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.
MAITLAND-NILES READY FOR LOAN SWITCH
Arsenal winger Ainsley Maitland-Niles is ready to go out on loan in order to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2021.
The 23-year-old has struggled for playing time under Mikel Arteta, and has been used chiefly in secondary cup competitions such as the Europa League and the League Cup.
The Mirror states that the England international knows he needs to leave the club in order to find more playing time, and Wolves could be an option.
Any deal for Maitland-Niles would only be a loan deal until the end of the campaign.
Maitland-Niles has won five caps for England.
WEST BROM CLOSE IN ON YOKUSLU SIGNING
West Brom have agreed a loan deal with Celta Vigo for Turkish midfielder Okay Yokuslu, according to Talksport.
Yokuslu, 26, will have to be signed permanently in the summer if The Baggies avoid Premier League relegation.
Yokuslu has 28 caps for the Turkish national side, with one goal.
He’s been playing for the Spanish side since the summer of 2018.
FORMER TOTTENHAM STRIKER URGES ALLI TO LEAVE
Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent has urged Dele Alli to leave the club this month.
Alli has been linked with a move to PSG, and a reunion with Mauricio Pochettino.
However, recent reports suggest that Tottenham owner Daniel Levy is blocking any move.
Furthermore, it’s been speculated that Jose Mourinho would like a replacement signed before letting the midfielder leave.
Speaking on Talksport radio, Bent feels it’s time for Alli to go:
“When [Jose] Mourinho didn’t fancy him in the Premier League, they were the type of games where Alli was getting game time,' said Bent.
"But now he needs to go 'enough is enough, let me get myself out’.
“Go to PSG if that’s where he’s going, play well under Pochettino and hopefully that can turn into a permanent move.”
WEST BROM SET TO SIGN GALATASARAY STRIKER
Galatasarary striker Mbaye Diagne is having a medical in Turkey today ahead of his loan switch to West Brom, according to Sky Sports.
The 29-year-old, who has scored 11 goals in 18 appearances in all competitions this season, is set to join the Premier League club on an initial loan with an option to buy.
Diagne was once on the books of Juventus, but never played an official game for the club.
He spent numerous seasons on loan at various clubs, before joining the Turkish giants in 2019.
Diagne is a Senegal international, but hasn’t scored in 10 games.
BIELSA SETS LEEDS CONTRACT TALKS DATE
Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa has told the club he will wait until the end of the season before starting contract extension talks.
Bielsa has been at Elland Road since 2018, his longest stint with a team since his four-year spell with Chile from 2007-2011.
Bielsa signed a season-long deal last September, and according to The Mirror, will only begin talks over a new deal once this season is finished.
“I’m very comfortable living and managing in England,” Bielsa said recently. “Annual contracts do not mean I am not open to staying here longer.”
ARTETA EXPLAINS WHERE HE SEES ODEGAARD PLAYING
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has explained where he sees new signing Martin Odegaard fitting into his team selection.
The Norwegian signed for The Gunners this week, on loan until the end of the current campaign.
Arteta has underlined where exactly he sees the 22-year-old midfielder fitting into his current set-up:
“He’s a specialist to play in the pockets, to play in the No 8 or 10 positions,” remarked the Spaniard.
“He can play off the sides. He’s a really creative player who’s really comfortable on the ball in tight spaces.
“He has the capacity to create chances and to score goals. Something that he has improved a lot is his work rate without the ball as well, so it’s another option to give us more creativity for sure in the final third, and give us more options to set up in different ways against certain teams.”
ARSENAL LEGEND SLAMS RECENT TRANSFER BUSINESS
Arsenal legend Tony Adams has questioned the club’s recent transfer business, and in particularly the signing of Willian.
The Brazilian was signed as a free agent from Chelsea last summer, but hasn’t been a hit with Gunners fans, with the 32-year-old producing mediocre displays.
“Why have you brought him into the squad? If you have got him just to make up the numbers because he has got a bit of experience, where are you going with that?” Adams told Stadium Astro.
"I have cried out about the recruitment on more than one occasion. Edu is very inexperienced and they were heavily reliant on agents to get players into the club.
"All of a sudden you have got Willian, Cedric [Soares], all the same agent.
"We have got so many kids coming through, don't buy these players!
"You spot areas of the squad that are weak. You don't go and get Willian on a three-year contract, that is going nowhere. That is really poor sports directorship.
“We all get ones wrong, but if you are building a club to win the league then you don't fill up areas when you have good kids coming through.”
EVERTON TO LOSE OUT ON BAYERN YOUNGSTER
Everton are set to lose out on signing Bayern Munich youngster Joshua Zirkzee, with Italian side Parma closing in on his signature.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano states that Parma are set to sign Zirkee on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy the 19-year-old.
The Dutchman has played in Bayern’s youth setup since his arrival from Feyenoord in 2017, but has only made three appearances this season under Hansi Flick.
DORTMUND EXPECT TO LOSE MONEY ON SANCHO DEAL
Borussia Dortmund are expecting Jadon Sancho to leave the club this summer, and lose money on the Englishman in the process.
Sancho was relentlessly linked with a move to Man Utd throughout the summer of 2020, but United refused to meet Dortmund’s £100m valuation of the winger.
According to German outlet Sport 1, directors at the Bundesliga club expect Sancho to leave this coming summer, but for less than the figure they demanded last year.
That’s due to Sancho’s downturn in form in 2020/21, with the 20-year-old scoring only twice in 16 Bundesliga games.
He has however provided nine assists.
Sancho’s contract expires in June 2023, and it’s not stated how much Dortmund realistically expect Sancho to depart for.
TURKISH GIANTS WANT NEWCASTLE DEFENDER
Turkish giants Galatasaray want to sign Newcastle full-back DeAndre Yedlin, according to Sky Sports.
The American has struggled for playing time at St.James’ Park, making only six appearances under Steve Bruce this season.
The 27-year-old right-back signed for the club from Tottenham in 2016, but has gradually lost his place in the starting XI.
However, Sky Sports maintains a deal hasn’t been reached between the clubs as of yet.
"At this moment [I want] just some clarity over whether Newcastle want me to stay or whether I can go," Yedlin said last week.
“There's been no clarity. My agent has reached out to people at Newcastle and they've responded back saying 'yes, we'll call you' and there are no calls back. That has been quite frustrating."
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