Transfer gossip live: United in for Chelsea star, Liverpool want Virgil van Dijk and Thomas Lemar to Arsenal latest

All the latest transfer news live plus gossip and rumours

Premier League transfer window: The key moves

Welcome to the Independent's coverage of the transfer rumour mill with the January window now just a matter of days away.

With more money than ever in the game and fresh from a record-breaking summer there is every chance that next month's window will be the biggest in history with everyone attempting to chase down Manchester City.

The runaway leaders were the summer's biggest spenders splashing over £200m on new arrivals but Pep Guardiola isn't likely to stop there with a title there for the taking. A new centre-back is the priority for the champions in waiting while Benjamin Mendy's long-term injury could see the Spaniard chase a left back too.

Crosstown rivals United were busy in the summer too but will want more as they bid to close the gap with Jose Mourinho keen on an attacking wide player and a new full back. Don't rule out a move for Arsenal's Mesut Ozil either.

Liverpool are likely to spend too but will be more focused on keeping the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah from the clutches of others while the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton, now under Sam Allardyce's stewardship, also likely to be busy movers and shakers.

We will have all of the latest news, rumours and transfer gossip right here throughout the day so stay with us right here.

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Key Points

• Manchester United have apparently made an enquiry for Chelsea's Willian
• Arsene Wenger says Arsenal have not received any approaches from Manchester United for Mesut Ozil
• Chelsea are ready to offer Michy Batshuayi to Monaco in order to beat Arsenal and Liverpool to Thomas Lemar
• Manchester City could move for Southampton's Virgil van Dijk in January
• Jose Mourinho is ready to let Henrikh Mkhitaryan leave Manchester United 

[15 December 2017 16:00 · Ben Burrows]

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has been given the go-ahead to identify January transfer targets despite the ongoing uncertainty over the club's ownership.

The Spaniard met managing director Lee Charnley this week to discuss what he may or may not be able to do to strengthen his squad during the winter window after a demoralising run of eight Premier League games which has yielded just a single point.

"I had yesterday a conversation with Lee. We were talking about what we want to do and the players maybe we want to bring in and others to go out. We've already started this discussion and we'll see if we can progress in a few days.

"It was just to talk about ideas. After, we might say, 'We'd like to sign this player' and you're quoted £40million and it makes it unrealistic. We've had this conversation and we have to move forward quickly."

Asked if he had been given an indication of a budget, Benitez replied: "I don't know the details, but at least we were talking about that.

"If you're saying is everything fine and I'm happy, I don't know. We have to progress and it's so obvious that we can improve things."

[15 December 2017 16:20 · Ben Burrows]

West Brom are close to sealing a permanent deal for Egypt defender Ahmed Hegazi.

The Baggies are ready to activate a £4.5million clause to buy the 26-year-old, who is on loan from Al Ahly, next month.

Hegazi has impressed since joining from the Egyptian Premier League champions in July and has been linked with Liverpool.

Boss Alan Pardew said: "We're pretty much down the road on that one.

"I can't confirm anything but if we can then we'll do that. He's been brilliant for me.

"I've only been here for three games but he's been terrific. He has fantastic attributes as a centre-half and I think he's learning.

"Sometimes he gets a bit too tight but he's learning to keep his distance. He's been excellent."