Transfer news live: Liverpool linked to Fiorentina winger, Manchester United hunt for defender, Arsenal contract talks
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It could be a case of one Italian replacing another at Chelsea after speculation that former manager Carlo Ancelotti will replace current boss Antonio Conte continues to grow stronger by the day.
Conte remains under pressure at Stamford Bridge, not least after ruling his side out of the Premier League title race following weekend’s defeat by West Ham. With the former Juventus manager’s future already being thrown into doubt last summer, it appears his place at Chelsea is still far from safe despite last season’s Premier League title success.
The Blues are also being linked with a one in, one out deal among their squad. Out-of-favour striker Michy Batshuayi is being linked with a loan move in January in order to save his 2018 World Cup hopes, while Monaco’s Thomas Lemar continues to be heavily mooted with a move to west London.
Fantasy Premier League tips: Gameweek 18
Show all 6Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho meanwhile is weighing up the possibility of delving into the January transfer market to find a new centre-back after Eric Bailly was ruled out for up to three months due to surgery this week.
Manchester City are also on the hunt for a defender, and they could charge ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Virgil van Dijk after he emerged as a genuine target this week.
Finally, Arsenal are ready to open contract talks with Jack Wilshere at the end of the month in an effort to extend his current deal beyond the end of the season. Both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil are also out of contract next summer, and despite being able to discuss a free transfer from January, Arsene Wenger insists he will not be selling either of them.
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Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live transfer blog, where we'll bring you the latest news, rumours and done deals as they happen throughout the day.
What's doing the rounds today?There's big developments at Chelsea in the pipeline if the newspapers are to be believed this morning, and there's none greater rumours than a new manager on the horizon in former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti. The Daily Record claims that the Italian is being lined up to replace Antonio Conte at the end of the season due to their poor form in the Premier League this term - but could a Champions League run save Conte's future at Stamford Bridge?
The Blues are also being linked with Monaco forward Thomas Lemar, and could make space in their squad for him by sending out-of-favour striker Michy Batshuayi out on loan in January, according to the Evening Standard.
ESPN are reporting that Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been dropped by Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho following a video session row between the pair last month, and that has cast major doubt on his future at Old Trafford given that Mourinho confirmed he's open to selling players in January for the right price.
United are also being linked with a move for a new defender following the news that Eric Bailly will miss up to three months after undergoing surgery this week.
Arsenal meanwhile are due to start contract talks with Jack Wilshere at the end of this month, and Arsene Wenger will continue to prevent Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez from leaving the club even though they are out of contract in the summer.
Finally, ESPN have also claimed that Crystal Palace could allow Roy Hodgson to strengthen the squad in January after the club looked into the possibility of signing £10m-rated Monaco forward Guido Carrillo.
Manchester City may be flying high at the top of the league, but that will not stop Pep Guardiola from looking for ways of strengthening his squad in the January transfer window. What's on the menu for the Spaniard? It appears to be another central defender...
However, City will not be the only Premier League side in the market for a defender come the new year as Jose Mourinho hinted yesterday that Manchester United could add a centre-back due to Eric Bailly's serious injury.
Mauricio Pochettino is preparing his Tottenham side to take on runaway leaders Manchester City in today's late kick-off, but in the build-up he has reflected on Spurs' decision to sell right-back Kyle Walker to City that looks to have significantly solidified their defence this term. But does he regret it?
Leicester City striker Islam Slimani looks to be on his way out of the King Power Stadium and that's put a number of clubs on alert over a potential January move. According to The Sun, Stoke, Watford and West Brom are all keen on signing the Algerian, while his former club Sporting Lisbon are also keen on bringing him back to Portugal.
Leicester City striker Islam Slimani is on the look out for a new club
Another out-of-favour player who could be on the move in a few weeks' time is Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic. The youngster still remains a part of Jürgen Klopp's plans at Anfield, but the Liverpool Echo believe the Serbian could be heading on loan to either Brighton or Aston Villa in January.
Marko Grujic is being linked with a loan move in January
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has once again admitted he does not the get final on which players the club sign.
The Italian is known to be unsatisfied with the depth of his squad and was left disappointed by the club's underwhelming summer transfer window.
With the market set to open again next month, Chelsea are likely to reinforce their ranks but Conte has said his input only goes so far.
"As you know very well, I stay here to work. I'm a coach," he said on Friday. "For the transfer market, there is the club. You have to ask the club.
"I can give my opinion to my club, but the last word is with the club. I have to respect every decision of the club. This must be very clear."
Arsenal could lose up to eight players next summer in a major shake-up of Arsene Wenger's squad, the Daily Mirror reports.
The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and club captain Per Mertesacker are all out of contract at the season while Olivier Giroud is expected to leave in search of regular first-team football.
Theo Walcott's future is similarly in doubt, with Everton having registered their interest, while the club faces a dilemma over Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck who are in the final two years of their contracts, the Daily Mirror adds.
Liverpool and Tottenham have been warned that Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa will cost them at least £53m, according to La Stampa.
The two Premier League clubs have been linked to the 20-year-old and are reportedly looking to make a move for him next summer.
However, Fiorentina have attached a hefty price to Chiesa as they look to get their money's worth from the promising youngster.
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