Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea target Erling Haaland and David Alaba, Liverpool given Kylian Mbappe boost
All the latest rumours, gossip and done deals from the Premier League and around Europe as the transfer deadline looms
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Your support makes all the difference.Welcome along to live coverage of all Friday’s transfer news, rumours, gossip and done deals from around Europe as the deadline approaches. There have been some notable done deals so far, including Arsenal wrapping up a loan deal with Real Madrid for Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard. While the injury problems are piling up for Jurgen Klopp, who continues to discuss his club’s lack of business this month, with Joel Matip’s injury perhaps finally forcing a change of heart over whether to sign a short-term solution to their defensive crisis.
Tottenham, too, could look for options late in the window with the news Harry Kane is injured again with an ankle problem. While Manchester United could dip into the market to steady their title challenge, which took a hit with defeat to Sheffield United on Wednesday - Christoph Baumgartner is among the names linked to Old Trafford this month.
There will be exits at United too with fringe players likely to be pushed out the door, including Jesse Lingard, who will likely stay in the Premier League and has been linked to West Ham.
Elsewhere Tottenham have made contact with Angel di Maria about a possible move to the north London club, according to L’Equipe, as the 32-year-old’s contract runs out this summer. First, PSG want to bring Spurs midfielder Dele Alli the other way on loan until the rest of the season.
Reports in Germany say the new Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel already has already identified the RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano as his top target as he seeks to make an impact at Stamford Bridge. Frank Lampard’s sacking has meanwhile had the knock-on effect of leaving West Ham more confident than ever of keeping hold of Declan Rice. Follow all the latest news below.
PARKER NOT CONFIDENT ON STRIKER
Fulham boss Scott Parker isn’t confident that the club will bring in a striker during the January transfer window.
Aleksandr Mitrovic is the club’s only recognised striker with Ivan Cavaleiro filling the role for most of the season. Parker said:
We all understand where we may need help with the squad, but whether that happens I'm not confident,
"I think we need that in that area because we're light in numbers. We have one recognised striker at our football club in Aleks (Mitrovic) and he's been fantastic for us. (Ivan) Cavaleiro has been playing as a nine for us as well and has done remarkably well.
"I feel for competition to help the team evolve in this division, it is an area we need to look at. At the same time I also understand how difficult it is in this present time."
DZEKO SEEKING MANCHESTER RETURN
Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is set to leave Roma in the next couple of days after a fall out with coach Paulo Fonseca.
He had been linked with move to West Ham but Corriere Dello Sport say the player’s agent is working on bringing him back to Manchester.
Gaezzetta dello Sport reckons Alessandro Lucci has offered Dzeko to Manchester United as a possible replacement for Odion Ighalo whilst at the same time working on a deal to take Dzeko back to City where he won five trophies from 2011-2015.
However, neither United nor City are interested in bringing Dzeko back to the Premier League. A more likely destination is Inter Milan, who have reportedly offered Alexis Sanchez in a swap deal.
WEST HAM COMPLETE BENRAHMA MOVE
West Ham United have completed the permanent transfer of Said Benrahma from Brentford. They have planned to bring him in last summer but an issue with his medical meant they could only secure a loan deal at the last minute.
Hammer’s boss David Moyes said the club had always planned to sign Benrahma permanently and now the door is open for West Ham to bring in Jesse Lingard on loan.
The Hammers are only allowed two domestic loan deals at one time, with Benrahma and Craig Dawson on the books they wouldn’t have been able to secure Lingard. Now that Benrahma is a permanent West Ham player a loan space has opened up for the Hammers to bring Lingard down to London.
RACE FOR UPAMECANO SET FOR SUMMER
Manchester United will have stiff competition to bring Dayot Upamecano to Old Trafford as the RB Leipzig centre-back is set to be sold this summer.
According to the Sun, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have all been linked with the 22-year-old, who has become an integral part of the Leipzig team, helping them to the Champions League semi-final last season.
A £38 million release clause in his contract activates at the end of the season which will be a bargain for whichever team secures his services.
Fussball Transfers are reporting that Upamecano has already had conversations with Bayern Munich which could see them in pole position to sign him this summer.
KLOPP TALKS CENTRE-BACK
Joel Matip was injured once again for Liverpool in their clash with Tottenham last night leaving Jurgen Klopp without a recognised centre-back pairing.
Despite claiming that the Reds were not bringing in any replacements during this window, Liverpool are running out of options for replacements and Klopp is reconsidering.
He said: “We thought the whole time it’s about doing the right thing. I am not picky.
“We need to find the right player, we have players, not a lot in the defensive line, it is incredible what is happening there, really incredible.”
SPURS SIGN CHO SO-HYUN
Tottenham Women have signed South Korea’s Cho So-Hyun on loan from West Ham United Women for the rest of the season with an option to make the move permanent.
Cho made 33 appearances for West Ham after joining in January 2019 and scored a decisive penalty against Reading in the FA Cup semi-final that took the Hammers to their first Wembley final.
The South Korea captain brings a wealth of experience with her after playing 126 times for her country and subject to approval from the FA she should be eligible to line up against Chelsea in this Sunday’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League match.
LAWWELL TO LEAVE CELTIC
Celtic’s chief executive Peter Lawwell is to retire at the end of the season after 17 years with the Scottish Premiership Champions.
Under his tenure Celtic have won 29 trophies including 13 league titles.
Lawwell said: "It has been an enormous privilege to have served the club and our supporters for more than 17 years - a wonderful honour to have been part of an institution I have loved and supported all my life."
MAITLAND-NILES OUT ON LOAN?
Ainsley Maitland-Niles could leave Arsenal on loan before the end of the transfer window according to The Athletic.
Sam Allardyce is said to be keen on the midfielder and wants to bring him to West Brom to help them avoid relegation.
Though it is unclear at this stage whether Mikel Arteta would be willing to sanction such a move.
MAITLAND-NILES OUT ON LOAN?
Ainsley Maitland-Niles could leave Arsenal on loan before the end of the transfer window according to The Athletic.
Sam Allardyce is said to be keen on the midfielder and wants to bring him to West Brom to help them avoid relegation.
Though it is unclear at this stage whether Mikel Arteta would be willing to sanction such a move.
LEVERKUSEN PURSUING GRAY
German side Bayer Leverkusen are confident they will be able to sign Demarai Gray from Leicester City before the end of the window.
Gray has got just six months left on his contract and Leverkusen hope to complete a move within the next 24 hours.
They hope Gray will have a similar impact on the Bundesliga as other young English stars such as Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho.
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