Fernandes set for Spurs medical
With Harry Kane and Moussa Sissoko both out until the spring and Christian Eriksen set to leave, Spurs are poised to make their first signing under Jose Mourinho, with Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes expected to arrive for a a medical, reports the Evening Standard.
“Spurs have agreed to sign the 21-year-old on an 18-month loan with an option to make the deal permanent for around £40m in summer 2021,” reports the paper.
“Fernandes, who fell out of favour at Benfica, chose Spurs over West Ham, having been offered to the north London club by Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes.”
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United chase another Fernandes
From one Fernandes to another, as Man United close in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has watched the player in action and the two teams are said to be working on a £50m deal.
But although the player has asked Sporting to let him leave and Portuguuse officials have travelled to England the move may not be straightforward as it seems.
That’s because, as Metro reports, “Sporting have told Manchester United they want Marcos Rojo as part of any deal… but will likely need the Premier League giants to subsidise his wages”.
The defender earns £160,000 a week, and Sporting could not afford to pay that, so United would have to chip in, says the paper. “If an agreement cannot be reached over Rojo, United and Sporting will need to go back to the negotiating table,” adds Metro.
“Nevertheless, there is a growing feeling that Fernandes will become a United player before the end of the month – though Sporting are hoping he will remain long enough to play against Benfica on Friday night. That would be his farewell appearance for the side, with United ready to offer him a five-and-a-half year deal as they look to bring more flair, creativity and goal threat to their midfield.”
Solksjaer scouts Soumare
United are also keen on Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare, but will scout the 20-year-old again this month before deciding whether to make an offer.
According to The Sun: “United and Spurs have both been watching the 20-year-old closely throughout this season as they weigh up whether to make a move this month.
“But reports in L'Equipe suggest Lille have already received six offers for the young Frenchman as the battle hots up for his signature.”
Lille will expect a fee of around £50m is they do let the France Under-21 international leave.
Arsenal face fight for Boateng
Arsenal will have to see off AC Milan if they are to land Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng, reports Mail Online.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta wants to shore up the Emurates back line and has “earmarked Boateng as a target and Bayern are understood to want £12.8m for their experienced defender”, says the website. “The player himself is keen on a move away in January and can play either centre-back or full-back, though he is more comfortable in central defence.”
However, AC Milan are also in the market for a defender and are keen on the 31-year old.
Chelsea interested in Brighton's Dunk...
Chelsea are another London club looking at defenders in the January sales and the Sunday Times reported this weekend that the Blues have “have inquired about Brighton and Hove Albion’s Lewis Dunk”.
However, he will not come cheap. “The 28-year-old, who has one full international appearance for England, is understood to be valued at around £50m by Brighton, who would not prevent Dunk from moving to a club of Chelsea’s stature,” says the paper.
...As Forest eye Glenn Murray
Championship high flyers Nottingham Forest are expected to start the bidding for Brighton striker Glenn Murray, according to the Daily Telegraph.
It says: “The 36-year-old has attracted interest in the January transfer window as the veteran has not started a Premier League game since mid-September.
“Championship clubs are willing to offer a deal for him to be part of a promotion push in the second half of the campaign, although there have been no bids yet.”
