Welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Saturday, January 24.
Just nine days remain before the mid-season window closes for business, meaning that time is fast running out for teams to complete their purchases to see them through until the end of the season.
Rumours linking some of the Premier League elite with big-money moves continues to intensify, although we have yet to see any movement from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.
That could all change today, so be sure to stick with us as we keep you updated with all the latest goings on both at home and abroad.
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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog. There is plenty to look forward to on the field this weekend with fixtures taking place up and down the land, although it could be another big day of activity in the mid-season window.
Chelsea in particular have been linked with two high-profile moves with Juan Cuadrado and Douglas Costa supposedly on their radar, while in terms of outgoing players in the Premier League, Everton's Samuel Eto'o looks set to be on his way to Sampdoria.
We will bring you all the latest throughout the day, so you will not miss a thing.
DONE DEAL! There's news of a completed transfer to bring you from overnight, as Real Madrid followed up the signing of Martin Odegaard by bringing another highly-rated star in Lucas Silva to the club.
The European champions reportedly saw off Arsenal, among a long list of other sides from across the globe, to sign the Brazilian midfielder on a deal worth £10.5m.
CONFIRMED! Turning attention to Scotland now, and Australia international Ryan McGowan has officially completed his move to Dundee United.
The former Hearts defender, who saw his contract with Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng expire last year, says that he is "excited" to get going once more. Read what else he had to say about the switch right here.
The big story from overnight concerns Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, who has hinted that a return to Manchester United may be on the cards one day soon.
That, plus all the latest on the futures of Samuel Eto'o and Juan Cuardo, can be found in our morning Transfer Talk Update.
Chelsea's reported pursuit of Douglas Costa is fast turning into the transfer saga of the January window.
The Shakhtar Donetsk forward has been linked with a £16m "dream" move to Stamford Bridge, and Jose Mourinho has now had his say on the rumours. Click here to read more.
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Well it's almost time to hand things over to Darren Plant for the next few hours, but before I do so let's take a quick look at the big transfer news from this morning:
- Jose Mourinho "happy" to learn of Douglas Costa's Chelsea interest
Morning all! A bit of news to bring you from last night now. Midfielder Beram Kayal has departed Celtic to make the switch to Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee. On paper, that's a solid signing for Chris Hughton, who is looking to move his new team away from the Championship relegation zone.
At this current moment, it may seem somewhat unlikely, but Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini is reportedly keen on signing Yaya Toure from Manchester City. The duo worked together during Mancini's time at the Etihad Stadium but now he has returned to the San Siro, the Italian wants to build a team around the Ivory Coast midfielder.
At one point, it seemed as though Ravel Morrison was destined for big things in the Premier League, but it appears as though the 21-year-old is on the brink of sealing a move to Italy. According to reports, Morrison has agreed to move to Lazio at the end of the season.
Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos has been linked with a number of clubs in recent days, with a fee of £112m being touted for his signature. That's an astronomical figure but it has seemingly not discouraged Manchester United, with the player's agent revealing that the Premier League side remain interested in the Brazilian.
That will be all from me this morning, but I leave you in the capable hands of Alex Meyers, who will take you through the next couple of hours. Enjoy!
Thanks Darren! I'll begin with news coming out of Italy that Napoli winger Dries Mertens is not expecting to leave the club this month. He has been linked with a move to Schalke due to his lack of playing time, but it appears that he is happy enough to stay.
Real Madrid defender Pepe is another player who has been linked with an exit from his club in recent weeks, but his agent has insisted that he will be remaining at the Bernabeu.
Hi, Kristian Johnson here! I'll be with you right through this afternoon bringing you all the transfer stories as they happen. I'll begin with reports linking Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus with a move to Real Madrid. There are suggestions that the European champions already have his medical records and that he is edging closer to a move to the Spanish capital.
DONE DEAL! A couple of done deals from the lower leagues now. First off, West Ham United youngster Sean Maguire has rejoined Accrington Stanley for a second loan spell this season. Another youngster making a temporary switch is Wolves's 19-year-old goalkeeper Scott Dutton, who has put pen to paper on a short-term deal with Crawley Town.
DONE DEAL! Conference Premier side Macclesfield Town have tied down goalkeeper Rhys Taylor until the end of the season. The Silkmen will be hoping the 24-year-old can help them earn promotion back into the Football League.
Last night's 0-0 draw with Cambridge United was disappointing for Manchester United fans, but their spirits are likely to be lifted by reports which suggest that they are in pole position to sign Barcelona right-back Dani Alves in the summer.
It's one of the biggest 'will they, won't they' stories of the January transfer window, but it seems as though Gonzalo Higuain is staying put at Napoli. The club's president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has insisted that he is 'not for sale'.
It seems as though Higuain isn't joining Liverpool then, but what about Fabain Delph? The Reds are said to be battling Spurs for his signature, but it would cost either side £4m to lure the midfielder away from Villa Park before the end of the month, according to reports.
DONE DEAL! Sheffield United have been reunited with a familiar face in the form of John Brayford. The defender, who spent last season on loan with the the Blades, has signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the club after leaving Cardiff City for a fee in the region of £1.5m.
Manchester United have reportedly offered James Wilson a new deal worth £20,000-a-week. They want to tie him down as his current contract expires at the end of the season.
DONE DEAL! Oxford United have picked up defender Joe Skarz on a free transfer. Skarz had been without a club since cancelling his contract with Rotherham United by mutual consent.
I mentioned a little earlier that Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are rumoured to be battling for the signature of Fabian Delph, but recent reports have suggested that both clubs are also interested in whisking World Cup winner Andre Schurrle away from Chelsea.
DONE DEAL! There's plenty of turmoil at Leeds United at the moment, but they have managed to bring in former Leicester City defender Sol Bamba from Palermo. The defender has joined Leeds until the end of the season.
Manchester United could be on the verge of sealing a deal for Aleksandar Dragovic. Reports claim that the Red Devils are close to finalising a £20m deal for the Dynamo Kiev defender.
Paris Saint Germain boss Laurent Blanc has said that he wants Adrien Rabiot to stay at the club, despite rumours linking the youngster with a move to the Premier League. Read more here.
Tottenham Hostpur seem to be linked with almost every player in Europe! Reports are suggesting that Jackson Martinez is ready to join Spurs after turning down advances from Arsenal and Liverpool.
DONE DEAL! This one was hardly kept secret, but Samuel Eto'o has finally completed his move from Everton to Sampdoria.
Asier Illarramendi has started just 10 games for Real Madrid this season and reports have linked the midfielder with an £18.5m move to Athletic Bilbao.
DONE DEAL! Championship side Fulham have brought in Jazz Richards from Swansea City on a one-month loan deal.
Marcelo Brozovic has admitted to "mixed emotions" ahead of his move from Dinamo Zagreb to Italian giants Inter Milan.
That's all from me for today, but I'll leave you in the capable hands of Charlie Bennett, who is here to keep you abreast with all the transfer stories until 11pm tonight. As a parting present, I'll leave you with this evening's comprehensive Transfer Talk Update. Enjoy!
DONE DEALThank you Kristian, and I start with news that Cardiff City have signed Lee Peltier from Huddersfield Town. The full-back has joined the club on a three-and-a-half year deal.
We have some more news from Cardiff, as midfielder Kim Bo-Kyung has left the club by mutual consent. The 25-year-old made 64 appearances for the Bluebirds, but now he'll be after a new club.
Arsenal striker Joel Campbell is reportedly set to sign a new contract with the club, and then go out on loan to Villarreal. The striker hasn't featured regularly this season, but it seems he is still part of Arsene Wenger's plans.
Speaking of both Arsenal and Villarreal, the Gunners have reportedly agreed a fee of £13.4m for defender Gabriel Paulista. The report suggests that the centre-back will now fly to London for a medical.
In fact that deal has just been announced by the Spanish club, who say that the defender has agreed a long-term deal. They have also announced that Joel Campbell will going the other way on loan.
French side Lyon are having a great season in Ligue 1, but it appears that they could lose winger Mohamad Yattara. Roma are said to be keeping tabs on the 21-year-old, who is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Guinea.
It's fair to say that Mario Balotelli has not been a complete success since his move to Liverpool last summer. The striker has been linked with a move back to Italy in this window, and those rumours will only strengthen now that manager Brendan Rodgers has told him that he must improve in training before he can play for the team again. Ouch.
Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks, but reports suggest that he will reject a £23m deal to go and play for Sven-Goran Eriksson in China. The player is said to be re-considering whether or not he wants to leave the North East club.
That's all from me this evening folks, but fear not as Chris O'Keefe is here to take you through the next three hours. It's been a good night for Arsenal fans as their club edges closer to a deal to sign Gabriel Paulista, while fans of Shanghai SIPG must be disappointed to hear that Newcastle's Papiss Cisse isn't keen on joining them. Maybe there will be some better news for them between now and 2am!
Thanks Charlie! We've had a busy day of transfer action so far today, but we still have three hours to bring up-to-date news and gossip from around the world of football. So, which player will be moving next? Stick with us and find out.
We'll start at Old Trafford and Manchester United keeper David De Gea has reportedly told friends that his future will not be decided by money.
The Red Devils are thought to have offered around £200,000 a week to keep the Spaniard at the Premier League club, but Real Madrid are thought to be keen on striking a deal.
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If De Gea stays at Old Trafford, he may a less strenuous pre-season build up after Louis van Gaal demanded that Manchester United play fewer games in the United States as he plans a possible Premier League title challenge next season.
News from down the M62 and it appears that contract negotiations have stalled between one Premier League club and one of their star players. We'll reveal who in a few moments.
The player in question is one Raheem Sterling. According to reports, negotiations with Liverpool over a new contract have broken down and the Reds may have to pay £100,000 a week to keep the 20-year-old for the long term.
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Another youngster who is reportedly stalling on a new deal is flavour of the month Francis Coquelin.
His display in the 2-0 win over Manchester City thrust the Frenchman into the spotlight, but he may not stay with the Gunners beyond the summer if he doesn't earn regular first-team action.
Paul Pogba's future has been the subject of intense speculation lately and reports this evening suggest that six of Europe's biggest clubs will do battle to sign the Frenchman for around £75m.
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One of those clubs believed to be vying for Pogba is Manchester United and the Red Devils are being linked with a £15m move for another young star in PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay.
More United news and we'll reveal which defender is being linked with a move to Old Trafford in a few moments. Can you guess who it is?
The defender being linked with Manchester United is Nathaniel Clyne.
The Saints right back has been rumoured as a possible option/a> for the Red Devils for some time. However, the Daily Star claims that the Old Trafford outfit have earmarked Clyne as their primary transfer target.
Finally, we have new on Glen Johnson's situation at Liverpool. The 30-year-old had looked set to leave the Reds in the summer when his contract expired.
Now, it appears that Johnson will sign a three-year deal with the Anfield outfit after manager Brendan Rodgers convinced the right back that he had a role to play.
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Unfortunately, our time on the Transfer Talk live blog is at an end for today. However, you can still get your regular diet of transfer stories on our website throughout the night. If that's not enough then Transfer Talk Live is back from 7am. For now, it's good night from me!
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Daniel Lewis
