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Transfer Talk: Chelsea, Man Utd, Juve circle as Barca give up on Dembele

The 2022 January transfer window is open (find out when it closes here), and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Barca give up on Dembele deal

Ousmane Dembele‘s time at Barcelona could be over with reports that his representatives have ignored the club’s latest offer.

AS reports that the Blaugrana gave the 24-year-old until Jan. 15 to respond to a new contract offer, and with radio silence from Dembele’s camp, manager Xavi Hernandez has been left feeling let down after welcoming the winger back into the first-team fold.

Uncertainty over Dembele’s future has grown for a number of months, with his agent requesting a contract worth in the region of €240 million over five years. As time ticks down on his current deal, there are already a number of rival clubs circling for Dembele’s signature.

Sport reports that Chelsea have contacted Dembele’s representatives this month to test the waters over whether he could be persuaded to move to Stamford Bridge, while Manchester United and Juventus are also keen to acquire the France international on a free transfer.

Dembele joined Camp Nou from Borussia Dortmund back in 2017 in a deal worth close to $145m.

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08.00 GMT: Roberto Martinez is the leading candidate to replace Rafa Benitez as Everton manager, sources have told ESPN’s Mark Ogden.

The Belgium coach has received strong backing from the Goodison Park hierarchy following the sacking of Benitez after just 200 days in charge.

Former Everton forward Wayne Rooney, now managing Championship club Derby County, is being linked with a return to Goodison, but sources have told ESPN that Martinez is the leading contender at this stage.

Martinez, who spent three years in charge at Everton between 2013-2016, is being considered as both a short-term option and long-term successor to Benitez by senior figures at the club.

Having guided Belgium to qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year, Martinez’s determination to see through the job he started in 2016 could prevent him taking the Everton job on a full-time basis until after the tournament.

But having missed out on a return to Everton last summer due to the decision of owner Farhad Moshiri to hire former Liverpool boss Benitez, Martinez is now the leading candidate to go back to the club due to his success with Belgium and reputation for playing attractive, attacking football.

PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)

– Juventus want Arsenal to include Thomas Partey in any deal that features Arthur, according to the Mirror. The Gunners have stepped up their approach for the Serie A star in recent weeks but they will now need to decide if signing the Brazil international is worth losing Partey.

  • Derby County are ready to let go of Jason Knight as Premier League interest begins to advance for the 20-year-old midfielder. The Times reveals that Burnley and Leeds United are both interested in a potential deal in the current window, and the Rams could be prepared to let him go for a fee in the region of £8m. Newcastle United are also reported to be one of the teams monitoring the situation.
  • The Mirror reports that a battle is set to begin for Nottingham Forest star Djed Spence, with Arsenal ready to challenge AS Roma and Internazionale for his signature.The 21-year-old was a star performer when the EFL Championship side enjoyed a 1-0 victory over the Gunners in the FA Cup third round, and it is reported that he is valued at around £10m.

  • Chelsea have turned their attention to Layvin Kurzawa, according to Sky Sports. Thomas Tuchel’s side have been looking for cover at left-back since Ben Chilwell was lost to injury and, with the club missing out on Lucas Digne while also being unable to recall Emerson Palmieri, it is reported that they will now make a move for the 29-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender.

Fabrizio Romano writes that Napoli are keen to sign Nicolas Tagliafico. The 29-year-old left-back has been linked with a number of clubs throughout January, with Chelsea considering him earlier on in the transfer window. It is reported that the Serie A club want to offer Ajax Amsterdam a loan deal with an option to make the move permanent in the summer, with an answer expected to be next week.

ESPN Premier League News

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