MANCHESTER CITY’s Ferran Torres is reportedly set for a £50million switch to Spanish giants Barcelona.
Reports suggest that the City star is set for a return to Spain imminently with the deal practically complete.
Meanwhile, 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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Martial in transfer exit talks
Anthony Martial has reportedly held showdown talks with Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick.
The striker wants to quit Old Trafford next month after failing to impress this term.
And Sevilla are ready to hand Martial an escape with a loan move until the summer.
Carabao Cup semi-final draw
- Arsenal vs Liverpool
- Chelsea vs Tottenham
The semi-final ties are set to take place on January 3 and January 10.
The Final at Wembley Stadium is set for Sunday 27 February 2022.
Carabao Cup QFs – FT scores
- Brentford 0 Chelsea 2
- Liverpool 3 Leicester 3 (5-4 pens)
- Tottenham 2 West Ham 1
- (Tuesday) Arsenal 5 Sunderland 1
City and Liverpool dominate TOTY
There is just ONE non-Man City or Liverpool player in the 2021 Premier League Team of the Year.
The two giants make up 10 of the 11 spots in the CIES Football Observatory’s dream side.
And the sole entrant from the other 18 Prem teams is Chelsea goalie Edouard Mendy.
Dusan Vlahovic tipped for greatness
Micah Richards believes Arsenal, Man Utd and Spurs transfer target Dusan Vlahovic will shine if he moves to the Premier League.
Richards declared: “I have watched him a couple of times now.
“He is lightning. It’s ridiculous. He has got 16 in 18 [Serie A games] this season.
“His left foot is like a wand. I am telling you now, he is everything, he is everything you need.”
Kamara turning down Marseille deal
Premier League target Boubacar Kamara has reportedly told Marseille he is leaving on a free transfer next summer.
The centre-back has emerged as a transfer target for Man Utd, claims L’Equipe.
And reports linked Kamara with Arsenal during the last summer window.
He will be able to agree a pre-contract with English sides from next month.
Liverpool vs Leicester team news
Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley, Koumetio, Gomez, Tsimikas; Morton, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Williams, Firmino, Minamino
Leicester: Schmeichel; Pereira, Ndidi, Soyuncu, Thomas; Tielemans, Soumare, Dewsbury-Hall; Maddison, Daka, Vardy
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Brentford vs Chelsea team news
Brentford: Fernandez; Bech, Jansson, Pinnock; Canos, Baptiste, Jensen, Janelt, Henry; Wissa, Mbeumo
Chelsea: Kepa; Simons, Chalobah, Sarr; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Saul, Alonso; Barkley, Soonsup-Bell, Vale
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Tottenham vs West Ham team news
Tottenham: Lloris; Doherty, Sanchez, Dier, Davies, Reguilon; Skipp, Hojbjerg; Lucas, Kane, Bergwijn
West Ham: Areola; Ashby, Johnson, Dawson, Diop, Masuaku; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Vlasic, Lanzini
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Chelsea’s failed summer Marquinhos bid
Chelsea made an audacious £72million bid for PSG star Marquinhos last summer.
L’Equipe claims Thomas Tuchel was desperate for a reunion with his former defender.
But PSG rejected the offer, with Marquinhos one of their key players.
And the Brazilian will end any further speculation by penning a new long-term deal with the French giants.
United eye Milinkovic-Savic bid
Man United are reportedly plotting to land Sergej Milinkovic-Savic next summer.
Il Messagero claims the midfielder wants to leave Lazio at the end of the season.
And United see him as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba, who has six months left on his contract.
But the Red Devils face a battle to get Milinkovic-Savic, with Real Madrid and Juventus also keen.
Henderson’s health concerns for players
Jordan Henderson believes that crammed fixture schedules are creating a health hazard for England’s top flight players.
He told BBC Sport: “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.
“I am concerned that nobody really takes player welfare seriously. I think decisions get made – of course we want to play as footballers, we want to get out there and play.
“But I am worried about player welfare and I don’t think anybody does take that seriously enough, especially in this period, when Covid is here.”
Spurs battle Chelsea for De Ligt
Tottenham are reportedly lining up a bid for Juventus centre-half Matthijs de Ligt.
4-4-2 claims Antonio Conte is keen on raiding his former side for the Dutch defender.
Chelsea are also looking to pull off a deal for ex-Ajax starlet De Ligt.
But Juventus are unwilling to sell for less than his £130million release clause.
Duo battle for Januzaj
West Ham and Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing former Manchester United ace Adnan Januzaj.
The 26-year-old’s contract at Real Sociedad expires in the summer of 2022.
According to Todofichajes, Januzaj has rejected Sociedad’s latest offer to stay at the club.
And he is open to a Premier League return with West Ham.
But Barca are also set to make an offer to keep Januzaj in Spain.
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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
