Transfer news LIVE: Premier League clubs battle for Philippe Coutinho, Newcastle close in on Kieran Trippier
Follow all the latest transfer news and updates from the Premier League and beyond
The January transfer window is open and rumours are swirling around the Premier League and across Europe.
Philippe Coutinho is set to decide between five Premier League clubs battling for his signature as the Brazil star nears an exit from Barcelona and a return to the Premier League. The 29-year-old has struggled since making the move to the Camp Nou and is said to favour a return to England, where he spent five years at Liverpool. Aston Villa are said to be one of those sides involved in the race for the midfielder, according to the Mail, with Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton also linked.
Newcastle appear to be closing in on their first signing of the window after reportedly agreeing a fee with Atletico Madrid for England international right-back Kieran Trippier. The former Tottenham full-back, who joined the Spanish club in 2019, has been keen to move back to England ever since coming close to joining Manchester United last summer. The BBC report that Newcastle have had a bid of £12 million, plus add-ons, accepted for the 31-year-old in what would be club’s first signing under their new owners.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have reportedly made their first move for in-demand Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport. They say the Gunners have made an opening offer of £58.5m for the 21-year-old, in a deal that would see midfielder Lucas Torreira join the Serie A club on a permanent basis. Arsenal will also listen to offers for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during the window, according to Sky Sports, and it could be that Vlahovic replaces the former captain at the club this January.
Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from the Premier League and around Europe:
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Antonio Conte provides update on Harry Kane’s Tottenham future: ‘He’s totally involved in this project now’
Newcastle close on Kieran Trippier deal to kickstart January rebuild
Real Madrid tipped to pair Erling Haaland with Kylian Mbappe
A record move!
From Italy to Germany, now, and a record transfer that has just a few final ‘i’s to dot and ‘t’s to cross before completion. American teen sensation Ricardo Pepi has been a breakthrough star of MLS over the last two seasons and appears to now be Bavaria-bound, with FC Augsburg’s offer of just short of $20 million (£14.8 million) enough to secure the 18-year-old from FC Dallas.
An official announcement is due soon, barring unforeseen problems uncovered in yesterday’s medical.
More reports from Italy
Here’s another intriguing little rumour emerging from Turin-based Tuttosport - ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri could raid his former club for Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The winger has been in and out of the side under Thomas Tuchel and could look to move away in search of more regular football.
Sarri, now at Lazio in Serie A, is said to be keen to bring the 21-year-old to the Italian capital.
What about Lucas Digne?
Whereabouts might Everton’s out-of-favour Frenchman end up, then? Lucas Digne has been commonly connected with Chelsea, who are in need of a left-wing-back after Ben Chilwell’s injury, while La Gazzetta Dello Sport in Italy mentions Inter Milan as a potential suitor.
An untidy financial situation at the club means a fee may prove a stumbling block for Inter, which could mean a swap deal is required as an alternative - La Gazzetta floats Uruguayan midfielder Matias Vecino as a makeweight.
A deal close to completion at Everton
One move that could go through this week at Goodison Park is that of Rangers right-back Nathan Patterson. There has been a flurry of early transfer activity at Everton as Rafa Benitez looks to shore up both defensive flanks, with Dynamo Kyiv defender Vitaliy Mykolenko already added.
With Lucas Digne all but certain to be headed for the exit door after a row with Benitez, Patterson would add further options out wide defensively, and an initial fee of just under £10 million has been agreed, according to The Guardian.
Jose Mourinho wants to add Ainsley Maitland-Niles
A player who may be leaving the Emirates Stadium is Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The 24-year-old utility man is reportedly a target of Jose Mourinho at Roma.
Maitland-Niles spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom and has also been connected with Everton in recent weeks after a loan deal to Rafa Benitez’s side fell through at the backend of August 2021.
After the collapse of that temporary move, Maitland-Niles publicly voiced his frustration, writing on social media: “All I want to do is go where I’m wanted & where I’m going to play.”
He may now belatedly get his wish.
And across North London...
It may also be an intriguing window for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future (or lack thereof) likely to become clear and reinforcements perhaps required if the club are to maintain an impressive recent string of performances.
Thomas Partey has stood out, but the Ghanaian is bound for the African Cup of Nations this month, and Arsenal perhaps need further high-class midfield options. Granit Xhaka has proved a useful foil for Partey, but is a little unreliable.
Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is the latest name to be linked as an option for Arteta.
Brazilian outlet Globo report that Lyon would be looking for £38million from any prospective suitor.
Incomings at Spurs?
As well as squaring away his skipper’s future, Antonio Conte is also said to be hoping to strengthen his Tottenham squad significantly either in January or in the summer. With Tanguy Ndombele seemingly very out of favour, and Conte as yet unconvinced by signs of promising steps out of poor form from Harry Winks and Dele Alli, a midfield recruit heads the agenda for the new Spurs boss.
The Express report that Spurs have held talks with the AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie’s camp with his contract in Italy set to expire in the summer.
Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked with the midfielder, while Tottenham are also assessing other options - Juventus’ Weston McKinnie is similarly cited as a potential target, which could open the door for Aurelien Tchouameni of Monaco to make a switch to Turin.
Tottenham keen to keep hold of Hugo Lloris
He’s Tottenham’s all-time leading Premier League appearance-maker and a World Cup winning captain and Antonio Conte has no desire to see Hugo Lloris leave Spurs in the summer.
The Frenchman is out of contract come the close of the season and can now begin to negotiate with clubs overseas about a potential free transfer, but Conte hopes his club captain, who is in outstanding form, will remain in London.
"Hugo is a Tottenham player, he’s the captain. For sure he will talk with the club to try to find a solution," he said. "I think Hugo wants to stay in his club, he loves the club, he stays well in Tottenham."
The 35-year-old has been linked with a return to former club Nice.
Hugo Lloris ‘loves Tottenham and Tottenham loves him’
Davinson Sanchez’s last-gasp winner ensured Spurs left Watford with all three points.
Manchester United look to Leverkusen for latest German wunderkind Florian Wirtz
While signs of a dramatic immediate improvement may have been absent since the interim appointment of Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford, the German’s arrival may have aided Manchester United’s chances of landing Florian Wirtz.
The Daily Star report that United believe the appointment of Rangnick as interim boss could give them the inside track in the chase for one of the most-wanted young players in Europe.
The 18-year-old is enjoying a fine season for Bayer Leverkusen which has caught the eye of the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as United.
Leverkusen could look to cash in next summer and are said to be looking for upwards of £70million.
Aaron Ramsey eyeing Premier League return
Kieran Tripper may not be the only familiar face making a return to English football after a European sojourn - the suggestions are that former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is also the object of interest for a number of Premier League clubs.
Newcastle (of course), Everton and West Ham are all said to be interested in offering the Wales international a route out of Juventus. Ramsey, who joined the Italian side in 2018, has made just four starts for Juventus so far this season and has struggled to settle in Serie A.
Reports claim that Juventus would allow the 31-year-old to leave the club this window.
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