Welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Friday, January 2.
We have already seen a few moves go through during the mid-season 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.
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
Good morning all. We have already seen some movement in the January transfer window, and we can expect a fair bit more throughout today as teams up and down the land look to bolster their squads. Whether it is Lukas Podolski's proposed move away from North London, Radamel Falcao's rumoured permanent switch to Manchester United, or Steven Gerrard's supposed exit from Anfield, we will be sure to keep you updated with any movement throughout the day.
Perhaps the biggest story doing the rounds this morning involves Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard, who is expected to announce his departure from Anfield some time today. The 34-year-old's current deal expires later this year, and a move to the MLS could now be on the cards.
Another day and another report linking Manchester United with a new defender this January. The latest star linked with a move to Old Trafford is Real Madrid centre-back Pepe, who is said to be locked in talks with the Spanish giants over a new deal. Should talks break down, however, United and rivals Manchester City could battle it out for his signature.
It is time for Sports Mole's first Transfer Talk Update of the day, which includes all the latest on proposed moves involving Lukas Podolski and Wilfried Bony, as well as Real Madrid centre-back Pepe's rumoured switch to the Premier League. Click here to read more.
Liverpool fans will be keeping a close eye on developments concerning Steven Gerrard throughout today, but there could be news of a big-name arrival later this month. Fresh reports have emerged suggesting that Bayern Munich star Xhedran Shaqiri may be on his way to Anfield - now that would go some way to softening the blow of losing your talismanic captain!
We were told a decision on Steven Gerrard's future would be announced this morning - could this be it? We'll bring you any updates as soon as they come through.
Fans should log on to http://t.co/MbnHVf9h8N or tune in to @LFCTV at 9am GMT for some important club news... #LFC
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2015
Right, it's now time to hand things over to Sian Cowper who will guide you through the next few hours. We're expecting some "important club news" from Liverpool in due course, so be sure to stick around.
BREAKING NEWS! Thanks Daniel! Good morning all, let's start with confirmation that Steven Gerrard is to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
Naturally, there are plenty of players, managers and former teammates paying tribute to Gerrard's Liverpool career, as well as there being growing speculation over where he will head to at the end of the season. Current manager Brendan Rodgers leads the reaction though, as he's described the midfielder as "incomparable".
One player who has been attracting plenty of attention in the run up to the opening of the transfer window is Galatasaray winger Wesley Sneijder. Manchester United, Manchester City, Southampton and Inter Milan have all been linked with the Dutch international, but it looks like Juventus could now be the favourites to land the 30-year-old.
As expected, there has been plenty of reaction to news of Steven Gerrard's departure from Liverpool. Rickie Lambert has said that the captain's contributions at the club will never be forgotten by the fans. Meanwhile, Mario Balotelli expects that the 34-year-old will be difficult to replace.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has spent the last few weeks on trial with Preston North End, and he's clearly impressed the League One side as they have signed him for the remainder of the season.
Another player who can now officially call himself a former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker is Danny Graham. Manager Kenny Jackett has revealed that the Championship side will not be extending the Sunderland forward's loan stint at Molineux, during which he scored just one goal in five appearances.
Well that's all from me this morning, but Darren Plant is here to keep you up to date with all the comings and goings for the next few hours.
Thanks Sian. The Midlands appears to be the place to be for transfer news this morning. According to reports, Aston Villa striker Darren Bent could be about to make the move across the area to link up with Derby County for the rest of the season.
BREAKING NEWS! After they defeated Arsenal on the opening day of 2015, it's more good news for Southampton fans. Defender Maya Yoshida has decided to extend his stay at St Mary's by signing a new contract until 2018.
DONE DEAL! Swansea City have announced that they have completed a deal for Exeter City midfielder Matt Grimes. Full details can be found by clicking here.
Nathaniel Chalobah has been tipped for big things at Chelsea, but it hasn't worked out for him during a loan spell at Burnley. After making just five Premier League appearances, the 20-year-old has been allowed to return to his parent club.
That will be all from me this afternoon, but Matt Law will be around until 7pm to keep you up-to-date with all the transfer goings on that take place during the rest of the afternoon.
Thanks Darren! Matt Law here and I shall led you through the next four hours of transfer talk. So... what is occurring at the moment? Well, according to ESPN, Stoke are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon on loan this month. Remember him? Yep, the really fast one.
According to Sky Sports News, Aston Villa striker Darren Bent is close to joining Derby County on loan. What a signing that would be for the Rams.
DONE DEAL! Darren Bent has indeed joined Derby County on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season. More on that to follow...
SIGNING: #DCFC have signed striker @DarrenBent on loan from @premierleague side @AVFCOfficial: http://t.co/IjVaYaf35F pic.twitter.com/jckBWO4Lsb
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) January 2, 2015
Anyone remember when Manchester United let Paul Pogba leave on a free? Yes the same Pogba that is now one of the best midfielders in the world at the age of 21. That one! Well, according to a report, United will make a £70m move this summer to re-sign the Frenchman from Juventus.
Is Lukas Podolski finally off to Inter Milan? According to Sky Sports News, the Arsenal forward will fly to Milan this evening to complete a loan move to the Italian club. Has the German ever really been given a fair chance at Arsenal?
© Getty Images
DONE DEAL! Bayern Munich have signed promising midfielder Joshua Kimmich from Stuttgart. The 19-year-old is currently on loan at RB Leipzig and will remain with the second-tier side until the end of the campaign. It is understood that the teenager has signed a five-year deal with Bayern, who he will officially join at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.
Here's an interesting one - both Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly want to sign Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane. Is it possible? More on that story here.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Mainz 05 goalkeeper Loris Karius in January. The 21-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and talks over a new deal at his current club have reportedly broken down. According to The Mirror, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is not convinced by current goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and is in the market for a new stopper.
Staying with the Premier League and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Everton midfielder James McCarthy in January.
Crystal Palace caretaker boss Keith Millen is confident that the club will retain the services of their key players this month. Yannick Bolasie in particular has been strongly linked with a move away from Selhurst Park following a number of impressive performances. However, Millen has claimed that he would be "amazed" if the capital outfit sanctioned the sale of any key players in January.
Want all of the latest transfer news and speculation in one place? Of course you do! Read our 7pm Transfer Talk Update here.
Right, that is just about it from me this evening, but be sure to remain with us as Joe Fish leads you through the next few hours. Until next time!
Thanks Matt! Spurs are expected to be one of the busier Premier League clubs in January, both in terms of ins and outs. Kyle Naughton is apparently free to leave White Hart Lane, but leading admirer Swansea are believed to have been deterred by his rumoured £5m price tag.
Another line to bring you concerning Spurs. Senior Juventus officials have reportedly been using Christmas holidays in the UK to mask their scouting missions of Argentine playmaker Erik Lamela, as well as Manchester United's Juan Mata. How sneaky of them.
DEAL CLOSE! Reports are claiming that Chelsea are on the verge of signing in-demand Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric. A £6m deal is believed to have been agreed with HNK Rijeka for the 23-year-old, who had previously been linked with Leicester and Juventus.
© Getty Images
Nick Powell was one of the movers on deadline day in the last transfer window, but his loan spell at Leicester has not proven to be fruitful for either party. The England Under-21 international has returned to Manchester United after playing only 40 minutes for the Foxes.
Much of today has been dominated by reaction to Steven Gerrard's announcement that he will be leaving Liverpool when his contract expires in the summer. The opportunistic Ronald Koeman is the latest to have his say and has invited the former England captain to join Southampton next season. Gerrard has indicated that his next move will be abroad, but Koeman would be happy to offer him a stay in the Premier League.
Not strictly transfer related, but a development which could have a big impact on Crystal Palace's January activity. Reports tonight are claiming that outgoing Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has signed a contract. to become their new manager. No confirmation from the club yet, but a matter of time surely? Will he be busy in the transfer market?
Kramaric to Chelsea? Mata or Lamela to Juventus? Gerrard to Southampton? That's the gossip from my stint. Some more likely than others, I would say! What will the next three hours bring? Over to Chris O'Keefe to find out...
Thanks Joe! We're only two days into the January transfer window and plenty is going on around the world of football. So, until 2am we will keep you up-to-date with all the latest developments. I suspect we may see more reaction to Steven Gerrard's summer departure from Liverpool too!
Gerrard is already being linked with a return to Liverpool before the player has even left. The Telegraph claims that the Reds captain could be a loan target for the club next January.
That report, as with many in recent hours, appears to suggest that Gerrard will be plying his trade in Major League Soccer. LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls have been mentioned as possible destinations.
Elsewhere, Ched Evans has been offered a contract by Maltese club Hibernians. The club's vice-president Stephen Vaughan confirmed that they had approached the Welshman, who was released from prison in October after serving half of a five-year sentence for rape.
Saido Berahino's future at West Bromwich Albion appears to be in doubt after technical director Terry Burton hinted that the club could be open to selling the highly-rated 21-year-old.
Berahino was back on the scoresheet during the Baggies 1-1 draw with West Ham on New Year's Day.
© Getty Images
Liverpool have been linked with an array of goalkeepers in recent weeks, but one shot-stopper who won't be moving to Anfield is Sheffield Wednesday's Keiren Westwood.
The Irish international is rumoured to have caught the eye of Reds boss Brendan Rodgers lately. However, Westwood has revealed that he wants to stay at Hillsborough and repay the club for helping to turn his career around.
Another player being linked with Liverpool (yes I said another) is Lazio's 19-year-old star Balde Diao Keita. A report in Italy claims that the Roman side are willing to sell the youngster for around £15m. However, the Reds are said to be facing competition from Arsenal for the Spanish midfielder's signature.
DONE DEAL! One transfer that has been agreed, and amazingly doesn't involve Liverpool, is Hartlepool United's loan signing of Sunderland defender Scott Harrison.
The 21-year-old joins until the end of the season, but only after Ronnie Moore saw him in action on the training ground.
© Getty Images
More Steven Gerrard news. It will be one of those months! The Mirror claims that a deal has already been agreed with Los Angeles Galaxy and the 34-year-old could pocket a cool £20m over four years.
So, in the space of three hours we've supposedly identified Gerrard's new club and a future loan deal. Tomorrow, we predict your lottery numbers...
Well, our live Transfer Talk comes to an end for another day. However, you can keep up-to-date with the latest transfer news and gossip via Sports Mole's dedicated Transfer Centre.
Otherwise, Charlie Bennett will be with you from 7am to bring you all the latest news and reaction as the January window takes shape. Until then, it's good night from me!
