Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal keen on €100m Moussa Diaby and Newcastle want Chelsea trio
Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Leandro Trossard are all being linked with a move to Arsenal
The January transfer window has two weeks left to run and well over half the Premier League’s clubs have made at least one addition this month already - with the promise of plenty more to come.
Nottingham Forest added Brazilian midfielder Danilo to their ranks and Aston Villa agreed a deal for Jhon Duran from Chicago Fire, while the biggest deal of the window so far is Chelsea’s €100m capture of Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar.
In Tuesday’s rumours, Declan Rice and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are among the players who could be on the move sooner or later, while two Manchester United wingers face contrasting futures if the latest reports are to be believed.
Follow all the latest transfer news and rumours below.
Arsenal make Declan Rice ‘top target’ for summer
We kick off with the news that Arsenal, yet to make a signing this month, are already looking ahead to a Champions League campaign next term - and they want Declan Rice front and centre for it.
The West Ham midfielder will be in-demand after a poor Hammers campaign and as well as the Gunners, the Times say that Man United and Chelsea are also keen.
However, Arsenal are “growing in confidence” that they will win the race for his signature, despite having just been beaten by one of those clubs to land Mykhailo Mudryk, their top target for January.
The reported fee is £80m - a huge chunk down from last summer’s £150m reported pricetag.
Rating Chelsea’s five most expensive signings after Mykhailo Mudryk deal
Chelsea’s late swoop to scupper rivals Arsenal’s hopes of signing Mykhailo Mudryk set up one of the most eye-catching transfers of the season.
The Ukraine international has become one of the Blues’ most expensive signings after arriving at Stamford Bridge from Shakhtar Donetsk for £62million, a fee that could rise to £88m depending on performances.
Here we take a look at how the club’s five most expensive buys prior to Mudryk’s arrival have fared.
Rating Chelsea’s five most expensive signings after Mykhailo Mudryk deal
Ukrainian international Mudryk has become the latest big-money arrival at Stamford Bridge
Reminder of the day’s other big rumour: having missed out on Mudryk, Arsenal have turned their focus on Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.
Xabi Alonso’s side want €100m to do business, as a starting point for the conversation.
Initial contact made, says Sky’s Dharmesh Sheth.
Barcelona keen on signing Gundogan from Man City
Mundo Deportivo are citing “English media” for rumours suggesting Barcelona want to sign Ilkay Gundogan from Man City.
The Guardiola favourite is out of contract and the Catalans have identified him as an ideal free transfer addition in the summer, the report says.
Wolves man Ruben Neves is another Barca have been linked with, as Sergio Busquets is out of contract and still expected to depart.
Declan Rice linked with Arsenal
Earlier in the day we noted West Ham midfielder Declan Rice being a prime target of Arsenal for this summer. As such, it’s worth noting the odds on him to join the Gunners and other clubs right now:
Arsenal 4/1
Liverpool 6/1
Chelsea 8/1
Man United 16/1
Spurs 20/1
Man City 25/1
Other Premier League and overseas clubs are from 33/1
Even so, other bookmakers listed on Oddschecker do still make Chelsea the favourites to sign him. No doubt a few more twists and turns along the way are to come before his future is decided.
Wout Weghorst ‘really hungry’ to deliver on Premier League return with Man Utd
Manchester United new boy Wout Weghorst feels like he has unfinished business in the Premier League and is determined to help bring success to Erik ten Hag’s side this season.
The Old Trafford giants have impressed this term but looked light up top even before Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic exit last month.
United’s January move for Weghorst surprised the Netherlands striker as much as onlookers, with the 30-year-old saying it was “special moment” to find out about the interest from his agent.
The towering frontman had been on loan at Besiktas from Burnley, but a deal was struck last week that saw him instead switch from the Championship leaders to Ten Hag’s team for the remainder of the season.
Wout Weghorst ‘really hungry’ to deliver on Premier League return with Man Utd
The on-loan Dutch striker admits his previous spell in the league with Burnley was ‘not as successful as I hoped’
Aston Villa sell American winger
Another departure from Aston Villa. American 21-year-old winger Indiana Vassilev only played six times for the club as sub and now returns to USA.
Manchester United taking long-term view over Alejandro Garnacho contract and development
As Erik ten Hag sent Alejandro Garnacho on with Manchester United 1-0 down on Saturday, he reminded him of a few tactical instructions, but told him to express himself within that.
The 18-year-old had an awful lot to show, and was ready for it. Garnacho has made an increasing impact this season, but this performance against Manchester City felt like one of those career juncture moments in that it was a game-changing impact in a huge match.
The teenager turned Nathan Ake and played a huge part in turning the game. This is exactly the kind of exhilarating talent that has people in the game so excited.
This is why United fans have already honoured Garnacho with the same “viva” tune as Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s how highly he is thought of, and it’s not just at Carrington and Old Trafford.
Lionel Scaloni is almost certain to call him up for Argentina’s March friendlies, and some around the World Cup winners feel Garnacho might even have been an option for the Qatar tournament itself given the manager’s focus on youth. The only reason he wasn’t called up was because Scaloni and his staff felt it wasn’t quite fair to remove one of the trusted squad players they had in the build-up. That’s a sentiment that’s passing with the more the game sees.
Juventus have, meanwhile, been looking. Real Madrid are monitoring his situation. So is virtually every major football agent, as the wider game sees the next potential star.
More from Miguel Delaney on the Old Trafford starlet:
Man Utd taking long-term view over Alejandro Garnacho contract and development
Real Madrid are keen to move if an extension cannot be agreed but the teenager has 18 months left to run on his present deal
Newcastle keen on triple Chelsea swoop
Newcastle United are desperately in need of midfield reinforcements in January if they want to sustain their top-four push, after injuries have hit them hard in that area and Bruno Guimaraes went off injured at the weekend too.
Now they are reportedly hoping to bolster not just that area of the pitch but also their forward line, with a one-stop-shop for all your needs at Stamford Bridge.
Eddie Howe is keen on Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Hakim Ziyech, report the Telegraph, with the latter probably allowed to leave due to Champions League squad rules.
The English midfield duo could be more problematic deals to conclude as Chelsea also have injury concerns of their own.
Danjuma heading back to the Premier League on loan
Arnaut Danjuma is heading back to the Premier League, it seems.
A loan from Villarreal is on the cards and Sky Sports report he has been granted permission to travel to England, ahead of a possible medical and having a decision to make on where to head.
Everton, Forest and Bournemouth have all been in touch and could be granted permission to speak to the winger-turned-forward, who was also linked with Liverpool in the summer.
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