CHELSEA are planning on raiding PSG for defender Presnel Kimpembe, according to reports.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel managed the centre-back during his time as PSG coach.
And the German boss wants Kimpembe, 26, to replace Antonio Rudiger who is out of contract next summer and tipped to leave Stamford Bridge, according to L’Equipe.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are keen on a striker and are looking it Manchester United outcast Anthony Martial as well as former Celtic star Moussa Dembele.
The struggling Magpies are also said to be keen to bring Edin Dzeko to Tyneside as the club’s Saudi owners look to splash the cash.
When does the January transfer window open and close?
The transfer window opens on January 1 and closes on the 31st at 11pm.
Clubs will be able to sign and sell players during that time, with the Premier League’s winter break due to take place while the final week of the window is going on.
Get all the latest transfer news, gossip and updates here…
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Real keen on Gomez
Real Madrid are reportedly keeping tabs on Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez ahead of a potential January move.
But Los Blancos have also shortlisted Antonio Rudiger, Pau Torres and Jules Kounde as they look to shore up their defence.
The Mail claims Gomez is just one of four defenders Real are looking at this winter.
But they could struggle to sign him, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp determined to keep the centre-back.
Tor blimey
Barcelona are reportedly closing in on a stunning £50million swoop for Man City forward Ferran Torres.
That’s after the debt-ridden Spaniards were granted permission to take out a ‘huge’ loan.
Guillem Balague claims a transfer is near after Barca agreed to borrow more money ahead of the January window.
However, the deal for Torres means they will be forced to sell at least one current player in order to meet LaLiga Financial Fair Play requirements.
Newcastle eyeing move for Rodon
Newcastle are reportedly interested in out of favour Tottenham defender Joe Rodon to bolster their defensive ranks.
The Welshman has played just 20 times for Spurs since his 2020 £11million transfer from Swansea.
And according to the Telegraph, Spurs are willing to let the defender leave on loan in January with Newcastle one of the clubs interested in acquiring his services.
The Magpies are deep in a relegation battle to stay in the Premier League, and after the weekend’s defensive display against champions Manchester City, they’re in desperate need of reinforcements.
Azpilicueta eager for Chelsea stay
Cesar Azpilicueta wants to stay and fight for his place in Chelsea’s starting XI, it’s been claimed.
The Blues skipper has no intention of going elsewhere to play regular first-team football.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim the 32-year-old Spaniard is eager to stay at Stamford Bridge past the expiration of his contract.
Azpilicueta’s current deal with the west Londoners is set to expire at the end of the season.
Spanish big boys Barcelona are reportedly interested in bringing the two-time Premier League winner to the Nou Camp.
But their bid to acquire his services could be hindered by his desire to remain in west London.
Mykolenko doing his manager proud
Vitaliy Mykolenko is set to make his boss proud with his impending arrival at Everton.
The Dynamo Kiev youngster is in line for a £17million move to Goodison Park in January.
And manager Mircea Lucescu revealed he was delighted to see one of his academy graduates heading for the Premier League.
He told UA Football: “I am glad that a young player from my team is now moving to Everton. I mean Mykolenko.
“Another 18-19-year-old footballer will take his place. The rest in defence are 19-20 years old. Therefore, we continue to play as a very young team.
“They have to work much harder than experienced ones.”
Getty Images Dumfries declined Everton summer offer
Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries has revealed he turned down a move to Everton in the summer in favour of joining the Italians.
The Dutchman has impressed in his debut season in Serie A, leaving Everton fans wondering what might have been.
The 25-year-old told Voetbal International: “It took some time to close the deal, but when it happened, I had goosebumps.
“I was talking to [Mino] Raiola every day, I strongly wanted to join Inter. I had an offer from Everton, but I didn’t think twice about coming here.
“They have a great tradition in Italy and Europe and they are the champions of Italy.
“The city of Milan also had an impact on my choice.”
Getty Images Arsenal ‘ready to pay’ £68m
The Gunners are reportedly ‘ready to pay’ £68million to snap up Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic.
Gazzetta Dello Sport claim Arsenal are willing to pay the fee ‘immediately’ in order to secure a deal for the much wanted forward.
However, a potential issue is the Serbian wanting to stay with the club until the end of the season.
Arsenal meanwhile are in need of reinforcements at the top of the pitch sooner rather than later.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now been frozen out, with a new striker said to be a priority.
Newcastle in Jones January enquiry
Manchester United defender Phil Jones is a wanted man, after reports linking him to Benfica surfaced earlier.
And now 90min report that Newcastle have enquired after Jones’ services.
Eddie Howe is desperate for reinforcements in a bid to keep the Magpies in the Premier League.
A loan deal is the most likely option, with the 29-year-old not playing competitive football until January 2020.
Keane tips City for title
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has backed City to win the league yet again this campaign.
Speaking on Micah Richards & Roy Keane Driving Home for Christmas, Keane said: “We did a game last year. I didn’t write off City, but I said they lost their mojo. Then they won the league like a doddle.
“I know they put in the hard work, but they won it from United being second. I’d never bet against City, I’ve learned my lesson from last year.
“It doesn’t mean Liverpool and Chelsea can’t pip them to the title, but Pep’s the man.
“I look at all the managers and he’s the best.
“You look at Pep’s CV and people say ‘he’s got the best players’, but you still have to manage them, find a style of play. If you were going to pick a team to watch, it’d be Man City.”
Utd ‘make contact’ with Haaland
Manchester United have ‘made contact’ with Erling Haalan over a possible deal, reports suggest.
According to FourFourTwo, Ralf Rangnick is making it his personal mission to sign Haaland once again, having done so already for RB Salzburg.
Rangick is also said to be good friends with Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge.
It’s understood that the Borussia Dortmund sensation has a £68million release clause inserted in his contract.
And Rangnick is set to personally try and convince the Norwegian to move to Old Trafford.
Getty Images Conte tips Dier for greatness
Antonio Conte has said Eric Dier can become ‘one of the best central defenders’ in the world.
Dier, 27, has played in the middle of Conte’s centre-back trio, and has evidently impressed his new boss.
Conte said: “That position is perfect for him. Eric Dier can become one of the best players in the world in that position.
“For sure he needs to work and continue to improve and understand the movement with the defensive line.
“He has to lead more, because in that position you have to speak a lot because you have to stay in the middle, at the back where you can see everything.
“He has a great space for improvement but we are talking about a really good player, strong physically with a good personality and good technically because he was a midfielder.
“This role is perfect for him. He has to continue this way because he can become one of the best central defenders.”
Szczesny slams cocky Juve teammates
Wojciech Szczesny has fired a warning shot at cocky Juventus team-mates as the Serie A giants battle for a top-four spot.
The Old Lady are well off the pace in the league this campaign, and have a fight on their hands just finishing in a Champions League space.
And Szczesny told broadcaster DAZN: “We worked hard, but I think there’s a lot we need to improve still, both in defence and upfront.
“Sometimes at 1-0 we relax and sit a bit too deep, but that’s not good in the long run, we play arrogantly in those situations and I don’t like it.
“It happened many times, including in Venezia when we conceded.
“We sit too deep in the second half, we can’t keep lowering the level of intensity for 10-15 minutes every time.
“It went alright today, but we dropped two points against Venezia, so we can’t keep doing that.”
Arsenal ‘open’ to Aubameyang offers
Arsenal are ‘willing to listen’ to offers for former club-captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January, reports suggest.
ESPN claim the club will entertain offers for the 32-year-old in the New Year.
Aubameyang has been linked with a move to Barcelona, who are in need of reinforcements up front.
Juventus too are claimed to be interested, with AC Milan and Inter both monitoring the situation.
The club don’t believe that relations have completely broken down with Aubameyang after stripping him of the captaincy, but remain willing to listen to any offers that come their way.
Musonda offered services for free
Charly Musonda has revealed he told Chelsea he would play for free in a last ditch effort to stay with the club.
Following talks with Blues legend Petr Cech, who is their current technical director, Musonda decided he would leave at the end of the season.
He said on The Beautiful Game Podcast: “I spoke with the manager and I obviously knew what he thought of me in training.
“I explained to him the same thing, I will play here for free. It’s not to do with the contract, I will literally play for free this year.
“I can be the last guy in the squad. Train hard, basically build my way through training, pay with the 23s, get some fitness back and from there see.
“It’s a long season, there’s a lot of games. I’m not even asking to start those games, I was just saying, if I can come on, get 15, 20 minutes here and there.
“He (Tuchel) understood. We had a good chat and he said, “Listen, it’s not up to me. The contract talks are something else’.”
Xavi building something at Barca
Struggling Barcelona could be on the verge of building something ‘special’.
That’s the view of Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui, who heaped praise on the wonderkids coming through the ranks at the Nou Camp.
New boss Xavi is trying to breathe new life into a Barca side that sits seventh in LaLiga.
And he boasts among his squad the likes of European Golden Boy Pedri and the teenager dubbed as his heir in midfield, Gavi.
Lopetegui said: “I seriously doubt that signing players from outside they’ll be able to find anyone like those (kids they have).”
Jordan Henderson player welfare concerns
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has voiced his concerns over the welfare of Premier League players in an interview with the BBC.
The Christmas schedule in the UK is famously hectic, and Henderson has spoken about just how difficult it is on players.
He said: “I don’t think people can appreciate how intense it is until you actually see it first hand.
“Football to us is everything and we want to be able to perform at the highest level every time we set foot on the pitch. And unfortunately, in this period it is difficult to do that.
“That has been like this for a few years now and it has been difficult but then, on top of that, you chuck in Covid and it becomes even harder and even worse.
“I am concerned that nobody really takes player welfare seriously.
Liverpool join Utd in chase
Manchester United are set to battle old rivals Liverpool for the signature of Dortmund wonderkid Erling Haaland.
The striker is understood to be available for as little as £64million if a potential buyer can match that trigger.
And Sky Sports report that Liverpool have entered the fray as they search for a genuine No.9 to lead the line.
Both Premier League giants will also face competition from Spain’s heavyweights in a likely bidding war.
Real Madrid are known to have been in contact with Dortmund over a possible move.
And Barcelona are hopeful their close ties with the player’s agent Mino Raiola can tempt the player in their direction.
Bergwijn subject of transfer speculation
Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn is rumoured to be attracting interest from all over Europe.
The Dutchman has started just three games in the Premier League this campaign and is said to be open to a January move.
Ajax are keen, with clubs in Italy, Spain, Germany AND France also all monitoring the 24-year-old, according to the Athletic.
Antonio Conte is yet to green-light a transfer though as he wants to continue assessing the wide-man in training.
But should he decide he can live without Bergwijn, a January loan is being touted as a possibility.
Getty Images Dalot ‘blocked’ from leaving Utd
Ralf Rangnick has reportedly ‘blocked’ Diogo Dalot from leaving Manchester United in January.
Former United boss Jose Mourinho was said to be keen on bring Dalot to Roma on loan.
But Italian outlet Calciomercato claim Rangnick has rejected the offer, and wants the Portuguese full-back to stay at Old Trafford.
Dalot has impressed under Rangnick, starting in both Premier League games since the German arrived at the club.
The 22-year-old had been largely frozen out under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But now Rangnick seems to prefer him to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and sees him as part of his plans.
Getty Images Dembele to stay at Barca
Ousmane Dembele has chosen to turn down transfer interest from the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool in order to stay at Barcelona.
The Frenchman is out-of-contract at the end of the season and had been linked with a move away.
Barca though were always keen for Dembele to sign a new deal.
And now it seems that they have got their wish, with the wide-man looking like he is close to agreeing terms to stay.
As cited by Barca Universal, Xavi said: “I feel positive with him again.
“Ousmane says that he wants to continue, that he is happy here.
“It is a matter of agreeing with his representative. He knows about the importance he will have if he stays.”
Madrid eyeing Joe Gomez move
Real Madrid are reportedly keeping tabs on Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez ahead of a potential January move.
But Los Blancos have also shortlisted Antonio Rudiger, Pau Torres and Jules Kounde as they look to shore up their defence.
Real are determined to improve their attack first but are monitoring Gomez’s situation, according to the Mail.
Jurgen Klopp though is said to have no plans to let Gomez leave in January.
Getty Images
Kenedy close to permanent exit
Chelsea exile Kenedy could be about to swap his loan deal for a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge.
The winger is currently on loan at Brazilian side Flamengo, but Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk are reportedly lining up a bid when the window reopens next month.
New boss Roberto De Zerbi is understood to have singled out the 25-year-old as a top name on his transfer shortlist.
The Italian will soon be without forwards Dentinho and Marlos, whose contracts are expiring this winter.
Any move would require an agreement with Flamengo, who paid Chelsea a £425,000 loan fee last summer.
The Brazilian side are also said to have an £8.5million option to buy within the deal.
Getty Images Three sides in for Martial
Anthony Martial looks destined to leave Manchester United in January after his agent publicly revealed that the Frenchman wanted out.
And reports suggest there are three clubs in the race for the 26-year-old forward.
Barcelona, Juventus and Sevilla are all said to be keen on a move for the Frenchman, according to Sky Sports.
All three clubs are targeting an initial loan deal, with the option for a permanent move later down the line.
Martial is understood to be most interested by the prospect of joining Sevilla, as that is where he would be likely to get the most game time out of the three interested parties.
Getty Images Moyes not convinced by VAR
West Ham boss David Moyes has admitted that he is ‘disappointed’ with the way VAR is being used this season.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham, Moyes urged officials to use the pitch-side monitor more.
He said: “I would hope that if I was sitting in front of a television watching it from four or five different angles I would probably have a really good opinion.
“If I was unsure I would certainly send the referee over to say ‘why don’t we collaborate on this to see how it goes rather than just leaving it to one person to do it.
“I think for me the disappointment is they are not working well enough between the referee and whoever is in the VAR studio to get the decision right.”
Jones January target for Benfica
Portuguese side Benfica are keen to give Phil Jones a chance to resurrect his career, reports suggest.
The 29-year-old hasn’t played for United since an FA Cup tie in January 2020.
And now Benfica are looking to snap up Jones on a six-month loan deal, according to the Daily Mail.
United would prefer a permanent deal, but given Jones has been out of action for nearly two years a loan move seems more realistic.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
