PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are looking to get last-minute deals over the line with the transfer window closing on Monday night.
Top-flight sides will need to get their business done before 11pm, or be left scouring the free agent list.
And one side who are really going for it this January are Aston Villa, who have reportedly had a £20m bid for Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur rejected.
Meanwhile we've the very latest on Luis Diaz, who looks set to join Liverpool after reportedly snubbing Tottenham.
While Palmeiras are preparing to slap a whopping £83MILLION release clause in 15-year-old sensation Endrick Felipe’s contract, according to reports.
And we bring you the very latest from Stamford Bridge, where a number of stars could be coming and going over the weekend.
Follow ALL the latest transfer gossip and news with our live blog below…
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- Jake Lambourne
Transfer news
Liverpool are tipped to pip Spurs to £45million winger Luis Diaz – after Juventus beat Arsenal to £62m Dusan Vlahovic.
Porto’s Colombia superstar Diaz would reportedly prefer to join Jurgen Klopp’s second-placed Premier Leaguers than Antonio Conte’s stutterers.
And Serbia goal machine Vlahovic sealed his predicted switch to Juve from Fiorentina on his 22nd birthday.
The Gunners hoped to lure him with a huge salary and add-ons but he wanted to stay in Italy.
Meanwhile, midfielder Paul Pogba could stay at Manchester United – IF Ralf Rangick remains manager.
And Newcastle are expected to make THREE signings before the transfer window closes on Monday.
Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes tops the list of targets, with Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah and Brighton defender Dan Burn also contenders.
Wolves are battling to keep hold of Red Devils and Gunners' target Ruben Neves.
United have bid £35m but Wolves hope to keep the Portugal midfielder until at least the end of the summer.
The Red Devils also believe Dutchman Donny van de Beek could switch to Crystal Palace on loan this weekend.
Finally, ex-England and Arsenal playmaker Jack Wilshere has attracted transfer interest from Championship and overseas clubs.
- Ian Tuckey
Red Devils linked to Dom
Could Manchester United muscle in for reported Arsenal and Newcastle target Dominic Calvert-Lewin?
That’s the speculation tonight over Everton’s England striker, 24.
But any move for Calvert-Lewin is unlikely to come before the summer.
The 11-cap star is under contract until 2025.
But the Manchester Evening News is among media outlets suggesting the Toffees might decide to cash in on one of the Premier League’s most reliable marksmen of the current decade.
The MEN claim the Toffees are ‘shackled’ by Financial Fair Play rules due to ‘reckless spending’ in recent years.
- Ian Tuckey
Lamps heading for Everton
Frank Lampard is closing in on a return to management after being offered the Everton job.
The Chelsea legend impressed Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri in his second interview and should be in charge in time for next Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Brentford.
Fans’ choice Lamps was preferred to Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira, who also had a second interview on Friday, and caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson.
Lampard has been out of management for a year after being sacked by Chelsea in January 2021.
His job offer came at a late night board meeting – and after Wayne Rooney revealed he’d snubbed the chance to manage his boyhood club.
Goodison chiefs also wanted to interview the Derby boss for vacant job following Rafa Benitez’s sacking.
But Rooney said: “Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the job, which I turned down.
“It was a very difficult decision for me, but that's where we’re at."
- Ian Tuckey
Wil he land deal?
Jack Wilshere has attracted transfer interest from various Championship clubs as well as teams from abroad after keeping fit with Arsenal.
In a bid to keep his fitness levels up, the 30-year-old has been working with the Gunners for the past few months and has also been involved in their warm weather training camp in the UAE.
According to reports from football.london, a host of Championship clubs are looking to secure his signature.
A move to Italy or Greece could also be on the cards with Serie B side Monza and AEK Athens among the former England midfielder’s admirers.
- Ian Tuckey
Ful of hope to keep Kop target Carvalho
Marco Silva revealed it has been “difficult” to encourage Fabio Carvalho to sign a new contract at Fulham amid increased interest from Liverpool.
But the Cottagers boss is confident the Portuguese whizkid, 19, will stay put this month despite the Reds being keen to hash out a January deal.
Fulham’s Fabio Carvalho scores wonder goal in U21 match
Carvalho, on seven goals and two assists this term, rejected an extension in November and will be a free agent when his deal expires at the end of the campaign.
Silva said: “Fab will be with us until the end of the season.
“I would like, except is not the right word, I would like to see him play for us at Fulham football club.
“I will not lie, it has been difficult for us to renew.
“Of course we are trying to do our best but it has been difficult. When you have a player of this talent and at this level last year of contract it is difficult to keep him with contract.
“Without a contract it is even worse. What I can tell you right now is that Fabio will be with us until the end of the season."
- Ian Tuckey
EXCLUSIVE: Pog happy to stay… if Ralf remains boss
Paul Pogba is open to staying at Manchester United – if Ralf Rangnick remains as boss.
The midfielder has been so impressed with the new Red Devils manager during a number of talks with him that he is ready to make u-turn rather than leave the club on a free in the summer.
France World Cup winner Pogba is yet to play for Rangnick due to a thigh injury picked up on international duty at the start of November.
But the manager’s vision of the future and the part Pogba can play in it at United has won over the player.
Former managers Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could not find the key to unlock Pogba’s best form for the Red Devils in the seasons following his then world record £89million move from Juventus in 2016.
Now Rangnick has started to convince the four-time Serie A winner that he can build a midfield and indeed a team around him.
Rangnick also believes Pogba could prove a galvanising force behind the scenes.
A number of cliques have started to develop in the squad but Pogba remains popular with all his teammates and he would be inspired by this new leadership role.
- Ian Tuckey
EXCLUSIVE: Zola fears Chelsea trio leaving
It is not often that a conversation with Gianfranco Zola brings Meat Loaf to mind.
But that truly awful song — even by the standards of dreary rock ballads — Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, is what Zola thinks Thomas Tuchel should aim for from his defensive dilemma.
Loyal club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, aggressive campaigner Antonio Rudiger and silky Andreas Christensen are free to talk to rivals and could walk away come May, ripping the heart out of Tuchel’s back line.
Chelsea’s German manager has to juggle finances, emotion and the harsh world of professional football to pick a way out of the problem.
If Tuchel and the people above him do not move fast, Chelsea will be forced into a major reshuffle at the back with the squad on the cusp of something special.
Former Chelsea striker and assistant boss Zola admits finding a solution is one of the toughest challenges Tuchel will face in his time as head coach.
The man voted Chelsea’s best ever player by the fans said: “It’s a particular situation because they are three players from the same position.
“We are talking about two of them being key players and have been very successful at the club. Right now, they are playing all the time — that is Rudiger and Azpilicueta.
“The third one hasn’t played as much but is the youngest. At the same time you don’t want to lose a good prospect like Christensen."
- Ian Tuckey
Roo won't be at Derby for Ever
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has confirmed he turned down the chance to interview for the Everton job, but the Derby boss vowed to manage in the Premier League one day.
Rooney was heavily linked with an emotional return to Goodison Park following Rafa Benitez’s sacking.
And he revealed the Toffees did make contact to sound him out – but they were given a strong rebuff by the Rams chief.
Rooney said: “Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the vacant job which I turned down.
“I believe I will be a Premier League manager and am ready for that 100 per cent.
“I have a job here at Derby I am doing, which is an important job to me and that means me getting the team ready for Sunday.”
- Ian Tuckey
Toon trip ends in farce
Newcastle's winter break in Saudi Arabia ended in farce when Ciaran Clark was sent off for punching an opponent during a friendly.
The defender was shown a straight red after lashing out at Al-Ittihad striker Abdo Hamdallah, who was also shown his marching order following the “tangle”.
Toon won 2-1 thanks to goals from Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser before they fly back to Tyneside on Saturday.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe had earlier said that the training camp in Jeddah had been a resounding success with the squad bonding in the Saudi desert and meeting with the new owners.
But they return to the UK on a sour note after Clark, 32, was shown red in front of co-owner Amanda Staveley, Saudi dignitaries and the UK’s Saudi ambassador Neil Crompton.
The Ireland defender was all smiles at the end as he was pictured beaming alongside Hamdallah.
And Howe said: “There is no need for the red card. The referee could have dealt with it in a different way, but by the book, it’s probably the right decision.”
- Ian Tuckey
Toon tipped to land Nketiah in triple swoop
Newcastle are expected to welcome THREE new faces before the end of the January transfer window, according to reports.
Eddie Howe has already brought in Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier and Burnley striker Chris Wood.
But a lot more could be on the way.
The Telegraph are reporting that Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah, Brighton defender Dan Burn and Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes are all close to joining the Magpies at St James’ Park.
Newcastle have quietly been working away on a deal for Nketiah – who is out of contract at the Emirates in the summer.
Talks are continuing with Arsenal, but a deal may not be agreed until Mikel Arteta can secure a suitable replacement.
Howe is keen to bring in a striker following Calum Wilson’s calf injury – which is expected to leave him sidelined until March.
Meanwhile, a first bid for Brighton man Burn was rejected by the south coast outfit.
However, Howe and Co have been encouraged to make another offer to prise the 29-year-old away from Graham Potter’s squad.
And 24-year-old Guimaraes, who has been capped three times by Brazil, will undergo a medical at Newcastle on Friday.
- Ian Tuckey
Wolves fight to keep Arsenal & Utd target Neves
Wolves are battling to keep Manchester United and Arsenal target Ruben Neves, reports say.
SunSport revealed the Red Devils have bid £35million for the Portugal midfielder.
But it’s claimed tonight Wolves want more and also believe they can keep the 24-year-old until at least the summer.
The former Porto superstar has two years left on his Molineux contract.
Credit: Alamy - Ian Tuckey
Bees probe Toney's alleged X-rated rant at club
Brentford are investigating a video of Ivan Toney appearing to say “f*** Brentford” on social media.
The £30million-rated forward is currently in Dubai with teammate Bryan Mbeumo during the Premier League's winter break.
Ivan Toney could be in hot water as Brentford probe video of striker apparently making X-rated outburst at club
The West London club told SunSport: “Brentford FC are aware of the video and are investigating.”
The video has gone viral on social media with some Bees fans fuming for a response from the highly-rated striker.
Toney, 25, became a fan favourite after breaking the Championship goal scoring record with 31 goals last term.
- Ian Tuckey
Juve fans swarm to welcome Dusan
Dusan Vlahovic has completed his Juventus move after rejecting Arsenal to seal a £62million deal from Fiorentina.
The Serbian striker was one of the Gunners’ top targets this month, as a replacement for the exiled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The 22-year-old would have been offered a huge salary and add-on incentives to seal a move to Mikel Arteta’s side.
But he has snubbed a switch to North London to join the Italian giants and become their next superstar forward.
Vlahovic’s move to Juventus also includes around £6m in add-ons, including goal bonuses and appearance fees.
Dusan Vlahovic swarmed by fans as he arrives at Juventus for medical after rejecting Arsenal to seal £62m transfer
He has scored 20 goals in 24 appearances already this season and is one of the hottest strikers in world football at present.
Arsenal will have to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline day.
The Gunners were linked with PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo, who has also attracted interest from Liverpool.
- Ian Tuckey
Klopp tipped to beat Conte to Diaz
Liverpool are rated favourites to land Tottenham target Luis Diaz.
It’s thought the Reds have nipped in with a £45milion bid for Porto’s Colombia winger.
And the 25-year-old would reportedly prefer to join Jurgen Klopp’s second-placed Premier Leaguers than Antonio Conte’s Spurs, who are stuttering in seventh.
Credit: Getty - Ian Tuckey
Carlos Kopped Diaz talent
Liverpool transfer target Luis Diaz was discovered by Colombia legend Carlos Valderrama before becoming a star at Porto.
As a kid, Diaz grew up in the small village of Barrancas in the Wayuu tribe of the indigenous people of Colombia.
The ethnic group mostly live in the arid Guajira Peninsula close to the border with Venezuela, on the Caribbean coast.
His opportunity to break out of his humble surroundings came at the 2015 Copa Americana de Pueblos Indígenas, a South American football tournament for indigenous people.
There, he impressed World Cup legend Carlos Valderrama and went on trial at first division Atletico Junior before he was immediately sent to farm team Barranquilla FC.
However, he had to be placed on a special diet to gain weight after suffering with malnutrition.
But it didn’t stop Diaz from becoming a superstar at Porto, as well as top scorer at last year’s Copa America along with Lionel Messi.
- Ian Tuckey
Man Lew-nited?
Could Manchester United muscle in for reported Arsenal and Newcastle target Dominic Calvert-Lewin?
That’s the speculation tonight over Everton’s England striker, 24.
But any move for Calvert-Lewin is unlikely to come before the summer.
The 11-cap star is under contract until 2025.
But the Manchester Evening News is among media outlets suggesting the Toffees might decide to cash in on one of the Premier League’s most reliable marksmen of the current decade.
The MEN claim the Toffees are ‘shackled’ by Financial Fair Play rules due to ‘reckless spending’ in recent years.
- Ian Tuckey
Man Lew-nited?
Could Manchester United muscle in for reported Arsenal and Newcastle target Dominic Calvert-Lewin?
That’s the speculation tonight over Everton’s England striker, 24.
But any move for Calvert-Lewin is unlikely to come before the summer.
The 11-cap star is under contract until 2025.
But the Manchester Evening News is among media outlets suggesting the Toffees might decide to cash in on one of the Premier League’s most reliable marksmen of the current decade.
The MEN claim the Toffees are ‘shackled’ by Financial Fair Play rules due to ‘reckless spending’ in recent years.
- Ian Tuckey
Top Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe has been Arsenal’s star player so far this season – and is top of the Prem when it comes to overperforming.
The Gunners began their Premier League campaign with three defeats in a row as some fans tipped them to become embroiled in a relegation battle.
But since then Mikel Arteta‘s men have started to find their feet and are now in a fight to finish in the top four.
And Smile Rowe is almost single-handedly responsible for much of the good feeling around the Emirates at the moment.
He has scored nine goals and provided two assists in all competitions – stepping up to the plate at crucial times for Arsenal.
The 21-year-old is the North London outfit’s top scorer, two ahead of Bukayo Saka and outcast captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.about:blank
And Smith Rowe’s impressive statistics look even more incredible when you analyse just how much he is overperforming by.
The England international, who received his first call-up to Gareth Southgate’s squad in November of last year, has the best goals to expected goals ratio of any player in the Prem.
In the league, he has netted eight times from an xG of just 3.6.
That’s a better return than the likes of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Man City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne – who have a goals to XG of 3.5 and 3 respectively.
The best in the Prem aside from Smith Rowe when it comes to this measurement is Burnley striker Maxwel Cornet with a score of 4 – following six goals from an xG of 2.
- Ian Tuckey
Carroll swaps Royals for Baggies
Ex-Liverpool ace Andy Carroll has officially completed a move to West Brom until the end of the season.
The striker recently left Reading upon the expiry of his short-term deal.
Carroll, 33, had joined the Royals on just £1,000-a-week as he aimed to prove his fitness and quality.
And he has impressed enough in his eight Championship outings to bag himself a deal at high-flying West Brom.
West Brom have moved for Carroll following the injury to new January signing Daryl Dike.
- Ian Tuckey
Toffees should Penna deal for Auba
Jermaine Pennant reckons Everton should try and sign Arsenal ace Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.
Speaking to BestOfBets, Pennant said: “Although Pierre is a great footballer, something really bad obviously happened at Arsenal – serious enough to strip his of captaincy – and this may work as a deterrent for some clubs.
“But…there will be some teams out there, such as Everton, who require a big name striker to help them.
“So, that can play in his favour, because he’s a big name, and he can score goals.”
- Ian Tuckey
Juventus beat Arsenal to Vlahovic
Arsenal’s main target Dusan Vlahovic has joined Juventus from Fiorentina.
The Gunners have reportedly been in talks for weeks over the Serbia striker, who is 22 today, but he wanted to stay in Italy.
- Ian Tuckey
Swans close on Etihad starlet Burns
Manchester City centre-back Finley Burns is expected to join Swansea on loan.
The 18-year-old Londoner featured in the Carabao Cup for City earlier this season and two weeks ago signed a new five-year contract.
- Ian Tuckey
Toon tipped to land trio
Newcastle are expected to welcome THREE new faces before the end of the January transfer window, according to reports.
Eddie Howe has already brought in Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier and Burnley striker Chris Wood.
But a lot more could be on the way.
The Telegraph are reporting that Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah, Brighton defender Dan Burn and Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes are all close to joining the Magpies at St James' Park.
Newcastle have quietly been working away on a deal for Nketiah – who is out of contract at the Emirates in the summer.
Talks are continuing with Arsenal, but a deal may not be agreed until Mikel Arteta can secure a suitable replacement.
Howe is keen to bring in a striker following Calum Wilson's calf injury – which is expected to leave him sidelined until March.
Meanwhile, a first bid for Brighton man Burn was rejected by the south coast outfit.
However, Howe and Co have been encouraged to make another offer to prise the 29-year-old away from Graham Potter's squad.
And 24-year-old Guimaraes, who has been capped three times by Brazil, will undergo a medical at Newcastle on Friday.
- Ian Tuckey
Bru knows who Toon are signing
Eddie Howe did not name Bruno Guimaraes but confirmed Newcastle are closing in on a new signing.
Toon have had a bid totalling £40million accepted by Lyon, with the Brazilian midfielder set for a medical today in his home country.
Guimaraes, 24, was on the bench on Thursday night as the Samba stars drew 1-1 in Ecuador in a crazy game.
He will be the Magpies’ third addition following the signings of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood, and Howe is still hoping for more before the transfer window closes on Monday night.
Talks are progressing over a move for Brighton defender Dan Burn while the Mags are still interested in completing a late loan deal for Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard.
Speaking from their training camp in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Newcastle boss said: “We are hopeful we're getting closer to completing a transfer for a player. Fingers crossed, we're close.
“If we get it over the line, we’ll be in a much better place. “And I don’t imagine that will be the end of our interest in bringing new players in.
“The last couple of days can be unpredictable but we’re open and working hard to improve the squad to stay in the league.
“The loan market is always an option and, usually, those deals come later in the window. “We’re quite prepared to react and maybe make a quick decision on something that appears late.”
- Ian Tuckey
‘Reds must target Bellingham’
Liverpool have been urged to go all-out for Manchester United ‘target’ and ‘next Steven Gerrard’ Jude Bellingham.
Borussia Dortmund’s England winger, `18, is expected to be eyed by a strong of European giants next summer.
And ex-Liverpool and Arsenal wideman Jermaine Pennant believes Bellingham is the perfect fit for Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp.
Credit: Getty Pennant told BestofBets.com: “He’s an incredible fantastic young talent; he reminds me of a young Steven Gerard.
“For a young kid like that, he’s built well, he’s not scared of a challenge, he can get up the pitch, he can score, he can assist, he can also do the defensive side of it.
“I really think Klopp would get so much out of him, and nurture him, and progress his career like he has done with the players that he’s got now.
“And I think in that midfield, he will give that little bit extra, because creativity wise, Liverpool’s midfield is more defensive minded… but someone like Jude Bellingham may be the key to create that super squad.
“So yes – they should really do all they can to get him.”
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