Transfer news LIVE! Rudiger tipped for Liverpool, doubts over Mane future, Inzaghi to Man Utd, Mbappe update

Transfer news LIVE!

Cristiano Ronaldo is in the headlines once again today amid apparent concerns over his future at Manchester United.

Meanwhile, United are rumoured to be on the trail of Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz having offered Donny van de Beek to Newcastle, while they could rival Liverpool for Luis Diaz as they also ponder moving for Tariq Lamptey at Brighton.

Georginio Wijnaldum is said to have Arsenal in his heart as the Gunners search for a new midfielder with a shortlist that also contains the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Danilo and Leicester’s Youri Tielemans.

However, a potential move for Arthur Melo could be scuppered by Juventus not wishing to loan out the Brazilian this month, though the Serie A giants are now believed to be preparing an offer for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

An Arsenal deal for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic appears to be no closer to happening, meanwhile.

Elsewhere, Tottenham continue to be linked with Adama Traore and Jesse Lingard as Antonio Conte seeks quick reinforcements, while a move to Italy could be on the cards for Tanguy Ndombele.

Antonio Rudiger is ready to sign a new Chelsea contract, reports suggest, but now the European champions are contending with interest from Borussia Dortmund in Andreas Christensen as they look at Jules Kounde, Presnel Kimpembe and Aurelien Tchouameni.

West Ham’s in-form star Jarrod Bowen is reportedly keen on Liverpool, who could land Jude Bellingham in the summer window but a deal for Leeds forward Raphinha is now considered unlikely.

Meanwhile at Anfield, there have been some doubts shared as to the futures of both Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

On the continent, Kylian Mbappe is said to be in talks over a new deal at Paris Saint-Germain.

Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours LIVE with Standard Sport’s blog below!

Latest transfer news and rumours

• Cristiano Ronaldo concerned over Man United

• No Arsenal bid for Vlahovic... yet

• Rudiger to sign new Chelsea deal?

• Juventus prepare Aubameyang move

• Bowen keen on Liverpool switch

• Doubts over the futures of key Liverpool stars

• Man United keen on Simeone Inzaghi

• Mbappe in PSG talks

Erling Haaland only adding to his price tag...

21:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

Aston Villa close on another signing

21:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

Rangers land Souttar

21:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

Jamie Redknapp backs Liverpool to swoop for Antonio Rudiger

19:17 , Jonathan Gorrie

Speaking on Sky Sports, pundit and former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp has urged Liverpool to make a move for Antonio Rudiger.

“I look at my team, Liverpool. You can imagine him alongside Van Dijk. He’s a free transfer in the summer, not going to cost you any money. Just obviously a massive wage is what he will want.”

Bad news for Chelsea fans

19:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

Two European super heavyweights are keen on luring Andreas Christensen from Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Phil Jagielka having Stoke medical

18:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

After leaving Wayne Rooney’s Derby County, former England international Phil Jagielka is reportedly having a medical ahead of a move to Stoke City.

Kylian Mbappe in talks with PSG over new deal

17:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

The Daily Telegraph have revealed that Kylian Mbappe is in talks about a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain.

A move to move Real Madrid seemed all but done for the Frenchman but it appears the Ligue 1 giants will do all they can to keep him.

Arsenal Women seal transfer coup

17:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Stina Blacksteinus.

The Sweden international represents somewhat of a coup and joins from BK Hacken.

Manchester United make Simone Inzaghi

17:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

Italian outlet Corrierre Dello Sport claim Manchester United have made an approach for Inter Milan boss, Simeone Inzaghi.,

The former Lazio manager has the Nerazzurri in first despite a difficult summer and has reportedly been identified as a potential long-term replacement for interim coach, Ralf Rangnick.

Marcelo Bielsa hints he wasn’t on board with Leeds exit

16:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

Wrecked by injuries as it is, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has revealed that he did not believe Cody Drameh needed to leave for Cardiff City on loan.

“I didn’t think he needed to play games elsewhere. He was a player that is necessary with all the absences we’ve had, but he preferred to go and play outside of Leeds. In a situation where there are opportunities for the youngsters, which has increased clearly and in this case, Drameh would prefer to experiment outside our team.

“I consider that position valid and it doesn’t make sense to oppose him for what I image is a great opportunity. He imagined it in a different way and it’s more important what he thinks than what I think. I don’t think it’s convenient to impose where a player does or doesn’t want to belong.

“Evidently, what I proposed to them is not what they desire so I don’t crisis or condemn it.”

Bruno Lage offers Adama Traore insight

16:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

Despite intense links with a move to Tottenham, Wolves manager Bruno Lage has stressed that his club are yet to receive an offer for Adama Traore.

“No. It is the same Adama since the first day.

“Nothing has changed. Adama is here with us, he wants to play for us, he works hard and he is very professional.”

Southampton hold Broja hope

15:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

Sky Sports claim Southampton - backed by new owners - are hopeful of convincing Chelsea to sell Armando Broja this summer.

The striker has been a revelation on the South Coast and there is reportedly some optimism a permanent deal can be.

Rafa Benitez backs sale of Lucas Digne

15:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

Not a hugely popular figure at Everton anyway, Rafa Benitez risks further invoking the ire of the club’s fans by backing the decision to sell Lucas Digne to Aston Villa.

“The realities are when you have a player that is thinking to leave and then you have an offer, a possibility.

“We brought in a couple of good young players, hungry players. I’m sure they will be good now and better in the future.

“It’s something positive for the club to sell a player who will be 29 years of age this year and bring in players of 20/22 and in positions we needed to balance.

“We are balancing the squad, improving the competition, and economically it is good business.”

Crystal Palace youngster departs

15:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

A permanent exit at Selhurst Park.

Doubts of the futures of Liverpool stars

14:46 , Jonathan Gorrie

Naturally, much of the focus of late at Liverpool has been on Mohamed Salah’s contract situation.

Still, speaking to Sky, The Athletic’s David Ornstein has shared some doubts in regards to the future of some other key stars.

“I’m not sure Roberto Firmino’s contract is going to be renewed, I’m not sure Sadio Mane’s contract is going to be renewed. I do think Liverpool will make offers to them - then it will be down to the players to decide if they want to accept them.”

Eddie Howe makes Newcastle vow

14:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

Money bags Newcastle United may have been one of the most active teams in the transfer market thus far but manager Eddie Howe has stressed that the club will not be held to ransom when it comes to searching for new players.

“You have to draw a line in certain situations and say, ‘No, we’re not going to pay that money’, otherwise where does the game go? It goes to an uncomfortable place, I think.

Juventus want to keep Arthur

14:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

It could be a case of gamesmanship of course but Juventus Max Allegri appears to have issued a hammer-blow to any hopes Arsenal have of trying to lure Arthur Melo to the club this month.

Ralf Rangnick wants Dean Henderson to stay at Manchester United

14:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

Speaking to Sky Sports, Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has revealed he wants both Dean Henderson and Donny van de Beek to stay at Old Trafford despite their lack of involvement.

Antonio Conte latest

14:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

Dan Kilpatrick, meanwhile, has the latest on Antonio Conte’s thoughts on where Tottenham go from here.

David Moyes open to new signings at West Ham

14:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

Standard Sport’s very own Jack Rosser has the latest as David Moyes hints at January deals for West Ham.

United outline Martial loan demands

13:45 , Malik Ouzia

MEN say that Manchester United are demanding a £6m loan fee to allow Anthony Martial to leave the club this month.

In addition, the report claims United want any prospective loan club to cover the Frenchman’s entire salary for the remainder of the campaign.

Sounds like a pretty tough sell...

Jansson signs new Brentford deal

13:09 , Malik Ouzia

Brentford captain Pontus Jansson has signed a new one-year contract extension at the club.

The Swedish centre-back was due to be out of contract at the end of the season but has committed his future to the club until the summer of 2023.

“I am very pleased that Pontus has signed a new contract,” Brentford manager Thomas Frank said. “He has been a big part of the success we have had over the last three years. He has been important to our defensive improvement in the last three seasons.

“Pontus has done well for us in the Premier League, and we are all pleased that he will be with us next season. His leadership and communication in defensive situations and his positioning are very important for us.

Tuche: loftus-Cheek loan unlikely

12:46 , Malik Ouzia

And rounding off the Chelsea transfer update after Thomas Tuchel’s press conference this morning, the German says there are no plans to send midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek out on loan this month.

“We haven’t talked about it, he has a lot of game time I would say, if you look at last year and this season,” Tuchel said.

“I think he has a lot of game time and a lot to fight for here, in my personal opinion.”

Chelsea still in market for wing-back options

12:23 , Malik Ouzia

Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel is not ruling out January signings to cover Ben Chilwell, who has been lost for the season, and potentially Reece James, who is out with a hamstring injury.

addressing the issue at left wing-back, which has seen Chelsea try to recall Emerson Palmieri from loan at Lyon, Tuchel added: “We cannot say Kenedy is the solution. He can be the solution, but the situation has not changed.

“We have long-term injuries at wing-back, we suffered a lot. We suffered in midfield from Covid and injuries. Now our midfielders are more or less coming back, we suffer a lot with our central defenders.

“Nothing has changed, but it needs to make sense, to be possible, make sense on a high level and also in quality, personality.

“We have a look into the market, nothing has changed. We have all options, also the option to say no.”

Tuchel: Kenedy can revive his Chelsea career

11:52 , George Flood

Thomas Tuchel is ready to give Kenedy the chance to revive his Chelsea career after the Brazilian was recalled from loan this week, writes James Robson.

Kenedy has been recalled from Flamengo and could still go out on loan again, but Tuchel will look at him as he assesses how to cover the absence of Chilwell, who will not play again this term after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage.

The Chelsea manager said: “Kenedy is back and I’m very happy about it so this is huge. A huge opportunity for him to make his mark at this club and in this team.

“We will try now from today on to push and support him as good as we can.”

Click here to read the full story

Arsenal willing to cover Arthur Melo’s wages

11:03 , George Flood

Arsenal have indicated to Juventus they would be willing to cover the full cost of Arthur Melo’s wages as they look to bolster their midfield this month, writes Simon Collings.

The Gunners are desperate to bring in reinforcements in the position, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ loan move to Roma and AFCON absences depleting their ranks, and Arthur has emerged as a prime target.

Arsenal have held initial talks with Juventus over a deal and negotiations could speed up quickly over the weekend.

The Gunners are understood to be willing to cover the cost of the Brazilian’s wages, which reports in Italy claim are around £80,000-a-week.

At present, a straight loan deal seems the most likely option and Juventus would be willing to sanction such a move.

Click here to read the full story

No Arsenal bid for Vlahovic... yet

10:28 , George Flood

Arsenal don’t appear any closer to sealing the signing of Dusan Vlahovic.

The Gunners have been pressing on with a big-money swoop for the Serbian frontman, though Fiorentina wanting the bulk of the fee up front plus Vlahovic’s indecisiveness appear to be significant roadblocks to any potential deal.

According to La Viola CEO Joe Barone, Arsenal have yet to table an official offer.

“We’re open to consider all the proposals we’ll receive for Vlahovic - no bid is on the table right now,” he told Mediaset.

“We’ve not received any official offer. Let’s see if some proposal will arrive.”

Blackburn to sign Spurs winger Markanday

10:02 , George Flood

Blackburn and Tottenham are close to agreeing permanent deal for winger Dilan Markanday, Dan Kilpatrick reports.

The fee for the Spurs youngster is around £500k up front but could rise to over £1m with add-ons and the deal also includes a significant future sell-on clause.

The deal could be announced as soon as next week.

Borussia Dortmund target Christensen deal

09:54 , George Flood

With good news possibly on the horizon with regards to one centre-back in Antonio Rudiger, Chelsea have ongoing concerns over another.

Andreas Christensen has come on leaps and bounds under Thomas Tuchel, yet he too - as well as Rudiger and captain Cesar Azpilicueta - is out of contract at the end of the season with an extension yet to be agreed.

Now Sport1 in Germany report that Borussia Dortmund are very interested in signing the Danish international.

Man United boosted with Spurs out of Lamptey race

09:35 , George Flood

Speaking of Manchester United, have they been offered a boost in their pursuit of Tariq Lamptey?

The Brighton defender is said to be on Ralf Rangnick’s radar as he looks to upgrade on current right-back options Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot.

Tottenham have also been linked with Lamptey, but now Sky Sports suggest that Spurs are not in the running at this time as they instead seek Wolves’ Adama Traore for a wing-back role under Antonio Conte.

Man United join Liverpool in Luis Diaz race

09:18 , George Flood

Manchester United are tipped to rival Liverpool in the race for FC Porto star Luis Diaz.

Liverpool are known to be long-term fans of the Colombian winger, with suggestions earlier this month - quickly refuted - that they were in advanced talks over a £60m deal.

Now Portuguese outlet A Bola claim that Manchester United are ready to make an offer for a player who has featured and impressed regularly against English clubs in the Champions League over recent years.

Burnley eye Carroll after Wood exit

08:55 , George Flood

Burnley are considering a move for Andy Carroll after losing top striker Chris Wood.

New Zealand international Wood joined relegation rivals Newcastle earlier this week in a deal believed to be worth approximately £25m.

That exit has left a lean Burnley outfit even shorter on goals, with Sean Dyche now said to be looking at ex-Newcastle striker Carroll.

The 33-year-old has spent the last few weeks with Championship strugglers Reading, but his two-month contract in Berkshire runs out this weekend.

Arsenal continue talks over Arthur Melo

08:39 , George Flood

An update on Arsenal’s interest in Arthur Melo now.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has tweeted to say that negotiations between the two clubs are continuing, with the Gunners offering a loan deal with no obligation to buy that will see them cover his full salary.

However, he adds again that Juventus will not sanction any exit until they find a replacement.

Bowen open to Liverpool switch

08:24 , George Flood

This is not what West Ham fans will want to hear.

Jarrod Bowen has been in superb form recently, taking his tally for the season to five goals and seven assists.

However, Liverpool have long been linked with the former Hull favourite, with Football Insider now reporting that Bowen would be open to moving to Anfield in the summer.

Raphinha and Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma are believed to be other Jurgen Klopp targets, but there have been plenty of rumours that the former is close to signing a new contract at Leeds.

Juventus eye Aubameyang move after Chiesa blow

08:20 , George Flood

Juventus are weighing up a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, reports suggest.

The Gabon striker - currently in Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations, where he will face Ghana tonight - has been frozen out of the first-team picture at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta after being stripped of the captaincy last month following a disciplinary breach.

Aubameyang’s Arsenal future is obviously in major doubt, but he still has 18 months left to run on a contract that pays him £250,000 a week.

Reports from Italy carried by The Sun suggest that Juventus could now move for the former Borussia Dortmund marksman after Federico Chiesa was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

Chelsea to try again over Rudiger deal

08:14 , George Flood

Chelsea are ready to renew their attempts to get Antonio Rudiger to commit his future to the club.

The influential German centre-back is out of contract in the summer and has strong interest from several of Europe’s other heavyweight clubs including Bayern Munich, Juventus, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain - all of whom he can now discuss pre-contract terms with.

However, it has been reported in the last few days that Rudiger may now be willing to entertain further offers from Chelsea having been left unimpressed by previous talks.

Now the Daily Mail report that Chelsea will try again with Rudiger, who may accept terms of around £200,000 a week after rejecting an initial offer worth £140,000.

Man United ‘in good position’ for Fabian Ruiz

08:09 , George Flood

Arsenal are not the only club on the lookout for midfield reinforcements at present.

It’s also an area Ralf Rangnick would like to strengthen at Manchester United amid constant links to Borussia Monchengladbach and Switzerland star Denis Zakaria.

Fabian Ruiz of Napoli is believed to be another target, with Italian outlet La Republica now reporting that United are in a “good position” to sign the Spain international.

Watch this space!

Arsenal get new Wijnaldum boost

08:04 , George Flood

Arsenal’s midfield crisis only got worse last night as Martin Odegaard missed the goalless draw at Liverpool due to Covid-19 and Granit Xhaka was then unhelpfully sent off on his return from the virus at Anfield.

The Gunners have seemingly not ruled out potentially asking for a postponement of Sunday’s north London derby at Tottenham, such is their dearth of options at present.

Arsenal are said to have many names on their midfielder transfer shortlist, including Leicester’s Youri Tielemans, Lyon’s Bruno Guimaraes, Danilo of Palmeiras and Juventus’ Arthur Melo - more on him in a moment.

Georginio Wijnaldum has also been linked as he eyes an early return to the Premier League following an unhappy spell at Paris Saint-Germain.

Apparently, the former Liverpool and Newcastle star has an emotional attachment to Arsenal, which could surely help them seal a deal this month.

“I’ve been told Arsenal are one of his favourite clubs,” a reporter said on Sky Sports.

“Somebody quite close to me said that when he was growing up that he was an Arsenal supporter. So I think that he would be more than happy to play for Arsenal one day.

“I’m not going to say it’s going to happen this month. I’m not going to say it’s going to happen in the summer.

“But they are definitely, I’ve been told, a club that are close to his heart.”

Ronaldo ‘baffled’ by Man United team-mates

07:52 , George Flood

Good morning and welcome back to Standard Sport’s rolling LIVE coverage of a busy January transfer window.

We start this morning with Cristiano Ronaldo, who reportedly has new concerns over the state of the situation at Manchester United.

According to the Daily Mail, the Portuguese superstar is “baffled” over the attitude of his team-mates not to match his level of effort in terms of extra training and fears that younger players are not listening to his advice.

This is certainly not the first report detailing Ronaldo’s unhappiness at Old Trafford over recent weeks, with the 36-year-old even linked with a sensational move to Barcelona in some outlets.