Arsenal transfer news and rumours: Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City latest, club weigh up Kerem Demirbay move

A round-up of the latest transfer stories surrounding The Emirates

Winter transfer window: Ten players looking for a move in January

Arsene Wenger has said Arsenal are yet to receive any offers for Alexis Sanchez and has reiterated the club’s desire to keep hold off the forward, along with German midfielder Mesut Ozil.

Both players are out of contract in the summer, meaning they are free to negotiate with new clubs this winter.

Sanchez has been repeatedly linked with a move to Pep Guardiola’s table-topping Manchester City, but Wenger has said that Arsenal are yet to receive any formal offers for the pair.

"We have not been contacted by anyone," he told reporters on Tuesday. "This club has lost many big players and responded well.

“But you want to keep your best players. I want them to stay. Why should I be scared?"

Wenger also insisted that even if the stars were to depart this summer, the club will sign more than adequate replacements.

"It will depend as well on the players out of contract in June. We have to take that and respond to it," he said.

“We have not lost them yet and [if we do], we will respond by bringing in players of top quality.

“We have not been contacted by anybody.”

One potential arrival is Hoffenheim midfielder Kerem Demirbay.

The 24-year-old has been in fine form and was recently called up to the German national team, and has previously been linked with a move to Everton.

But on Tuesday morning Newsmondo claimed Arsenal are readying a bid for the Bundesliga midfielder.

More Arsenal transfer news and rumours:

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[2 January 2018 15:10 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Klopp laughs off Coutinho rumours:

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was in no mood to discuss Nike’s ill-fated Philippe Coutinho advert, which advertised Barcelona shirts with the Brazilian’s name on them.

In fact, the Liverpool manager laughed off the entire saga: “I heard about it. I couldn't be less interested in anything in the world,” he said.

“But somebody told me and I thought 'wow'. Top story.”

[2 January 2018 15:37 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Darmian going nowhere:

Manchester United have no intention of selling Matteo Damian in January, according to his agent, despite the Italian being linked with a return to Serie A.

The full-back has barely featured for United this season but agent Tullio Tinti told Rete Sport: "At the moment, the lad's not for sale." 

Matteo Damian made a rare appearance in the EFL Cup defeat to Bristol City in December 

[2 January 2018 16:37 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

  ↵Coutinho pushing for Barcelona move

Representatives working on behalf of Philippe Coutinho are continuing with their efforts to convince Liverpool to allow the Brazilian playmaker to leave this month. 

Barcelona remain keen on the 25-year-old midfielder and are confident that they will eventually get their man, but after getting over-confident on a deal in August there is now a distinct sense of déja vu, with the local media in Catalonia leading with a seemingly imminent deal over the last week.

As far as Liverpool are concerned, there has been no bid for the twinkle-toed Brazil international since the summer and as long as that continues to be the case there is obviously nothing to discuss. Similarly, Jurgen Klopp has no great desire to lose one of his best players halfway through the season. 

[2 January 2018 17:13 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

And more on Coutinho...

Liverpool will demand at least £130m before discussing a deal for Philippe Coutinho, according to the Telegraph, a significant increase on Barcelona's summer offer. 

[2 January 2018 17:16 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

[2 January 2018 17:23 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Costa set to push out Vietto

Atletico Madrid will let striker Luciano Vietto leave the club after Diego Costa finally returned to the club in an official capacity. 

Vietto, a talented Argentinean striker who thrived at Villarreal, made his professional debut under Diego Simeone at Racing Club in his homeland before eventually being reunited in the Spanish capital. 

But with the young forward struggling for regular games at Atleti he is set to depart on loan, with Valencia and Sporting CP leading the race for his signature. Atletico would demand a £12m clause to trigger a permanent deal. 

is Vietto on his way out? 

[2 January 2018 17:57 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

That's all from today's transfer blog. Join us tomorrow for more from the rumour mill as the January window begins to kick into gear. Until then, bye!