THE transfer window is open as teams look to make changes ahead of a tough second half of the season.
All Europe's top leagues are currently experiencing competitive title races – and we've the very latest from La Liga, Serie A and of course the Premier League.
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Get all the latest transfer news, gossip and updates here…
- Richard Forrester
GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS,
Manchester United have confirmed the £37million signing of 18-year-old Amad Diallo from Atalanta as their first January signing.
The clubs agreed a deal before the transfer window closed in October but the teenager stayed with his boyhood club for the first half of the 2020-21 season while work permits, personal terms and a medical were finalised.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer promised United fans one of the most exciting young players in world football with the arrival of Diallo.
He said: “As a club, we have followed Amad for a number of years and having watched him myself, I believe he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game.
“Manchester United has such a proud history of developing young players and everything is in place to enable Amad to reach his potential here.”
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp admitted it is ‘unlikely’ Liverpool will sign a centre-back this month, despite the injury crisis at the heart of his defence.
The Reds are without first-choice pairing Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez due to long-term injuries and stand-ins Fabinho and Joel Matip have struggled for form and fitness.
Klopp said: “I cannot say definitely we will not bring anyone in, it’s just not likely because of the situation in the world.
“We should not forget that the situation is a tough one for all people and for football clubs as well.
“There might be some clubs with absolutely no financial problems.
“But this club always was – and will always be with these owners – just very responsible with the things we do.”
And finally, Wales international Rabbi Matondo has vowed to help Stoke City’s promotion push after joining the Potters on loan.
The 20-year-old became Michael O’Neill’s first capture of the January transfer window after agreeing to join from Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 on loan until the end of this season.
Matondo, who has seven Wales caps, has featured 30 times in the German top flight since making the switch from Manchester City in 2019.
Matondo said: “I’m delighted to sign for Stoke City until the end of the season and am looking forward to it. I’ve come here to help the lads in every possible way I can.
“As an attacking player, hopefully I can add some goals and assists to try and help the team make the promotion spots.”
- Joe Brophy
HOT ROD
Leeds face a battle with Liverpool if they want to land Udinese star Rodrigo De Paul this month.
Leeds have been tracking attacking midfielder De Paul since last summer.
But Marcelo Bielsa is in two minds whether to bid in January or make a final decision before the start of next season.
However, champions Liverpool have now made their interest known.
And that could force Elland Road bosses to accelerate their plans and try to buy the Argentine during this window.
De Paul has flagged up well on Liverpool’s meticulous scouting system as they look to invigorate the squad in an attempt to stay ahead of their rivals in the Premier League.
Antonio Conte’s Inter have also made it clear they would be interested in the 26-year-old.
- Joe Brophy
SERGI-GO
Manchester United’s wantaway keeper Sergio Romero is reportedly nearing a move to Boca Juniors.
The Manchester Evenings News claim the Argentinian has already said his goodbyes to his Red Devils teammates ahead of his Old Trafford exit.
The 33-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, is expected to end his six-year stint with the club in this month’s transfer window.
Romero has been training in Argentina and local reports in Buenos Aires claim he is keeping fit in the Argentinian capital ahead of a move to Boca.
- Joe Brophy
DEVIL MAY CARE
Amad Diallo has admitted it is a dream come true to finally seal his move to Old Traford.
The winger – who is yet to decide on his shirt number – told the United website: “After waiting since the summer, it is finally a dream come true to complete my move to Manchester United.
“I am hugely ambitious and there is so much that I want to achieve in the game; when I spoke to the manager I knew that I had joined the perfect club.
“This is a really exciting squad with so many great players, I can promise that I will work hard every day to learn from them and give everything to develop my game.
“The coaches have been fantastic since I signed, we have been in touch regularly and they have already given me a lot of great advice.
“I have had time to prepare for this move, both physically and mentally, and I have worked really hard to be ready to make the step up to this amazing club.”
- Joe Brophy
TY HIM OVER
A wealth of Championship clubs are reportedly interested in Leeds attacker Tyler Roberts.
The Yorkshire club are well clear of the relegation zone upon their return to the Premier League and are weighing up a loan move for the 21-year-old.
Marcelo Bielsa has handed Roberts just two starts in the league, with the forward yet to score.
According to the Mail, the manager highly rates his player but could nonetheless allow a temporary exit.
Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, Cardiff, Bournemouth and Preston are all named as interested parties in the Welshman's future.
- Joe Brophy
NIC OF TIME
Wilfried Zaha has accepted that Arsenal chose Nicolas Pepe ‘over him’ following a failed move to the club.
He told Jamie Carragher’s The Greatest Game Podcast: “I had a conversation with the manager actually.
“[Unai] Emery was just like, ‘We don’t really need to go through much’. “He said he’d seen me play, he knows I can change games at any time and stuff like that.
“He was like, ‘Yeah we’d love to have you’ and I was just like, ‘Yeah I’d love to come’.
“The conversation was rather straightforward because I played against him when he was manager of Arsenal.
“He saw what I could do, saw my work-rate, and what I could add to the team.”
He added: “Obviously, it was up to the club who they chose.
“And they chose Pepe over me.”
- Joe Brophy
MAT MAKER
Wales international Rabbi Matondo has vowed to help Stoke City’s promotion push after joining the Potters on loan.
The 20-year-old became Michael O’Neill’s first capture of the January transfer window after agreeing to join from Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 on loan until the end of this season.
Matondo, who has seven Wales caps, has featured 30 times in the German top flight since making the switch from Manchester City in 2019.
Matondo said: “I’m delighted to sign for Stoke City until the end of the season and am looking forward to it. I’ve come here to help the lads in every possible way I can.
“As an attacking player, hopefully I can add some goals and assists to try and help the team make the promotion spots.”
- Joe Brophy
RED ALERT
Jurgen Klopp admitted it is 'unlikely' Liverpool will sign a centre-back this month, despite the injury crisis at the heart of his defence.
The Reds are without first-choice pairing Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez due to long-term injuries and stand-ins Fabinho and Joel Matip have struggled for form and fitness.
Klopp said: "I cannot say definitely we will not bring anyone in, it’s just not likely because of the situation in the world.
“We should not forget that the situation is a tough one for all people and for football clubs as well.
"There might be some clubs with absolutely no financial problems.
"But this club always was – and will always be with these owners – just very responsible with the things we do."
- Joe Brophy
PEP TALK
Lionel Messi is now the world’s 97th most valuable footballer.
Incredibly, Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself 131th with two of the greatest players of all time both trailing Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe.
That is according to the latest CIES Football Observatory, whose algorithm uses such factors as performance, age and contract length, as well as club and country represented to determine an individual’s worth.
- Joe Brophy
WELL I NEV-ER
Phil Neville is one step closer to a sensational reunion with David Beckham as boss of Inter Miami.
The MLS side sacked their manager Diego Alonso on Thursday, opening the door to the outgoing England Women boss who has been heavily linked with the job.
Neville is understood to have held preliminary discussions with the Major League Soccer side about the position.
The Lionesses' boss, 43, revealed he would step down as national boss in July after this summer's Euros.
SunSport understands he has held positive talks with old Manchester United mate Becks over taking charge of his new franchise.
- Joe Brophy
LONG LIVE THE KING
West Ham have Josh King in their sights to replace Sebastien Haller – but may have to pay Bournemouth more than they thought to land him.
David Moyes failed to land the Bournemouth star in the summer when the Championship club rejected the £13million deal the Hammers were willing to come up with.
But Moyes has retained his interest since then and sees using King through the middle – a position he prefers to play – now that Haller is on his way to Ajax.
West Ham value King at the same price, but the problem is the 28-year-old is also on the radar of Newcastle and West Brom.
Bournemouth have been told Newcastle and the Baggies would both be willing to stump up around £15m, more than Hammers owner David Sullivan had hoped to pay.
King, 28, is out of contract at the end of the season but the Cherries are determined not to let him go on the cheap in January.
- Joe Brophy
DIALLO DONE
Manchester United have confirmed the £37million signing of 18-year-old Amad Diallo from Atalanta as their first January signing.
The clubs agreed a deal before the transfer window closed in October but the teenager stayed with his boyhood club for the first half of the 2020-21 season while work permits, personal terms and a medical were finalised.
- Joe Brophy
RICH REWARD
Bayern Munich have reportedly opened talks over a free transfer for Reading star Omar Richards.
The Mail claims Richards, 22, is seen as a potential replacement for David Alaba.
Austria ace Alaba is out of contract this summer and looks set to leave the German champions on a free transfer.
Bayern already have highly-rated Alphonso Davies playing at left-back.
But losing Alaba will see them light in cover, with versatile Lucas Hernandez often used in the middle.
And England U21 star Richards has been identified as the ideal man to come in.
- Joe Brophy
INTO THE LIONS DEN
Millwall are in talks to sign Motherwell star Allan Campbell, SunSport's Paul Jiggins has revealed.
The Lions have moved for the midfielder after failing to land Brighton’s Jayson Molumby with a bid of £1million plus add-ons.
Republic of Ireland international Molumby, who spent last season on loan at the Den, has since joined Preston for the rest of this campaign.
Millwall boss Gary Rowett is believed to want permanent signings so he has turned his attention to Campbell.
The Scotland Under-21 ace’s contract at Motherwell runs out at the end of the season, meaning he can talk to clubs about a move elsewhere.
The Lions are hoping they seal a deal for him this month as they look to strengthen their squad following a poor recent run of results.
- Joe Brophy
SERGI-GO
Manchester United's wantaway keeper Sergio Romero is reportedly nearing a move to Boca Juniors.
The Manchester Evenings News claim the Argentinian has already said his goodbyes to his Red Devils teammates ahead of his Old Trafford exit.
The 33-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, is expected to end his six-year stint with the club in this month's transfer window.
Romero has been training in Argentina and local reports in Buenos Aires claim he is keeping fit in the Argentinian capital ahead of a move to Boca.
- Josh Graham
GIVE IT A JESS
Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard has been linked with a move to West Ham.
The Star claims the Hammers have opened talks with the player’s agent.
Lingard, 28, is entering the final six months of his contract at Old Trafford.
David Moyes is looking to reunite with the attacking star after coaching him at the Red Devils.
- Josh Graham
SLAM DUNC
West Brom and Burnley have suffered a transfer blow after Duncan Watmore committed his future to Middlesbrough.
The forward was released by Sunderland last summer after an injury-ravaged few years but was offered a career lifeline by Neil Warnock in November with a two-month deal.
Watmore, 26, has repaid that faith by rifling in five goals in eight matches for play-off hopefuls Boro.
That form caught the eye of both Baggies boss Sam Allardyce and Burnley's Sean Dyche as they eyed a free transfer swoop along with Championship rivals Stoke.
But Watmore, who has been nominated for the Championship’s Player of the Month prize, has now ended speculation over his future by penning a contract at the Riverside until 2023.
- Josh Graham
ALLI OOP
PSG are confident they can loan Dele Alli from Tottenham for the rest of the season, according to reports.
The Spurs outcast has struggled for game time under Jose Mourinho recently but his old boss Mauricio Pochettino is keen on bringing him to his new club.
Mauricio Pochettino wants to reunite with Dele Alli at PSGCredit: – Daniel Levy rejected three Alli offers from PSG in the summer.
But the French side believe they can make a breakthrough in this month's talks now Poch is on board, according to the Telegraph.
The Argentine was confirmed as new PSG boss last week – his first job since leaving Tottenham.
And given his role in developing Alli, he is eager to work with him again.
Levy is said to be reluctant to let the Englishman leave despite him playing just four times in the Premier League this season with Gareth Bale and Giovani Lo Celso injured.
- Josh Graham
FLYING KAI
Wigan midfielder Kai Naismith has left the club my mutual consent.
- Josh Graham
TURKISH DELIGHT
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Mesut Ozil’s future could be decided in a matter of days amid reports he is set to sign for Fenerbahce.
Reports emerged on Wednesday that the 32-year-old was closing in on a three-and-a-half-year deal to make the move to the Turkish giants.
Mesut Ozilâs Arsenal future could finally be resolved this monthCredit: PA:Press Association/PA Images Ahead of the club’s FA Cup third round clash against Newcastle on Saturday, Arteta was asked about the German World Cup winner in his pre-match press conference.
Commenting on his future, he said: “I don’t know what is going to happen. Obviously now he’s free to negotiate with other clubs.
“We will discuss internally what the best situation for him is for the near future, obviously with the player and the agent too, and try to find the best solution for everyone.”
Pressed on whether Ozil could stay beyond January, he added: “I’m saying we will decide what’s happening in the next few days.”
- Josh Graham
NO NEED TO BAY
Bayern Munich will NOT bring anyone in during the January window.
Boss Hansi Flick confirmed he is not looking to add to his squad.
Via Bild, he said: "I'm not someone who wants to have new players.
"With this squad we'll be together until the end of the season."
Bayern boss Hansi Flick is happy with his squadCredit: EPA
- Josh Graham
RED RETURN
Manchester United have recalled goalkeeper Matej Kovar from loan at Swindon Town.
The 20-year-old headed to the County Ground last summer to spend the campaign with the Robins.
Now the Czech stopper has had that stint cut short – although he is expected to go elsewhere for the remainder of the season.
Kovar started impressively at Swindon but kept just one clean sheet in 20 appearances for the League One strugglers.
He will link back up with United’s Under-23 squad back at Carrington.
But the club are looking into the possibility of sending him out to another EFL team.
Swindon want to replace him before the weekend and have been linked with Bournemouth’s Mark Travers.
- Josh Graham
MATT’S ALL FOLKS
Arsenal ace Matt Macey is set to join Hibernian until the end of the season.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper will undergo a medical with the Scottish Premiership club later today, according to the Daily Mail.
Arsenal keeper Matt Macey is set to join Hibernian until the end of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty Macey will solve the goalkeeping crisis at Easter Road after Dillon Barnes, who had been covering for injured No1 Ofir Marciano, was recalled by QPR.
The switch to Hibs signals the end of Macey’s career at Arsenal as his contract was due to expire in the summer.
He slipped to third in the Emirates Stadium pecking order when Runar Alex Runarsson was signed from Dijon last year.
Macey joined Arsenal from Bristol Rovers for a compensation fee worth around £100,000 in 2013.
The Bath-born stopper had brief loan spells in League Two with Accrington Stanley and Luton Town before making his only two appearances for the Gunners in 2017.
- Josh Graham
LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
Barcelona would reportedly consider buying an MLS franchise to persuade Lionel Messi to stay with the club.
Blaugrana presidential hopeful Xavi Vilajoana is behind the plan to facilitate the star striker's dream of playing in the United States.
Messi's contract expires in June and, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain lurking, his future is far from certain.
One potential destination the Argentine has publicly opened the door to is MLS.
However this summer may be too early for the 33-year-old to head Stateside and AS report on a plan to keep the player in Spain until he is ready for the switch.
Vilajoana is said to want an MLS franchise under the Barcelona umbrella, allowing a seamless transition across the Atlantic when Messi desires.
The plan also involves re-signing Luis Suarez from Atletico Madrid to reunite the pair, who are best pals off the pitch and forged a hugely successful partnership on it.
- Josh Graham
GINI IN THE BOTTLE
Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is reportedly edging closer to an Anfield exit with contract talks said to have reached a stalemate.
The 30-year-old is free to talk to foreign clubs about a free transfer at the end of the season having entered the last six months of his deal on Merseyside.
Gini Wijnaldum could be set to quit LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images – Getty Barcelona are known to be long-term admirers of the Holland international, with boss Ronald Koeman desperate to be reunited with him at the Nou Camp.
It was claimed last month that the ex-Newcastle ace asked the Reds for more time before deciding on his future amid interest from the Blaugrana.
And now Sky Sports have claimed that negotiations between the club and the player have reached a stalemate.
They state that the Premier League and Champions League winner has been presented with a new offer, but he is yet to sign it.
The report then adds that Wijnaldum is keen to remain at Liverpool, but wants his wages to reflect his importance in the team, and compare with the club's top earners.
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