- Jadon Sancho loan transfer to Dortmund ‘delayed’
- Fulham extend Tom Cairney’s contract
- Donny van de Beek joins Eintracht Frankfurt on loan
- Nottingham Forest NOT signing Monaco ace Gelson Martins
- Kylian Mbappe handed ultimatum by Real Madrid
- Seven top bargains for January
KALVIN PHILLIPS looks set to stay in the Premier League in a huge boost to Newcastle after Juventus pulled OUT of the running to sign him.
Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino is being linked with a shock return to the Premier League, according to reports.
Fulham are reportedly among the top flight clubs interested in the former Liverpool forward.
And Tottenham are keen on making a January move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to reports.
Henry puts in a word
Thierry Henry recommended Osian Roberts for the Como job.
Welshman Roberts was appointed interim boss of the Serie B side until the end of the season, replacing Cesc Fabregas who has yet to complete his Uefa coaching badges.
And Henry, who is a part-owner alongside Fabregas, got in touch with the ex-Wales and Crystal Palace assistant last month.
Roberts, 58, said: “It’s no secret that Thierry Henry is one of the stakeholders at Como. It all derived from Thierry’s recommendation to the club.”
“From there I spoke with the owners and things went pretty well. We decided this would be a great opportunity for both of us and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Henry did his coaching badges with the Football Association of Wales with the course run by Roberts, who was FAW technical director at the time.
Name rings a Bell
Newcastle still hold an interest in signing Jobe Bellingham after he rejected a move to join rivals Sunderland, reports say.
Bellingham – the younger brother to Real Madrid star Jude – left Birmingham for the Blacks Cats in the summer for £1.5million.
His form is said to have garnered more transfer interest from across Europe with Newcastle among those tracking Bellingham.
They will get a front-row seat to watch him in action tomorrow as the rivalling sides meet in a rare Tyne–Wear derby in the FA Cup.
Drag-ged out of contention?
Tottenham have been dealt a transfer blow with reports that Napoli are closing in on Radu Dragusin.
The 21-year-old Romanian defender is shining for Genoa this season.
And reports claim Napoli have been holding serious talks with his representatives over a switch within Italy.
‘Delay’ to Sancho transfer
Jadon Sancho’s expected loan move back to Borussia Dortmund has reportedly been delayed.
The outcast winger was expected to complete his switch to Germany imminently, with United supporters furious the Bundesliga side were set to pay just £3.4m for the loan despite Sancho earning £250,000 a week.
But now Sky in Germany say the negotiations are not sorted just yet and some issues are ‘dragging on’ – including working out whether or not there will be an option to buy Sancho in the summer.
Sancho is ready to make the move – having been frozen out since September – but is waiting for the green light from his club.
Three’s a crowd
Manchester United fans expressed their frustration at the club triggering three automatic contract extensions.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal Mejbri were all entering the final six months of their deals – but have each signed on for another year until 2025 and prevent any free exits in the summer.
But one supporter said: “This is madness.”
Another declared: “Rewarding failure by handing out new contracts.”
And a third added: “Forever in mediocrity.”
Declan’s big decision
Declan Rice almost joined Celtic before completing his £105million switch to Arsenal.
That is according to Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers, who returned to Celtic Park in the summer after first taking charge from 2016 to 2019.
Speaking about the January transfer window, Rodgers said: “Deals can be complicated and things that might have been there for three or four months can fall away. That’s always the challenge – it only takes one injury to (affect) a player who was lined up to come in.
“I remember when I was here the first time, we spent about three months looking for Declan Rice to come in.
“Declan was all set to come in and then all of a sudden they (West Ham) had an injury, he stayed and got in the team and the rest is history. That’s not the club’s fault – it’s just the way it goes.”
Jude top of the tree
Jude Bellingham is the most valuable footballer in the world.
That is according to the Football Observatory study, which has the Real Madrid and England star worth £230m.
That sees him pip Erling Haaland (£216m), Vinicius Junior (£215m), Rodrgyo (£213m) and Bukayo Saka (£192m) in the top five.
Kehrer gets his exit
West Ham defender Thilo Kehrer has completed his loan move to Monaco.
The Hammers have agreed a loan deal until the end of the season with Monaco paying £9.5million to make the move permanent in the summer.
Kehrer, a German international, arrived from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of £10.1m in the summer of 2022, making 38 appearances in all competitions.
However, the defender has not started a single Premier League game this season.
Kehrer is also facing an uphill battle to make the Germany squad for the Euros this summer, held in his home country, meaning he needs to be playing regularly.
West Ham boss David Moyes is also keen to cut deadwood from his squad this month.
The Hammers boss has admitted there is little spending money available this month meaning that wages must be cut or fees brought in in order to raise funds.
Winger Said Benrahma may also be sold this month. West Ham want up to £20m for the Algerian, who is attracting interest from Lyon and clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Just not don
However, United fans are unhappy with the terms of the loan agreement with Dortmund.
That is because the German club are expected to pay just £3.4million to take Sancho on loan.
And it leaves United needing to pay the majority of the £73m winger’s £250,000-a-week wages.
Jadon finally ready to Sanch-go
Jadon Sancho looks set to leave Manchester United and end his exile.
The winger has been left out in the cold since September amid his public spat with Erik ten Hag.
But now Sancho is closing in on a loan transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
Diz-zy Rascal
Kenan Yildiz proved why Arsenal are among the clubs tracking him in the transfer window with another wondergoal for Juventus.
The 18-year-old has been turning heads this season since breaking into the Juventus first team.
And he was turning defenders inside out with his superb solo effort against Salernitana last night.
Yildiz picked the ball up on the left touchline, danced past several opponents before emphatically firing home past the goalkeeper.
And it is no wonder Mikel Arteta is taking plenty of interest in the Turkish teenager.
Juve gotta be kidding
We told you earlier that Kalvin Phillips wants to get game time to bolster his Euro 2024 chances.
But in a bitter blow, Juventus have pulled out of the running for the Manchester City midfielder.
Juve were seemingly prepared to take the Englishman on loan for the remainder of the season.
But the package would simply be too expensive.
Juve director Cristiano Giuntoli said: “We don’t see any opportunity from a technical or financial point of view.
“We look for correct opportunities and can’t see any now.”
Phillips wants out of Premier League
Kalvin Phillips has struggled to see many minutes at all since arriving at Manchester City.
And now the England international is ready to move on to try and get his career back on track.
But despite interest from inside the Premier League – with Newcastle United persistently linked – Phillips is understood to fancy a move abroad.
According to David Ornstein at The Athletic, Phillips is keen on trying his hand in a foreign country.
Although nothing has been decided yet there have been some strong links to Italian giants Juventus.
Firmino eyed for sensational Prem return
Liverpool hero Roberto Firmino could be coming back to the Premier League.
According to TalkSPORT, Fulham have been “offered the chance” to sign the attacke form for Saudia Arabian side Al-Ahli.
Marco Silva’s men are keen to seek a replacement for Aleksandar Mitrovic following his summer departure to the Middle East too.
Sheffield United were also said to be interested in Firmino before they sacked Paul Heckingbottom and brought back Chris Wilder.
EXL: Red Devils identify new full-back target
Man Utd are looking to use the January market to strengthen at full-back.
With the departure of Sergio Reguilon this week, left-back is now a top priority for the team.
SunSport understands that Manchester United have sent a scout to closely observe Spanish left back and Girona’s sensation, Miguel Gutierrez, 22, on multiple occasions in recent few weeks, including in yesterday’s 4-3 thriller against Atletico Madrid.
Gutierrez proved to be a pivotal part of the side’s late win against the Madrid side as they continue their fairytale title challenge.
Gutierrez is a regular in Girona’s first XI, playing 20 games since the beginning of the season.
Toney loan a possibility
With Brentford slapping a whopping £100m price tag on Ivan Toney it looks like it’ll be hard work for anyone to make a deal happen for the England international this month.
The eye-watering fee will come as bad news to chasers Arsenal and Chelsea who are unlikely to be able to fork out that kind of cash in the winter window.
Although Fabrizio Romano has claimed that they could make it work by striking up an initial loan deal.
The transfer guru said: “I don’t think it’s going to be easy, and any teams interested in Toney might have to be creative, so maybe a loan deal, but only if there is an obligation to buy.
“So, only if there is a guaranteed sale of Toney, and only for big money, otherwise I think he is going to stay at the club and then probably leave in the summer transfer window.”
Competition hotting up for Guirassy
Plenty of top teams are joining the race to sign Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart this month.
There has been plenty speculation surrounding the 27-year-old’s future in recent weeks, with Manchester United one of the teams linked with a move.
But they are also joined by Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and AC Milan in their quest to sign the goalscorer.
Despite scoring an astonishing 17 league goals in just 14 appearances, Guirassy has a £15.1million release clause in his contract at Stuttgart.
Nobody leaving Barcelona
There will be no outgoings from Barcelona this month after sporting director Deco made it clear what the club’s intentions are.
Despite a number of Premier League clubs being linked with Barca players such as Frenkie de Jong and Gavi, nobody will be heading for the exit doors at the Catalan outfit.
No player is going to leave in January!
Deco
City sell keeper stateside
Manchester City have parted ways with back-up goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
The American international has headed back to his home country to join Colorado Rapid in the MLS.
The 28-year-old has signed a three year deal with the club with the option to extend until 2027.
Steffen leaves Man City having made just 21 appearances for the Premier League outfit.
Gunners Vlahovic hopes dashed
Arsenal’s hopes of returning for Dusan Vlahovic have taken a hit after comments from Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli.
The Italian boss spoke out about the future of the 23-year-old and made it clear Vlahovic is not for sale.
He said: “Bid from Arsenal for Vlahovic? We don’t know anything about that story, there’s nothing.
“Vlahovic is not for sale!”
Man City interested in Pedro Neto
Manchester City are reportedly keeping a keen eye on Wolves winger Pedro Neto.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Arsenal for a long time, but there has been no movement with the Gunners as of yet.
But now The Athletic report that Pep Guardiola’s side are big fans of the Neto who has a rising stock in the Premier League.
Spence returns to Tottenham
Djed Spence has had his loan spell with Leeds United cut short.
The 23-year-old was loaned to the Yorkshire club at the start of the season and was supposed to stay until the summer.
But after just seven appearances he has now returned to his parent club Tottenham.
Leeds announced the surprise news on their website with an official statement that read: “Leeds United can confirm that Djed Spence has returned to Tottenham Hotspur, bringing his loan spell with the club to an end.
“Spence made seven appearances whilst with the Whites after joining in the summer transfer window.
“We would like to thank Djed for his efforts whilst at Elland Road and we wish him well for his future career.”
Arsenal still interested in Vlahovic
Arsenal could return for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic this month.
The Gunners were keen on the 23-year-old back in 2022 when he opted to join the Old Lady from Fiorentina.
But Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill has hinted that the north London outfit could return for the Serbian due to a number of factors.
Speaking to The Arsenal Beat podcast, he said: “Another player though we know Mikel Arteta is a fan of is Dusan Vlahovic.
“Juventus wanted £50m, but that was too steep for Arsenal, but Juventus have financial problems.
“They would listen to a cash-plus-player offer and there are also these tax rules in Italy which is something for them to consider.”
PSG target Guimaraes
Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly made Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes their number one target during the January window.
According to ESPN Brazil, the Parisians are in search of an experienced midfielder and have placed Guimaraes as their number one target.
It’s said that a move could cost the Ligue 1 outfit around £100m.
The Magpies are already in the midst of an injury crisis and losing another important player would put Eddie Howe’s side in big trouble.
Brentford want £100m for Toney
It is looking increasingly unlikely that Ivan Toney will be signing for Arsenal this month.
The Gunners are in desperate need of some goals up top, but they will have to fork out a fortune to add Toney to their ranks.
According to the Independent, Brentford have slapped a £100m price tag on their star man for the winter window.
And a deal of that magnitude would be extremely difficult for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side to pull off in January.
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