With less than a week to go in the January window, Transfer Talk brings you live updates on all the latest rumours and done deals. Plus, check out the completed moves.
TOP STORY: Arsenal’s Aubameyang bid hits the rocks
It’s looking increasingly unlikely that Arsenal will complete a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this month.
Gunners fans had been excited by talk of a €70 million move for the Borussia Dortmund hitman as a potential replacement for Manchester United-bound Alexis Sanchez.
However, German magazine kicker reports that negotiations have stalled with the two clubs some €20m apart in their valuations.
Despite Aubameyang’s much-publicised disagreements with Dortmund, which have seen him miss the past two Bundesliga matches, the club’s hierarchy are prepared to dig in and get what they deem to be a reasonable fee for the striker.
Chelsea turn their attention to Giroud
A knock-on effect of Arsenal’s slow progress in talks over Aubameyang is the uncertainty that remains over Olivier Giroud’s future.
The Frenchman had been offered to the Bundesliga club in part-exchange, but the Daily Mail says they are no longer interested in that suggestion after growing frustrated with the Gunners.
That could see Giroud turn up at Chelsea, who are in the market for a new striker and have yet to finalise an agreement with Roma for Edin Dzeko.
Dzeko is still thought to be the Blues’ first choice but the Mirror says Giroud, who has 18 months left on his contract, has emerged as an alternative.
Spurs meet Lucas Moura
Reports of Tottenham’s interest in Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura were quickly dismissed last week, but RMC Sport claims the Brazilian met with chairman Daniel Levy in London on Thursday.
Lucas is desperate to leave PSG after failing to start a single game this season, with Manchester United supposedly considering a move for their former transfer target.
But the 25-year-old now looks more likely to join Spurs, who have been quoted a €25m fee by the Ligue 1 leaders.
One line that stands out in the report is that, while Levy is a big fan of Lucas, Mauricio Pochettino admires him a “little less.”
Tap-ins
– Diafra Sakho wants to quit West Ham this month after failing to impress David Moyes, says The Sun. The striker hopes to join French side Rennes, who are now set to thrash out a deal for the 28-year-old.
– The Hammers, meanwhile, are eyeing a pair of Championship midfielders to boost their ambitions of a top-half finish. Sky Sports reports that Fulham’s Tom Cairney is a £15m target, while the Guardian says a £12m bid for Norwich’s James Maddison was submitted on Thursday.
– Claude Puel has again rubbished speculation that Riyad Mahrez will leave Leicester in January after the winger was spotted watching Arsenal’s EFL Cup semifinal against Chelsea on Wednesday. The Mirror quotes the Foxes boss as explaining he asked Mahrez and striker Islam Slimani to carry out a scouting report on the game.
– Everton striker Sandro Ramirez is eager to return to Spain this month, according to the Daily Mail. The £5.2m summer signing has struggled to settle on Merseyside and could move to Sevilla.
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