The latest news and rumours on Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal exit, plus the latest on Paul Pogba, and Moises Caicedo…
TRANSFER HEADLINES – WINDOW NOW OPEN UNTIL FEB 1
- Transfer Talk Podcast: Is Aouar long-term Ozil replacement? | Arteta: Following Ozil Q&A? I don’t have Twitter
- Ozil hypes up Fenerbahce amid Arsenal exit talk | Papers: Arsenal searching for Leno back-up
- Romano: Liverpool will ponder CB targets in coming weeks | Leverkusen, Ajax join race to sign Fosu-Mensah
- Ancelotti: Everton open to PSG talks over Kean | PL ins and outs | Done deals
- Transfer rumours: Arsenal: End to Ozil saga? | Man Utd: Ole to sign Austrian wonderkid? | Liverpool: Will Reds sign CB?
- Klopp: Centre-back signing ‘not likely’ | Wijnaldum, Liverpool reach stalemate | Which defenders could Liverpool buy?
- Jan transfer window: Each PL club assessed | How will Brexit affect market? | Latest Transfer Talk podcast
19:09
BRADFORD TERMINATE RICHARDS-EVERTON CONTRACT
Ben Richards-Everton has left Bradford after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.
The 29-year-old defender had made nine starts and one substitute appearance for the Bantams this season.
Richards-Everton will now “pursue an opportunity elsewhere”, according to the club’s website.
A brief statement added: “Bradford City would like to take this opportunity to thank Richards-Everton for his efforts in claret and amber, and wish him the best for the future.”18:52
JEPSON LEAVES LIVERPOOL WOMEN
Liverpool have confirmed that women’s manager Vicky Jepson has left the club by mutual consent.
It brings an end to a partnership which has lasted more than a decade and included various roles at the club.
18:47
CITY OWNERSHIP GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP
Manchester City‘s umbrella ownership organisation City Football Group has set up a partnership with Bolivian outfit Club Bolivar.
Bolivia’s most decorated club will now benefit from the City Football Group’s infrastructure, coaching, scouting and contacts.
“We are very pleased to grow our global presence through this important collaboration with Club Bolivar, City Football Group’s first partner club,” said City Football Group chief executive Ferran Sorriano.
“This long-term agreement is the first of its kind and will enable Club Bolivar to draw down on and utilise the wide range of football industry expertise developed by City Football Group.”18:30
FENERBAHCE: OZIL TRANSFER CLOSER THAN EVER
Fenerbahce president Ali Koc has revealed that a ‘dream’ deal to sign Mesut Ozil from Arsenal is ‘closer’ than it has ever been before.
MAN CITY WOMEN IN TALKS WITH DAHLKEMPER
Manchester City are in talks to sign USA defender Abby Dahlkemper. The centre-back has been offered a “multi-year” contract to move to the club.
Dahlkemper is currently with the US national squad at a training camp in Florida and won’t be able to come to the UK until after their game against Colombia on January 22.
Dahlkemper was the only outfield player to start every game for USA during their successful World Cup campaign in 2019. If she signs she’ll join fellow 2019 World Cup winners Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis at the club.18:18
LEITNER VOWS TO REMAIN PROFESSIONAL
Moritz Leitner has vowed to remain professional despite being frozen out at Norwich.
The 28-year-old has not played for the Sky Bet Championship leaders for a year and was told he could leave after the club were relegated from the Premier League last July.
Leitner’s last appearance came in an FA Cup win at Preston 12 months ago but, as he looks for a move, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder insisted he would stay calm.
He said: “My agent is in contact with various associations, there are exciting projects and discussions but we should only talk about it in concrete terms when there are facts to report. This is also what I understand by professionalism.
“Of course I’m dying to be back on the pitch, but as someone who has been involved in professional football for a long time, I’ve learned to deal with situations like this.
“The day will soon come when I can help a team again. I’m really looking forward to it and will do everything for it.”18:03
‘OZIL NEEDS TO ANSWER SOME PROPER QUESTIONS’
Kaveh Solhekol and Dharmesh Sheth shared their views on Mesut Ozil‘s Twitter Q&A during The Transfer Show.
Fenerbahce President Ali Koc has been quoted as saying they are “closer than before” when asked about Ozil.
Koc said last yesterday: “Mesut Ozil is still a dream. There are issues between Mesut and Arsenal. We are closer than before. We speak when the signatures are signed”.
POTTER ‘EXCITED’ BY TAU QUALITY
Percy Tau may get another chance to show Brighton what they have been missing in Wednesday’s Premier League game at Manchester City.
The South Africa forward made his belated Brighton debut off the bench in Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shoot-out win at Newport.
The 26-year-old has had three separate loan spells in Belgium since being signed in 2018 and only recently secured a work permit to play in the UK after being recalled to ease the Seagulls’ injury crisis.
“We’re excited of course, he’s only been with us a few days, but I think you can see his quality,” said boss Graham Potter.
“It’s a difficult environment for him to make his debut in, away at Rodney Parade, it’s a unique football environment there, but he just got on with it.
“You can see his ability and what he brings. We’re looking forward to getting to know him better and him getting to know us better.”17:47
GENOA CONFIRM SOKRATIS INTEREST
Genoa have confirmed their interest in Arsenal defender Sokratis.
Sky Italy are reporting Genoa are looking at alternatives and say Real Betis could now be favourites to sign him.
Sokratis has entered the final six months of his Arsenal contract.
17:30
MILAN INTERESTED IN TOMORI
AC Milan are interested in signing Chelsea‘s Fikayo Tomori, according to Sky Italy.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has hinted he would be prepared to let Tomori leave on loan this month, amid reported interest from Premier League clubs.
Speaking on January 10, Lampard said: “The situation with Fikayo is kind of open at the moment. There’s a possibility he could be going on loan to get games somewhere else. That would have to be the right solution for him and the club.”
However, Tomori is not believed to be AC Milan’s top target. The Serie A side are also keen on Strasbourg‘s 20-year-old defender Mohamed Simakan.
17:16
ANCELOTTI: I’LL LISTEN TO KEAN’S WISHES
Carlo Ancelotti says he will treat Moise Kean as a ‘human being’ and take into account if he wants to come back to Everton at the end of his season-long loan at Paris Saint-Germain.
Read Carlo Ancelotti’s interview in full
CREWE REJECT CARDIFF NG OFFER
Cardiff City’s offer of £250,000 plus add-ons for right-back Perry Ng has been rejected by Crewe Alexandra.
Ng is out of contract this summer.16:55
BALOGUN HEADING FOR EMIRATES EXIT?
As reported on The Transfer Show last night, a number of clubs – including Stuttgart – are interested in Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun is into the final six months of his Arsenal contract and can sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club.
Talks over a new deal with Arsenal have so far failed to reach a resolution and, as it stands, it looks increasingly likely Balogun will see out the remainder of his contract and leave for free in the summer.
16:35
TRANSFER TALK PODCAST: IS AOUAR THE LONG-TERM REPLACEMENT FOR OZIL?
Pete Graves and Dharmesh Sheth are joined by ESPN football expert Julien Laurens to discuss the job facing Mauricio Pochettino at PSG and what that could mean for the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe as well as the likelihood of a move for Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
Frank Lampard’s future at Chelsea is under scrutiny following a poor run of form, the panel assess whether the Blues need to once again back their boss in the transfer market or start looking for a replacement.
Is this the window Mesut Ozil finally leaves Arsenal? The panel touch upon that and if Lyon’s Houssem Aouar is the long-term replacement for the German.
Plus there’s news from Manchester United, Manchester City, West Ham, Leicester and much more, including Pete’s final thought, this week on free agent Diego Costa.
16:28
REAL LINING UP ‘FORMULA MBAPPE’
Real Madrid will reignite their interest in Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, according to the Spanish papers.
An exclusive report from Diario AS claims Madrid are working on an economic plan to sign Mbappe in 2021.
An option is to raise £90m by selling fringe players alongside an expected £720m in revenue when fans are permitted to return to the Santiago Bernabeu later this year.
15:54
MONDAY’S PL TRANSFER NEWS CLUB BY CLUB
The Transfer Show’s Dharmesh Sheth and Kaveh Solhekol bring you the latest transfer news from each of the Premier League’s 20 clubs.
BRIGHTON CLOSING ON CAICEDO
Brighton are closing on the £4.5m signing of Moises Caicedo from Independiente del Valle, according to the Daily Mail.
15:35
‘VALENCIA WANT WINKS ON LOAN’
Speaking on The Transfer Show, Kaveh Solhekol says La Liga side Valencia are interested in taking Tottenham’s Harry Winks on loan.
ALLARDYCE EYES GRENIER MOVE
Sam Allardyce wants French midfield star Clement Grenier to join West Brom’s survival fight, according to The Sun.
15:19
FENERBAHCE ‘CLOSER THAN BEFORE’ TO OZIL
The Daily Star say that Fenerbahce president Ali Koc has revealed the Turkish club are “closer than before” to landing Mesut Ozil’s signature ahead of the midfielder’s Arsenal exit.
15:15
PAPER TALK: ARSENAL SEARCHING FOR LENO BACK-UP
Good morning everyone, let’s kick things off with a round-up of the biggest stories making today’s back pages, starting with reports in the Daily Mail that Arsenal are looking to snap up a goalkeeper to play second fiddle to Bernd Leno with Alex Runarsson failing to convince.
06:44
‘OZIL NEEDS TO ANSWER SOME PROPER QUESTIONS’
Kaveh Solhekol and Dharmesh Sheth shared their views on Mesut Ozil’s Twitter Q&A during The Transfer Show.
Mesut Ozil has said “if I went to Turkey, I could only go to Fenerbahce” amid speculation the Turkish Super Lig club are interested in signing the Arsenal midfielder.
The 32-year-old’s representatives are currently in talks with a number of clubs, including Fenerbahce and DC United, over a move away from Arsenal, although the player’s priority is to see out his current contract until the summer.
Arsenal are yet to receive any direct contact from other clubs regarding the prospect of Ozil leaving this month. The playmaker has not featured for the Gunners since March last year after being omitted from manager Mikel Arteta’s Premier League and Europa League squads for the first half of this season.
FULL STORY05:31
MONDAY’S CLUB-BY-CLUB PREMIER LEAGUE TRANSFER UPDATE
CELTIC RECALL ROBERTSON
Celtic have recalled midfielder Scott Robertson from his loan at Gillingham to help out with their coronavirus issues.
The 19-year-old will go straight back into the depleted first team, which currently has 14 players self-isolating.02:04
BISHOP SIGNS NEW MAN UTD DEAL
Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop has signed a new deal until 2023, with the option of a further year.
The 21-year-old shot-stopper made 39 first-team appearances for Southend before completing a surprise switch to Old Trafford last January.
Bishop has yet to make his first-team debut but has signed extended terms, with United saying he “will shortly head out on loan to further enhance his experience”.01:30
TRANSFER TALK PODCAST: IS AOUAR THE LONG-TERM REPLACEMENT FOR OZIL?
Pete Graves and Dharmesh Sheth are joined by ESPN football expert Julien Laurens to discuss the job facing Mauricio Pochettino at PSG and what that could mean for the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe as well as the likelihood of a move for Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
Frank Lampard’s future at Chelsea is under scrutiny following a poor run of form, the panel assess whether the Blues need to once again back their boss in the transfer market or start looking for a replacement.
Is this the window Mesut Ozil finally leaves Arsenal? The panel touch upon that and if Lyon’s Houssem Aouar is the long-term replacement for the German.
Plus there’s news from Manchester United, Manchester City, West Ham, Leicester and much more, including Pete’s final thought, this week on free agent Diego Costa.
01:25
RUNARSSON LEAVING ALREADY?
Dharmesh Sheth tells the Transfer Show:
“A departure for Runarsson hasn’t been ruled out. Arteta said today they will be looking at the goalkeeping department this month.
“What they had planned to do in the summer didn’t come to fruition, so it looks like they may be looking at bringing in another one. They were close to signing Brentford’s David Raya, let’s see if they go back in for him.”01:20
OZIL FUTURE TO BE REVEALED?
Kaveh Solhekol tells the Transfer Show:
“We’ve got Mesut Ozil, not playing for Arsenal despite earning £350,000 a week, with his contract up in the summer, Fenerbahce and DC United are interested in signing him, and he’s been teasing his Twitter followers since last night saying he’s doing a Q&A which will start at 6pm today.
“In the past, these kind of Q&As have been pretty sterile, he can dodge anything difficult, we’ve had fans asking him who his favourite Arsenal player is, and hopefully this evening he will take some tougher questions – he’s said he’s going to be talking about the past, the present and the future.
“If you’re an Arsenal fan, you’re hoping he’s going to say he’s leaving and Arsenal can get his £350,000-a-week wages off their books somehow. Of course, he wants to be paid and his agent does too, though.”01:16
THE SKY SPORTS EFL PODCAST
Jonathan Oakes is joined by pundit Keith Andrews and presenter David Prutton to take a look at all the action from the weekend – including some important results in League One and League Two and some big performances from EFL sides in the FA Cup.
We also hear from veteran Derby forward Colin Kazim-Richards as he takes on Ten To Tackle to discuss his fascinating nomadic career, while the podcast also looks at all the latest managerial departures and biggest transfer deals so far in the January window.
All that and much more!
Listen to the latest episode of the Sky Sports EFL Podcast below for free or search ‘Sky EFL’ to listen & subscribe via your regular podcast provider.
01:06
BLACKBURN BID FOR PICKERING
Blackburn Rovers have bid for Crewe’s promising left back Harry Pickering.
Tony Mowbray wants to strengthen his defensive options, and it is believed the 22-year-old could cost around £750k.00:57
THE NEIL DEAL?
Sunderland are considering sending fringe midfielder Dan Neil out on loan, with a number of Football League clubs interested in the 19-year-old.
Lee Johnson told the Sunderland Echo: “It’s the ones like Dan Neil who you look at, who I really like, but you look at his chances which might be limited between now and the end of the season and that becomes a possibility.
“Only for our long-term future, and his, because he’s a player I like.”00:22
VALENCIA INTERESTED IN WINKS LOAN
Valencia interested in a loan move for Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks.
Sky Sports News understands they are keen on a loan with option to buy. However, no formal offer has been made to Tottenham at this stage.
Tottenham do not want to let the England international leave the club.00:10
AUSTIN SET FOR SECOND QPR DEBUT
QPR boss Mark Warburton is ready to unleash Charlie Austin on the Championship.
Striker Austin has rejoined Rangers, for whom he scored 48 goals in 89 appearances between 2013 and 2016, on loan from West Brom.
Warburton is set to pitch the 31-year-old straight in at Luton in Tuesday night’s rearranged clash.
“Charlie is quality, he’s well known at the club and he’s a proven goalscorer,” Warburton told the club website.
“He’ll help us on the pitch and off the pitch as well in mentoring the young strikers, and he wants to do that.
“It’s healthy competition for places and I have no doubt he will have an impact on and off the pitch. Charlie will be in the squad for tomorrow night, all being well.”
23:58
STOKE IN ADVANCED TALKS WITH DOUGHTY
Stoke City are in advanced talks with Charlton Athletic winger Alfie Doughty.
The 21-year-old is the subject of three bids of around £650,000 from Championship clubs, including QPR and Bournemouth – but Stoke are believed to be leading the race for his signature.
Any deal will see Doughty loaned back to Charlton, as he recovers from a hamstring injury which will keep him out until March.
Celtic and Rangers are also keen on the player and have been in contact over potential pre-contract agreements.23:50
‘LIVERPOOL WILL PONDER CENTRE-BACK OPTIONS
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano provides an update on Liverpool‘s transfer pursuits as part of a regular feature for the January transfer window.
Speaking on Sky Sports News’ ‘Transfer Talk’, he also has news on reported Arsenal target Julian Brandt and a sensational move involving former Brazil, Inter and Manchester City right-back Maicon…
Read Fabrizio Romano’s weekly transfer column
PORT VALE SECURE TAYLOR DEAL
Port Vale have announced the signing of midfielder Jake Taylor from Nottingham Forest on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
The 22-year-old returns having previously had a loan stint with Vale last season.
Taylor made 25 appearances in all competitions for the club during that spell, scoring seven goals.
He has subsequently been on loan at Vale’s Sky Bet League Two rivals Scunthorpe this term, playing 14 times for the Iron.
23:26
ARTETA: NO OZIL DECISION YE
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says there has been no change in Mesut Ozil‘s situation at Arsenal.
LEVERKUSEN FACE FOSU-MENSAH COMPETITION
Bayer Leverkusen are in talks to sign Timothy Fosu-Mensah from Manchester United – but face competition from Ajax.
The defender is out of contract at Old Trafford in the summer and has rejected the offer of a new contract in order to seek more first-team football elsewhere.
Last week Sky Sports News revealed that Fosu-Mensah was exploring his options amid interest from Hertha Berlin and Marseille, following the United offer.
Leverkusen and Ajax have since come in for the Netherlands international and are trying to sign him on a permanent basis.
The German club are said to be leading the race for his signature but Fosu-Mensah has a soft spot for Ajax, having spent time there as a youth player.
Leverkusen have also spoken to United about a loan deal for Brandon Williams but they have not yet decided whether or not to let him leave this month. 22:30
YOUNG, SMITH END TRANMERE LOANS
Tranmere have announced midfielder Jack Young and forward Sam Smith have returned to Newcastle and Reading respectively.
Young, 20, and Smith, 22, had both been on loan at Rovers since October, making five Sky Bet League Two appearances each for the club.
While Smith joined on loan until January, Young had been signed on a deal running to the end of the season.22:23
FOREST GREEN SIGN HUTCHINSON ON LOAN
Sky Bet League Two club Forest Green have signed Derby youngster Isaac Hutchinson on loan until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old has experience in the fourth tier of English football with Southend and left the Blues earlier this season to sign for the Rams.
Hutchinson made his debut for Derby in Saturday’s FA Cup defeat at Chorley after their first-team squad suffered a coronavirus outbreak, but will swap under-23 football for League Two and cannot wait to get started.
“I’m really excited. As soon as I heard of the opportunity to join the club, I was buzzing to get the move done,” the midfielder told the official club website.
“I spoke to the head coach (Mark Cooper) and loved everything that he had to say. In the Under-23s league, you don’t get to play week in, week out – so I am really excited to start playing regularly.”
22:16
ARE WE SET FOR A BUSY WINDOW?
The total money spend in previous transfer windows shows that £465.2m was spent by Premier League clubs during the 2018 January transfer window. We will get close to that figure this time around?
Significantly more has been spent after 11 days than at the same stage last year, but it is still way down on the window which saw Virgil van Dijk head to Liverpool…
22:13
‘SPURS KEEN ON GONZALEZ’
Tottenham are in talks to sign Stuttgart winger Nicolas Gonzalez, according to The Athletic.
Gonzalez scored eight goals in nine matches to help Stuttgart earn promotion back to the Bundesliga last season, and he has now scored five goals in 10 Bundesliga games this campaign.
Leeds have previously expressed an interest, but a switch to Spurs may depend on whether they can fight off interest from Juventus. Preliminary talks have reportedly started with the 22-year-old.
21:59
HAS OZIL BEEN DROPPING FENERBAHCE HINTS?
Good Morning Transfers team discuss Mesut Ozil‘s social media activity which could hint at a potential move from Arsenal to Fenerbahce.
‘LIVERPOOL SIGNING UPAMECANO IMPOSSIBLE’
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano:
“Jurgen Klopp has been so honest when he spoke about not doing business in this market. Not always are they honest, but he was on this occasion. “He is looking for opportunities, but spending £60m on Dayot Upamecano or this kind of centre-back is absolutely impossible in this window for Liverpool.
f they have a good opportunity, they will think about it in the coming weeks. But if not, I’m sure Liverpool will stay with this squad and look to extend the contract of Virgil van Dijk.
“They will look into opening negotiations on a new deal and then next summer they will also look to sign a player in defence.”
21:42
SMITH LEAVES SALFORD
Salford have announced that midfielder Martin Smith has left the club by mutual consent.
Smith joined the club in 2019 but found his first team opportunities limited and spent much of last season on loan at Crawley.
The League Two club said in a statement: “We would like to thank Martin for his contribution, and wish him well for his future career.”21:37
COULD MAN UTD PLAYERS LEAVE THIS WINDOW?
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano:
“I think there will be departures. Timothy Fosu-Mensah doesn’t want to extend his contract, so at the moment he is negotiating with Bayer Leverkusen. The agreement is really close. I’m told this only a few minutes ago from people who are around the player so Fosu-Mensah will leave immediately.
“We have to keep an eye on the respective situations of Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo. They’re not going to extend their contracts which is why many clubs are seeing if they can leave immediately or as a free agent next summer.”
21:31
RANGERS INTERESTED IN DONS’ WRIGHT
Rangers will make an approach for Aberdeen player Scott Wright.
Wright is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to agree terms on a new deal at Pittodrie.
Rangers could offer the 23-year-old a pre-contract now but we understand they are looking to do a deal in this window.21:29
AN ‘OPEN RACE’ FOR CAICEDO
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano:
“Manchester United were talking with Moises Caicedo‘s agent for many weeks, but they decided against signing another young player as part of their strategy.
“They’re not going for Caicedo, but I expect him to move to the Premier League but he did receive a bid from Italy and MLS.
“His dream has always been to play in the Premier League and Brighton are trying. They made an official bid some days ago, while Newcastle have also tried to talk with his agent. It is an open race for Caicedo.
“He’s a talented midfielder so a lot of clubs are interested. He’s not decided yet on his future but I think we’ll find out a lot more in the next couple of weeks.”
21:17
COULD ARSENAL MOVE FOR BRANDT?
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano:
“When it comes to German clubs, it’s never easy to negotiate in two or three weeks. It won’t be easy in this case and Borussia Dortmund never like to sell or negotiate in January. With the injury of Axel Witsel, it will be really difficult to sign Julian Brandt at this moment.
“Arsenal have been following the player for many months, but it will be hard to sign him in January. I can’t see him leaving Dortmund this month.”
