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:
PSG are interested in signing Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Dembele has so far rejected Barcelona’s offers of a new contract at the Camp Nou, leaving the club with no option but to sell the 24-year-old before he leaves as a free agent.
Newcastle have also been linked with the France international, but PSG have also now stepped up their interest and are monitoring the situation closely.
Jamie Braidwood5 January 2022 10:15
Newcastle eye Sevilla’s Carlos as Botman alternative
Newcastle are monitoring Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos as an alternative to Lille defender Sven Botman.
The Telegraph report that Sevilla would demand a fee upwards of £30m for the Brazilian, who has been in impressive form this season.
Newcastle were dealt a blow after Lille refused to sell their top target Botman, the highly rated Netherlands international, this January.
Eddie Howe has made signing a top centre-back his number one priority this transfer window.
Jamie Braidwood5 January 2022 10:00
Transfer news live - Done deal!
Brighton have confirmed the singing of 18-year-old Poland international midfielder Kacper Kozlowski on a four-and-a-half year deal.
Kozlowski, who arrives from Polish side Pogon Szczecin, made history in the summer when he became the youngest player to make an appearance at a European Championships.
At 17 years and 246 days old, he beat the record previously set by England’s Jude Bellingham only a few days earlier.
Brighton have confirmed that Kozlowski will join Belgian league leaders Royale Union St-Gilloise until the end of the season.
Jamie Braidwood5 January 2022 09:45
Guardiola could accept Laporte departure
Manchester City could allow defender Aymeric Laporte to join Barcelona next summer - as long as Pep Guardiola gets midfielder Frenkie de Jong in return.
That’s according to a report in El National - who say that although City would want to keep Laporte amid interest from Barcelona, Guardiola would love to work with De Jong.
The Netherlands midfielder, who moved to the Nou Camp in 2019, has a long-term deal at the club but Barcelona would be prepared to let him go following the emergence of talented youngsters Pedri and Gavi.
Jamie Braidwood5 January 2022 09:30
Man United’s Van de Beek eyes January move
Donny van de Beek could yet leave Manchester United in January, according to ESPN.
The 24-year-old midfielder was said to have reconsidered his options following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But the Netherlands international has started just one match under interim boss Ralf Rangnick and reportedly has reservations over promises that he will see more game time over the second half of the season.
Van de Beek could seek a loan move away from Old Trafford, with the midfielder keen to secure regular game time in order to secure a place in Holland’s World Cup squad.
Jamie Braidwood5 January 2022 09:15
Premier League clubs eye Everton’s Digne
Newcastle have joined Chelsea and West Ham in competing for Everton’s Lucas Digne, it has been reported.
The left-back has fallen out of favour with manager Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park, with the Toffees open to offers of around £30m for the 28-year-old, according to Sky Sports.
Chelsea are looking for cover for Ben Chilwell, who is out for the season, while Newcastle have made strengthening their defence a priority and are close to signing right-back Kieran Trippier.
Sky Sports add that an unnamed fourth Premier League club has also declared an interest, while Napoli have had an offer to take the Frenchman on loan with an option to buy turned down.
Jamie Braidwood5 January 2022 09:01
Arsenal make opening bid for Vlahovic
Arsenal have made a bid for in-demand Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Gunners reportedly tabled an opening offer of €70m (£58.5) for the 21-year-old, who is also being tracked by Tottenham and Atletico Madrid.
Vlahovic has scored 16 goals in 19 appearances in Serie A this season to attract the interest of Europe’s top clubs, and with Arsenal ready to part ways for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Serbia international has emerged as the leading option on the Gunners’ shortlist.
It has been reported that Arsenal have also considered Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but are pushing to sign Vlahovic this month.
Jamie Braidwood5 January 2022 08:48
Arsenal ready to listen to offers for Aubameyang
Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January, according to Sky Sports.
The 32-year-old was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy by manager Mikel Arteta last month following his latest disciplinary breach.
The striker is now at the Africa Cup of Nations with Gabon and with Arsenal lining up a list of possible replacements, they are hoping to receive a suitable offer for Aubameyang this month.
Aubameyang still has a year and a half on his £300,000 a week deal, however, which could put off interest from clubs.
Jamie Braidwood5 January 2022 08:38
Newcastle close in on Trippier deal
Kieran Trippier has also agreed personal terms with Newcastle as the club close in on confirming his transfer from Atletico Madrid.
A fee of £12 million, plus add-ons, has been agreed for the right-back and a medical is expected to take place in the coming hours, say The Guardian.
Atletico did not want to sell Trippier, who was part of their title winning team of last season, but they accepted that the 31-year-old was set on a move back to England.
The LaLiga side have already started looking at possible replacements for the England international.
Jamie Braidwood5 January 2022 08:31
Transfer news live
Good morning and welcome to Wednesday's transfer window live blog.
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:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments