Friday’s transfer round-up: Maurizio Sarri hints at Gonzalo Higuain signing as Marko Arnautovic left out West Ham squad

Relive all of Friday's transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals

January transfer window 2019: Premier League transfer round-up

It was a quieter Friday in the January transfer window as deals edged towards the line but not quite over.

Chelsea remain in hot pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain with a loan deal which would see the Argentinian join the Blues until the edge of the season still being negotiated, while Eddie Howe confirmed that no bids had been received for Callum Wilson.

Marko Arnautovic was dropped from Manuel Pellegrini's West Ham squad with the striker not in the right frame of mind to play after it was reported that his move to Shanghai SIPG had broken down. However, Chinese Super League rivals Guangzhou Evergrande are now also considering a move for the Austrian.

Relive all of Friday's transfer stories below.

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[18 January 2019 13:40 · Ben Burrows]

Back to Chelsea where a former player could be on his way back.

The Sun report the Blues are considering triggering the £40m release clause in Nathan Ake's contract at Bournemouth as they look for defensive reinforcements.

[18 January 2019 14:00 · Ben Burrows]

Liverpool are keen on signing Trabzonspor midfielder Abdulkadir Omur this month.

That's according to the Sun who say the 19-year-old has caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp.

Newcastle are also said to be keen.

[18 January 2019 14:20 · Ben Burrows]

Olivier Giroud admitted that it has been hard to adapt to being Maurizio Sarri’s second choice striker at Chelsea this season.

Giroud has only played the full ninety minutes twice in 24 appearances so far this campaign, with Sarri often opting to start Eden Hazard in a false nine position ahead of the Frenchman. 

Alvaro Morata is reportedly edging towards a move to Atletico Madrid, but Chelsea will bring in a replacement with Gonzalo Higuain joining from AC Milan looking increasingly likely.

Giroud travels to the Emirates on Sunday to face his old club Arsenal and admitted it had been tough to adapt to a second fiddle role on the back of winning the World Cup in the summer.

[18 January 2019 14:40 · Ben Burrows]

More from Chelsea where the club are said to have rejected an approach from Barcelona for Willian this month.

The Catalan giants are long-term admirers of the Brazilian and - according to the Telegraph - have asked about a swap deal with fellow countryman Malcom heading the other way.

That was met with a firm no, it is reported.

[18 January 2019 15:00 · Ben Burrows]

Ander Herrera appears set to sign a new deal at Manchester United, The Sun claims.

Despite interest from former club Athletic Bilbao, the 29-year-old is ready to commit himself to United after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted he had a future with them.

[18 January 2019 15:20 · Ben Burrows]

Meanwhile, United could finally land long-term reported target Ivan Perisic as Inter Milan look to raise money to fund a move for Luka Modric, The Sun reports.

The paper says a report in the Italian media indicates the Nerazzurri may look to sell Perisic in order to bring his Croatia team-mate Modric to Italy.

[18 January 2019 15:40 · Ben Burrows]

Over to Italy now where Juventus' Paulo Dybala is the subject of heavy interest.

Manchester City, Bayern Munich and PSG have all apparently seen bids rejected this month according to Tuttomercato.

The Old Lady are apparently holding out for bids in excess of £90m.

[18 January 2019 15:50 · Ben Burrows]

Maurizio Sarri has revealed he met with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia “two weeks ago” to recommend the signings of Gonzalo Higuain and a replacement for Cesc Fabregas.

While the purchase of Higuain is expected to go through as soon as a replacement is signed by AC Milan - where the Argentine is on loan - the Italian manager also wants to bring in a secondary midfield pivot now Fabregas has gone to Monaco, as he feels Jorginho is overworked.

Sarri otherwise insisted he is not involved in any discussions about Higuain, as he wants to spend all his “mental energies on the pitch”.

[18 January 2019 16:00 · Ben Burrows]

To Arsenal where the Gunners are looking for reinforcements this month.

One of Unai Emery's top targets remains Barcelona's Denis Suarez with the midfielder surplus to requirements this month.

However, the Mirror report Barca are playing hardball over a potential loan deal with the option of making the move permanent in the summer.

It could leave Emery empty handed after the deadline.

[18 January 2019 16:30 · Ben Burrows]

So what of Mesut Ozil.

Well, according to the Mirror, Arsenal are willing to subsidise his £350,000 per week wage to get him out the door this month.

Inter Milan are keen on a loan deal.