THE January window is just days away from closing as clubs scramble to get deals done.
Despite the coronavirus crisis, clubs are still managing to drop big money on signings – and we've the very latest from the Premier League and abroad.
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Stay up to date with the latest transfer news here…
- Josh Graham
WAITING FOR A MAIT
Ainsley Maitland-Niles wants to leave Arsenal on loan this month, according to reports.
The versatile Gunners man is said to be looking for game time to secure his place in England’s Euro 2021 squad this summer.
Gareth Southgate has made it clear he will only pick players playing regularly for their club sides.
And with Maitland-Niles’ opportunities being limited under Mikel Arteta, he is keen on a temporary move away, according to the Mirror.
The 23-year-old has been a regular fixture for England in recent months and greatly values his Three Lions career.
- Josh Graham
KIER WE GO
Manchester United remain interested in Kieran Trippier and Max Aarons, according to reports.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-choice right-back.
But the Norwegian wants to recruit competition for the 23-year-old.
And should AC Milan decide to make Diogo Dalot’s loan switch permanent at the end of the season, United have a pretty good idea of who they will try to recruit.
According to Forbes, both Trippier and Aarons are on the Red Devils’ radar – despite their difference in profiles.
- Josh Graham
SEIZE THE DAYOT
Manchester United will compete with several rivals for Dayot Upamecano this summer, according to reports.
Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have all been linked with the Frenchman following his rapid rise at RB Leipzig.
Upamecano was an integral part of the Bundesliga side’s run to last year’s Champions League semi-finals.
But it appears as though this season will be his last at Leipzig with a new contract agreed in 2020 containing a bargain release clause.
The centre-back will be available for £38million when the clause activates at the end of the campaign.
Therefore, clubs are expected to hold off on negotiating a deal until the summer.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, United are among the teams waiting for the right moment to pounce.
- Josh Graham
BOL IS ROLLING
Middlesbrough have confirmed the signing of Yannick Bolasie on loan from Everton.
The 31-year-old winger has not played a single minute for the Toffees this term after Carlo Ancelotti left him out of his 25-man Premier League squad.
Yannick Bolasie has joined Boro on loan from EvertonCredit: Instagram @theboroofficial He looked to be on his way to the Riverside on October’s transfer deadline day only for the move to break down at the last minute – leaving both the player and Boro boss Neil Warnock frustrated.
Now the veteran, who managed the attacker at Crystal Palace, has finally got his man in a transfer exclusively reported by SunSport last month after persuading him to snub a move to Turkey for the Riverside.
- Josh Graham
PREST FOR TIME
Ben Davies is set to join Celtic – it is just a matter of when, REPORTS TOM BARCLAY.
The Preston defender was expected to move to the Scottish champions when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Ben Davies is expected to join Celtic from PrestonCredit: Getty Images – Getty But due to injury problems in defence, Neil Lennon is pushing to bring the 25-year-old in this month instead.
An agreement will have to be thrashed out if that is to happen though and is by no means guaranteed.
Celtic will be without key central defender Christopher Jullien for the next four months due to a knee injury.
- Josh Graham
DAW OPEN
Watford have offered West Ham the option of making Craig Dawson's loan move permanent before the transfer window closes, REPORTS DUNCAN WRIGHT.
Dawson joined the Hammers for the season in October as nothing more than squad cover in defence for David Moyes.
Craig Dawson could join West Ham permanentlyCredit: Getty Images – Getty But the 30-year-old has taken his chance with a string of impressive performances which has cemented himself as first choice in the side.
Now Watford are prepared to bring forward the option on West Ham signing him on a permanent basis, knowing it will help provide them with funds mid-season.
A fee close to £3million has been asked for, though the Premier League club are under no obligation to complete the deal now and may prefer to wait until the summer.
But if they were to tie the centre-back down long-term, it would free up a domestic loan spot which they can then utilise by bringing in someone else to boost their push for a top six finish.
- Josh Graham
CHRIST THE REDEEMER
Christian Eriksen looks set to STAY at Inter Milan.
The former Spurs star had been set for the exit after struggling for game time under Antonio Conte at the San Siro.
But after the Dane scored a stunning free-kick against rivals AC Milan this week, Conte has ruled out a move away.
The Italian told RAI Sport: "'For a month now I've been saying the same thing: this is the Inter squad. Nobody will arrive, nobody will leave. I keep saying it and nobody seems to believe me.
"We are working with Eriksen on a tactical level to find an alternative for [Marcelo] Brozovic, because we don't have someone like that in the squad.
"Christian is a very intelligent lad, he has quality, he's part of the project and I am happy he scored that goal. I really wanted him to take it, as we all know the quality he has from set plays."
- Josh Graham
CHERRY PICKING
Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton is in talks with Dan Gosling about a move from Bournemouth, REPORTS ALAN NIXON.
Midfield dynamo Gosling is ready to move for more first team football and the Cherries will let him go to make way for a possible new arrival.
Bournemouth's Dan Gosling is in talks with Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty Images – Getty Gosling is due to tie up a switch until the end of the season with Forest after a medical and go straight into their squad.
Bournemouth want to move for Preston contract rebel Ben Pearson who is refusing to sign a new deal and could now be sold for around £500,000.
- Josh Graham
JACK THE LAD
Rangers have confirmed the signing of defender Jack Simpson, 24, from Bournemouth on a pre-contract agreement.
- Josh Graham
COME MON!
Monaco are poised to rescue Arsenal's on loan midfielder Lucas Torreira from the wilderness at Atletico Madrid.
The Uruguayan went the other way on the day Thomas Partey arrived at the Emirates in October.
But he has been restricted to just TWO LaLiga starts by Diego Simeone this season.
The Gunners are unhappy with the situation and are looking at other options for the rest of the season.
AS reports Monaco are in the best position to broker a deal for the rest of the year before Monday's transfer deadline.
- Josh Graham
NOR BLIMEY
Martin Odegaard’s fellow Norwegian Erling Haaland is pleased to see his pal at a ‘big club’ but warned he will need regular game time to deliver the goods.
Borussia Dortmund goal machine Haaland told VG: “It will be interesting. Arsenal are a big club in England.
Arsenal new boy Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland are international team-mates with NorwayCredit: Getty Images – Getty “It’s a bit different football [to Real Madrid], but I think he can fit in well with Mikel Arteta in the No10 role.
“He can enjoy himself there. He has to get in there and simply start playing games.
“That’s what he needs. We know how good Odegaard can be.
“When he gains confidence with the ball, we know that the most incredible things can happen.”
- Josh Graham
SERG IN DEMAND?
Sergio Ramos' contract talks with Real Madrid have reportedly ground to a halt.
The Los Blancos skipper has racked up 668 games for the Galacticos since arriving at the Bernabeu in 2005.
Sergio Ramos could be heading for the Madrid exit after nearly 16 yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty But Marca reports his deal looks set to expire on June 30 with no agreement on an extension as yet.
The 34-year-old is free to talk to foreign clubs.
- Marc Mayo
GOOD MORNING
Arsenal finally announced the loan signing of Martin Odegaard on Wednesday on a deal until the end of the season.
The Norwegian playmaker is now in contention to make his debut against Manchester United on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong has completed his move to German giants Bayer Leverkusen.
The Celtic right-back has sealed the lucrative transfer just days before Monday’s deadline day – with the fee believed to be worth a whopping £11.5million.
The Dutchman, 20, has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Bundesliga outfit that runs until summer 2025.
Yannick Bolasie is also set to finally depart Everton on a permanent deal as he nears a switch to Middlesbrough.
According to Sky Sports, the Championship side have been in advanced talks with the Toffees.
Tottenham meanwhile are claimed to be interested in Napoli centre-back Nikola Maksimovic.
The Serbia star, 29, is available for free when his contract runs out in the summer and Spurs boss Jose Mourinho reportedly wants more strength in depth at the back.
Spazio Napoli suggest Mourinho is casting an eye towards the former Torino and Red Star Belgrade defender.
And finally, SunSport have exclusively revealed that Wigan are a takeover target for a mystery Bahrain group who want to save them from their current crisis.
The Latics could be bought out by the Middle Eastern investors who are willing to pay £3m to take them out of administration after SEVEN months of torture.
The Bahraini group are due to speak to the EFL before the weekend and their British representatives have already met with the local council.
- Jake Lambourne
SILVER LINING
Paul Pogba is putting his contract situation on the backburner in his quest to win silverware at Manchester United.
When asked by Rio Ferdinand whether he was at United to stay, he told BT Sport: “I’m on contract, I’m here. I’m enjoying myself. Everyone knows I have one year left.
“I will speak to the club and see what’s going on. For now my objective and goal is to win something. All I’m thinking about is winning.
“I’ll give it all my energy and my all to help the team the most.
“I want to win something that’s all I’m focused on, the contract is not important, it’s to win.”
- Jake Lambourne
MIDDLE EARTH
Middlesbrough are reportedly close to signing Yannick Bolasie.
According to Sky Sports, the Championship side have been in advanced talks with Everton.
Boro have failed to sign Bolasie twice, but they look poised to bring him to the club.
Bolasie is available for a cut-price fee with his contract up in the summer.
- Jake Lambourne
JOSH-ING AROUND
Arsenal are reportedly one of three clubs interested in Hibernian left-back Josh Doig.
Mikel Arteta is keen to bring in a back-up for Kieran Tierney, and are said to be keen on the 18-year-old defender.
According to Sky Sports, the Gunners are monitoring the progress of the Scotland youth international.
However Arsenal are said to be in competition with Celtic and Chelsea for Doig’s signature.
- Jake Lambourne
GOING, GOING, PONG
Jeremie Frimpong has completed his move to German giants Bayer Leverkusen.
The Celtic right-back has sealed the lucrative transfer just days before Monday's deadline day – with the fee believed to be worth a whopping £11.5million.
The Dutchman, 20, has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Bundesliga outfit that runs until summer 2025.
Speaking about his move to Germany, he told Leverkusen's official website: "It's a great opportunity to play in one of the best European leagues.
"I'm really excited about the Bundesliga and, of course especially about this club."
Before adding: "I really like the offensive, fast and technical way of playing at Bayer 04 and I hope that I can help the team soon."
- Jake Lambourne
BASILE RUSH
Nike have signed Brazilian prodigy Kauan Basile to a long-term deal at the age of just EIGHT.
The Santos youngster has set tongues wagging after his skills at the Brazilian giants' youth ranks were spotted on social media.
In fact, Basile is already being touted as the future of Brazilian football such is the hype surrounding the genuine wonderkid.
And now Nike have snatched him up, offering him a lucrative deal while he is aged younger than Lionel Messi when he signed his first contract with the sporting goods giant.
Basile has been offered a three-year guaranteed deal, with an option for a further two years should his progression continue.
Even at the END of his contract, Basile will be younger than both Messi and another ex-Santos kid, Neymar, in signing his first deal at Nike.
Messi put pen to paper on his first Nike contract aged 15, while Neymar was 13.
- Jake Lambourne
OL IN ONE
Roma are reportedly plotting a late raid on Chelsea for Olivier Giroud.
Corriere dello Sport claims the Frenchman is wanted on loan as a replacement for Edin Dzeko, who has been axed by boss Paulo Fonseca.
But Roma are unsure if they can negotiate a deal, temporary or permanent, with Chelsea following the appointment of Thomas Tuchel.
The German is yet to indicate if Giroud is part of his plans for the rest of the season.
- Jake Lambourne
NO RAM RAID
Man Utd will not ‘aggressively’ try to sign Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid due to a special ‘Covid pact’ between Europe’s elite.
The Red Devils have been rumoured to be exploring the possibility of beating their transfer rivals and making a swoop.
However, any discussions look likely to be put on hold due to an agreement that was struck last year at the start of the pandemic.
Europe’s elite clubs entered into a non-aggression pact, according to Marca, over signing players from one another.
Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus were all involved as well as several other powerhouses.
It was a move designed to prevent skyrocketing transfer fees and ‘backhanded’ moves.
- Jake Lambourne
TAKING THE NIK
Tottenham could duel Lazio for Napoli centre-back Nikola Maksimovic, according to reports.
The Serbia star, 29, is available for free when his contract runs out in the summer.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho reportedly wants more strength in depth at the back.
And Spazio Napoli suggest Mourinho is casting an eye towards the former Torino and Red Star Belgrade defender.
It's claimed Spurs might even consider a move this month as Maksimovic has played just eight Serie A games this season.
But even though Maksimovic has been to speak to other clubs since January 1, a summer exit still seems more likely.
- Jake Lambourne
FRANK BACKED
Bookmakers Coral have slashed their odds on Frank Lampard taking over as Crystal Palace manager.
Just a few days after being axed by Chelsea, the 42-year-old is already being tipped to make a swift return to the Premier League with Crystal Palace.
It was previously a 10/1 chance that Lampard's next top role would be at Selhurst Park.
But that price has dramatically shortened to 9/2 after the Eagles suffered a 3-2 London derby defeat to West Ham.
Coral's John Hill said: "It will be interesting to see where Frank Lampard's next opportunity will come. It may be a case he will want to stay in and around London.
"And with Roy Hodgson under pressure to keep his job at Crystal Palace, it isn't a big surprise that the odds have been slashed on him taking over at Selhurst Park."
- Jake Lambourne
BAC IN TIME
Bacary Sagna claims Leicester made him a ‘disrespectful’ offer when he left Manchester City in 2017.
And the former Arsenal star adds he was also made to sit on a couch for EIGHT hours during the ill-fated negotiations.
He told SoFoot: “When I left City, I turned down a lot of offers. I said to myself, ‘They don’t want to respect me, I’m not going’.
“I met a few clubs, we agreed on everything, and finally they disappeared. Leicester disrespected me.
“They made me an offer with a few details that were wrong and they made me hang out on a couch for eight hours.
"A lot of things happened, but I never talked about it. I don’t care, actually.
“It was my problem, I shouldn’t have given a damn that much. I am not a man of money, I am my heart.”
- Jake Lambourne
NOR WAY
Norwich have had a £300,000 bid turned down for highly-rated Peterborough ace Flynn Clarke.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder – who plays as a No10 – has also attracted interest from a number of top Premier League sides.
But SunSport understands that Canaries boss Daniel Farke is a big fan of the teenager and the Norfolk club have been pursuing him for some time.
An inside source at Posh said: “This lad is going to be a top player. He is very much in the mould of James Maddison.
“Norwich have had a £300,000 bid knocked back but there is plenty of Premier League interest in the player.
"He started three games in a row before Christmas and did really well. Lots of scouts have picked up on the kid."
- Joe Brophy
MARC-ED MAN
Barcelona want to sign Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso, according to reports.
The 30-year-old struggled for game time under Frank Lampard and the Catalans are keen on bringing him to the Nou Camp if new Blues boss Thomas Tuchel can be persuaded.
Spaniard Alonso has played just three times for the Blues this season.
His Stamford Bridge contract does not expire until 2023 but Barca have been watching him for months, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Alonso is said to have fancied the move.
But the Catalans are trying to establish whether Tuchel plans to use him before making an official offer.
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