Transfer news and gossip LIVE - The latest on Lionel Messi, Mesut Ozil and Sebastien Haller
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ByEurosport
Updated 07/01/2021 at 23:00 GMT
Transfer LIVE - Join us throughout the day as we bring you the latest breaking news and the best gossip during the January transfer window. Lionel Messi is moving towards an Barcelona exit (again), Mesut Ozil looks set to be the headline act of an Arsenal clear-out and the David Alaba merry-go-round continues.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Real Valladolid v FC Barcelona
Image credit: Getty Images
23:00 - That's full-time
That's your lot today, folks. Thanks very much as always for joining us.
We will be back up and running with transfer news, rumours and wild speculation from 9am tomorrow morning so please do join us again then.
For now, you can check in with our 'done deals' page here.
22:30 - 'Not likely' Liverpool sign defender
Jurgen Klopp doesn't believe the club will look to bring in a defender during the January transfer window despite long-term injuries to first-choice centre backs Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
Klopp is also without Joel Matip but despite the lack of recognised defenders the Liverpool manager revealed that "it's just not likely" that he will add to his squad.
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Klopp: 'Not likely' that Liverpool will sign a defender
21:45 - Quiet month for Bayern
Hansi Flick is not expecting any business at Bayern Munich this month, saying the Covid-19 pandemic means nothing will be changing in terms of the squad.
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Flick: Covid means Bayern 'won't change squad' in transfer window
20:40 - Zaha: I would have loved to join Arsenal
Wilfried Zaha says he discussed a move to Arsenal with Unai Emery, but the Gunners chose to sign Nicolas Pepe over him.
"I had a conversation with the manager," Zaha, who came close to joining Arsenal ahead of the 2019/20 season, told Jamie Carragher on The Greatest Games podcast.
"He was just like, ‘we don’t need to go through much’. He’s seen me play, he knows I can change games at any time and stuff like that. It was like, ‘yeah, we’d love to have you’. And I was just like, ‘I’d love to come’.
"The conversation was rather straightforward because I’ve played against him when he’s managed Arsenal, he’s seen what I can do, he’s seen my work rate, what I can add to the team. Obviously, it was up to the club who they chose, and obviously they chose Pepe over me."
19:35 - Arteta on Ozil
Mikel Arteta has been speaking about Mesut Ozil's future, with the German seemingly set to leave this month. Arteta says Arsenal are working hard to provide the best and right solution for all parties involved...
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Arteta: If Ozil leaves in January the deal 'will be good' for the club
18:50 - Allardyce plays down Carroll interest
West Brom manager Sam Allardyce has played down reports of a renuion with Andy Carroll.
The duo worked together at West Ham and Newcastle, but Allardyce said: "I’m looking for a front man, but I don’t believe Andy is available at the moment.
"Steve (Bruce) like everybody else needs all his options at this particularly difficult time. I’m not looking at Andy. I am looking at a front man and hopefully that will be coming through the door as quickly as possible, but that would be from abroad rather than this country.”
West Brom are expected to sign Robert Snodgrass from West Ham.
"I'm delighted that he's chosen to take up the challenge with us and trying to bring us a bit more Premier League experience and quality into the squad," said Allardyce.
18:10 - Aarons leaves Newcastle
Rolando Aarons has joined Huddersfield on a permanent deal from Newcastle.
The 25-year-old has been with the Magpies since 2012 and made 27 first-team appearances.
17:30 - Wolves interested in Laborbe
Wolves are the latest club to show an interest in Montpellier striker Gaetan Laborde.
The 26-year-old has six goals and five assists in Ligue 1 this season and West Ham have also been linked with a move.
16:50 - Arsenal sign Rekik
Arsenal have signed 19-year-old Omar Rekik from Hertha Berlin. He will join the north London club's under-23s squad.
Through his youth career he spent time at Feyenoord, Manchester City, PSV Eindhoven and Marseille.
16:45 - Neville having Inter Miami conversations
England Women's team manager Phil Neville is in talks with Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer club owned by his former Manchester United team mate and friend David Beckham, who sacked manager Diego Alonso on Thursday.
Sue Campbell, the English FA's director of women's football, told the BBC Neville would lead the Team GB football side at this year's Tokyo Olympics unless he took the Miami job. Neville's England deal ends in July.
"We were moving towards an announcement when he started to have these discussions," she said.
"Until those discussions are concluded, I can't really say any more. If Phil remains, he will be Team GB coach. If he goes, we obviously have something to think about and work through.
I'm certainly not privy to any detailed conversations he is having with Inter Miami but I know he is having conversations.
16:30 - Exclusive: West Ham lining up Giroud
West Ham United are set to offload Sébastien Haller with a move to Ajax moving closer to completion. And they have identified a fellow Frenchman as a potential replacement with sources telling Inside Football that Olivier Giroud is being lined up for a move to his third London club after Arsenal and Chelsea.
Officials are looking into how much it would take for Giroud to move across London from Chelsea but plenty of other targets have also been scouted in recent times.
Some sources close to Giroud still believe he may leave Stamford Bridge this month - and the option of remaining in London would prove tempting.
16:10 - Diallo joins Man Utd
Amad Diallo has completed his move to Manchester United from Atalanta, signing a contract until June 2025.
His transfer, announced on October 5, was subject to a medical, work permit and personal terms which have all now been completed.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: "As a club, we have followed Amad for a number of years and having watched him myself, I believe he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game.
"Manchester United has such a proud history of developing young players and everything is in place to enable Amad to reach his potential here.
"It will take time for him to adapt but his speed, vision and fantastic dribbling ability will stand him in good stead to make the transition.
He is a player with all of the raw attributes that are needed to be an important player for Manchester United in the years to come.
Diallo featured twice for Atalanta this season. Once his visa has been issued, Diallo will be cleared to travel to Manchester and to train with and play for United.
16:00 - Eurosport Germany on Brandt reports
Our colleague Marc Hlusiak has the latest on the rumours Julian Brandt could be heading to Arsenal.
According to German media (Bild reporting today), Dortmund is willing to accept a loan deal for Brandt if it does not include a buying option as they still hope for him to develop in the next few years.
However, in today's press conference director Michael Zorc said that they are not planning any moves and have not received an offer for any player to even think about.
He is a very creative player who is not afraid to take risks. He likes to provide assists but can also score. However, this season he has not contributed well (only one assist, no goals).
The biggest problem for him in Dortmund is that he has no clear position. Brandt can be deployed in any position in attack and has also already played as a central midfielder (his favourite position would be as a number eight or 10). But he is not the first choice on any position.
This season, he only played for 90 minutes twice in 21 games and came off the bench for the last few matches. Last season he seemed to take over a starting role but he failed to deliver constantly.
So far, there are no reports about other teams that are interested in Brandt. The market for him might be small as Dortmund do not want to sell him permanently and only some teams can afford the possible loan fee and his wage - approximately €7m per year.
15:30 - In case you missed it earlier
Mikel Arteta has vowed that Mesut Ozil's future at Arsenal will be decided in the coming days, as rumours of a move to Fenerbahce intensify.
The 2014 World Cup winner has not played for the Gunners first team since March and was excluded from their Premier League and Europa League squads at the start of the season.
"I don't know what is going to happen. Obviously now he's free to negotiate with other clubs," he told a press conference.
"We will discuss internally what the best situation for him is for the near future, obviously with the player and the agent too, and try to find the best solution for everyone.
"I think every player wants to play football. This is why we picked this profession and we are so lucky to be doing what we do. For every player that's not playing, it's always hard.
I'm saying we will decide what's happening in the next few days. If something was sorted this month, it’s because it is good for both parties, it is good for Mesut and his future, and it’s good for the club. If that’s the case, we will move forward, of its not the case the player will stay here.
15:05: Inter Miami sack manager, Neville in?
Inter Miami have sacked manager Diego Alonso after finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference last season, the Major League Soccer club said on Thursday.
It appears to pave the way for England Women boss Phil Neville to take charge. The club's co-owner David Beckham has reportedly approached him for the job.
Neville is leaving the Lionesses when his deal ends in July.
14:50: Memphis: Maybe you can enjoy me until end of season
Memphis Depay has been a target for Barcelona for quite some time now and he has spoken about his future at the club. He says Lyon fans may be able to enjoy him until the end of the season.
"If I will continue at Lyon? Right now I just think and am focused on what I can contribute and do at the club," he told Canal+ following Lyon's 3-2 win over Lens.
"I don't want to make any statements at the moment. I don't want to feed rumours either. I respect the president with all my heart.
I know what I have given for the club during the last four years. Let's keep going and enjoy my presence. I might be here until the end of the season.
14:30 - Arsenal on red alert
Borussia Dortmund WILL let Julian Brandt leave in January, according to fresh reports in Germany. That should delight Arsenal, who have been heavily linked with a move for the winger. So will Mikel Arteta make a bid? Catch up with the saga in today’s Euro Papers...
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Arsenal on red alert as Brandt stance changes – Euro Papers
13:50 - Klopp: New CB signing unlikely
Jurgen Klopp has been speaking this lunchtime. He admits it is "not likely" Liverpool will sign a new central defender this summer despite their backline being decimated by injury in recent weeks.
"I can't say definitely that we won't sign one but it's just not likely," he said.
"This club will always be very responsible with the things we do.
If the world was in a normal place and then three senior CBs got injured, is that a situation when you would do something? Yes, usually. But it's not.
Klopp also spoke about Georginio Wijnaldum whose contract talks have reached a stalemate.
He said: "I think I've said everything about it - you know how much I like the person and the player. If there had been a decision you would know about it."
13:30 - Zorc: No interest in Brandt
"There is nothing on the table at the moment," Borussia Dortmund director Michael Zorc has told Ruhr Nachrichten regarding the future of Julian Brandt.
"We can’t do anything about rumours that are constantly being spread that simply don't reflect the truth.
There’s currently no interest.
13:05 - 'In-demand Alaba would improve Liverpool'
The Premier League champions have reportedly made contact with David Alaba, who is set to leave Bayern Munich as a free agent at the end of the season.
Alaba has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but a switch to Liverpool could be most compelling to the 28-year-old. He could improve Jurgen Klopp's side as an attacking outfit.
Agree? Here's Graham Ruthven's case 👇
12:50 - Meyer set for Germany return?
Although earning €10m per year, Max Meyer has found it hard adjusting to life at Crystal Palace.
According to Kölner Stadtanzeiger, Cologne have shown interest in the former Germany international but any transfer would depend on his wage demands.
12:25 - Son set for new contract
Son Heung-min is set to be rewarded with a new contract at Tottenham Hotspur following his fine form in the 2020-21 season. The Telegraph reveal that the South Korean international will sign a deal worth £200,000 per week, which would extend his stay in north London beyond his current contract, which expires in 2023.
Negotiations between the club and player were initially slowed down due to Son's change in representation, but Spurs are now confident that the forward will sign the contract extension.
Paper Round's view: It's a no-brainer. Son deserves to be one of the highest-paid players at the club - so Tottenham are doing the right thing. They're keeping one of their star players happy and, by signing Son to a new contract, Spurs are basically telling clubs that he's not for sale.
The 28-year-old has proven himself as one of the best players in the Premier League this campaign and it's a surprise that there aren't clubs queuing in north London for him. His pace, work rate and finishing has proved vital to Jose Mourinho's style of play and by keeping Son and Kane happy, Tottenham have a real chance of winning their first piece of silverware since 2008.
12:00 - Haller to Ajax 'done'
Trnasfer Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Sebastien Haller to Ajax is a done deal and that the future of Felipe Anderson is still up in the air.
Sticking with West Ham, Sky Sports are reporting that West Brom have agreed a deal to sign Robert Snodgrass.
The Hammers clear-out has well and truly begun and they are reportedly interested in using any freed-up funds to sign a new striker and a left-back to replace the injured Arthur Masuaku, according to the London Evening Standard.
11:45 - VDB advised to speak to Man Utd
Donny van de Beek has been advised to talk to Manchester United by Ronald de Boer about his future amid concerns over his place in the Dutch squad for the upcoming Euros.
Van de Beek has started just twice for United this season following his arrival from Ajax in the summer.
"Euro 2020 is coming, he will undoubtedly want to be there," De Boer told AD. "Maybe it would be good for him to discuss with the club exactly what they want with him.
“If the view on playing time does not improve, he may have to declare that he should be loaned or even sold.
“You have to be lucky every now and then. Of course it doesn't look great now, but with a great performance it can suddenly change completely."
11:16 - Balogun 'close to foreign transfer'
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is close to signing a pre-contract agreement to join a foreign club, according to The Athletic.
The 19-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and he is now set to move to an unnamed club... reportedly.
"You need three parties to make a deal," Arteta said in his press conference earlier this morning when asked if the Spaniard would like to keep him at Arsenal.
"For sure the club wants to make a deal and the manager wants to make a deal; the player wants to stay; and I’m not sure about the agent.”
Now, the fact it is an unnamed club certainly suggests Balogun's agent may be feeding some sketchy information to journalists during this busy time, so we will wait and see to discover how true this really is.
As the Athletic point out, Balogun is represented by Elite Project Group, who in recent years have negotiated contracts for Chuba Akpom, Alex Iwobi, Reiss Nelson and Bukayo Saka without any real issues. So this could all be an elaborate ploy to boost the youngster's wages at Arsenal.
Fabrizio Romano says the contract negotiations hinge on the amount of game time Balogun would get at Arsenal should he remain with the Gunners.
11:00 - Abraham: New recruits need time
Chelsea's new recruits need time to develop an understanding with the rest of their teammates and a congested fixture list amid the Covid-19 pandemic has not helped the process, striker Tammy Abraham said.
Chelsea spent heavily in the close season to bring in the likes of midfielder Kai Havertz, forward Timo Werner, defender Ben Chilwell and winger Hakim Ziyech but the London club sit ninth in the Premier League with 26 points from 17 games.
Germany international Werner is among those who have come in for sharp criticism due to a dip in form after failing to score in his last 12 games in all competitions, but Abraham said all of Chelsea's new signings need time to settle.
"We have hardly had any time to train together and to work out how each other play so we're just taking every day as it comes at the moment," Abraham told Chelsea's website.
"Every game we play, we're learning new things about each other. I'm starting to understand them more and they're starting to understand me more so hopefully we drive each other and be the best we can be."
10:40 - PSG make their next Alli move
Paris Saint-Germain are optimistic of signing Dele Alli on loan from Tottenham Hotspur with Mauricio Pochettino keen to reunite with the attacking midfielder, according to The Telegraph.
Alli has long been the subject of a move to PSG and is a transfer the French champions have been wanting to do regardless of who is head coach. PSG failed with three bids in the last window.
The British newspaper report Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is reluctant to let Alli go but PSG are expected to at least try and get a short-term deal done this window.
10:20 - Brandt may move but only on loan
Julian Brandt might leave Borussia Dortmund in this winter transfer window according to Bild. However, the club does not want to sell him permanently as they still hope for the 24-year-old to develop further.
According to Fussballtransfers, Arsenal could aim for a loan deal.
Graham Ruthven writes that Brandt could fill the creative void left by Mesut Ozil 👇
10:00 - Ozil exit 'good for both parties'
Mikel Arteta has been speaking ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup third round tie with Newcastle and he has hinted Mesut Ozil will be leaving the club soon.
"If something is sorted this month it is because it is good for both parties – for Mesut and for the club," he said.
"If that is the case we will move forward, if it is not the case then he will continue here. We will decide what is happening in the next few days."
Arsenal are keen to keep highly-rated 19-year-old Folarin Balogun but his agent could be forcing a move for his client, if you believe Arteta.
Arteta also confirmed the club are finalising the transfer of 19-year-old defender Omar Rekik from Hertha Berlin and that details will be announced shortly.
He added: "We will announce it when we possibly can, he's a young talent that we've been following for a while."
09:50 - Ajax close to signing Haller
Sebastien Haller is on the verge of joining Ajax for less than half what West Ham paid for him back in summer 2019.
The Ivory Coast international joined the Hammers for a fee of around £45m from Frankfurt 18 months ago. This season, he has scored just three goals this season in 16 Premier League appearances.
And it seems West Ham are willing to cut ties with the 26-year-old - whose contract expires in 2024 - and sell him for €20m to Ajax, according to reputable Dutch outlet Voetbal International who say personal terms have already been agreed for the striker.
09:30 - Cutrone recalled
Wolves have recalled Patrick Cutrone from his loan spell at Fiorentina and the striker will return to the first team squad.
The Midlands club have been in urgent need of striking reinforcements after talisman Raul Jimenez was ruled out with a fractured skull at the end of November.
The 23-year-old has made 34 appearances for Fiorentina in the last 12 months, scoring four goals.
09:15 - Remember Royston Drenthe?
The former Real Madrid midfielder and 2007 European U21 Championships' best player who ended up having stints at Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Everton?
Well, he's 33-years old now and has signed for Spanish third division side Racing Murcia.
If you remember this is the same club who signed former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott in November, which he responded: "I didn't know I'd signed - I'd had a conversation. It appears I'm coming out of retirement but I'd be participating in one game - that would be it."
It was announced in mid-December that due to Covid-19 postponing Murcia's Copa del Rey tie against Levante, Lescott could not travel or participate in the game he accidentally signed up for.
09:00 - Ramos' contract centres on salary drop
Talks over a new contract for Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos have dragged on. There have been reports in recent days that Manchester City or PSG could be interested in signing the 34-year-old should he leave as a free agent at the end of his existing deal which is up at the end of the season.
According to AS, the main reason for the contract delay is the La Liga champions are insistent on a 10% wage drop. Ramos reportedly earns €12m a year at the moment.
The report states Madrid are attempting to implement this cut in any new deals signed in order to free up funds to sign some marquee names. Eduardo Camavinga and Kylian Mbappe are the marquee names being spoken about.
08:40 - Arsenal clear-out to continue apace
Arsenal are set to continue their January clear-out as Mikel Arteta attempts to remodel his squad this month, according to the Independent. The north Londoners have already shipped Sead Kolasinac on loan to Schalke, but the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson, Callum Chambers, Folarin Balogun, Joe Willock, Mesut Ozil and Sokratis Papastathopoulos are all for sale too.
This would allow Arteta to trim his hefty wage bill. But it is also likely that Arsenal will not sign anyone this winter due to budgetary issues and rely heavily on youth team products.
08:25 - Adios Leo?
Lionel Messi really does look set to leave Barcelona in the summer after presidential candidate Agusti Benedito made the worst manifesto pledge in years by saying the superstar is "most likely" to leave the Catalan club in the summer.
The Telegraph claim Manchester City are growing in confidence in their pursuit and believe they would be "at the front of the queue" to secure the Argentine's signature. But then there's also PSG, and new boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has refused to rule out a move by saying "any big player is welcome". Which we guess includes Mr Messi.
08:20 - Good morning!
Welcome back to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the January transfer window.
Want an early fix? Look no further than this morning's Paper Round which centres on Lionel Messi's probable exit from Barcelona. More on that in just a mo...
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