Transfer News LIVE! Liverpool want Erling Haaland, Arsenal scout Calvert-Lewin, Torres to Barcelona

Transfer news - LIVE!

With the January transfer window now just days away, rumours are naturally hotting up.

While this time of year is always cited as a difficult time in which to buy players and strengthen squads, football is in uncharted territory when it comes to rising Covid cases, so it’s hard to gauge how busy teams throughout the footballing pyramid will be.

Indeed, with the Africa Cup of Nations going ahead as normal too, perhaps teams affected by their players going away to Cameroon could be tempted into some short-term loans in order to pad out the options in their squad.

In a Premier League context, there’s also the Newcastle United to consider.

Enduring a miserable campaign thus far, it will be fascinating to see how their new owners approach the first transfer window of their regime. Money spent on Tyneside could certainly filter throughout the Premier League and beyond, making for an interesting month.

On the European front, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe continue to be linked with major moves as the two biggest stars of the next generation seemingly come towards the end of their stays at Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

Latest transfer rumours

• Joe Gomez wanted by Real Madrid

• Chelsea’s bid for Marquinhos

• Liverpool contenders for Haaland

• Arsenal scout three forwards

• Dele Alli could still be allowed to leave Tottenham

• Ferran Torres to Barcelona nearly done

Tottenham and Mourinho battling for Grillitsch

18:59 , Matt Verri

Antonio Conte is likely to be looking for a number of signings in January to strengthen the Tottenham team, and midfielder Florian Grillitsch could be one of those.

The Hoffenheim player is another one who is out of contract in the summer. It looks likely he will either leave for free in the summer, or the German club might be tempted to try and secure a small fee in January.

The 26-year-old Austrian has played both as a defensive midfielder and a centre-back this season. Sky Germany report that Spurs and Jose Mourinho’s Roma are the two most likely options for Grillitsch.

Moyes and Januzaj together for a third time?

17:37 , Matt Verri

Adnan Januzaj has been at Real Sociedad for the last four years, but that time could be coming to an end.

The 26-year-old’s contract runs out at the end of the season, and TodoFichajes report that Barcelona and West Ham have both registered interest in signing the winger in January.

David Moyes gave Januzaj his debut at Man United and also worked with him at Sunderland, which may help to persuade the player to choose the London Stadium over the Nou Camp.

Rangick wants to keep Dalot

16:45 , Matt Verri

Diogo Dalot has clearly made an impression on Ralf Rangnick at Man United, as it’s been claimed that the interim boss is blocking any January exit for the full-back.

Italian publication Calcio Mercato report that former United boss Jose Mourinho had an agreement with Dalot to bring him to Roma in the window, with the player having very little game-time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But he’s had more joy under the new manager, and it looks like Rangnick wants to keep Dalot at Old Trafford until at least the end of the season.

West Ham leading race for Sam Johnstone

16:16 , Matt Verri

West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is out of contract in the summer and there’s no indication that he is planning to extend his deal at the club.

West Ham are one team keeping tabs on the situation, with David Moyes seeing the Englishman as a player who could compete with Lukasz Fabianski, according to the Telegraph.

Southampton are also interested, after they had to sign Willy Caballero on a short-term deal to cover for injuries to Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster. Should Johnstone be available on a free transfer, he is unlikely to be short of offers.

Ferran Torres to Barcelona nearly official

15:41 , Matt Verri

The transfer window is not open yet, but it looks like we have a done deal.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Ferran Torres to Barcelona has been completed, and will be officially signed in the next few hours.

The 21-year-old joined Man City last season and injury this campaign has meant he only featured in his side’s first four league matches. But a fee of €55m plus €10m add ons looks done, and Torres will be returning to Spain.

Coutinho on the move?

15:20 , Matt Verri

Philipe Coutinho has made just five La Liga starts for Barcelona all season, and played barely more than 100 minutes in total in the Champions League group stage.

Mundo Deportivo report that Xavi is very keen to offload the Brazilian in January, and he has been linked with several Premier League clubs.

Everton are one possible destination, which would see the ex-Liverpool midfielder join the ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. Newcastle and Tottenham are also rumoured to be interested.

Chelsea track former Man United youngster

14:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

The Daily Telegraph claim Chelsea are tracking former Manchester United youngster, Deji Sotona.

The London giants were thought to have been interested in a summer move for the forward, who reportedly wants to return to England after failing to break into the first-team at Nice.

Noted for his blistering pace, club scouts are thought to have maintained their interest in the player.

Manchester United eye Kingsley Coman

13:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

As if Manchester United weren’t already well-stocked in attack, Mundo Deportivo claim the club are considering a move for Bayern Munich star, Kingsley Coman.

One of the most decorated players in the game, the French winger is understood to have attracted the attention of United, Barcelona and Real Madrid as he weighs up his future in the Bundesliga.

Phil Jones a Benfica target

13:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

Perhaps one of the stranger rumours to have emerged, Manchester United outcast Phil Jones is reportedly a target for Benfica.

According to the Daily Mail, the former England defender is finally ready to leave Old Trafford in pursuit of first-team football and the Lisbon giants could well offer him an escape route.

Tottenham still open to loaning Dele Alli out in January

12:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

Despite his impressive performance against Liverpool on Sunday, Standard Sport’s Dan Kilpatrick has offered some fresh insight as to the England international’s future at the club.

You can read the full report here.

Nicolas Pepe unhappy at Arsenal

11:37 , Jonathan Gorrie

Mikel Arteta has admitted Nicolas Pepe, who has rarely convinced since joining the club for £72m in 209, has been unhappy with his role at the club.

Limited to just a few starts all season, the Ivorian bagged twice against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals but looks unlikely to be able to make a case to start more regularly, given he’ll be away at the African Cup of Nations.

Two Premier League clubs keen on Joe Rodon

11:09 , Jonathan Gorrie

The Times claim Newcastle have also joined Brighton in the race to sign Joe Rodon this January.

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte did recently admit the Welshman was behind Eric Dier in the pecking order in north London, so perhaps a loan move would suit.

Rarely involved at Spurs, it could give Rodon a new lease of life.

Newcastle in for Manuel Lanzini?

10:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

90min suggest Newcastle could make a shock loan move for Manuel Lanzini in January.

Eddie Howe is believed to want Premier League experience and the Argentine, who has fallen behind other attacking options in East London, is said to be a target.

Quite how West Ham would feel about that given the very real concerns about the size of their squad remains to be seen, of course.

Arsenal have scouted three forwards

09:12 , Jonathan Gorrie

Our very own Simon Collings offered some insight as to Arsenal’s search for a striker.

England forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin is among one of three forwards Mikel Arteta has cast keen eyes on amid doubts about the futures of another of his current players.

You can read the full piece here.

Liverpool after Erling Haaland

08:12 , Jonathan Gorrie

Arguably the most in-demand in world football at the moment, Erling Haaland’s future will likely be the subject of much debate over the next few weeks.

According to Sky in Germany, Liverpool - despite not having the kind of financial backing of some of the other leading teams on the continent - are a genuine contender for the Norway forward’s signature.

Chelsea’s bid for Marquinhos

08:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

Over to France now and L’Equipe claim Chelsea saw a £72m bid for PSG captain Marquinhos snubbed in the summer.

Thomas Tuchel’s interest in Jules Kounde was widely reported over the course of the summer and, while a defender did not come in, the fact Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cezar Azpilicueta are all out of contract at the end of the season could see them relaunch their interest.

Real Madrid to swoop for Gomez?

08:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

According to the Daily Mail, Real Madrid are keen on a move for England and Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.

The 24-year-old is understood to be viewed as a potential alternative to Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea as Madrid look to strengthen a backline to have lost both Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos of late, albeit David Alaba did come in.