Transfer news as it happened: Liverpool told Lemar price and chase second Coutinho replacement, Sanchez to City
All the latest transfer news plus gossip, rumours and done deals as they happened
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The January transfer window is open and it's already been a record-breaker.
There's only one place to start, isn't there? Philippe Coutinho is officially a Barcelona player after finally completing his long-awaited move to the Nou Camp. Now the question turns to how exactly Liverpool will replace him with Monaco's Thomas Lemar and Leicester's Riyad Mahrez amongst a number of names on manager Jurgen Klopp's shortlist.
Pep Guardiola is sitting pretty but that doesn't mean he doesn't want to get better - Alexis Sanchez is the man he wants with the Chilean's move from Arsenal seemingly imminent while over at Manchester United Jose Mourinho is in the market for a new left-back and an attacking midfielder as he looks to close the 15 point gap at the top.
We will have all the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals right here so settle in, open up a browser tab and keep it here throughout the day.
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Arsene Wenger was very coy when asked about Arsenal's interest in Jonny Evans this morning.
The Gunners are interested but face competition from Manchester City with Wenger conceding that in a battle between the two financially there will be only one winner.
“We don’t have an agreement with anybody. I think the best thing is not to talk," he said.
“To see off any interest of any other club, yes. I don’t know if Manchester City are in for anybody. I don’t know what their policy is.
“If the decision comes to finances against Manchester City, we know we will be second best.”
Wolves midfielder Jack Price has agreed a deal to join Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids.
Wanderers will receive an undisclosed fee for the 25-year-old, who has been with the club since the age of seven.
Price made 115 appearances for Wolves during his time at Molineux, scoring two goals. He has started just four matches this season, though, all of them in the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool gossip round-up
AS Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim has accepted that the “many things could happen” in the remainder of the January transfer window as winger Thomas Lemar continues to attract interest from Liverpool.
Lemar, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal, has been touted as a first-choice replacement for Philippe Coutinho after the playmaker completed his long-awaited £142m move to Barcelona at the weekend.
Vadim Vasilyev, Monaco’s vice president, has previously poured cold water over the suggestion that Lemar could leave the club this month and have suggested that a summer move is far more likely.
Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey has revealed his ambitions to one day play in the Premier League.
"Of course I have a dream club, but I will not tell. Basically England was and still is my dream," he said. "And if I keep working hard, I'm sure it will work someday.
"The change to Bayer was just the right step for my development. I am happy here.
"And we have every chance to get into the Champions League. Europe is our big goal."
↵Who will Liverpool replace Philippe Coutinho with and when will they do it?
Recent history suggests we'll have to wait a while to find out.
Here's Mark Critchley to explain:
Arsene Wenger has said that Alex Iwobi attending a party two nights before a match is “unacceptable” and is preparing his fine his young midfielder.
Iwobi was photographed at a party just before 3am in the early hours of Saturday morning, in the build-up to Arsenal’s embarrassing 4-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, which Iwobi played.
Wenger was asked about Iwobi at his press conference this morning and confirmed that, if the claims in this morning’s papers were established, that Iwobi would be punished.
Former Stoke boss Mark Hughes has backed the Potters to win their Premier League survival bid after he was sacked.
The 54-year-old was dismissed on Saturday after their shock 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Coventry with Stoke also in the relegation zone.
In a statement via the League Managers Association Hughes said: "I wish to thank the Coates family and the board, for all of their support during my four-and-a-half memorable years at Stoke City.
"Together, we have enjoyed four successful campaigns including three consecutive ninth placed finishes, the highest position the club has reached since 1975.
"I will always be very proud of this achievement and I'd like to thank my coaching staff, the players and everyone at Stoke City for their hard work during my time as manager.
"Although so far this season we haven't matched the high standards set in previous years, I remain confident that performances and results will improve in the second half of the season.
"Finally, I'd like to wish the club and its loyal supporters success and good fortune in the future.
"I look forward to the next challenge in my management career."
Manchester United have announced that youngster Aliou Traore has signed his first professional contract with the club.
Academy boss Nicky Butt is delighted: "Aliou is a tremendously gifted young player and we are all delighted to see him sign his first professional contract at Manchester United.
“Aliou will naturally need time to adapt, but he has an exciting future ahead of him and we are all looking forward to seeing his performances for the Under-18s in the second half of this season.”
Luis Suarez has welcomed Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.
Friends at Liverpool the Brazilian revealed his new teammate was instrumental in helping him secure his dream move to the Nou Camp.
Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan is close to signing for Istanbul Basaksehir.
Reports in Turkey say Barcelona will keep paying half the player's salary but Basaksehir, who top the domestic standings, say there were still issues to solve.
"Although we have agreed in principle on many issues, there are still some steps to be taken. My team is in talks with the player's agent and Barcelona club officials," club chairman Goksel Gumusdag said.
"I hope they will come back with a positive result," he added.
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