Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea '£33.3m Frenkie de Jong BID', Erling Haaland update, Wood JOINS Newcastle – latest
THE January transfer window is OPEN, and deals are being completed all across Europe!
Chelsea are looking to make a big statement after reportedly making a £33.3m bid for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.
The Catalans are said to be holding out for £50m, but that price could drop to £41.75m if youngsters Nico Gonzalez and Gavi continue their excellent progress, according to reports in Catalonia.
And the Germany ace is ready to listen in what could prove a significant breakthrough in contract talks.
And Erling Haaland is a summer target for Real Madrid, who are confident they can land both him and Kylian Mbappe.
When does the 2022 January transfer window close?
The transfer window opened 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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- Ian Tuckey
It’s under way: Aston Villa 0 Man Utd 0
United kicked off in today’s final Prem game.
Here are the teams:-
Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Sanson, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Buendia, Ings, Watkins.
Subs: Steer, Kesler Hayden, Hause, Targett, Young, Iroegbunam, Chukwuemeka, Coutinho, Archer.
Man Utd: De Gea, Alex Telles, Varane, Lindelof, Dalot, Fred, Elanga, Matic, Bruno Fernandes, Greenwood, Cavani.
Subs: Heaton, Henderson, Maguire, Jones, Lingard, Mata, van de Beek, Sancho.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION AND REACTION ON OUR MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
Axel, 14, makes MLS history
Axel Kei, aged 14 years and a 15 days, has broken Freddy Adu's record as the youngest-ever MLS signing.
The striker signed a homegrown two-year contract with Real Salt Lake – beating Adu by 153 day.
Adu was tipped for greatness when he burst on to the scene, joining DC United at the same age in 2004.
But Real Salt Lake are confident Kei is destined for greatness after the 'next Pele' Adu's career fizzled out, last turning out for Las Vegas Lights in 2018 and then signing for Swedish minnows Osterlen.
General manager Elliot Fall said: "Over the last year Axel has proven to be one of the top attacking prospects in the country.
"His propensity in front of goal is well beyond his years.
"Coupled with his elite athleticism, he projects to become a goal-scoring force in our league in the years to come."
- Ian Tuckey
Onel goal is Brum success
Norwich have revealed that Onel Hernandez has joined Birmingham on loan for the rest of the season.
It’s the winger’s second loan spell of the season.
He was initially at Middlesbrough for the first-half of the current campaign.
During his time with Boro he scored once in 18 appearances.
- Justin Lawrence
Newcastle will have to break record for Botman
Newcastle will have to break their transfer record for Lille centre-back Sven Botman, according to reports.
The Magpies have been pursuing the Dutch centre-back for some time and they will have to splash plenty of their newly-gotten Saudi cash if they are going to land him.
Lille rejected the Toon's £30million bid last week with Eddie Howe itching to bolster his shaky back-line.
And it was then reported the deal was OFF.
But it is not completely dead in the water, according to the Telegraph.
Lille have named their asking price to sell this window as £46m.
That is £6m more than the £40m the Toon paid for current record signing Joelinton.
- Justin Lawrence
Henderson wanted by Southampton
Southampton have approached Man Utd to sign goalkeeping star Dean Henderson, according to reports.
Henderson, 24, has made it clear he wants first-team experience and Ralf Rangnick revealed he'd asked for a move away from the club.
Football Insider have reported that the Saints have made an enquiry about signing the young shot stopper.
Henderson has not played a minute of Premier League football this season and is apparently sick of being stuck behind David de Gea.
- Justin Lawrence
Tuchel blasts Lukaku
Thomas Tuchel laid into Romelu Lukaku after the striker's disappointing performance at Man City.
The German blasted the Belgian for 'losing the ball without pressure' as the Blues lost 1-0.
Speaking after the game, the German was asked whether Lukaku had enough service.
And he said: "Sometimes he needs to do the service.
"He's included, he had many ball losses without any pressure and in very promising circumstances.
"He had a huge chance.
"He is included, we want to serve him but he is part of the team."
- Justin Lawrence
Saliba and Guendozi set for Arsenal return
Arsenal flops William Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi will reportedly return to the Emirates at the end of the season as loan club Marseille are allegedly banned from buying players for the next two transfer windows.
The Ligue 1 side have been struck with a two-window transfer ban due to the ongoing investigation into Pape Gueye’s move from Watford in 2020.
Gueye joined the Hornets in the summer of that year on a free transfer from Le Havre, but was sold to Marseille just 17 hours later.
While the midfielder has been suspended for four months, Marseille have reportedly been hit with a penalty of their own that will prevent them from signing players.
- Justin Lawrence
Saliba and Guendozi set for Arsenal return
Arsenal flops William Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi will reportedly return to the Emirates at the end of the season as loan club Marseille are allegedly banned from buying players for the next two transfer windows.
The Ligue 1 side have been struck with a two-window transfer ban due to the ongoing investigation into Pape Gueye’s move from Watford in 2020.
Gueye joined the Hornets in the summer of that year on a free transfer from Le Havre, but was sold to Marseille just 17 hours later.
While the midfielder has been suspended for four months, Marseille have reportedly been hit with a penalty of their own that will prevent them from signing players.
- Justin Lawrence
City on verge on title win
Man City are on the verge of the title already after a crucial win over Chelsea.
Kevin de Bruyne scored the only goal of the game, firing a sublime strike into the bottom corner.
They are now 13 points ahead of the Blues and 14 ahead of Liverpool, though have played two games more than the Reds.
- Justin Lawrence
North London derby ‘POSTPONED’
The North London Derby has reportedly been postponed following the Gunners’ request.
- Justin Lawrence
Zidane strolls with dog in backpack
Zidane Zidane has been pictured having a stroll with a dog in his bag amid links to Paris Saint-Germain.
The former Real Madrid manager shared a number of pictures from the Instagram account of his son Enzo, 26.
And accompanying a family day out was an incredibly cute dog tucked inside Zidane's green backpack.
The World Cup winner looked in buoyant mood as he took the walk through an incredibly picturesque setting.
It comes as he continues to be linked with a potential move to PSG at the end of the season.
- Justin Lawrence
Hernandez joins Birmingham on loan
Norwich have revealed that Onel Hernandez has joined on loan for the rest of the season.
It's the winger's second loan spell of the season.
He was initially at Middlesbrough for the first-half of the current campaign.
During his time with Boro he scored once in 18 appearances.
- Justin Lawrence
Salah's not a smartphone
Jurgen Klopp has insisted tying Mo Salah down to a new contract is 'not like buying a smartphone'.
And the Liverpool manager hinted a lot of the complications surrounding the deal are down to the player's agent.
Salah, 29, has just 18 months left on his current contract at Anfield.
And with pressure mounting to get an extension sorted before Europe's fellow big clubs try and pounce, the Reds boss knows it is not a simple negotiation.
Asked once more on the Salah saga, Klopp said: "I don’t know what I can say on top of what I said already. ‘What is the problem?’ I wouldn’t say there’s a problem, to be honest, these are conversations.
"If two big companies try to come together out there usually in normal life, in business, that’s not done overnight.
"A big contract, it’s not like buying a smartphone [that] you just sign one thing and it’s done.
"There are a lot of things to consider – some on the club’s side, some from the player’s side and a lot from the agent’s side. That’s the thing, nothing else."
- Justin Lawrence
Jed Wallace pushes for Milwall exit
Milwall ace Jed Wallace is pushing hard to leave during the January transfer window.
SunSport understand Wallace is growing frustrated at not being allowed to depart from the Den this month, even though his contract expires in June.
The Lions are not willing to let him go as they are still hoping he will extend at the end of the season and rate him as a key player that could lead them to the play-offs.
The winger has attracted interest from Besiktas as well as Championship rivals Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough.
All the aforementioned suitors have already tried to sign him in January but had their initial bids turned down.
Sources recently suggested there may soon be interest from the Premier League as well, with reports suggesting Leeds and Watford are keeping tabs.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea lead in Gharbi race
Chelsea are interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain youngster Ismael Gharbi, according to reports in France.
And that has attracted attention from the Blues and one other unnamed big Premier League club, according to Get French Football News.
Gharbi is reportedly keen on breaking through at the French club.
But he is looking for more game time in a team packed with superstars – so could look to move if his wish is not granted.
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo and Messi dream
Pablo Zabaleta has revealed how his ex-team-mates joked they'd be playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after the takeover.
The Premier League side became one of the richest clubs in world football overnight when billionaire Sheikh Mansour purchased the club in 2008.
And Zabaleta, who was the club's final signing before the takeover, claimed how the rest of the dressing room were left nervous over their futures.
He told La Nacion last year: "Ten days after my arrival, the purchase of the club by the people of Abu Dhabi is executed.
"Four days later, they invest £40million for Robinho and there I said, 'Now what do I do? I'm going to last six months here'.
"We took it a bit as a joke and… in the locker room we started putting 'Messi', 'Cristiano Ronaldo'. We were s******g ourselves."
- Justin Lawrence
Nani’s one of the best
Italian outfit Venezia have labelled Nani ‘one of the best wingers of his generation’ after bringing him to the Serie A.
A club statement read: “Nani joins Venezia FC.
“One of the most talented wingers of his generation.
“He has honors including a European Championship, a Champions League, four Premier League titles, and three Portuguese Cups.
“Nani signs through 2022-23.”
- Justin Lawrence
Haaland hits out at Dortmund
Erling Haaland hit out at Borussia Dortmund for 'pressuring' him to work out his future.
It came as the club CEO confirmed they ARE demanding a decision.
owever, Haaland wants to concentrate on matters on the pitch for the time being.
Speaking after scoring twice on Friday night, including his side's 2000th home Bundesliga goal, the Norwegian ace said: "All I want to do is to play football, but Dortmund press me to make a decision now about my future […] so that means I have to make a decision soon.
"They have started to put a lot of pressure on me and I have to accept that.
"I have chosen not to say anything out of respect for the club and the fans.
"But now that a lot of pressure is coming from the club, so it is the time to get things started. It means things will happen now.
"I have said from the beginning I want to focus on football because that's when I am at my best. Not when other things come into my mind."
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal interested in Costa
Arsenal have reportedly enquired about the availability of Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.
Costa’s said to be on the brink of agreeing to terminate his contract with the Spanish side.
And the Gunners are allegedly interested in giving Costa a new home, according to Goal.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea chase De Jong
Chelsea owner Abramovich has reportedly got his sights on Barca ace Frenkie De Jong.
The Blues are just one of five clubs chasing the midfielder, El Nacional report.
And the Spanish publication also claim Abramovich has made a £33m bid for the Dutch national.
However, Barca are said to be holding out for £50m, but could be tempted to do business with the Blues if they raise their offer to £41m.
- Justin Lawrence
Nani makes Serie A switch
Former United star Nani has joined Venezia on a free transfer.
The winger has agreed an 18-month deal with the Serie A strugglers, the Mail report.
The 35-year-old was a free agent prior to his move to Italy after being released by Orlando in November.
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal lodge Vlahovic bid
Arsenal have reportedly made a bid for Dusan Vlahovic with Fiorentina ready to sell the striker, according to reports.
Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso is ready to let Vlahovic go with Arsenal prepared to spend £58million according to La Repubblica.
That represents a sharp U-turn from Fiorentina who had been hopeful of their striker signing a new contract.
- Justin Lawrence
Derby face Championship boot
The EFL are threatening to kick Wayne Rooney's Derby County out of the league if they do not show they have money to end the season.
Heated exchanges between League chiefs and the club's administrators hit a new peak when the order was made to have funds in place by midday on February 1.
The High Roon ultimatum means Derby have to find a bidder willing to put in funds to cover the season or sell some of their few remaining players.
The EFL could suspend the Rams 'golden share' if they are not happy and that would mean they would be out of the Championship – with their results removed.
This heavyweight threat emerged after administrators Quantuma were unable to do a deal with the EFL to handle the claims of Middlesbrough and Wycombe down the line.
Mike Ashley, a group headed by Andy Appleby and a mystery third party are keen to buy the club but will not take on the Boro and Wycombe claims.
- Justin Lawrence
Kop miss out on Ron
Liverpool failed to sign Cristiano Ronaldo only a week before he joined Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson gazumped his rivals, according to Phil Thompson.
The then-Reds assistant boss has revealed that his team were one of many English clubs interested in the Portuguese forward.
Ronaldo had already declared that a move to Anfield was “a dream” with agents Paul Stretford, Jorge Mendes and Tony Henry negotiating his exit from Sporting CP.
In recalling the 2003 transfer to The Athletic, Thompson states that a £4million fee was required.
He noted: “I asked what kind of salary he would want and they said it was £1 million per year after tax. That was a lot for an 18-year-old kid but they said that was negotiable.
“It was a Sunday and I explained to them that I needed to go back to Liverpool and speak to Gerard Houllier and see what we could do. I fed all the information back to Gerard, who said he would speak to [chief executive] Rick Parry.
“Lo and behold, the following week I’m at Melwood when the yellow ticker on Sky Sports News says: Manchester United sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting for £12.2m.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
- Kealan Hughes
Overnight round-up
Erling Haaland, Dusan Vlahovic and Donny van de Beek are in the transfer spotlight as the Prem top two meet at lunchtime.
Manchester United, City and Real Madrid target Haaland says Borussia Dortmund are 'pushing him' to make a decision 'soon'.
But fellow goal machine Vlahovic is rated more likely to stay at Fiorentina as admirers like Arsenal and Juventus could struggle to match his £58million valuation.
Meanwhile, Old Trafford interim boss Ralf Rangnick is urging misfit midfielder Van de Beek to at least see out the season.
United will round off today's five Prem matches at Aston Villa this evening – but the focus is on Chelsea's trip to leaders Man City at 12.30pm.
Villa are poised to sign Roma’s Sweden keeper Robin Olsen, who is currently on loan at Sheffield United.
Lyon rate reported Arsenal and Juventus target Bruno Guimaraes at £38million.
And Sunderland are considering trying to bring 39-year-old striker Jermain Defoe back after his release from Rangers.
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