Arsenal, Blog - Transfer Talk, Blog Post, Christian Eriksen, Clubs, Juventus, Mesut Özil, Theo Walcott, Tottenham Hotspur, Transfers
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With no offer yet from Arsenal for Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, ESPN FC’s Raf Honigstein explains why a January move is a waiting game.

The transfer window is heating up! Transfer Talk brings you live updates on all the latest rumours and done deals. Check out all the confirmed January moves so far on our transfers page.

Juventus want Eriksen, Ozil in Turin

Juventus are targeting Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil to become their new No. 10, reports Corriere dello Sport.

The Old Lady would utilise Miralem Pjanic in a deeper role alongside a big-money attacking midfielder to add craft to their style.

Spurs are likely to be angered by speculation about their Denmark international star, with the sides’ last 16 meeting in the Champions League a matter of weeks away, while Ozil’s wage demands — due to his being available for free this summer — could complicate any deal.

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20.50 GMT: Tottenham have been quiet so far in the winter window but reports say they are lining up a potential move for a winger.

Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez, and now PSG’s Lucas Moura have both been tabbed as options for Mauricio Pochettino’s side but Spurs will face stiff competition for both.

Moura appears a lock to leave PSG this month and Brazil’s Telefoot claim that Tottenham could be a potential landing spot for the pacy winger.

Spurs are looking to add pace and would likely look to add Moura on a loan deal, while PSG would rather recoup some money and sell the Brazilian outright. As we wrote here earlier, Napoli is also a team closely monitoring the PSG man.

20.35 GMT: Spanish outlet Don Balon claim that Liverpool are interested in and have inquired about the availability of Bayern Munich midfielder James Rodriguez.

The Colombian standout is in the first year of a scheduled two-year loan spell at Bayern Munich and has just recently started to return to top form. If James is sent back to Real early, don’t be surprised to see Los Blancos sell the playmaker who had fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu under Zinedine Zidane.

Liverpool are looking for a replacement for No. 10 Philippe Coutinho who just recently completed a record move to Barcelona and James could be excess at Bayern if Bayern complete the signing of talented youngster Leon Goretzka.

20.15 GMT: With Premier League interest from Brighton, Crystal Palace and others, Celtic’s Moussa Dembele remains a sought-after striker.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has refused to answer questions about the French striker’s future, though. 

“I can’t say either way,” he said. “You just never know. But at this moment in time Moussa is here and training. “We shall see.”

We shall see indeed, Brendan.

19.58 GMT: Brazilian starlet Walace is reportedly still keen on a return to his native Brazil from Hamburg. The 22-year-old has only played 12 times for HSV since his move from Gremio in the summer and is angling for a move to Flamengo, according to Goal.com.

Despite negotiations breaking down between the sides, the midfielder is still hopeful a loan deal can get done before the close of the January window.

19.40 GMT: In what would be one of the biggest money moves of the window, Villarreal’s Cedric Bakambu looks close to a €74 million move to China.

Beijing Guoan have already activated the DR Congo striker’s €40m release clause but an official agreement is still pending between the two clubs. Bakambu has 14 goals in 21 games this season and his transfer, if completed, would be the largest ever for an African player.

19.25 GMT: Up to 11th in the Premier League table, West Ham are not content to sit still during the January window.

Having been linked with Portugal midfielder William Carvalho in the summer, the Hammers are now being linked with another Portugal midfielder: Joao Mario.

Reports say that West Ham and Inter Milan have undergone talks about a loan deal that would send the 24-year-old Mario to London.

Mario had a breakout Euro 2016 for Portugal which earned him a €45 million move from Sporting Lisbon to Inter. To date, the Portuguese has been a disappointment in Italy and a loan move could be what’s best for both parties at the moment.

19.05 GMT: DONE DEAL — The Philadelphia Union have re-signed goalkeeper Andre Blake to a multi-year contract extension.

The 2016 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year has attracted interest from Europe with his play for both the Union and Jamaica over the past couple of seasons but will be staying stateside for the time being.

18.45 GMT: Fresh off their first win since August, West Brom are looking to keep the good times rolling at the Hawthorns. Reports out of England claim that the Baggies are weighing a loan move for Egypt international centre-back Ali Gabr.

Gabr has been on the radar of West Brom and previous boss Tony Pulis since the summer and is close with the club’s star defender Ahmed Hegazi, a teammate of his with the Egyptian national team. 

A Gabr loan deal could also make Jonny Evans expendable and allow Alan Pardew and Co. to cash in on the Northern Ireland international and re-invest the funds in some attacking help.

18.25 GMT: DONE DEAL — Saint-Etienne in France have completed a loan move on Tuesday for Wolfsburg winger Paul-Georges Ntep.

Get the full details here.

18.05 GMT: Rumours continue to swirl regarding out-of-favour Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge. The England international has only started five Premier League games this season and could finally be on his way out of Anfield.

Inter Milan are the latest team being linked to Sturridge, with reports saying that Inter are keen on the idea of taking the forward on loan for the remainder of the season. This one is still in the early stages but could Sturridge reignite his career in Italy?

17.45 GMT: DONE DEAL — The Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer have acquired Peru winger Andy Polo on loan from Monarcas Morelia.

The 23-year-old is the owner of 15 caps for Peru and will join the Timbers for the 2018 season on loan.

17.25 GMT: DONE DEAL — West Ham midfielder Martin Samuelsen has moved to Championship club Burton Albion on loan for the remainder of the season.

17.20 GMT: Corriere dello Sport reports that Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Moura has gone from Plan B to Plan A for Napoli after Simone Verdi opted to stay at Bologna until at least the end of the season.

17.15 GMT: Sky Sports reports that Hearts will sign Norwich forward Steven Naismith on loan until the end of the season after seeing off competition from his former club Rangers.

17.10 GMT: It’s the end of an era for Walcott after 12 years with Arsenal, and the London Evening Standard reports that his move to Goodison Park has come about for a £25 million fee. He has signed a contract until 2021 and will wear the Merseysiders’ No. 11 shirt.

17.01 GMT: Theo Walcott is an Everton player — he has completed his move from Arsenal:

17.00 GMT: Porto will sign Lorient’s Majeed Waris for €6 million, according to footmercato.net.

16.45 GMT: Southampton hope to wrap up a quick deal for Monaco striker Guido Carillo, to whom they turned their attention after Theo Walcott opted to join Everton rather than returning to the south coast, the Telegraph reports.

16.35 GMT: From Blackburn to Barcelona, where Rafinha, strongly linked with Inter Milan, could eventually be sold for somewhere over £20 million, according to Sport.

16.25 GMT: A DONE DEAL — Blackburn defender Sam Hart has joined Rochdale on loan until the end of the season.

16.05 GMT: Another DONE DEAL — Middlesbrough youngster Marcus Tavernier has moved to League One MK for the rest of the season.

15.50 GMT: More from Old Trafford for you now, although this time it has nothing to do with either Sanchez or Mkhitaryan. This time, it’s all about Matteo Darmian, with the Independent reporting that both AC Milan and Valencia are interested in the defender and United are willing to sell.

15.35 GMT: A DONE DEAL from Anfield, where Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic is on his way to promotion-cashing Cardiff City on loan for the rest of the season. The Serbia international will wear the No. 24 shirt at the Cardiff City Stadium.

15.25 GMT: Mino Raiola may have said that Henrikh Mkhitarayn holds the key to Manchester United’s move for Alexis Sanchez — but the Guardian reports that United boss Jose Mourinho hopes the club “would sign off a deal financed without money received from Mkhitarayn’s sale.”

15.02 GMT: In further Alexis Sanchez news, Raf Honigstein has this to say on why the Chile international didn’t move to Bayern Munich in the summer.

14.50 GMT: Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United is creeping closer. The Telegraph claims Sanchez has agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract but that Arsenal are still waiting on Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

14.37. GMT: Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi has signed a contract extension, committing him to the Premier League leaders until 2022.

14.25 GMT: Why are Real Madrid quiet in the transfer market? Once the go-to destination for the world’s big names, there’s been a policy shift at the Bernabeu, says ESPN FC’s Dermot Corrigan.

14.15 GMT: In Spain, AS reports that Nico Gaitan seems poised to leave Atletico Madrid and is being tracked by Everton, Southampton, West Ham United and Watford.

14.00 GMT: Stoke City, now under the management of Paul Lambert, are in negotiations about a loan deal for Augsburg defender Kostas Stafylidis, according to Sky Sports.

13.45 GMT: To Germany, where kicker says defender Neven Subotic could be on the move and has been in contact with several clubs.

13.35 GMT: DONE DEAL — Reading striker Deniss Rakels has brought an early end to a season-long loan at Lech Poznan and will now play for his old club Cracovia on loan until the end of the campaign.

13.20 GMT: Mundo Deportivo reports that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are still tracking Valencia teenager Ferran Torres despite his buyout clause rising to €25 million.

13.05 GMT: Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City are interested in Feyenoord left-back Miquel Nelom, the Birmingham Mail reports.

12.45 GMT: Bristol City defender Zak Vyner is poised to join Plymouth Argyle on loan, the Bristol Evening Post reports.

12.35 GMT: Liverpool are ready to abandon hope of persuading Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka to move to Anfield, the Liverpool Echo reports.

It says Bayern Munich appear to have won the race for the Germany international and Liverpool “expect him to join Bayern barring a late change of heart.”

12.25 GMT: Both Arsenal and Leicester City are tracking Coventry City youngster Tom Bayliss, a source close to Coventry has told ESPN FC. Both clubs had the midfielder watched against Exeter at the weekend.

12.20 GMT: A DONE DEAL for you now, and one of those loan-to-permanent ones — midfielder Brandon Comley has joined Colchester United from Queens Park Rangers on a full-time basis.

12.10 GMT: Andy Carroll‘s potential switch from West Ham to Chelsea is still on, but the London Evening Standard reports that the striker “is waiting for Chelsea to follow up their interest.”

It says “the ball is now firmly in Chelsea’s court to make a move for Carroll, who is wanted as cover for Alvaro Morata,” and West Ham are prepared to do business at the right price.

12.00 GMT: And more Arsenal-related news for you now: Bordeaux have warned that the Gunners “will have a problem” bringing Malcom to the Emirates Stadium this month and dismissed the transfer speculation as “hot air.”

11.45 GMT: Theo Walcott‘s move to Everton is close to being completed as the Arsenal winger has passed his medical, a source has told ESPN FC.

Walcott is set to end his 12-year stint with the club in a £20 million deal that is expected to be announced shortly.

11.30 GMT: Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has told Le Parisien he thinks the Liga outfit could sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves and, more importantly, if the Brazilian superstar has a minimum fee release clause in his contract.

“It is a strategy that Real have always used to divert the supporters’ attentions away from the team’s current problems and to start selling dreams for the following season,” said Calderon. “When information like this comes out in the newspapers, they are indiscretions that the club has let filter out in order to observe the reaction of their fanbase. In this case, to know what they would make of the possible arrival of Neymar and the possible departure of Ronaldo.”

11.10 GMT: France Football claims Bordeaux contacted Paris Saint-Germain’s unwanted star Hatem Ben Arfa to try to convince him to join this month but that, despite a long discussion with coach Jocelyn Gourvennec, he rejected the move.

Les Girondins are struggling for form and have slipped to 13th in Ligue 1, just four points above the relegation zone, after winning one of their last six matches. And things could get worse, with star man Malcom attracting plenty of interest — notably from the Premier League.

10.52 GMT: Athletic Bilbao have pulled off a major coup by signing Inaki Wiliams to a long-term new contract that runs until 2025. In addition they have raised his release clause to €108m.

10.20 GMT: Reports in Germany suggest Leon Goretzka‘s move from Schalke to Bayern Munich is close. Bild reporter Christian Falk says personal terms are agreed but a medical has not taken place yet.

10.02 GMT: David Moyes has denied West Ham are ready to sell Andy Carroll this month. 

The striker is reportedly the subject of interest from Chelsea, but Moyes said: “They’ve not made contact with me. If they’ve made contact with someone else I don’t know about it.

“Andy Carroll is part of my squad. I want to add to my squad, not lose anybody. There’s been a lot of rumours regarding a loan but as far as I know it’s not officially come from Chelsea.” Read more here.

09.45 GMT: Cristiano Ronaldo‘s future is a hot topic in Spain once again, with reports suggesting he could finally leave Real Madrid. Here’s the latest from Dermot Corrigan, ESPN FC’s man in Madrid. Read more here.

09.28 GMT: Fabinho has stated he is not considering leaving Monaco in the January transfer window. Previously a target for Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, Fabinho told O Globoesporte he is likely to stay until the end of the season at least.

“I’m not thinking about leaving now. The club wouldn’t let me leave easily, unless there is an extraordinary offer made,” said the 24-year-old, who is under contract at the Stade Louis II until 2021.

“Perhaps other opportunities will come up this summer. If good options present themselves, like last summer, I’ll sit down with the club and see if we can find a solution that suits everyone.”

09.02 GMT: He was originally compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, but the comparison he prefers is to Robinho. What might Liverpool make of reported transfer target Gelson Martins? Read more here.

08.50 GMT: Real Madrid have struggled a lot this season but is the BBC’s time up? Marca reckons it is time for the NHL to take centre-stage at the Bernabeu. That is Neymar, Eden Hazard and Robert Lewandowski.

Should they fail to land Lewandowski then Mauro Icardi or even Harry Kane could slot into the No. 9 role in the attacking trident.

08.25 GMT: Gazzetta dello Sport lead with plenty of transfer rumours and gossip. Top of their order is news that Cristiano Ronaldo is “up for sale.” You can read more on that here. There’s also news that Simone Verdi has chosen to stay at Bologna rather than join Napoli and Rafinha is close to Inter Milan.

07.54 GMT: While Rafinha appears likely to leave Spain, Marc Bartra could be set to return according to a report in kicker. The Borussia Dortmund defender’s chances of playing regularly appear in doubt following the arrival of Manuel Akanji from Basel.

07.30 GMT: Wednesday’s Transfer Talk kicks off with news that Inter Milan are preparing to follow up the loan signing of Lisandro Lopez with the arrival of Rafinha from Barcelona, according to reports in Italy and Spain.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio travelled to Barcelona on Tuesday and will remain to take in their Copa del Rey clash with Espanyol on Wednesday night — a game which Rafinha has been called up for.

According to AS in Spain meanwhile, a loan deal with an obligation to buy in the summer is being discussed, although the two clubs need to reach an agreement over the size of that permanent transfer payment, with Barcelona reportedly valuing the player at €40m and Inter willing to offer only half that.

Arsenal agree on terms with Aubameyang

Arsenal are closing in on Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the Mirror reporting that terms have been agreed on with the Gabon international.

Aubameyang was banished from the first team for disciplinary reasons, with an unwillingness to mend the relationship from the player’s side and CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke insisting that the 28-year-old must recommit himself fully before being welcomed back.

The Gunners are desperate for a quick fix as they prepare to sell Alexis Sanchez this month, and while his attitude might be questioned, Aubameyang’s prowess in front of goal cannot be, with him having struck 21 goals in 23 games this term.

Gunners held to ransom over Mkhi deal

Just as it looked as if Arsenal had found a deal in principal to swap Alexis with United for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Mirror claims the Armenian’s wage demands could scupper the blockbuster swap deal.

The 28-year-old will want a substantial increase on his current £150,000 per week wages, as well as a “golden handshake” from United due to the two years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford.

Mkhitaryan’s agent, Mino Raiola, is also looking to bank a huge £5 million fee to push through the deal, which leaves the Gunners in a tricky position with Sanchez’s value diminished, given that he will become a free agent in the summer.

Inter set for £26.7 million Rafinha capture

Inter Milan are set to sign Rafinha from Barcelona on loan with a £26.7 million obligation to buy the Brazilian in the summer, according to Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio.

The 24-year-old joins the Nerazzurri having failed to make an appearance for the Blaugrana since he injured his meniscus last season.

The Brazilian will be keen to kick-start his career now, with Luciano Spalletti likely to eventually offer him a starring role.

It could be a busy month for Inter too, with former Chelsea midfielder Ramires awaiting the go-ahead to move to Italy from Jiangsu Suning once Hebei Fortune’s Stephane M’Bia joins Suning as his replacement.

Tap-ins

— Chelsea have identified Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri, with Sky Sport’s Di Marzio reporting that the Blues could bring the Brazilian to the Premier League this month.

The 23-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on the last day of last season and has only recently returned, featuring against SPAL in Serie A and Torino in the Coppa Italia last month. With Eusebio Di Francesco preferring Aleksandar Kolarov, Palmieri could now be expendable.

— AC Milan are tracking Hoffenheim star Kerem Demirbay, claims Corriere dello Sport.

The Rossoneri want a backup to Franck Kessie, and the Bundesliga side value the German at €15 million.

– Claudio Marchisio could be made available this summer with Juventus signing Emre Can, claims Tuttosport.

Il Principino is a favourite of Juventini, but the Liverpool midfielder’s potential arrival on a free transfer could push the Italian out of the starting lineup.

— Finally, Chelsea are engaged in talks with West Ham over Andy Carroll, reports the Mail.

The Hammers want to sell for £20 million, but the champions would prefer a six-month loan deal in what could be one of the most surprising moves of the window.

Follow @ESPNFC on Twitter to keep up with the latest football updates.



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