Newcastle Ousmane Dembele offer CONFIRMED, Ferran Torres £55m Barcelona transfer, Chelsea eye Kimpembe
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 two Dembeles.
The struggling Magpies have been linked with Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, while Fabrizio Romano has confirmed they have also approached Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele and his agents.
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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- Dylan Terry
Messi eyed Martinez for Barcelona
Lionel Messi tried to tempt Lautaro Martinez to Barcelona when he was skipper at the Nou Camp.
Martinez revealed how his Argentina team-mate – now at Paris Saint-Germain – played negotiator as he sounded him out about a possible move.
But the 24-year-old insisted he was happy at current club Inter Milan and wouldn’t even be swayed by the prospect of playing alongside Messi at Barca.
He told Sportmediaset: “(Messi) asked me about my situation at Inter, but I always told him that I was staying."
Martinez is currently the subject of a frenzy of transfer speculation, with Arsenal said to be eyeing him as a solution to their striker woes following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s fall from grace.
North London rivals Tottenham are also thought to be interested, with ex-Inter boss Antonio Conte now in charge in N17.
- Dylan Terry
When attending a Prem game
Here's what you need to know about attending a Premier League game in the coming days.
- Dylan Terry
Silva to sign new contract
Thiago Silva is set to sign a new Chelsea contract, according to reports.
Club chiefs have been busy trying to negotiate extensions with Silva.
But according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a deal isn't in doubt.
He adds that the Brazilian will extend his stay until June 2023, and only formalities now stand in the way.
- Dylan Terry
Prem fixtures on UK TV
Here are the Premier League fixtures being aired on UK TV between Boxing Day and December 28.
It's a busy few days!
- Sunday December 26: Liverpool v Leeds
BT Sport (12.30pm) - Sunday December 26: Aston Villa v Chelsea
Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier League (5.30pm) - Sunday December 26: Brighton v Brentford
Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier League (8pm) - Monday December 27: Newcastle v Man Utd
Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier League (8pm) - Tuesday December 28: Arsenal v Wolves
Amazon Prime Video (12.30pm) - Tuesday December 28: Crystal Palace v Norwich
Amazon Prime Video (3pm) - Tuesday December 28: Southampton v Tottenham
Amazon Prime Video (3pm) - Tuesday December 28: Watford v West Ham
Amazon Prime Video (3pm) - Tuesday December 28: Leeds v Aston Villa
Amazon Prime Video (5:30pm) - Tuesday December 28: Leicester v Liverpool
Amazon Prime Video (8pm)
Arsenal listening to Aubameyang offers
Arsenal are sounding out potential Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang buyers ahead of next month's transfer window, according to reports.
The striker is currently in Gunners exile after being banished from the first-team fold by boss Mikel Arteta.
And according to ESPN, the North Londoners are willing to 'listen to offers' next month.
Barcelona are long-term admirers of Aubameyang and are in the market for a striker to replace Sergio Aguero.
But the Gabonese star's £250,000-a-week wages are said to put off the cash-strapped Catalan giants.
Juventus are interested in taking Aubameyang on loan for the rest of the season, if an agreement can be reached regarding his salary.
Man Utd eye Kieran Trippier
Manchester United and Tottenham are among a whopping NINE Premier League clubs reportedly interested in Kieran Trippier.
The right-back has been heavily linked with a return to England since leaving for Atletico Madrid from Spurs back in 2019.
But Atletico’s insistence any buyer pays his £50million release clause in full has so far put off potential suitors.
90Min now reports United are among a host of clubs looking to bring the England international back home.
The 31-year-old’s high energy would fit well into new boss Ralf Rangnick’s ultra-pressing style.
Spurs are also thought to be interested as new manager Antonio Conte sets about his rebuild of the squad.
Barcelona agree deal for Torres
Manchester City are set to pick up a cool £54million in the sale of Ferran Torres to Barcelona.
Despite losing arguably their greatest ever player Lionel Messi in the summer due to their dire financial situation, Barca are ready to pay City £46m up front for Torres.
The Catalan giants are eyeing a rebuild, and according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, Barca can afford to pay City a large up front fee after securing a bank loan.
City will also pick up around £8.5m in add-ons for the winger, with £6m of that guaranteed.
The Prem champions have also inserted a shrewd sell-on clause which would see them get up to £10 million if he leaves Barca for big money in the future.
Ramos sees red for PSG
Sergio Ramos picked up his first Paris Saint-Germain red card on just his THIRD match for the French side.
The Spanish centre-back, 35, was only brought on by Mauricio Pochettino at half-time for the Ligue 1 clash away at Lorient.
And the Real Madrid legend lasted 41 minutes after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession.
His second yellow card saw him body-check Terem Igobor Moffi who had got the better of Ramos after knocking the ball past him.
Ramos attempted to feign injury as he hit the deck, but the referee wasn't falling for his tricks, and duly brandished the veteran the 27th red card of his career.
Thankfully for the defender, Mauro Icardi spared his blushes as he scored an injury time equaliser after Lorient broke the deadlock in the 40th minute.
Ugly scenes at Spurs ground
Police are set to launch a probe into the ugly violence that marred Spurs’ Carabao Cup win over West Ham.
Yobs from both sides clashed outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before kick-off as baton-wielding cops battled to keep them apart.
The travelling Hammers fans were escorted to the stadium in an effort to avoid clashes, after similar scenes when the sides met earlier this season.
However, at the stadium’s main entrance an hour before kick-off, a large group of fans were seen fighting.
Rival fans were chanting at each other before the violence broke out.
One supporter was seen with blood running down his face, while footage posted online appeared to show one man being knocked unconscious in the aggro.
- Etienne Fermie
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Liverpool set up a Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Arsenal after a thrilling win over Leicester.
The Reds scored an equaliser deep in injury time to send the game to penalties.
And they went on to secure victory in the shootout before being paired against Arsenal in the draw.
The other semi-final sees Chelsea take on Tottenham after they beat Brentford 2-0.
Spurs made it through after seeing off West Ham 2-1.
Meanwhile, 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.
Finally, 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.
- Anthony Chapman
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.
- Anthony Chapman
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.”
- Anthony Chapman
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.
- Anthony Chapman
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
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
- Anthony Chapman
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
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
- Anthony Chapman
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
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
- Anthony Chapman
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.
- Anthony Chapman
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.
- Anthony Chapman
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.”
- Anthony Chapman
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.
- Anthony Chapman
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.
- Anthony Chapman
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.
Source: Read Full Article
- Sunday December 26: Liverpool v Leeds
