Welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Saturday, January 3.
We have already seen a few big moves go through during the winter window, and many more are expected to be finalised in the coming days as teams up and down the land look to bring in new recruits.
Stick with us as we keep you up-to-date with all the latest rumours and speculation, as well as any done deals completed throughout the day.
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Good morning all. The January transfer window is now officially open as teams up and down the land look to make vital signings in order to boost them in the second-half of the season. It might be the weekend but several big moves could be done today, such as Lukas Podolski's loan to Inter Milan or Andrej Kramaric's move to Chelsea and we will be sure to keep you updated with any movement throughout the day.
A high profile deal could be announced today, with Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski in Italy in order to complete his loan move to Inter Milan. The German is believed to have grown frustrated at his lack of football at the Gunners, and is hoping to revive his season under Roberto Mancini at the San Siro.
Perhaps the biggest spenders in the January window will be Manchester United, who spent over £150m in the summer. This morning, they are linked with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. The German is out of contract next summer and the Bundesliga giants reportedly want to cash in while they can, which has put the likes of United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool on alert.
Fresh reports this morning are linking Manchester City with Atletico Madrid defender Jose Giminez. Sources say that the Premier League champions have had a bid turned down for the 19-year-old, who has also been attracting interest from Mancheter United.
It's time for the Sports Mole Transfer Talk Update this morning, which includes news on Lukas Podolski, Ilkay Gundogan, Ched Evans, Steven Gerrard and Bafetimbi Gomis. To read it, click here.
So, where will Steven Gerrard end up after his shock announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season? The hot favourites are MLS side LA Galaxy, but they have said they have not spoken to the former England captain. Meanwhile, Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has said that he is very welcome at the Saints: "I am serious- if he likes to continue football in England, he can come".
Gundogan to Manchester United? Gimenez to Manchester City? Gerrard to...Southampton? There are plenty of juicy stories on the first day of the January transfer window, and there will be more to come throughout the day. Here is Sam McEvoy to take you through the rest of the morning.
Thanks Charlie. Morning folks, I'll be taking you through to midday with all the latest transfer news and gossip as it happens.
DONE DEAL! Here is confirmation that Alan Pardew has been appointed as Crystal Palace's new manager.
Reports are suggesting that Juventus are being offered the services of Wesley Sneijder but are apparently waiting on the availability of Bayern Munich's Xherdan Shaqiri. The winger is also being linked with several other clubs including Inter Milan and Liverpool.
Could Steve Bruce be looking to add to his defensive options? Well, according to reports, the Hull City boss is looking at Sheffield Wednesday's Tom Lees and could entice the Championship club into selling the defender with a player-plus-cash offer.
Steven Gerrard has confirmed he will make a summer move to the MLS. Follow the updates here as we get them.
That's all from me. I'm going to put you into the trusted hands of Sian Cowper, as she will take you through to the early evening. Over to you Sian.
Thanks Sam! Let's start with news of a potential Premier League goalkeeper move. Leicester City will reportedly bring in Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer on a short-term deal as cover for injured number one Kasper Schmeichel.
One player attracting plenty of attention is Ipswich Town's Tyrone Mings. The 21-year-old has been linked with Premier League sides Chelsea and Arsenal, but he has said that he does not expect to move in January.
It looks like Hatem Ben Arfa's time as a Newcastle United player is all but over. French club Nice have announced that they have reached an agreement with the Magpies to sign the winger, subject to a medical, which he will undergo on Monday.
While it was confirmed earlier that Steven Gerrard will be heading to the MLS when he leaves Liverpool, it looks like the Reds could be gaining a player from the North American league, as Toronto have reportedly offered striker Jermain Defoe to Bendan Rodgers's side.
Crystal Palace finally confirmed the appointment of Alan Pardew as their new manager earlier today, and the boss started his reign by announced that the club need to sign "a player or two" during this month's transfer window.
Former Newcastle and Sunderland striker Michael Chopra is currently a free agent after coming to the end of a stint in the Indian Premier League. According to reports, Coventry City, Crawley Town and Rotherham United are all interested in signing the 31-year-old.
Millwall's Scott Malone could be moving elsewhere in the Championship, as the 23-year-old has been given permission to speak with Cardiff City.
Chelsea's Under-21 side are the current youth league champions, but it appears that the club is keen for the players to see more first-team action. John Swift will spent the rest of the season with Swindon Town, while Alex Kiwomya will spend the next month with Barnsley.
Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Bakary Sako is currently away with his national side, Mali, for this month's Africa Cup of Nations. Manager Kenny Jackett admits that the tournament could lead to more interest from other clubs if Sako continues his current run of form.
Former Sheffield United striker Ched Evans, who was released from prison after serving time for a rape conviction in October, was offered a contract by Maltese side Hibernians according to the club's vice-president last night. However, a spokesperson for the 26-year-old has denied that he has received such an offer.
Well that's all from me for now, but don't go anywhere as Daniel Lewis will be here throughout the afternoon to keep you up to date.
Thanks Sian. I'll begin by bringing you some news regarding Lukas Podolski, who has moved another step closer to joining Inter Milan this afternoon. The Arsenal fans favourite has taken to Instagram to thank supporters for all their kind words with a move to the Italian capital now imminent. More on that can be found right here.
Uma foto publicada por @Podolski10 (@poldi_official) em
We are expecting plenty of deals to be completed throughout this afternoon, and the latest move to go through is that of Eljero Elia who has joined Southampton on loan from Werder Bremen. The Dutch winger featured in last summer's World Cup, although having fallen down the pecking order at Bremen he has now opted to make a switch to the Premier League.
Time to bring you some transfer news from the Football League, with Brentford revealing this afternoon that defender Alfie Mawson has extended his loan stay at Wycombe Wanderers until the end of the season.
We already have one of the big will-he won't-he sagas of the January transfer window in the shape of Bayern Munich midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri. He is reportedly involved in a tug-of-war between a move to Liverpool and Juventus, although it is the Reds who could be on the brink of signing the Swiss World Cup Star. More on that developing story can be found here.
Cristiano Ronaldo was strongly linked with a return to Manchester United during the past couple of transfer windows, although former coach Mike Phelan believes that the Portuguese is unlikely to return to Old Trafford anytime soon. Read his comments in full right here.
Could veteran striker Jason Scotland be coming to a club near you this January? He has today had his contract terminated by Scottish Premier League outfit Hamilton Academical having made just three starts all season.
Real Sociedad manager David Moyes was spotted at a few Premier League grounds during the festive period, and he has now revealed that he spent his time back in the UK looking for some potential January signings. Adnan Januzaj to Sociedad, anyone? Read the former Manchester United gaffer's comments in full here.
He may be off on Africa Cup of Nations duty this month, but that has not stopped speculation mountings with potential suitors for Wilfried Bony. The Swansea City striker scored more goals than any other player in the Premier League during the last calendar year, so it's perhaps unsurprising to see him linked with the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid.
One side who could have landed the Ivorian a couple of years back, however, is fellow top-flight side West Ham United, although the club declined the chance to sign him for a cut-price offer of £8m, according to co-chairman David Sullivan.
Read his latest comments on the situation right here.
West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis has been speaking to reporters following his side's one-sided affair against Gateshead this afternoon, revealing that the club has yet to receive any offers for striker Saido Berahino.
The English youngster is reportedly a £20m target for Tottenham Hotspur this January, but the new Baggies boss remains confident that he can keep hold of his star man.
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DONE DEAL! Ajax have announced that they have signed teenage goalkeeper Andre Onana on a three-year deal from Barcelona.
It's time for me to hand you back over to Daniel Lewis now, but if you're just joining us, I'll leave you with our 7pm Transfer Talk update, featuring all of today's big stories to bring you up to date.
Thanks Sian. We have already seen a fair few moves go through today - mainly in the lower leagues, it must be said - and hopefully that continues across the next few hours.
We brought you news on Saido Berahino a little earlier, with West Brom boss Tony Pulis revealing that no approach had yet been made for the youngster, and it has this evening emerged that Tottenham have no plans to move for the striker, contrary to earlier reports.
Former Sheffield United striker Ched Evans was reportedly keen on resuming his playing career overseas having been released from prison after serving half of his five-year rape sentence last year, although the Ministry of Justice have put an end to that.
A spokesman has claimed that strict conditions imposed on sex offenders would effectively rule out Evans working abroad. More on that can be found here.
How about this from Millwall manager Ian Holloway, who has claimed that he could have a "completely different set of players at the end of January".
The Lions boss is clearly unhappy with his side's recent form, and could be forced to take drastic action during the transfer window.
If you missed it a little earlier, here's a reminder of the day's biggest transfer story - Steven Gerrard confirming that he will make a move to the MLS at the end of his Liverpool contract in the summer. New York Red Bulls, LA Galaxy and Toronto FC are among those said to be fighting it out for the former England international's signature.
The Daily Star are this evening carrying reports suggesting that Chelsea are plotting a move for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi which could be worth £200m (TWO HUNDRED MILLION!). More on that potential transfer to follow in due course.
Here's a little more on that Lionel Messi story now, with reports in Spain claiming that the four-time Ballon d'Or winner could be on his way to Stamford Bridge. It is suggested that Chelsea will offer £200m for the Argentina international, which will clearly blow the previous record transfer sum right out of the water.
It's now time to hand things over to Chris O'Keefe, who will be with you right through until the close of play at 2am. Will we see any late movement in the transfer window this evening?
Cheers Dan! Yes, we could see some late deals and I suspect we will see more of the world's big names linked with January transfer moves. Stick with us over the next few hours.
If you want to catch up with some of the big headlines from today in the transfer market, you can read through Sports Mole's Transfer Talk Update. The latest installment can be found here.
More news from Spain. David Moyes is rumoured to be planning a double swoop on the Premier League, with Mohamed Salah and Arouna Kone on his radar.
The Mirror claims that the Scot has already made enquiries for both players. Kone is thought to be a loan target for the Basque club, who entertain Barcelona on Sunday evening.
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One story that you may have missed during today's FA Cup action. Nottingham Forest were knocked out of the competition by League One Rochdale. The Telegraph is reporting that the result may have edged manager Stuart Pearce closer to the sack. Will he survive the next few weeks? Watch this space!
Liverpool may have lost their bid to keep Steven Gerrard, but they may have succeeded in convincing one of their other stars to remain at Anfield.
According to The Mirror, Raheem Sterling is on the verge of agreeing a new deal, which would see the 20-year-old pocket £100,000 a week.
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Staying with the Reds. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has called on the club's American owners to splash the cash, in a bid to lure world-class players to Anfield.
He told The Mirror: "A large part of our squad is young players but there's no doubt that if you want to take steps forward, you need to sign ready-made players."
However, it remains to be seen whether FSG will be looking to spend money in January. It was only three days ago that Rodgers told reporters that he expected a quiet transfer window at Liverpool.
Over in the North East, Newcastle United could welcome back Yohan Cabaye to the club in January. We'll have more on that rumour in a moment.
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So more on that story regarding a possible return for Yohan Cabaye to Newcastle. The People reports that Cabaye will be used as bait by Paris-Saint Germain in a bid to land Moussa Sissoko.
Newcastle are thought to value Sissoko at around £20m, but PSG are said to be hopeful that using Cabaye in any package will help seal a transfer.
Newcastle are thought to value Sissoko at around £20m, but PSG are said to be hopeful that using Cabaye in any package will help seal a transfer.
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal may be about to enter the transfer market in a bid to land two World Cup winners. Who could they be? We'll have details of those players soon.
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Did you guess the identity of the World Cup winners on Manchester United's radar? Well, Louis van Gaal is rumoured to be eyeing a double swoop for Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels and Schalke 04's Benedikt Howedes.
According to The Express, the Dutchman sees the German pair as the solution to United's defensive frailties and both are believed to be keen on leaving their clubs over the coming month.
According to The Express, the Dutchman sees the German pair as the solution to United's defensive frailties and both are believed to be keen on leaving their clubs over the coming month.
Sticking with United, the Red Devils may be frustrated in their efforts to sign Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben, who worked with Van Gaal when he guided the Netherlands to the World Cup semi-finals.
According to the Daily Star, Bayern are so worried that Robben will be lured to United by the prospect of working with Van Gaal that they will offer a contract extension to the Dutch flyer.
Robben only signed his current contract with the Bavarians last year.
Robben only signed his current contract with the Bavarians last year.
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Some news on the Newcastle United managerial position before we leave you tonight. Derby County have ruled Steve McClaren out of contention to fill the vacancy left by Alan Pardew.
Incidentally, McClaren appeared to destined himself from the position in a previous interview, saying that he still has a job to do with the Rams.
Incidentally, McClaren appeared to destined himself from the position in a previous interview, saying that he still has a job to do with the Rams.
So, another day on the transfer merry-go-round comes to an end. Fear not, I'm back bright and early at 7am to kick-start your day with plenty of rumours and news of any completed deals along the way. Until then, good night!
