Premier League transfer news and rumours
Emery wants Ozil exit
Mesut Ozil’s future as an Arsenal player again looks bleak after the German was left of the squad for the 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Saturday.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has knocked Ozil off his “star-status pedestal”, The Guardian reports, by making it clear that the 30-year-old midfielder is just “another player” in his squad.
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The Daily Mail adds that Emery wants to “find an exit route” for Ozil, who is on a £350,000-a-week salary. Emery wants Ozil to depart this month to free up funds during the transfer window. Last week he revealed that Arsenal can only bring players in on loan.
Juve told to pay £18m for Ramsey
If Juventus want to sign Aaron Ramsey this month they will have to cough up £18m for the Arsenal midfielder. The Welsh international will be available on a free when his contract expires at the end of the season and Juve are the favourites to sign the 28-year-old. (The Guardian)
Coutinho out, Neymar in at Barca?
Rumours circulating that Manchester United were interested in signing Barcelona’s former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho were laughed at last week, but it appears that the Brazilian’s future is actually in doubt at the Camp Nou.
Coutinho is “playing for his future”, the London Evening Standard reports, and he could be sold by Barca to fund a bid to bring Neymar back from Paris Saint-Germain. ESPN says selling Coutinho to United or PSG could “start things off” for Neymar’s return to Spain.
According to Sky Sports, citing information from Mundo Deportivo, Coutinho’s family are not ready to move back to England but he could consider his future in the summer.
Wilson for £75m?
The Daily Star reports that Bournemouth will sell Callum Wilson to Chelsea if they receive a bid of £75m. Sky Sports adds that Chelsea are prepared to pay £50m. Meanwhile, the Birmingham Mail says that Wolves could also be interested in the 26-year-old striker.
Skriniar out of range
Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti says defender Milan Skriniar will stay at the Serie A club because he is “out of everybody’s price range”. The 23-year-old Slovakian has been linked with Manchester United. (Daily Mirror)
PSG eye Gueye
Paris Saint-Germain are keen on Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye and are “stepping up their efforts” to sign the Senegal international. (ESPN/L’Equipe)
Doucoure could leave Hornets
Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has revealed that he could leave the Premier League club. The 26-year-old, who has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, told French TV show Canal Football Club: “I think I am going to leave Watford. The club know my ambitions and want to help me get to the next level. I’m flattered by the interest of PSG but for the moment there’s nothing concrete. I will focus on my performance for my club.” (Daily Express)
Clubs line up Fellaini
According to reports in Belgium Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is a target for FC Porto, AC Milan and Guangzou Evergrande. The 31-year-old has a contract at Old Trafford until June 2020. (Het Nieuwsblad)
Babel set for Fulham loan
Besiktas winger Ryan Babel is close to sealing a loan move to Fulham. The 32-year-old is a Netherlands international. (De Telegraaf)
Forrest to Anfield?
Celtic winger James Forrest is a target for Liverpool. The Scotland international, 27, has scored 17 goals this season for club and country and his form has impressed Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who could bid £8m. (Scottish Sun)
Batshuayi to join Fabregas at Monaco
Ligue 1 side Monaco have already signed Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea and now it looks like they will also bring in Michy Batshuayi from Stamford Bridge. The Belgian striker’s loan move to Monaco is expected to be completed in the coming days. (ESPN)
Blues bid for Paredes
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is searching for Cesc Fabregas’s replacement and on his target list is Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Leandro Paredes. The Blues have reportedly made an opening bid of £26.8m. (Daily Mail)
What next for Llorente?
Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente has been linked with a move to Barcelona but an injury to Harry Kane and Son Heung-min’s departure for the Asian Cup could see the 33-year-old Spaniard staying in north London. (The Guardian)
Pep’s transfer warning
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola won’t pay massive money to find a long-term replacement for defensive midfielder Fernandinho. City have been linked with Wolves star Ruben Neves, but the City boss said: “A month ago I read about Ruben Neves - £100m! That is not going to happen. We are not going to pay £100m for a holding midfielder.” City host Wolves in a Premier League clash tonight at the Etihad Stadium. (Sky Sports)
Premier League results and fixtures
Weekend results
- West Ham United 1 Arsenal 0
- Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Liverpool 1
- Burnley 2 Fulham 1
- Cardiff City 0 Huddersfield Town 0
- Crystal Palace 1 Watford 2
- Leicester City 1 Southampton 2
- Chelsea 2 Newcastle United 1
- Everton 2 AFC Bournemouth 0
- Tottenham Hotspur 0 Manchester United 1
Tonight’s fixture
- Manchester City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
Next weekend’s fixtures
Saturday 19 January (3pm unless stated)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Leicester City (12.30, live on Sky Sports)
- AFC Bournemouth vs. West Ham United
- Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace
- Manchester United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- Newcastle United vs. Cardiff City
- Southampton vs. Everton
- Watford vs. Burnley
- Arsenal vs. Chelsea (5.30pm, live on BT Sport)
Sunday 20 January
- Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester City (1.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Fulham vs. Tottenham Hotspur (4pm, live on Sky Sports)
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