Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal get Sanches boost; Chelsea, Tottenham want David; Liverpool, Man United rumours

Transfer news - LIVE!

The January transfer window is now more than two thirds of the way through but several of the most talked-about potential moves are still yet to materialise.

Chief among them is Arsenal’s pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic. Fiorentina are willing to sell the striker, who has not been named in their latest squad, this month but reports today suggest the Gunners’ hopes may well be dwindling, while they are also struggling to get a loan move for Juventus’ Arthur Melo over the line as their midfield crisis deepens. But news that Renato Sanches has halted negotiations over a new contract at Lille could make a move for the Portuguese more likely.

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte is still waiting to make his first signing as Tottenham boss but reports suggest it might not be far away, with Spurs closing on a deal to sign Adama Traore from Wolves.

Thomas Tuchel is hoping that the window may yet see Chelsea make the kind of signing that could revitalise their ailing season and both the Blues and Spurs are this morning linked with Lille striker Jonathan David.

Manchester United have reportedly ended their interest in Erling Haaland after the striker decided he wants to join Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

Across Manchester at the Etihad, City are set to sign River Plate forward Julain Alvarez.

Keep on top of all the latest developments with Standard Sport’s transfer blog...

Latest transfer news and rumours

• Arsenal’s Vlahovic hopes fading...

• ...but Gunners get Sanches boost

• Spurs confident over Traore deal

• Chelsea and Spurs in David race

• United end Haaland interest

• Arteta set to get new deal

• Ramsey to leave Juventus

Sterling considered Barcelona switch

20:17 , Matt Verri

Ferran Torres has made the move from Man City to Barcelona this window, but it could have been another City winger making the switch.

According to The Athletic, the Spanish club were initially considering Raheem Sterling on a loan move until the end of the season, and the Englishman was open to joining Barcelona.

That didn’t materialise though as it was instead decided to pursue Torres, who got off the mark for his new club against Athletic Bilbao.

Aston Villa could soon land another transfer coup

18:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

Ralf Rangnick confirms Anthony Martial still wants to leave Man United

18:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

Speaking after the win at home to West Ham, the German said: “He’s a top player, one of the best strikers in the Premier League but we have other players in his position and it is his wish to leave but, as I said to him, it always takes different parts to find an agreement.”

No Vlahovic in squad...

16:55 , Matt Verri

Fiorentina have named their squad to face Cagliari, and there’s no Duhan Vlahovic for the Italians.

They have confirmed that two unnamed players have tested positive for coronavirus, so that may well explain the striker’s absence.

Arsenal fans will be hoping there’s another explanation, and one that ends up with Vlahovic in north London in the very near future.

Villa consider Bentancur move

16:15 , Matt Verri

It’s been a good afternoon for Aston Villa, who beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park and withstood any bounce the Toffees had hoped to have under Duncan Ferguson.

Steven Gerrard has already added Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne to his team this window, but it doesn’t sound like their transfer business is done yet.

The Mail report that talks with Juventus’ Rodrigo Bentancur have begun, as Villa look to add a holding midfielder before the end of the month.

Zouma returns to ease Hammers need

15:00 , Malik Ouzia

West Ham boss David Moyes has so far been frustrated in his search for defensive reinforcements this month but there is good news for the Scot today, with Kurt Zouma fit to return to the starting lineup as they face Manchester United in the Premier League.

Zouma suffered a serious hamstring injury at the start of December and it was feared he could miss three months but the Frenchman has returned way ahead of schedule to start at Old Trafford.

You can follow that game live here.

Madrid interest in Rudiger cooling

14:13 , Malik Ouzia

Marca say that Real Madrid’s interest in Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger has cooled in recent weeks, increasing the possibility of the German staying at Stamford Bridge.

Rudiger is in the final six months of his contract and has held talks with several leading European clubs over a potential free transfer in the summer, but Madrid had been considered the frontrunners.

The report claims Rudiger wants a deal worth a whopping total of £46m to stay at Chelsea.

Frank ‘agrees new Brentford deal'

13:35 , Malik Ouzia

Better news, however, in the managerial hot-seat at Brentford, with several outlets reporting that Thomas Frank has signed a new long-term contract at the club.

The Dane, who led the Bees into the Premier League for the first time in their history last season, is said to have agreed the deal, which runs until the summer of 2025, on Friday.

Ranieri on the brink

13:04 , Malik Ouzia

The Telegraph say Claudio Ranieri is set to be sacked by Watford after only three months in charge.

Last night’s horrendous 3-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Norwich was the Hornets’ 11th loss in 13 games since the Italian took charge and leaves them in the relegation zone having won just once all season.

Liverpool and United to fight for Zakaria

12:35 , Malik Ouzia

Liverpool have entered the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria, according to ESPN.

Manchester United have also been linked with a move for Zakaria, who is out of contract in the summer and supposedly keen to leave the struggling Bundesliga side.

Sanches not keen on new Lille deal

12:05 , Malik Ouzia

Sport Italia say Renato Sanches is ready to shelve contract talks at Lille in order to secure a transfer this month.

The Portuguese midfielder, who has been regularly linked with Arsenal, is out of contract in the summer and if Lille cannot tie him down to a new deal they will have to sell this month or else risk losing him for nothing.

City closing on Alvarez deal

11:39 , Malik Ouzia

Manchester City are closing in on a deal to sign River Plate forward Julian Alvarez, according to various reports.

The Guardian say City have offered €16m plus add-ons for the 21-year-old, who would then return on loan to the Argentinian side until at least the end of the European season in June.

Ramsey to leave Juventus

11:16 , Malik Ouzia

Juventus boss Max Allegri has confirmed that Aaron Ramsey will leave the Italian club before the end of the window.

“Aaron’s not with the team as he’s set to leave the club,” the Italian told the press, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Welshman has been holding talks with several Premier League clubs but Crystal Palace are understood to have pulled out of the race.

Rangnick: Ronaldo did not undermine me

11:03 , Malik Ouzia

There’s be plenty more speculation over Cristiano Roanldo’s future in the last few days after his angry reaction to being substituted during the midweek win over Brentford.

But while Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick says the forward was “too emotional”, he insists he did not feel his authority was undermined.

“I don’t blame him for that but obviously any manager would wish it shouldn’t be too emotional and also in front of the TV cameras I don’t think this will be for the benefit of anyone: not to his benefit or teammates,” Rangnick said. “It’s an emotional game and players are emotional and I didn’t take it personally at all.

“I didn’t at all see or interpret that he was challenging me. This was not the first time – if you have a look at the moment when Sir Alex [Ferguson] replaced him or other coaches, his reaction was pretty similar, which shows in the end it has got nothing to do with the manager. It’s about his own ambition and desire to stay on the pitch.”

Arteta set for new deal

10:45 , Malik Ouzia

The Mail say that Arsenal are ready to offer Mikel Arteta a new contract before the end of the season.

The Spaniard’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023 and the Gunners are said to be wary of inevitable interest from Manchester City whenever Pep Guardiola decides to leave the club.

Arteta won the FA Cup at the end of his first season in charge and while there have been moments during his reign since when his job looked to be on the line, his young side have made strong progress this season after a summer of shrewd recruitment.

Sterling’s Barca switch?

10:33 , Malik Ouzia

The Athletic say that Raheem Sterling was open to the idea of joining Barcelona on loan this month, prior to their move for Manchester City teammate Ferran Torres.

Sterling has struggled to nail down a place in Pep Guardiola’s regular starting XI this season and has spoken publicly in the past about his desire to play abroad.

Ultimately, however, the prospect of a loan switch was a non-starter after Barca paid £46m to sign Spain international Torres on a permanent deal.

Haaland makes Real decision

10:13 , Malik Ouzia

Manchester United have reportedly ended their interest in striker Erling Haaland after the Norwegian decided he wants to join Real Madrid at the end of the season.

The Borussia Dortmund striker was a major target for United last summer, when they were still managed by his countryman Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

ESPN say that Real Madrid will still, however, face tough competition from Man City to sign the 21-year-old in the summer.

Spurs and Chelsea in David race

10:02 , Malik Ouzia

Chelsea, Tottenham and Barcelona have all made enquiries over Lille forward Jonathan David.

That’s according to TSN in his native Canada, who say that the striker is unlikely to leave the French club this month but may well do so come the end of the season.

David, who has scored 12 times in Ligue 1 this season, has previously been linked with Arsenal as an alternative should they fail to sign Dusan Vlahovic.

Spurs confident over Traore deal

09:51 , Malik Ouzia

Tottenham are said to be increasingly confident of securing a deal to sign Wolves winger Adama Traore before the window closes at the end of the month.

The Guardian say the two clubs held positive talks on Friday after Spurs had an initial offer of £15m rejected, while personal terms are not expected to be an issue.

Antonio Conte sees the Spain international as a potential option at right-wing-back, where Emerson Royal has struggled since his summer arrival.

Vlahovic hopes fading?

09:45 , Malik Ouzia

There are various reports around this morning suggesting that Arsenal’s hopes of signing Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic this month are fading.

The Italian club have said this week that they are open to selling the Serbian before the window shuts but Juventus are thought to have tabled a formal offer, while the striker is apparently keen to wait until the summer to decide on his future.

Throw in The Times’ report that the deal would cost Arsenal a whopping £15m in agent fees, on top of a transfer fee of around £60m and astronomical wages and the signs aren’t great for Mikel Arteta.

Good morning!

09:39 , Malik Ouzia

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the January transfer window.

Let’s start the day with a round-up of all the day’s latest news and rumours...