Alexandre Pato to Chelsea as Gary Cahill 'wants to leave'; Arsenal lead Nolito race; Graziano Pelle to Leicester

A round-up of the biggest transfer news and rumours on Thursday 28 January

Gary Cahill is believed to be considering his future at Chelsea (Getty Images)

Gary Cahill will not be allowed to leave Chelsea this month despite seeing his first-team place go to French defender Kurt Zouma, despite the player’s fear that his lack of football could cost him a place in Roy Hodgson’s England side at Euro 2016.

Reports have emerged that Cahill is considering his future at Stamford Bridge after falling out-of-favour under interim manager Guus Hiddink, and the 30-year-old was said to feel he was at a crossroad in his career as he weighed up his future.

However, the Guardian reports that Cahill will not be allowed to leave even if the Blues sign transfer target Matt Miazga, with the 20-year-old United States international looking to leave MLS side New York Red Bulls in order to move to Europe.

Chelsea are also expected to seal the loan signing of Brazil striker Alexandre Pato later today, after the 26-year-old arrived in London on Wednesday. The Corinthians forward will sign a loan deal until the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal if the former AC Milan star impresses.

Arsenal are said to be leading the race for Celta Vigo striker Nolito after Barcelona abandoned their attempt to sign the 29-year-old, according to Spanish newspaper Sport. The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Spain international, and reports that Barcelona have “admitted defeat” in their hope of signing him this month.

Should Arsene Wenger launch a move to sign the striker and strengthen his current attack of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott – plus Danny Welbeck once he has recovered from a long-term knee injury – the club will need to rush through a move with just a few days remaining in the January transfer window.

Arsenal are also being linked with Dynamo Kiev striker Andriy Yarmolenko, with Ukrainian newspaper Sport reporting that a £23m offer has been accepted by the club. Yarmolenko has previously interested both Everton and Liverpool, although he would have to compete with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell should he complete a move to the Emirates.

Leicester are being linked with a £14m offer for CSKA Moscow striker Ahmed Musa, although the Nigeria international is valued at closer to £19m. The Times claims that the Premier League leaders have already made a bid to bring the 23-year-old to the King Power Stadium in an attempt to offer support to lead striker Jamie Vardy.

Speaking of Vardy, the 29-year-old is again being linked with a move to Chelsea, although this time The Mirror claims that Leicester could be offered out-of-favour striker Loic Remy in a part-exchange deal. Vardy has been valued at over £30m by the Foxes, and with Remy struggling to oust Diego Costa from the Blues’ first team, it’s thought that the France international could be on the move sooner rather than later.

The Sun claims that Leicester are also eyeing a surprise bid for Southampton striker Graziano Pelle in a deal that could cost as little as £5m. Pelle’s future at St Mary’s is uncertain following the arrival of Charlie Austin from Queens Park Rangers, and he has already been linked with a move back to Italy. However, Leicester could launch a late attempt to keep him in the Premier League.

Finally, Stoke look unlikely to succeed in their pursuit of Porto midfielder Giannelli Imbula after they were told to double their initial offer of £19m for the France Under-21 international. French news outlet LeSport10 claims that the Premier League side received a huge counter-offer from the Portuguese side as they look to hold on to the defensive midfielder, with the Potters unlikely to smash their current transfer record of £12m that was paid to Inter Milan to sign Xherdan Shaqiri in the summer.