampard clinging to his job just over a week away from his first anniversary at the club.
A 2-0 loss at the London Stadium – a ninth defeat in 12 league matches – leaves his side second-bottom with leaders Arsenal and Liverpool their next two fixtures.
David Moyes, however, can breathe slightly easier for now after the Hammers climbed out of the bottom three.
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