Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal ‘plot improved Watkins bid’, Man Utd and Spurs ‘eye Tel’, Casemiro ‘EXIT’, Rashford latest
THE January transfer window is heating up with some MAJOR moves in the pipeline as Deadline Day quickly approaches.
Arsenal are reportedly readying their second bid for Aston Villa's England forward Ollie Watkins, however, Jhon Duran has completed his medical ahead of a £65m move to Saudi Arabia which could scupper any hopes of the move.
Meanwhile, Manchester United and Tottenham are eyeing up a move for Bayern Munich star Mathys Tel.
The Red Devils are also closing in on the signing of Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro is reportedly open to joining Roma this month after becoming out of favour at Old Trafford.
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Dorgu close to completing Red Devils switch
Patrick Dorgu. is on the brink of completing his £30million move to Manchester United from Lecce.
United are tying up all the paperwork and the player is waiting for the final green light to fly to the northwest for a medical.
The fee agreed is understood to be £25.2m plus £4.2m in add-ons.
Credit: Getty Man Utd and Arsenal linked to Spurs target Tel
Several Premier League clubs are ramping up interest for 19-year-old Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel.
Tottenham are open to invest on permanent transfer — and their director was in attendance in Munich last night.
Chelsea AND Arsenal are keen on a permanent deal for the Frenchman, while Man United have called for a loan deal.
Emery happy to see Watkins is in demand
Unai Emery is desperate to keep Ollie Watkins - but delighted he's in demand.
Aston Villa were reportedly upset that a mega-money approach from Arsenal came out just before last night's crucial Champions League home tie with Celtic.
And after the 4-2 victory Emery said: “I don’t want (him to leave).
“It is good news to have an offer from other clubs, or interest, it is good.
"But we want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.
“Every player can be in the market in case it is good for the club, the player and the team – but to get this deal of course we are going to be very demanding as well and Watkins is our striker.”
Al-Nassr in for £54m Brighton hero
Al-Nassr have approached Brighton over the £54million signing of Kaoru Mitoma.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Arabian side are already braced to bring in Jhon Duran after agreeing a £65million deal with Aston Villa.
The Colombian forward is now set for a medical with the Saudi Pro League club.
And now according to , Al-Nassr are in talks with Brighton to sign Japanese winger Mitoma.
But their opening bid of £54m has been rejected.
The 27-year-old has five goals this season, including one in the Seagulls 3-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Mitoma signed for Brighton in 2021 and spent a season on loan at Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium before returning.
Hammers face Pepi snub
PSV will reportedly reject any approach from West Ham for USA attacker Ricardo Pepi.
Pepi played a key role as his Dutch club beat Liverpool last night to clinch a Champions League play-off spot.
Pepi pounced for PSV's third goals against LiverpoolCredit: Getty The 22-year-old Texan, who already has 33 caps, set up PSV's opener and netted their third goal against Arne Slot's much-changed side.
And PSV are determined to keep their main assets.
Pepi celebrates as PSV made the Champions League play-offsCredit: Rex Villa won't let Watkins AND Duran go
Aston Villa are insistent they won't lose both their main strikers before Monday's transfer deadline.
Jhon Duran's big-money switch to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr appears nailed on for completion soon.
But Villa have rebuffed a reported £60million bid from Arsenal for their first-choice frontman Watkins
And Sky Sports say club chiefs are determined not to suffer a double exit blow.
That's especially after Villa nicked the final automatic qualification spot for the Champions League KO phase with last night's epic 4-2 defeat of Celtic.
Injuries changes Fulham transfer plans
Fulham are keen to bring in replacements for crocked widemen Harry Wilson and Kenny Tete.
Winger Wilson has been ruled out for 10 weeks with a stress fracture in his foot.
And Dutch right-back Tete will miss around four weeks.
Asked about transfer activity ahead of Monday's deadline, Cottagers boss Marco Silva said: "It's a really short period until the end of the winter market but let's see what we can do.
"When you have the situation of Tete, we are trying to get a player for his position because it's going to be a long period.
"It's not an easy market. After the injury of Wilson, yes we're looking for a player in that position."
Harry Wilson could be out until AprilCredit: Rex Toon winger returns to MLS
Miguel Almiron has completed his return to Atlanta United from Newcastle.
The Paraguay winger, 30, became a fans' favourite in six years at St James' Park.
MLS side Atlanta are thought to have paid a sum that could reach £11million.
Atlanta having a Lath with record deal
Middlesbrough's main man Emmanuel Latte Lath is close to joining Atlanta United for a record MLS fee.
Atlanta are reportedly ready to pay £18million plus add-ons for the 26-year-old Ivorian striker.
Sky Sports say the former Serie A star with Atalanta star has completed a medical.
Credit: Rex
Tottenham agree to sign Mathys Tel
Spurs have reportedly agreed a £50million fee for Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel.
Tottenham had originally been tracking the 19-year-old striker for a potential loan deal this January.
But reports in France suggest the Premier League club have agreed a fee with the Bundesliga giants.
Tel must now make a decision on whether to swap Munich for North London, according to .
Steven Gerrard back in the market
Steven Gerrard is back on the managerial market having left his post as Al-Ettifaq boss.
Gerrard took charge of 59 matches after being appointed in the summer of 2023.
Speaking after his exit was confirmed, Gerrard said: "I want to express my gratitude to the club, the players, the fans.
"And everyone involved for the opportunity and the support during my time here, especially the president, Mr. Samer, CEO Mr. Hamad and the head of football committee Mr. Hatim."
Miguel Almiron leaves Newcastle
Almiron has rejoined MLS side Atlanta in a deal worth around £11m, ending his six-year stay on Tyneside.
The Paraguayan forward is not expected to be replaced before the end of the month.
Having joined the Magpies for a then-club-record fee in January 2019, Almiron made 223 senior appearances for the Toon, scoring 30 goals.
Jhon Duran completes Al-Nassr medical
Jhon Duran has completed his medical ahead of a proposed move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
The Aston Villa forward is set to leave the Premier League outfit as part of a deal in the region of £65million, according to The Athletic.
But fans are begging the 21-year-old whose seemingly enjoyed a breakthrough season to "STAY IN THE PREM!"
Jordan Henderson set for Ajax exit
Jordan Henderson is reportedly closing in on a move to Monaco.
The midfielder had originally left Liverpool for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq but left after six months to join Ajax.
Fast forward one year and Henderson appears on the move once again.
Fabrizio Romano is reporting Henderson will join the Ligue 1 outfit on a permanent deal.
The only transfer made so far today...
A slow moving day has seen just one move made in the EFL.
Barnsley have signed goalkeeper Joe Gauci on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season.
Australia international Gauci, 24, joined Villa 12 months ago from A-League side Adelaide Strikers.
He played in both of Villa's Carabao Cup ties before Christmas but will now spend the next few months at Oakwell.
Rashford to Galatasaray?
Galatasaray are close to agreeing a deal to sign Marcus Rashford on loan until the end of the season, according to reports in Turkey.
The club are prepared to pay most of his wages.
The idea on the pitch is that he could partner Victor Osimhen in a two-man attack, helping to cover the absence of Mauro Icardi to boot.
Credit: PA Dorgu to arrive in Manchester today
Manchester United agreed a deal worth just under £30m to sign Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu.
United are tying up all the paperwork and the player is waiting for the final green light to fly to the northwest for a medical.
The fee agreed is understood to be £25.2m plus £4.2m in add-ons.
Chelsea agree deal to sign Barcelona's Walsh
Chelsea have agreed a Women's Super League deadline day deal to sign England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona.
Negotiations were concluded on Thursday morning and a fee of around £500,000 agreed.
Walsh will have a medical in London and a deal is expected to be concluded before the 11pm deadline.
Walsh's Barcelona contract ends in the summer and she was keen on a move back to the WSL.
The 27-year-old joined Barca from Manchester City in 2022 for a world record fee of £400,000.
Race for Man Utd target Mathys Tel heats up
Several Premier League clubs are ramping up interest for 19-year-old Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel.
Tottenham are open to invest on permanent transfer — and their director was in attendance in Munich last night.
Chelsea AND Arsenal are keen on a permanent deal for the Frenchman, while Man United have called for a loan deal.
West Ham see bid rejected from PSV
West Ham have seen a loan-with-obligation-to-buy offer for Ricardo Pepi rejected.
The package was worth £20.9million but PSV have turned it down, reports SunSport's Jack Rosser.
Pepi scored the winner in PSV'S 3-2 win over Liverpool in the Champions League last night.
Meanwhile, the Hammers have signed highly rated 17-year-old forward Josh Landers from Hibernian.
The teenager will join the academy.
Pepi scored the winner in PSV'S 3-2 win over Liverpool Jhon Duran medical latest
Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is set for a medical with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr today.
And this could mean curtains for Arsenal's approach for Ollie Watkins.
The Colombian has reportedly agreed personal terms ahead of a £65million blockbuster move to the Saudi Pro League.
According to Duran has penned a five-and-a-half-year deal in Saudi.
Credit: Getty
'We're waiting to see if Marcus really wants it'
Rube Amorim explained his verdict that a fully-firing Marcus Rashford would IMPROVE Manchester United - and why that situation hasn't arrived.
The Old Trafford chief said: “Look at our team and match the profile of the players.
“Imagine a talent like Rashford, our team should be so much better, but he has to change.
“If he changes, we will use a talent like Rashford, but in this moment we have to set some standards.
“We are waiting for Marcus (to see) if he wants it really bad.
“I have nothing against Marcus. It is nothing personal against Marcus.”
But Amorim has also claimed: "We are a better team with Marcus Rashford, but until the right moment, I won’t change my mind."
Amorim fires new Rashford warning
Marcus Rashford has been told by Ruben Amorim that he must change – or stay in Old Trafford limbo, writes KEN LAWRENCE
The Manchester United boss insists his stand – off with the unhappy striker is “not personal.”
But he stresses that no matter what he will not back down after putting the 27 year old in exile six weeks ago.
Credit: Getty Rashford, desperate for a move to Barcelona after saying that he wanted “a new challenge” hasn’t played for 11 games and wasn’t even allowed on the plane to Bucharest for tonight’s Europa League clash with FCSB.
Amorim even suggested he would rather pick his 63 year old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital than any player who wasn’t giving everything in a pointed reference to the home – grown star.
The tough-talking Portuguese has said that Rashford has not been training well enough even for inclusion in his squad – and, he vows, the situation will stay the same until the front man proves him otherwise.
But having laid down the law again he also opened the door for the Mancunian to salvage his United career -but only if he shows he really wants to and toes the line.
Duran set for Al Nassr medical TODAY
Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is set for a medical with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr today.
The Colombian has reportedly agreed personal terms ahead of a £65million blockbuster move to the Saudi Pro League.
Duran’s Saudi switch appears to end Arsenal’s hopes of bringing England striker Ollie Watkins to the Emirates.
The Gunners tabled an audacious £60m bid for the Villa forward on Wednesday afternoon.
According to Duran has penned a five-and-a-half-year deal in Saudi.
The 21-year-old – who joined Unai Emery‘s side from Chicago Fire in 2023 – only signed a new contract in October.
It’s understood Duran has headed to London for a medical with Al Nassr later.
Deja Louie - as Villa loan Barry again
Louie Barry has agreed a new Aston Villa contract – immediately followed by a SEVENTH loan move away.
The English striker, 21, has had temporary spells with Ipswich, Swindon, MK Dons and Stockport.
Villa recalled him early from his second loan with Stockport earlier this month.
Villa chief Unai Emery has now agreed to let Championship strugglers Hull borrow him.
