Premier League transfer news and rumours
Blues ‘working hard’ to sign Higuain
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri says the club is working hard to try and seal a deal to bring Gonzalo Higuain to Stamford Bridge.
ESPN says that the Juventus striker, who is currently on loan at AC Milan, is close to signing for the Premier League side on an “initial six-month loan deal with an option to buy”. Talks have been held between Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia and the striker’s agent and brother Nicolas Higuain.
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Sarri said: “I don’t know [how close it is]. I want to be clear, because I cannot help you. I am confident because I know Marina is working very hard, but I don’t know the market at all. I want to be focused on the matches.”
Chelsea to tempt Hudson-Odoi
Chelsea want Callum Hudson-Odoi to stay and could offer a deal rising to £70,000 a week. German giants Bayern Munich have offered £35m for the 18-year-old. (Daily Mail)
PSG rival Chelsea for Paredes
Paris Saint-Germain have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Leandro Paredes from Zenit. It’s reported that PSG have bid £31m for the midfielder. (Sky in Italy)
Sancho’s future is at Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc says England winger Jadon Sancho will remain with the Bundesliga club. The 18-year-old has been linked with a return to the Premier League but Zorc said: “He’s an outstanding talent and a big part of our future. We are convinced that we are the best option for him to keep developing. He’s not finished yet. Not by a long stretch. And he will certainly play with us next year, come what may.” (ESPN)
Reds eye McKennie
United States international Weston McKennie is a target for Liverpool. The 20-year-old has impressed in the Bundesliga for Schalke. (The Sun)
Ranieri unsure over Cahill deal
Claudio Ranieri is keen to sign Chelsea defender Gary Cahill but the Fulham manager is unsure if a deal will happen. “Gary is a very important player and for us it would be fantastic,” said Ranieri. “I don’t know if he wants to come and fight with us.” (Sky Sports)
City identify defensive midfielders
Manchester City are looking to sign a defensive midfielder to eventually replace Fernandinho and have identified “three or four” players. (Sky Sports)
Rashford set for new deal
Manchester United are planning to offer Marcus Rashford a “huge new deal” by doubling his wages to £150,000 a week. The England striker, 21, has been linked with Real Madrid and Juventus. (Daily Mirror)
Solskjaer: no incomings expected
Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not expect the club to sign any new players this month. (Sky Sports)
Spurs interested in Malcom, not Rossi
With Harry Kane injured and Heung-Min Son away at the Asia Cup, Tottenham could be in the market for a new attacker. The Independent reports that they have “revived their interest” in Barcelona’s Malcom but according to Sky Sports Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has ruled out a move for free agent Giuseppe Rossi.
Arnautovic dropped by West Ham
West Ham United have dropped Marko Arnautovic for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth. The striker has been the subject of a bid from a Chinese Super League club but it was rejected by the Hammers. Boss Manuel Pellegrini has decided Arnautovic is not in the right frame of mind. (The Guardian)
Howe: no bids for any players
Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson has been linked with Chelsea and West Ham but his manager Eddie Howe says the south coast club have not received any bids. “We’ve had no interest in any of our players,” said Howe. “Everything has just been speculation, which you understand as this is the month for it.” (Sky Sports)
Gunners scout Trincao
Arsenal have sent scouts to watch SC Braga forward Francisco Trincao. The Portugal Under-19 international is also wanted by Juventus. (Tuttomercatoweb)
Clarke on Palace radar
Crystal Palace have approached Leeds United about teenage winger Jack Clarke. However, Leeds have told the London club that Clarke, 18, is not for sale. (Yorkshire Evening Post)
Premier League 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 and 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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