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:
Five clubs missed out on Kiwior
Arsenal are set to confirm their signing of Jakub Kiwior from Spezia after winning the race for the defender.
Borussia Dortmund were reportedly the Gunners’ biggest competition with an offer of £19.5m which Arsenal beat with a bid totalling £21m.
Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Brentford and Leicester also had offers turned down.
Forest’s Donnelly set for Vale loan
Nottingham Forest left-back Aaron Donnelly is set to join Port Vale on loan.
The 19-year-old defender is a promising Northern Ireland U21 international and will join the League One side for the rest of the season.
Arsenal and the twin critical tests that show they are now the real deal
One of the secrets of Arsenal’s title surge has been how judiciously Mikel Arteta has managed the mood of his players, “grounding their confidence”, but even he struggled to find the words in the aftermath of a win like this.
“It was electric,” the Basque said. It has also led to something “extraordinary”, as Arteta added.
Arsenal are at exactly the halfway point of their league campaign, with 19 games played, and have 50 points. Only four sides in history have ever had more at this stage. It is as emphatic and clean an illustration as you could have as to how Arteta’s side have so far passed every test.
Before wondering about what next, and how their main challengers were one of those four teams, it is worth considering what they’ve come through.
Arsenal passing twin critical tests shows they are now the real deal
The comeback win over Manchester United leaves the Gunners clear of champions Man City
Spurs face competition for Zaniolo
Sky Italia claim that Tottenham will face competition from AC Milan to sign Nicolo Zaniolo from Roma.
Milan are said to want to bolster their attacking options in a bid to retain the Serie A title.
However, Roma are reportedly demanding more than £30million for the 23-year-old who has 18 months left on his contract which could deter both clubs unless they can negotiate a price drop.
Fresneda could make move to Arsenal
Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda is deciding on which club to join this month with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund to two most viable options.
The Athletic say a fee of £13.1m has been agreed both clubs have made personal terms with Fresneda plus a clause to loan him back to Valladolid for the rest of the season.
The 18-year-old right-back is expected to decide on which club to join in the next few days.
Everton’s latest mess of their own making has them headed for the Championship
The anniversary of one of the more ignominious events in Everton’s chequered recent history falls this week. Not one of the nine defeats in 12 league games that ended Rafa Benitez’s reign, as opposed to the nine losses in Frank Lampard’s last 12 league matches in charge now, but Vitor Pereira’s car-crash interview on Sky Sports which made it impossible for even Farhad Moshiri to appoint a manager who got 1860 Munich relegated. From the German second division, too.
But ignominy feels a constant companion. For a spell on Saturday, Everton slipped to the foot of the table. Aston Villa’s winner at Southampton reprieved them. It would have been symbolic in one respect, if not another. Maybe Everton have actually hit rock bottom. Maybe there are deeper lows.
Certainly for a club who have been ever-presents in the top flight since Winston Churchill was Prime Minister, there is a growing possibility next season’s fixture list will include Rotherham and Plymouth, that their local derby will be against Preston, not Liverpool. It would strip Everton of Premier League funds and, for a club who have amassed financial losses and who – presumably, anyway – are stripped of Alisher Usmanov’s money, that would seem to pose an existential threat.
Everton’s latest mess of their own making has them headed for the Championship
19th in the Premier League and one win since the start of October leaves Frank Lampard’s side staring at relegation
Villa want Deulofeu
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have been linked with former Watford, Everton and Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu.
Udinese sporting director Pierpaolo Marino confirmed that clubs around Europe - including Villa - are interested in signing the forward snd seemingly Marino refused to rule out a departure for the 28-year-old.
“Every week I have to answer these speculations. For now, the player and his agents have withstood the approaches of important clubs around Europe.” he said.
“I must say that at the moment there are no serious negotiations underway with Roma, but I confirm that there are interests from Europe.
“The intention of the club has always been not to let the players leave in January, but we know that the scenarios can change given that there are various components to take into account.”
Real Madrid target Chiesa
Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing up a move for Juventus and Italy star Federico Chiesa.
Fichajes claim that Carlo Ancelotti is hoping to capitalise on Juventus’ 15-point deduction in Serie A and bring the 25-year-old Italian winger to Madrid.
The Spanish giants are building a squad of young exciting talent and Chiesa fits the bill.
A great day to put things right – John Stones insists Man City had to improve
John Stones accepts Manchester City had some wrongs to put right after manager Pep Guardiola rounded on the players last week.
City boss Guardiola angrily criticised his squad in public, claiming they were lacking hunger and fire, after they needed to fight back from 2-0 down to beat Tottenham last Thursday.
Guardiola’s broadside underlined his frustration after a series of frustrating results, including a derby loss to Manchester United and a meek Carabao Cup exit at Southampton.
Their response was to brush Wolves aside 3-0, with the prolific Erling Haaland scoring his fourth hat-trick of the season, in their latest Premier League outing at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
A great day to put things right – John Stones insists Man City had to improve
City have won their last two games.
Roma interested in Ziyech
Roma are interested in signing Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech reports Sky Sports from Italy.
There are rumours that winger Nicolo Zaniolo will leave the Italian side this month so Roma are looking at possible replacements with Ziyech being near the top of the list.
Chelsea have a surplus of players in his position with Ziyech’s future at the club looking uncertain. He’s competing with new right-winger Noni Madueke and the injured Raheem Sterling who are both siad to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
However, a transfer for the Morocco international is tricky for Roma who would struggle to match Ziyech’s high wages at Chelsea.
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