It’s go time as the January transfer window is open. Find out when it closes across Europe, view the latest transfers as they happen and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.
TOP STORY: Man United think Diop can help defence
Manchester United look set to launch a £40 million bid for Issa Diop in a bid to solve their back-four woes. That’s according to the Sun, which also reports that Chelsea are keen on luring the player to Stamford Bridge. United’s back four was torn to shreds in a 3-1 Carabao Cup loss to Manchester City in midweek, with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side destroyed 3-1 in the semi-final.
The France Under-21 sensation was signed by West Ham for £22m from Toulouse in the summer of 2018. And despite scoring an own goal in his opening appearance — a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal — he has become a mainstay of the Hammers’ defence.
However, with David Moyes looking to rebuild his side, West Ham could be tempted to cash in on one of their most saleable assets. Although United will fancy their chances of snaring his signature, Solskjaer is likely to face stiff opposition with the aforementioned Chelsea interest and Spurs also mulling an offer in the wake of uncertainty over Jan Vertonghen‘s future.
One more nugget on Man United while we are here, with ESPN sources reporting that the Red Devils have been offered Sporting’s Bruno Fernandes as the Portuguese side look to ease some existing financial difficulties.
Inter weigh up choices in battle for Eriksen
The Nerazzurri are set to choose between Barcelona’s Arturo Vidal and Christian Eriksen before the transfer window closes at the end of January. That’s according to Calciomercato, which reports that the club’s CEO, Beppe Marotta, will make a decision on whether Inter will make a concerted bid to sign either the Chilean international or the Denmark star.
“It is right to do something since it is an important moment for us,” Marotta said. “Vidal and Eriksen, in order to raise the quality level of our group, we need to achieve important goals and this means having great difficulties.”
The outlet reports that the Inter hierarchy will be in touch with Spurs in the coming days, with a view to bringing Eriksen to the San Siro, even if it’s not until the end of the season when he will cost them absolutely nothing. But with Jose Mourinho confirming that Eriksen can leave in January, Inter could bid for him formally sooner rather than later.
– When does the transfer window reopen?
– All major completed transfer deals
Tap-ins
– James Madison is going nowhere, according to The Mirror, which will come as a hammer blow to Manchester United fans hoping to see him at Old Trafford next season. The England international has been sensational for Leicester since signing with the club from Norwich for a fee of £22.5m in June 2018. That fee now looks like a steal, with his market price having now soared way over that figure. United are still keen on getting him to Old Trafford, but after he scored six goals in the Foxes’ European charge so far this season, Brendan Rodgers is confident that the player will be going nowhere.
– Frank Lampard has insisted that Olivier Giroud will be allowed to leave Chelsea, says The Telegraph, but only if the move is right for the club. The Chelsea boss also insisted on Friday that Giroud’s exit isn’t dependent on Chelsea finding a replacement for him in attack. Giroud’s future has been the source of constant speculation, with the player reportedly having agreed to personal terms, leaving it down to Chelsea and Inter to finalise the deal to get the France international to Serie A.
