PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are looking to get last-minute deals over the line as the transfer window closes at 11pm TONIGHT.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked all set for a move to Barcelona and has now landed in Spain ahead of a loan switch from Arsenal.
But the club are adamant that no agreement has been reached on the striker’s £350,000-a-week wages.
Tottenham meanwhile are for in Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur, which leaves Dele Alli likely to make his exit later today.
But his destination remains uncertain, with Everton currently favourites for his signature.
New Toffees boss Frank Lampard has made Donny van de Beek his first signing after being confirmed as boss earlier today.
The England and Chelsea legend could also be in the market for a striker, with Luka Jovic touted as a potential target.
And we bring you the very latest from Stamford Bridge, where the Blues are said to be lining up a £50m bid for Leeds and Brazil star Raphinha.
Ousmane Dembele is also reported to be keen on a move to Chelsea, but so far only Tottenham have shown an interest.
While reports suggest that Newcastle and Tottenham are set to miss out on Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco after late interest.
Follow ALL the latest transfer gossip and news with our live blog below…
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Wout of this world
Burnley boss Sean Dyche revealed new striker Wout Weghorst has been on their radar for ages.
The Holland star, 29, has hit 59 goals in 118 Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg.
Dyche said: “Wout is a player that our scouts have been strong on for some time and we feel that he can add to all that we do at Burnley.
“His signing is a continued show of the club’s and team’s development. We wish Wout well as he earns the right to push our group forwards.”
Update on Nat Phillips move
Nat Phillips appears to be closing in on a loan move to Bournemouth, having been spotted signing a fan’s shirt outside the ground.
The centre-back will be aiming to boost the Cherries’ chances of promotion.
And should Bournemouth get promoted with Phillips impressing it is possible both parties will seek to change the loan into a permanent move.
He’s our Guy again
Tanguy Ndombele has sealed his return back to Lyon.
The Tottenham flop has re-joined the Ligue 1 outfit on loan until the end of the season.
Ndombele made the move to North London from the French club in 2019.
Alli in potential Everton move
Dele Alli could be set for a shock move to Everton, writes Mark Irwin.
Toffees new boss Frank Lampard has asked his new Goodison Park chiefs to try to sign the fallen Spurs and England star.
The move would be a permanent one as the Merseysiders have already taken up their loan quota.
The clubs are believed to be in talks over a proposed transfer but there are doubts whether it could be sealed with Tottenham chairman unlikely to be willing to accept any fee under £30million.
Aubameyang set for Arsenal stay?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s loan move to Barcelona is in danger of collapsing despite the player flying to Spain today, writes Mark Irwin.
Arsenal are adamant that no agreement has been reached on the striker’s £350,000-a-week wages.
And with less than eight hours to go before the transfer window closes, the chances of a deal going through are now looking distinctly remote.
Aubameyang, 32, shocked everyone when he arrived at Barcelona airport this morning.
His father, Pierre, lives in the Barcelona beach resort of Sitges but the club were not expecting him while they were still haggling over how much of his salary they would be expected to cover.
Suggestions that Aubameyang was undergoing a medical ahead of his dream move to the Nou Camp have been dismissed by Barca.
Newcastle in Ekitike blow
Hugo Ekitike’s move from Stade Reims to Newcastle looks OFF after the striker turned down a switch to Tyneside.
A £33million deal was agreed with the French club this morning but Ekitike, 19, was concerned about the amount of game time he would get at St James’ Park.
The Magpies are now turning their attention to Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard but face late competition from West Ham.
Lingard, 29, is keen on the move but Newcastle recently baulked at the Red Devils’ demand for a ‘survival bonus’ which would have taken the whole package to more than £15m for a four-month rental.
Lingard back to West Ham?
West Ham have made a stunning late move for Jesse Lingard, writes Jordan Davies.
The Hammers made an enquiry about the Manchester United midfielder this month before being rebuffed.
But SunSport understands West Ham have now approached Lingard’s representatives for a second time in a bid to get a loan deal over the line.
Interim United boss Ralf Rangnick has given Lingard his blessings to leave the club this month – if he can find a suitable club that can pay the loan demands before the deadline.
Newcastle have also been interested but United have asked for a £2.5m loan fee plus a £12m survival fee.
It certainly would be a coup for West Ham to get Lingard, who had a successful spell in east London after joining on loan last January.
Lingard has talks with Rangnick
Manchester United star Jesse Lingard reportedly held crunch talks with Ralf Rangnick this morning in a bid to force a loan move to Newcastle.
The out-of-favour midfielder has been strongly linked with an exit this month but with tonight’s 11pm deadline fast approaching he’s running out of time.
The Athletic say the 29-year-old held talks with Rangnick on Sunday over the proposed loan deal and would again meet him this morning at training to ask for his help in completing a move.
Freddy is cherry picked
Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman has completed a loan move to Bournemouth until the end of the season.
Woodman, 24, started the season between the sticks for the Magpies when Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow were sidelined.
But after four appearances he was dropped and is now third choice, with Toon boss Eddie Howe sanctioning his move to the Championship Cherries.
His departure frees up a place in the Newcastle squad as they look to complete deadline day deals for Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Hugo Eikitike.
Jeff Hendrick and Ciaran Clark have attracted late interest from Middlesbrough while Howe could also let left-back Jamal Lewis leave on loan.
Jovic to stay at Real
Real Madrid will reportedly not allow Luka Jovic to leave this month.
Everton had been touted as a possible destination for the Serbian striker.
But El Chiringuito have stated he will remain at the Bernabeu.
They have said that Real boss Carlo Ancelotti and Jovic are in agreement that he will not be leaving.
Done deal
Manchester City have announced the signing of Argentine striker Julian Alvarez from River Plate.
The young forward, who has penned a deal until 2027, will remain at River until at least July.
Speaking of the player, Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said: “Julian is a player we have monitored for some time.
“He is capable of operating in a number of attacking roles, and we firmly believe he’s one of the best young attacking players in South America.
“I am so happy we have managed to bring him to Manchester City. I really believe we can provide him with the right conditions to fulfil his potential and become a top player.”
No way, Jose
Espanyol director Jose Maria Duran has revealed Arsenal have enquired about signing striker Raul de Tomas.
But he has stated that he will not be leaving unless the Gunners pay his £62.4million release clause.
Duran said: “Arsenal called for Raúl de Tomás but we didn’t even want to talk.
“We won’t let him go now, no way.
“His release clause is €75m [£62.4m].”
Frank assessment at Goodison Park
Frank Lampard has declared it is an honour to take charge at Everton.
He said: “It is a huge honour for me to represent and manage a club the size and tradition of Everton Football Club. I’m very hungry to get started.
“After speaking to the owner, Chairman and the Board, I very much felt their passion and ambition. I hope they felt my ambition and how hard I want to work to bring it together.
“You can feel the passion Everton fans have for their club. That will be hugely important. As a team – the competitive level that the Premier League brings and the position we are in the table – we certainly need that.
“It’s a two-way thing. I think Everton is a unique club in that you can really understand what the fans want to see. The first thing they want is fight and desire and that must always be our baseline.
“My first message to the players will be that we have to do this together. We’ll try to do our job and I know the fans will be there backing us.”
Lampard appointed at Everton
Frank Lampard has been confirmed as the man Everton hope will save their season.
The Chelsea legend has taken over as manager after beating Vitor Pereira and Duncan Ferguson to the job.
Lampard succeeds Rafa Benitez in the Goodison Park hotseat after the Spaniard was given the chop in angry fashion earlier this month.
The pair worked together when Benitez was temporarily in charge at Stamford Bridge back in 2012/13.
Now Lampard takes over from his old boss having himself been sacked as Chelsea manager a year ago.
The 43-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year contract on Merseyside.
Barcelona offer up Ousmane Dembele
Barcelona have investigated whether Ousmane Dembele could go to Arsenal as part of a deal to send Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the other way.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants the 32-year-old out of his squad and Barcelona are one of the few possible options interested, but they need to clear up space on their wage bill.
The Catalan club may struggle to afford the Gabon international’s wages otherwise and a deal could hinge on Dembele leaving on deadline day, report The Independent.
While Barcelona have agreed preliminary terms with Arsenal and Aubameyang over a loan deal, a further issue is that he has higher wages than Dembele.
Early suggestions are that it may be too difficult to strike a deal this late that involves both, with Dembele being offered to a number of clubs.
Donny on the way out
Donny van de Beek has reportedly completed a medical ahead of his loan switch to Everton, per 90min.com.
Crystal Palace had been interested in the midfielder but Everton hijacked the move with Frank Lampard keen to make the Dutchman his first signing.
Van de Beek will be desperate for more game time after struggling for starts at Old Trafford since his 2020 transfer.
Hammer time at London Stadium
West Ham are considering a second Deadline Day bid for Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, writes Jordan Davies.
The Hammers have had a £37m plus add-ons offer rejected by the Portuguese striker for the 22-year-old.
SunSport understands Benfica are still keen to do business and that the previous deal was not far away from what they believe is a suitable fee.
West Ham are desperate to bring in a back-up striker to provide cover for first choice goal-getter Michail Antonio.
Fighting both in the Europa League and the race for the top four, West Ham chiefs understand this deal could make or break their season.
But they are running out of time and will need to file a second bid in the next few hours to stand any chance.
Uruguayan forward Nunez has scored 15 goals in 16 league games so far this campaign, as well as 20 goals in 25 games in all competitions.
West Ham have also been linked with Liverpool’s Divock Origi.
No Prem return for Morata
Alvaro Morata will NOT be heading back to the Premier League despite interest from Arsenal, Tottenham and Barcelona.
That is according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
He tweeted: “Alvaro Morata has decided to stay at Juventus until the end of the season.
“No Arsenal, no Tottenham, no Barca move on Deadline Day.
“Allegri wants him to stay and play alongside Dusan Vlahovic.”
Raheem to Real?
Real Madrid have been linked with a shock last-gasp move for Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling.
But SunSport understands there is NO chance the 27-year-old England winger will leave on deadline day.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish giants are interested in bringing the ex-Liverpool man to the Bernabeu.
Sterling is out of contract in 2023, and there have been no talks over new terms yet.
PSG have also looked at landing the Three Lions hero, as his deal runs into the last 18-months.
But Sterling is set to stay at the Etihad today, and more discussions over his future will take place in the summer.
Defoe on way back to Sunderland
Sunderland are closing in on Jermain Defoe having contacted him again having sacked Lee Johnson as manager on Sunday night, writes Oscar Paul.
The Black Cats had been in discussions with Defoe since he became a free agent after leaving Rangers earlier this month.
But talks stalled because Johnson held reservations about signing the 39-year-old.
However, Sunderland are now confident of beating fellow League One side Oxford to his signature.
It would be an emotional return to the Stadium of Light for the former England striker, who scored 34 Premier League goals for the Wearsiders between 2015-17.
Mbappe heading to Madrid
Real Madrid have agreed an eyewatering £800,000-a-week deal with Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.
The Spanish giants have long courted the striker’s signature, having a number of bids rejected last summer.
Mbappe, 23, is now eligible to speak to other clubs now that he has entered the final six months of his PSG deal.
And according to Bild, he has agreed terms on a contract worth a mind-boggling £41.6million-a-year.
Nothing is expected to be announced, however, until after the two sides’ meet in the Champions League round of 16.
The pair do battle in Paris on February 15, before clashing again in the Spanish capital on March 9.
A pre-contract announcement is then expected to be revealed.
Outgoings at Tottenham
Tottenham flop Tanguy Ndombele is edging closer to a loan move back to Lyon, writes Paul Jiggins.
The midfielder has been seen in the French city ahead of talks about a return to the club Spurs signed him from in a club record £65million deal in July 2019.
Ndombele has failed to impress for the North Londoners and has not played for them since being booed by their fans in their 3-1 FA Cup third round win over Morecambe earlier this month.
He was hoping to link up again with former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at Paris-Saint Germain.
But with the Ligue 1 leaders needing to offload players before being able to bring new ones in, Ndombele now looks to be heading back to Lyon for the rest of this season at least.
He may not be the only member of the Spurs squad heading out the door today.
Spanish winger Bryan Gil is having a medical at Valencia – just six months after joining from Sevilla for £21m and only 72 hours since he posted a tweet, rubbishing a report which claimed he was desperate to leave Tottenham “at all costs”.
Auba lands in Barcelona
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has landed in Barcelona ahead of a loan move to the Catalan giants.
The 32-year-old has not featured for Arsenal since being stripped of the captaincy following a disciplinary issue last month.
And now he looks set to secure a move away from the Emirates until the summer as he closes in on a short-term deal with Barcelona.
Scotland switch for Ramsey?
Juventus star Aaron Ramsey could be about to make a shock deadline day switch to RANGERS.
The Scottish champions are reportedly in talks with Juve about a permanent move for the ex-Arsenal man.
The Athletic claim he will decide his future within the next hour.
They state he is at a private terminal in the UK as he mulls over three options.
Though he is not keen on a deal to join Burnley.
Yan the man
Tottenham and Newcastle are preparing to move for Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco, according to reports.
The 28-year-old Belgian, who had a £50million release clause which has now expired, returned to Spain for a second spell under Diego Simeone in 2020 following two seasons in the Chinese Super League with Dalian Professional.
And he has become an integral part of Atletico’s set-up in the current campaign, starting 18 of their 21 LaLiga games.
So far this season he has scored two goals and provided six assists for the Spanish champions.
SunSport understands Atletico are reluctant to let him go.
But, according to Foot Mercato, Spurs and Newcastle are ready to try and secure the player before the January window shuts.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
