Premier League transfer news: Mario Balotelli, Aaron Ramsey, Eric Bailly, Cengiz Under

Balotelli back?

Everyone’s favourite madcap striker – Mario Balotelli – could be about to make a “sensational” return to the Premier League.

The Daily Mail says Newcastle are “ready to take a gamble on the enigmatic forward in order to aid their battle against relegation”.

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The mercurial Italian, now 28, has been at Nice since 2016 but no longer appears to have a long-term future at the French club and another twist in the former Man City and Liverpool player’s “nomadic career” appears to be on the cards.

“Balotelli has been given time away from the training ground at Nice by manager Patrick Vieira, due to the uncertainty surrounding his future,” says the paper. “The former Arsenal man revealed the frustrations of managing Balotelli, claiming he would ‘slam him up against a wall’ if he was still a fellow player.”

Arsenal star agrees Juventus deal

Aaron Ramsey has signed a pre-contract agreement with Italian champions Juventus, according to reports in Italy.

The Welshman is set to leave the Gunners in the summer when his contract expires and a host of clubs, including Chelsea and Read Madrid, have been after him.

Now Italian media are claiming he has agreed a deal with Juventus worth £145,000 a week, and The Sun says: “It now looks certain that Ramsey will be lining-up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for the Old Lady next season.”

Gunners go Under

Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United are embroiled in a three-way race to sign Roma star Cengiz Under.

According to the Daily Star, which picks up on reports in Turkey, “Arsenal have made the first move for his signature by launching a £55m bid”.

Under, 21, “has been in impressive form for Roma this season, scoring six goals and providing six assists”, says the paper.

“His displays have seen him linked with a move to the Premier League despite being under contract with the Serie A side until 2022.”

Man Utd reject Bailly bids

His Old Trafford future has been the subject of much speculation this season but The Daily Telegraph claims that Manchester United will reject any bids for centre-back Eric Bailly this month.

Sevilla are said to be keen on the Ivory Coast defender but United are unwilling to sell.

“United ultimately want to sign a top-quality centre-half and someone is likely to make way when that happens, but there is little expectation of being able to acquire one this month and they have no intention of being left short in that department.

“United believe Bailly is a capable centre-back in the making, even though there is a recognition that the 24-year-old remains rash and raw at times and in need of cultivating.”

Lallana linked to Turkey

Liverpool’s forgotten man Adam Lallana has been linked with a move to Fenerbahce, according to reports in Turkey. He has made only a handful of appearances for the Reds this season and was an unused sub against Man City.

But according to the Daily Mirror the 30-year-old is set to turn down a loan move to the Turkish club but “a short term Premier League deal hasn’t been totally ruled out”.

Bournemouth want Clyne

Another Liverpool fringe player who could be on his way out of Anfield is full-back Nathaniel Clyne.

Bournemouth are keen to bring the former Southampton star back to the South Coast, says The Sun, and Cardiff are also interested in the 27-year-old.

“Kop boss Jurgen Klopp will allow Clyne out on loan and the player will weigh up whether he wants to stay and be part of a Premier League title race or play regularly,” says the paper. “The England international – who has a contract with Liverpool until 2020 – has featured in just four Premier League games this campaign.”

Defoe set for Rangers move

Veteran striker Jermain Defoe is close to a “stunning” move to Rangers, reports the Scottish Daily Mail.

The 36-year-old has not started a league game for Bournemouth this season and an 18-month loan deal is being considered, says the paper.

“A former England team-mate of Steven Gerrard, Defoe also shares the same agent as the Rangers manager and a flood of bets have forced bookmakers to slash the odds on the former Tottenham, West Ham and Sunderland striker moving to the Scottish Premiership before the end of the transfer window.”

Perisic ‘flattered’ by Man Utd

At least someone still has time for Jose Mourinho. Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic has admitted he was close to joining Manchester United in the summer but was persuaded to stay in Italy, reports the Daily Mirror.

The Croatian said: “It's true that an offer from Manchester United was on the table and I was close to leaving Inter.

“Admiration from a coach like Mourinho is definitely something that flattered me.”

Mourinho’s frustration at failing to land his summer targets contributed to the toxic atmosphere at Old Trafford that eventually brought him down.

Man Utd favourites to land Eriksen

Manchester United are the bookies’ favourites to land Spurs star Christian Eriksen if he leaves Spurs this summer. The Dane has 18 months left on his contract and has yet to agree a new deal, leading to speculation Tottenham could sell him in the summer. (The Sun)

Fosu-Mensah out, Cahill in, at Fulham

Fulham are poised to cancel Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s loan deal from Manchester United so they can sign Chelsea veteran Gary Cahill. The Old Trafford defender has failed to impress at Fulham and boss Claudio Ranieri needs to free up space in the squad if he is to sign Cahill. Fosu-Mensah could move to Aston Villa. (Daily Express)