Transfer news LIVE: Premier League clubs battle for Philippe Coutinho, Newcastle close in on Kieran Trippier
Follow all the latest transfer news and updates from the Premier League and beyond
The January transfer window is open and rumours are swirling around the Premier League and across Europe.
Philippe Coutinho is set to decide between five Premier League clubs battling for his signature as the Brazil star nears an exit from Barcelona and a return to the Premier League. The 29-year-old has struggled since making the move to the Camp Nou and is said to favour a return to England, where he spent five years at Liverpool. Aston Villa are said to be one of those sides involved in the race for the midfielder, according to the Mail, with Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton also linked.
Newcastle appear to be closing in on their first signing of the window after reportedly agreeing a fee with Atletico Madrid for England international right-back Kieran Trippier. The former Tottenham full-back, who joined the Spanish club in 2019, has been keen to move back to England ever since coming close to joining Manchester United last summer. The BBC report that Newcastle have had a bid of £12 million, plus add-ons, accepted for the 31-year-old in what would be club’s first signing under their new owners.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have reportedly made their first move for in-demand Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport. They say the Gunners have made an opening offer of £58.5m for the 21-year-old, in a deal that would see midfielder Lucas Torreira join the Serie A club on a permanent basis. Arsenal will also listen to offers for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during the window, according to Sky Sports, and it could be that Vlahovic replaces the former captain at the club this January.
Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from the Premier League and around Europe:
Arsenal make offer worth £58.5m for Dusan Vlahovic
Arsenal have made an offer worth £58.5m for Dusan Vlahovic to Fiorentina, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Gunners are among a number of suitors but are hoping a player-plus-cash offer will tempt the Viola, with a fee of £46m.
Lucas Torreira would also join the Florence side permanently and he is valued at £12.5m.
Everton complete Nathan Patterson signing
Everton have completed the signing of Scotland international right-back Nathan Patterson, who has penned a five-and-a-half-year deal.
An undisclosed fee has been agreed between the Toffees and Rangers for the 20-year-old.
It is the second signing of the month for Rafa Benitez’s side, who have already brought in Vitaliy Mykolenko.
Thomas Tuchel confirms Antonio Rudiger contract talks ongoing
Thomas Tuchel has provided an update on Antonio Rudiger’s Chelsea future.
The German defender’s contract expires this summer with a host of clubs eager to sign him on a free.
The Blues head coach said: “I cannot predict the future. I don’t know if his representatives talk to other clubs. If you know so or assume so, fair enough. It is possible now because it is January and he has not signed yet.
“As I understand it, we are in communication with him. The club are in communication. He is aware of what I demand, how I appreciate to work with him. The level which he is playing is still super high and outstanding.
“There are no doubts that the situation is a concern for that. The point is very clear, my opinion is very clear. The club is trying the very best and their communication is going on. It has not changed a lot.”
Chelsea consider Theo Hernandez or Lucas Digne in January as left-back cover
Chelsea could be in the market for a new left-back in January with the news that England international Ben Chilwell is likely out for the rest of the season.
Marcos Alonso is next man up but AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez is the latest to be linked if the Blues do look to the transfer market.
The Serie A giants are reticent to lose the Frenchman, however, according to Tuttosport, which could see Chelsea look elsewhere.
Everton’s Lucas Digne is another target.
The Frenchman has been in and out of the side at Goodison Park this season under boss Rafa Benitez.
Jorge Mendes: Cristiano Ronaldo is happy at Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has refuted suggestions that his client is unhappy at Manchester United.
Ronaldo only returned to Old Trafford last summer and while he has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, there have been suggestions that the Portugal international is already looking for a move away following United’s poor start to the season.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is very happy at Man United,” Mendes told Sky Sports. “He’s going to continue with his solid, great performances as always in his career. It’s going to be a great season for him, I’m sure.”
Romelu Lukaku apologises for unsanctioned interview
While Tuchel is pleased to have Lukaku back in contention for selection, the German coach also insisted the former Inter Milan star must now take responsibility himself to resolve the commotion.
“It’s not that big as maybe people want it to be, but it’s also not small,” Tuchel said.
“But it is small enough to stay calm, accept an apology and to move on forward. He’s very aware of what happened and what he created and he feels the responsibility to clean the mess up.
“Maybe we will have a bit of smell still from it, of course. He can handle it, but he also has no other choice.
“He cannot expect everybody to be super happy the very next day.
“But he’s still our player and we have good, good reasons and a lot of reasons to make him play for us, and to convince him and to fight hard that he’s our player. We’re happy he’s our player, we will protect him.”
Romelu Lukaku apologises for unsanctioned interview
Romelu Lukaku has apologised for his controversial interview in which he revealed his unhappiness at Chelsea and is available to play in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel revealed Belgium striker Lukaku feels responsible and determined to “clean the mess up”, after an interview with Sky Italy that was released last Thursday but conducted three weeks previously.
Club-record signing Lukaku was stood down for Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool, but crunch talks on Monday have cleared the air.
Tuchel has insisted he is now satisfied Lukaku did not intend to cause such deep damage and has accepted the £98million man’s apology as fully genuine.
“First of all we were even in the background happy that we took the time that it needed to look calmly on it and talk calmly,” Tuchel said.
“He apologised and is back in the squad for (Tuesday’s) training. For me the most important thing was to understand and clearly understand and believe that it was not intentional.
“He did not do this intentionally to create noise in front of such a big game. And it’s the very first time even he has behaved like this.”
Lorenzo Insigne ‘agrees Toronto deal’ to end Napoli stay
Lorenzo Insigne has decided to leave Napoli at the end of the current season.
The Euro 2020 winner with Italy will then move to Toronto FC in MLS in July.
A deal that will run until December 2027, according to Fabrizio Romano, will be confirmed shortly by the Canadian club.
Barcelona new boy Ferran Torres tests positive for Covid
Barcelona new boy Ferran Torres is raring to get started after completing his move from Manchester City, but may have to wait following news he returned a positive coronavirus test hours after his unveiling.
The 21-year-old Spain international has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract, which is understood to be worth an initial £46.7million, and a further £8.5m in potential add-ons. Barca have set a one billion euro (£841million) buyout clause into the deal.
Torres had hoped to be back in action for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Real Madrid on January 12, though his debut could be delayed after the Catalan club announced he had tested positive for Covid-19 along with team-mate Pedri.
A Barca statement on Monday evening read: “Pedri and Ferran Torres have tested positive for Covid-19. The players are in good health and are isolated at home.”
Torres was presented at the Nou Camp on Monday morning, and spoke of having his focus set firmly on taking the LaLiga giants back to their former glories.
“I am facing this challenge with ambition, humility and a lot of desire,” he said.
“When I left Manchester City I had the idea of coming back to LaLiga and Barca showed an interest.
“I am an ambitious player and I like a challenge. I want to take Barca back to where it belongs.”
Torres signed for City from Valencia in the summer of 2020 for £20.9m, but spent just 16 months at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 16 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions.
Shaun Maloney excited to work with Dylan Tait at Hibs
Hibernian manager Shaun Maloney is looking forward to having midfielder Dylan Tait in his squad for the second half of the season.
The 20-year-old signed for the Easter Road club from Raith Rovers at the end of the summer transfer window but was immediately loaned back to the Kirkcaldy outfit for six months.
However, Tait’s time at the cinch Championship side has now come to an end following his involvement as a substitute in Sunday’s goalless draw with Dunfermline.
Maloney, who replaced Jack Ross as manager last month, has spoken to his Raith counterpart John McGlynn about Tait and is enthused about the prospect of adding him to his group for the remainder of the campaign.
He told Hibs’ website: “I’ve spoken with the Raith manager, who spoke very highly about Dylan.
“He’s a young player with potential and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Hibs have also welcomed American striker Chris Mueller from Orlando City this month, while they have been linked with moves for Arsenal defender Harry Clarke, who has just ended a loan stint at Ross County, and Bodo/Glimt forward Elias Hoff Melkersen.
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