Newcastle want Ighalo, Phillips declares loyalty to Leeds, Chelsea eye Kimpembe, Ferran Torres £55m Barcelona transfer
NEWCASTLE are interested in a January swoop for Odion Ighalao, according to reports.
The ex-Manchester United striker, 32, currently plays for Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab and is the top scorer in the league this season with nine goals.
Elsewhere, Kalvin Phillips has confirmed he will stay at Leeds and will sign a new contract if the club offer it to him tomorrow.
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.
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…
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Read More Sun Sport
ALL FUR ONE Fury and Joshua WILL fight at least once reveals Gypsy King's promotion team
Five arrested as Spurs and West Ham fans clash in bloody scenes before cup tie
Mike Tyson looks in top shape age 55 as boxing icon heads to St Barts on holiday
Verstappen will quit F1 if he loses engineer who helped him beat Hamilton
- Jim Sheridan
Gunners striker search
Summer big-spenders Arsenal are preparing to splash the cash again in January as they target a statement signing up front, writes Giacomo Pisa.
Mikel Arteta has reportedly drawn up a three-man striker shortlist, with Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri viewed as a cheaper alternative to Dusan Vlahovic and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been frozen out since being stripped of the captain's armband, and is linked with a move to Barcelona or Juventus.
Meanwhile Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out-of-contract in the summer, leaving Arsenal in desperate need of a marquee signing up front.
And transfer chief Edu has Fiorentina ace Vlahovic and Calvert-Lewin on a shortlist alongside En-Nesyri.
Buffon keen on Mexico or MLS
Gianluigi Buffon is aiming to play in North America before he hangs up his gloves for good.
The Italian turns 44 next month but still has the desire to improve and play regularly.
He moved back to Parma last summer, the club he began his career at, but even bigger adventures could await.
Speaking to TUDN, Buffon said: 'I'd like to play in Mexico or the United States, but I'd already have stopped if I had the Champions League.
"I would like to play in Mexico or the United States.
"These are experiences I would like to try, but we'll see what happens.
"If you ask me what I'll do in future, the truth is I don't yet know if it'll be as a manager or a coach. Knowing me, what I do want now is to keep improving.
"Not winning the Champions League keeps my competitive spirit alive.
"Perhaps if I had won the Champions League, I might've already retired, because I would have no more important objectives to reach."
Buffon has won 28 trophies in his career including the World Cup but a Champions league medal has eluded him.
Buffon: Juve ‘lost their DNA’ with Ronaldo
Gianluigi Buffon blames Cristiano Ronaldo for Juventus ‘losing their DNA’ and team ethic.
Legendary keep Buffon claims the Italian champs were no longer a squad pulling tougher and fighting for their places during Ron’s 2018-21 stint.
Ronaldo is now back at Manchester United, still firing in the goals at 36 but sparking questions over his suitability to team tactics.
And the Azzurri’s 176-cap icon Buffon, 43, now with Parma, told TUDN : “Juventus had the chance to win the Champions League the first year he arrived, which was the year I was at Paris Saint-Germain, and I couldn’t figure out what happened.
“When I returned, I worked with Ronaldo for two years and we did well together, but I think Juventus lost that DNA of being a team.
“We reached the Champions League final in 2017 because we were a side full of experience.
“But above all we were a single unit and there was this competition for places within the group that was very strong. We lost that with Ronaldo.”
- Ian Tuckey
Jose in Nigeria boss talks
The Nigerian FA have spoken to Jose Mourinho about the prospect of becoming the new manager of the national team, their chief has revealed.
The Super Eagles are managerless after sacking Gernot Rohr earlier this month, with the African Cup of Nations just weeks away.
- Ian Tuckey
Hammers eye up ''bodybuilder'
West Ham line up transfer for Austrian ‘bodybuilder’ Flavius Daniliuc in January as emergency centre-back reinforcement
WEST HAM are reportedly looking to sign Nice defender Flavius Daniliuc in the January transfer window to bolster David Moyes' defensive options.
- Ian Tuckey
Palace Boxing
Tottenham’s Boxing Day clash at home to Crystal Palace will now be show live on BT Sport.
The broadcaster has plugged a hole after losing the Leeds versus Liverpool game after the Yorkshire side were hit by coronavirus cases.
And good news for Spurs and Palace fans is that the game will stay as a 3pm kick-off.
It will be the only Premier League game shown by BT Sport on Boxing day.
Following the all-London clash is a non-league game between Bromley and Southend.
- Ian Tuckey
Toon linked to ex-Utd loanee Ighalo
Newcastle are interested in signing former Manchester United star Odio Ighalo, according to reports.
The striker, 32, currently plays for Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab and has top scored in the league this season with nine goals.
- Ian Tuckey
Karim 'as good as Ronaldo and Haaland'
Karim Benzema is playing at the 'same level as Manchester United hero Cristiano Ronaldo and Red Devils' target Erling Haaland', according to his Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
France striker Benzema still appears in his prime at 34.
- Ian Tuckey
Martial ‘agrees Sevilla switch’
Unsettled Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has agreed a January switch to Sevilla, reports say.
Barcelona and especially Juventus have been linked with the France striker in recent weeks.
But the 26-year-old is thought to prefer Sevilla as he wants regular football, rather than risking a fringe role as with United this season.
And the claim today is that the second-placed LaLiga side have all but sealed a deal for next month.
- Ian Tuckey
England's blow-out
Kalvin Phillips has revealed he thought England would 'blow Italy away' in the Euro 2020 final after Luke Shaw's early goal.
The Three Lions left-back smashed the home heroes in front after just two minutes at Wembley.
- Ian Tuckey
Blue must be kidding
Ex-Chelsea chief Michael Emenalo claimed a former manager tried to CLOSE the club's academy.
Frank Lampard put his trust in the youth during his debut season in 2019-20 after the club were put under a transfer embargo – and managed to guide the young Blues into the Champions League.
- Ian Tuckey
Eden back to Lille?
Eden Hazard could be offered a shock return to Lille in January by Real Madrid as part of a transfer swap with Jonathan David.
Belgian attacker Hazard joined the Spanish giants in 2019 for a bumper £89million from Chelsea but has failed to make an impact at the Bernabeu.
Marca report that Los Blancos are chasing Lille’s 21-year-old’s star David.
The Canadian international has been linked with them for several months following his stunning form.
He has scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 this term – more than both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi – and his agent has confirmed this will be his final campaign at the club.
Nick Mavromaras said: “For us, the goal is to finish the season with Lille, but it will be his last season there for various reasons. I think the Premier League is a great option for him.
“I think he also likes Spain a lot, because he likes the feeling of the ball. He’s a very technical player.”
And that could open the door to a stunning swap deal between Madrid and Lille involving Hazard.
- Ian Tuckey
Spurs vs Palace now on TV
Tottenham’s Boxing Day clash at home to Crystal Palace will now be show live on BT Sport.
The broadcaster has plugged a hole after losing the Leeds versus Liverpool game after the Yorkshire side were hit by coronavirus cases.
And good news for Spurs and Palace fans is that the game will stay as a 3pm kick-off.
It will be the only Premier League game shown by BT Sport on Boxing day.
Following the all-London clash is a non-league game between Bromley and Southend.
- Ian Tuckey
Rudiger ‘perfect’ for Red Devils
Ex-Manchester United defender Paul Parker believes Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger would be the ‘perfect signing’ for his old club.
The German centre-back, 28, is out of contract in June and is attracting plenty of interest from around Europe.
- Ian Tuckey
The Brits are thriving abroad
Gareth Southgate has quite a task keeping tabs on all the English talent outside of the Premier League.
That’s because there are a gang of Three Lions making an impression on foreign soil.
SunSport has selected a best XI made up of English players currently playing abroad.
And it includes former Man United star Chris Smalling, as well as rumoured target Jude Bellingham.
- Ian Tuckey
Barca want Ferran as a striker
Ferran Torres will reportedly be tasked with leading the line for Barcelona should his move from Manchester City go through next month.
The Spanish giants have agreed a £55million deal with the Citizens to bring the 21-year-old back to Spain – less than two years after arriving in England.
City prised the 22-cap Spain international away from Valencia in August 2020, with the forward scoring 16 goals in 43 games under Pep Guardiola.
But he is now poised to depart in January after Barca took out a bank loan in order to secure his services.
Predominantly a winger, Torres will be given a central role at the Nou Camp under boss Xavi.
That is according to Sport, who claim that the ex-Al Sadd gaffer wants his compatriot to be Barcelona’s new No9.
- Etienne Fermie
Toon targeting defender in January
Newcastle are looking to bolster their backline in January as they aim to beat the drop with Lille centre-back Sven Botman their top target.
The Magpies are planning to splash the cash in the New Year following their Saudi-backed £300million takeover in October.
Eddie Howe's side currently sit 19th in the Premier League table – three points off safety having won just once out of their opening 18 matches.
No team has conceded more than Newcastle's 41 top-flight goals this term, with the Toon now preparing to bolster their backline.
Lille star Botman, 21, is understood to be their No1 priority, though it is understood that the Dutch youth international could cost up to £40m.
And according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle have contacted Ligue 1 outfit Lille about bringing him to St James' Park.
He tweeted: "Newcastle are planning to sign one or two centre backs in January.
"Dutch defender Sven Botman is still top of the list, waiting for an answer from Lille about final price tag."
- Etienne Fermie
BT Sport select new game
Tottenham's Boxing Day clash at home to Crystal Palace will now be show live on BT Sport.
The broadcaster has plugged a hole after losing the Leeds versus Liverpool game after the Yorkshire side were hit by coronavirus cases.
And good news for Spurs and Palace fans is that the game will stay as a 3pm kick-off.
It will be the only Premier League game shown by BT Sport on Boxing day.
Following the all-London clash is a non-league game between Bromley and Southend.
- Etienne Fermie
New contract for United starlet
Anthony Elanga has signed a new deal with Manchester United to keep him at the club until 2026.
The 19-year-old winger, who has made three appearances so far this season, also has the option of an extra year.
Elanga joined Man Utd in 2014 as a young teenager and went on to make his competitive debut for the senior side in May of this year.
He then went on to score his first goal for the Red Devils in their final Premier League game of last season against Wolves.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick has been impressed by the 19-year-old since arriving at the club earlier this month.
- Etienne Fermie
Catalan clear-out in January
Barcelona are set to get rid of FIVE players in the January window as they prepare to raise funds to sign Manchester City forward Ferran Torres.
The LaLiga outfit have agreed a £50million deal to bring the Spaniard to the Nou Camp.
However, they need to recoup some money through transfer fees and make room on the wage bill in order to abide by LaLiga's financial fair play regulations.
Philippe Coutinho, Luuk de Jong, Sergino Dest, Samuel Umtiti and Yusuf Demir could all be set to depart next month.
- Etienne Fermie
Improving just a Lille bit
Eden Hazard could be offered a shock return to Lille in January by Real Madrid as part of a transfer swap with Jonathan David.
Belgian attacker Hazard joined the Spanish giants in 2019 for a bumper £89million from Chelsea but has failed to make an impact at the Bernabeu.
Marca report that Los Blancos are chasing Lille’s 21-year-old's star David.
The Canadian international has been linked with them for several months following his stunning form.
He has scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 this term – more than both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi – and his agent has confirmed this will be his final campaign at the club.
Nick Mavromaras said: “For us, the goal is to finish the season with Lille, but it will be his last season there for various reasons. I think the Premier League is a great option for him.
“I think he also likes Spain a lot, because he likes the feeling of the ball. He's a very technical player.”
And that could open the door to a stunning swap deal between Madrid and Lille involving Hazard.
- Etienne Fermie
City star set for new role
Ferran Torres will reportedly be tasked with leading the line for Barcelona should his move from Manchester City go through next month.
The Spanish giants have agreed a £55million deal with the Citizens to bring the 21-year-old back to Spain – less than two years after arriving in England.
City prised the 22-cap Spain international away from Valencia in August 2020, with the forward scoring 16 goals in 43 games under Pep Guardiola.
But he is now poised to depart in January after Barca took out a bank loan in order to secure his services.
Predominantly a winger, Torres will be given a central role at the Nou Camp under boss Xavi.
That is according to Sport, who claim that the ex-Al Sadd gaffer wants his compatriot to be Barcelona's new No9.
- Etienne Fermie
Burnley vs Everton is OFF
Burnley's Boxing Day clash with Everton has become the latest fixture to fall foul of the Covid wave sweeping the Premier League.
The match had been scheduled to kick-off at 3pm on Sunday at Turf Moor.
But a Premier League statement read: "Everton were due to travel to Turf Moor to play on Sunday, at 3pm. The Board reviewed the Club’s request today to postpone the match following further injuries to their squad.
"They concluded that the club will not be able to fulfil their fixture this weekend as a result of an insufficient number of players available to play due to COVID-19 cases and injuries.
"The Board this morning was able to make its decision in advance of Boxing Day to give clarity to clubs and their fans.
"We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused to those supporters’ festive plans."
- Etienne Fermie
Willy or won't he stay?
Southampton look set to extend the contract of former Argentina international Willy Caballero.
The ex-Manchester City and Chelsea stopper signed a short-term deal at St Mary's until January 5 earlier this month after Saints experienced a goalkeeper crisis.
Caballero endured a debut to forget with a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal but impressed in the 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace last time out and could now remain at Southampton for the rest of the campaign.
Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed: "It would make sense, definitely and this is what we have in our mind to extend his contract also. I am sure he can help us for a longer term.
"He showed on the pitch he can help us. He played two games, against Palace you could see with every game he gets better, with every game he gets more self-confidence. This is what you need when you step in."
Injuries to Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster saw Southampton turn to Caballero but one-time England goalkeeper Forster has returned to training which will leave Hasenhuttl with a decision to make ahead of Sunday's trip to West Ham.
- Etienne Fermie
CON-NED
Antonio Conte reckons yesterday’s meeting of Premier League managers was a 'waste of time'.
Top-flight bosses met to discuss a range of pressing issues, including Covid, players’ welfare and fixture congestion.
But Conte was left less than impressed, suggesting the talks were like speaking into a brick wall.
The disgruntled Tottenham manager said: “Yesterday was a wall.
“A waste of time? I think so.
“When you have a wall in front of you, you can speak and ask what you want but the decisions had already been taken.”
Source: Read Full Article
- Ian Tuckey