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 has been quizzed on Alexis Sanchez's future (for a change) in his morning press conference.
Has there been a bid from Manchester City?
“No. I expect nothing. I am focused on tomorrow’s game," he said. "When solicitations happen you respond to it. At the moment it’s very quiet. I have nothing to add.
“What is the most important thing is to be professional and to perform no matter what the environment is.
“It’s not a big influence on the performance of our team.
“I have not decided yet [whether he will play]. I will decide today or tomorrow morning.”
Arsenal are keen on Boca Juniors' Cristian Pavon and are expected to make a move for the 21-year-old winger this summer.
Juventus and Manchester City have also been following the versatile wide forward, but Arsenal are understood to be closest to pulling the trigger and have commissioned extensive background checks on the player already.
Pavon's explosive style earmarks him as the perfect replacement for Alexis Sanchez, with the Chilean set to depart the club either this month or in the summer. He is an Argentina international, having made his debut in the friendly against Russia last year.
More details here:
Francis Coquelin is ready to move to Valencia if the Spanish club can agree a fee with Arsenal.
The combative midfielder has been linked with West Ham and Crystal Palace, but Valencia are also keen on strengthening their squad with the out-of-favour Coquelin as they push for a place in next season's Champions League.
Manchester United gossip round-up
Antoine Griezmann would reportedly prefer a move to Barcelona over Manchester United if he elects to leave Atletico Madrid this summer.
Griezmann was heavily linked with United last year and came close to joining up with Jose Mourinho’s side before Atletico’s two-window transfer ban was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The 26-year-old forward decided to stay put and help his current club but is expected to depart at the end of the season.
Rangers target Jason Cummings will wait for talks with new Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka before deciding his future.
The 22-year-old Scotland striker made his switch to the City Ground last summer but found himself sidelined by Mark Warburton during the final days of his Forest reign.
The Light Blues are now rumoured to be considering offering him an escape route back north of the border.
A fee of around £1million would be required to prise him away but Ibrox boss Graham Murty now has room to manoeuvre after striking a deal with Mexican outfit Cruz Azul - now managed by his Light Blues predecessor Pedro Caixinha - that will see them cover all of Carlos Pena's £20,000-a-week wages as part of a six-month loan deal, with a guaranteed £2million sum to follow if the move is made permanent.
Lazio have signed defender Martin Caceres from Hellas Verona on a one-year contract with the option for a renewal.
The Uruguay international, capped 75 times, joined Verona last August after just half a season at Southampton.
The 30-year-old previously spent four years at Juventus and had stints at Spanish top flight clubs Villareal, Barcelona and Sevilla.
Philippe Coutinho has asked Liverpool fans to understand why he had to follow his dream and sign for Barcelona.
The Brazilian finally sealed a £142m move to the Nou Camp over the weekend after months of protracted negotiations and was presented as a Barca player in a lavish ceremony on Monday.
The reaction back home to Coutinho's exit has been mixed with some supporters critical of the way the transfer eventually played out but the man himself has taken the time to post one last message to the Reds faithful and attempted to explain his decision.
We have a done deal in Germany.
Hoffenheim's Mark Uth will join Schalke on a free transfer in the summer.
Roy Hodgson has said Crystal Palace need as many as seven new players this month as the injury bug continues to bite at Selhurst Park.
"We have been talking about strengthening our squad for about two or three weeks into my time at the club, so literally nothing has changed in that area.
"We have been waiting for the January transfer window to fulfil our wishes and our thoughts in terms of strengthening our squad.
"That's become even more vitally important with the number of injuries we suffered.
"You could argue that if we said we wanted three or four then really we should be looking at six or seven, because we have lost at least two players for the rest of this season, and probably the start of next season.
"We still have two or three others who are a month away at least from being able to play.
"So, I don't think we are going to get that but what I am saying logically is you could argue that."
Leeds have completed the signing of Japanese International midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi.
The 21-year-old joins the club from J1 League side Gamba Osaka for an undisclosed fee and has penned a contract until 2022.
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