Saul Niguez to Manchester United; Arsenal ready to bid £13.4m for Nolito; Nicklas Bendtner set for Newcastle

A round-up of the biggest transfer news and rumours on Tuesday 12 January as clubs eye mid-season reinforcements

Atlético Madrid midfielder Saúl Ñíguez (Getty)

Manchester United have reportedly opened negotiations with Atlético Madrid to sign midfielder Saúl Ñíguez. The Daily Mirror say the 21-year-old is believed to have an £18m release clause written into his contract at the Vicente Calderón with Louis van Gaal looking for someone to inject life into his dour season at United. Premier League rivals Arsenal are also keeping an eye on the situation as Spaniard Ñíguez seemingly approaches the exit. If he were to leave Atlético this month, the Elche-born star would become the fourth player to depart Diego Simeone’s men for England in the last two years – following Diego Costa, Felipe Luis and Toby Alderweireld.

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is apparently prepared to part with the £13.4m it would take to secure the services of Celta Vigo forward Nolito. The 29-year-old is said to have a reasonable buy-out clause in his contract despite scoring 35 goals in 84 appearances for the La Liga outfit since joining from Benfica in 2013. Nolito, a former Barcelona player, has been linked with a return to the Nou Camp in recent weeks. But Wenger is desperate to sign a player to excite fans at the Emirates as he launches their first serious Premier League surge in years. Mundo Deportivo report the Frenchman has stolen a march on his rivals but also states there is a long way to go.

Nicklas Bendtner (GETTY IMAGES)

Nicklas Bendtner, the former Gunners striker who has become a cult icon for all the wrong reasons, could be set for a return to England. According to German newspaper BILD, the 27-year-old former Birmingham City and Sunderland loanee could be set to join strugglers Newcastle United. The reports suggest Bendtner’s representatives have met with members of the St James’ Park hierarchy but an agreement is yet to be struck between the two parties. The Denmark international has made claims he can be the best player in world football in the past, attracting derision from all quarters. The Wolfsburg forward has scored three goals in 28 appearances in Germany.

West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino is desperate to finally seal his protracted switch to Tottenham Hotspur this month. Stoke and Newcastle are believed to be interested but the 22-year-old has set his heart on White Hart Lane after almost joining Mauricio Pochettino’s men in the summer. The Sun suggest Spurs are confident they can get the England under-21s striker for cheaper than the £23m they offered the Baggies six months ago. Tony Pulis, the West Brom boss, has insisted the Midlands side will not be bullied into doing business which does not suit their interests this winter but the odds are Berahino will be a Spurs player by the end of the month.

Alexandre Lacazette, right, has been strongly linked with a move from Lyon to Newcastle (AFP)

Steve McClaren has been informed that he can sign the striker he so badly craves to help keep Newcastle up. It is 412 minutes since the Magpies last found the net and The Independent report this morning that the former England manager has the backing to strengthen further. McClaren has spent upwards of £50m since joining from Derby County in the summer but has been unable to prevent yet another slide towards the relegation zone. Newcastle have been rumoured to have an interest in Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette after failing to sign Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin in August.