Transfer news LIVE updates: Sanchez to Man Utd TWIST; Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barca

Transfer news LIVE updates: Follow the latest news, gossip and rumours

Saturday January 20

Lampard on Crouch to Chelsea

19:11: Frank Lampard wants Peter Crouch to join Chelsea.

“It’ll be interesting to see whether Chelsea do get Crouchy,” he told talkSPORT.

“I love Crouchy, he’s a great lad and what a move for him that would be!

“He’s a had a brilliant career, he’s a good lad and I think good things come to lads who are proper lads and I think Crouchy is one of them.

“If that opportunity comes for him and he goes there for six months, fair play to Crouchy.”

Lampard admits though the likes of Andy Carroll and Crouch are only short-term options for Chelsea.

“I think both of those players would be a short-term or Plan-B sort of signing, I don’t think we’re looking at either of those players in the long-term,” he added.

“No disrespect to them, because they are very good at what they do, but I don’t think Chelsea are going to be going down that route.

“There is obviously an issue with scoring goals recently, so they’re in a position where they need to something, but I think January is not the time.

“Maybe they are just trying to get themselves through to the summer and they’ll look forward from there.”

Griezmann scores after Barca denial

19:00: Antoine Griezmann responded to reports linking him to Barcelona today by scoring in Atletico Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Girona.

Griezmann’s name was splashed across the Spanish press this morning, with claims he was close to joining Barca.

But Barcelona have refuted the reports in a statement on their website.

And Griezmann appears not to have been affected by the drama as he netted on 34 minutes off a Diego Costa assist.

“FC Barcelona strongly denies the information that has appeared over the course of the last few hours in different media regarding Atletico Madrid player, Antoine Griezmann, and an alleged deal with our club,” it reads.

“FC Barcelona expresses its objections in the face of these events and reiterates its full respect for the institution of Atletico Madrid.”

Sanchez to Man Utd by Monday

18:26: Arsene Wenger has spoken out about Alexis Sanchez’s impending move to Manchester United.

“I didn’t take him [to the Palace game] because there is a question of him moving to Manchester United. You cannot drive up north and as well play football,” he said.

“I expect it to happen maybe, but I cannot announce it.

“Because in the next 48 hours it will be decided one way or the other.

“It happens only one way, if the other way happens as well. That’s why it takes longer as well because it is coordinated.”

Sanchez to Man Utd latest

17:50: A bit more from Jose Mourinho on Alexis Sanchez’s chances of joining Manchester United.

“Mr Woodward is working hard, everybody is giving everything they can, and I think they will be successful (in signing Sanchez),” he said.

“Expect soon or never. So close, so close, so close, if it doesn’t happen it’s not going to happen.

“I know my people are doing absolutely everything they can.

“I think they will be successful.”

Mourinho cannot confirm Sanchez

17:20: Jose Mourinho has remained tight-lipped on Manchester United’s move for Alexis Sanchez.

Sanchez is in Manchester to complete his medical.

United laboured to a 1-0 win over Burnley today – highlighting their need for more firepower.

But Mourinho would not be drawn on Sanchez after the game.

“If you ask me if I think he is coming, I think so, but I have no confirmation,” he said.

Man Utd share price

16:27: Manchester United’s share price could rise or fall after Alexis Sanchez’s signing from Arsenal, says Salford Business School’s Professor Simon Chadwick.

“In terms of will it lead to an increase or decrease in share price, there is a correlation,” Professor Chadwick told Express Sport.

“Research is being undertaken looking at the impact of major announcements on football club share prices.

“So the simple answer is keep an eye on Manchester United.

“It’s going to be interesting to see what happens to confidence around the club.

“A signing like Sanchez could increase the value of the club. And obviously if Sanchez sells lots of shirts for United, and if they make the Champions League final because of him, etc, inevitably that will impact upon the financial value attributed to the club.

“The crucial thing as well is if investors, the market or companies that value the clubs, if they think the cost of Sanchez is likely to outweigh the benefits that he brings, similarly there could be a fall in United’s share value.

“Share prices are very much like gambling markets. As gambling markets reflect activity in the market place, similarly stock markets do as well.

“A rise or fall in the share price of a club can be a barometer of just how confident investors feel about the financial returns a signing like Sanchez can potentially contribute to the club.”

Aubameyang bid confirmed

15.55: Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has confirmed Arsenal have made a bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon international is tipped to become Alexis Sanchez’s replacement and the offer is reported to be in the region of £45m.

“I can confirm that there has been a first request from Arsenal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,’ he told Dortmund-based newspaper Ruhr Nachrichte.

“We are not commenting on the sums that have been called from England since noon today.”

Aubameyang deal on Monday

15:18: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could join Arsenal on Monday.

That is according to the BBC’s Jonathan Pearce.

“Now, Arsenal’s next move of course will be to try and confirm the deal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was once again left out of the Dortmund squad last night,” he told BBC Sport’s Football Focus.

“And he should come in for a fee of around about £35m.

“But, all of those deals, I think will be confirmed by Monday.”

Sanchez NOT at Burnley

14:47: Alexis Sanchez is NOT at Turf Moor today for Manchester United’s clash with Burnley.

Sanchez is understood to have travelled up to Manchester overnight.

He will have a medical after agreeing a £500,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford.

But he won’t be in attendance at Burnley today as Jose Mourinho’s men seek three points against the Clarets.

Walcott wanted Southampton

14:24: Matt Le Tissier says Theo Walcott was set to join Southampton before Everton swoop in and pinched the Arsenal winger.

“I’m led to believe Theo was offered probably the best package any player in Southampton’s history has been offered,” Le Tissier said.

“I think he indicated he was ready to come back. 

“But I think the offer from Everton kind of blew the offer from Southampton out the water.”

Ronaldo or Bale choice

13:55: Manchester United must choose to sign either Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale this summer.

Don Balon claim Real Madrid will not let both strikers leave – especially to the same club.

Therefore, United will have to make a decision on their top transfer target.

Ronaldo left United for Real in 2009 and is keen on a return.

But United have tracked Bale ever since he departed Tottenham for the Bernabeu in 2013.

No Sanchez in Man Utd camp

13:40: Manchester United’s players have left the Lowry Hotel for Burnley – but there is no sign of Alexis Sanchez or Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The duo are expected to swap clubs this weekend, with Arsenal star Sanchez is Manchester for his medical.

But it doesn’t look as though the Chilean will be with the United side when the travel to Turf Moor.

Instead, Sanchez is expected to concentrate on his transfer, with the deal tipped to be complete soon.

Barcelona deny Griezmann approach

12:30: Barcelona have refuted reports they have approached Antoine Griezmann about a transfer.

It has been claimed today that Barca have made their interest known in the France international.

But in a boost for Manchester United, who are also in the running for Griezmann, it appears as though Barca will not make an approach.

“FC Barcelona strongly denies the information that has appeared over the course of the last few hours in different media regarding Atletico Madrid player, Antoine Griezmann, and an alleged deal with our club,” a club statement read.

“FC Barcelona expresses its objections in the face of these events and reiterates its full respect for the institution of Atletico Madrid.”

Dzeko to Chelsea

12:22: Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol reckons Edin Dzeko will join Chelsea – because Roma are a selling club.

“I’m going to say this is a hit because Roma don’t over-worry about replacing players,” the Scot said.

“They sold Mohamed Salah to Liverpool last year for £30million and they get on with it. 

“For Dzeko at 31, again he’s coming into that range of when the legs start going. 

“I think this would be a good move for Dzeko, get back in the Premier League. 

“Clearly Morata would be the No 1 but Dzeko would get plenty of time on the field. 

“At 31 years of age, it’s not the worst thing to happen to you to be able to get some rest. 

“I think this will happen because Roma do accept offers for players and I think Dzeko would like it. I’m going to say this is a hit.”

Expert on Sanchez

11:20: A football finance expert has explained how Manchester United will treat Alexis Sanchez’s arrival at Old Trafford differently to Paul Pogba’s.

Pogba broke the world transfer record in 2016 when joining United from Juventus.

His signing was announced to huge fanfare at the club.

But Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sports Enterprise at Salford Business School, reckons Sanchez is not the marketable player of football’s top stars.

“Sanchez is not Neymar,” Chadwick told Express Sport.

“He’s not a bright young thing upon who the commercial success of United and its various patterns are made or broken.

“Using United as an example, when Pogba moved to the club Adidas, Stormzy, Pogba and United together used the signing as a basis for engaging in joint promotion – not just the deal but obviously the brands involved in it.

“Pogba at 21 when he signed had 10 years potentially of revenue-generating capacity for United. There’s the opportunity to build a sustainable revenue stream there. That’s why Pogba was very much touted commercially when that happened.

“Now, I don’t see Sanchez in that way. When you look at Sanchez you question who exactly is he appealing to?”

Transfer news LIVE updates: Follow the latest news, gossip and rumours

Saturday January 20

Diarra to Man Utd

10:30: Manchester United are eyeing a shock swoop for ex-Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra.

Diarra, 32, left UAE side Al Jazira last month.

He departed from Marseille in the summer after two years at the French club and is now seeking a new side.

Diarra has not played for France since 2016 but is supposedly eyeing a spot in the World Cup side next summer.

French newspaper Le Parisien claim PSG are also eyeing the former Gunners, Chelsea and Real Madrid player.

Diarra won the FA Cup with both Chelsea and Portsmouth and claimed the La Liga title with Real in 2012.

Chelsea double swoop talks

10:18: Chelsea will hold further talks with Roma over deals for Edin Dzeko and Emerson Palmieri next week.

The Blues are determined to bring in a striker and Dzeko has hit top form in Serie A.

Left-back Palmieri has also been targeted as Antonio Conte seeks to strengthen his midfield.

And the Telegraph claim negotiations over both deals will begin once this weekend is out of the way.

Chelsea play at Brighton in today’s early kick off (12.30pm).

Michu Batshuayi could start for Conte, with the manager unable to select the suspended Alvaro Morata.

Sanchez medical TODAY

10.05: Manchester United transfer target Alexis Sanchez is reportedly set to undergo a medical TODAY ahead of his move from Arsenal to Old Trafford.

The Chilean forward was included in the Gunners’ plans to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League this afternoon.

But the Mirror say he was pulled out of their squad late last night following a breakthrough in negotiations.

Sanchez was subsequently driven up to Manchester overnight to undergo a medical today.

The 29-year-old will put pen to paper on a £500,000-a-week deal when he arrives at United.

Agent on Palmieri talks

07.55: Emerson Palmieri’s agent claims Chelsea are in talks with Roma over a potential move for his client.

Antonio Conte is keen to bring in cover for first-choice left wing-back Marcos Alonso.

And Fernando Garcia said: ”Chelsea are a concrete possibility, absolutely.

“Now the two clubs are talking, we’ll see if they reach a positive conclusion.

“Obviously, Emerson would love to play in the Premier League and it’d be a dream to work with [Antonio] Conte.

“He is among the best coaches in the world.”

Salah to Real Madrid latest

07.00: Liverpool star Mohamed Salah could be on his way to Real Madrid this summer after talks were held with his agent.

That’s according to Diario Gol as the La Liga giants look set to sell Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Salah has been a revelation since joining Liverpool from Roma last summer, bagging 18 Premier League goals already.

And Perez has apparently spoken to his representative over a potential end of season move to the Bernabeu.

Sanchez on verge of Man Utd switch

06.00: Alexis Sanchez has said goodbye to his Arsenal team-mates ahead of a switch to Manchester United.

The Chilean was with the Gunners in their team hotel as they prepared for this afternoon’s clash with Crystal Palace (3pm).

However, Sanchez received a phone call shortly before 11pm last night and said his farewells before leaving.

The 29-year-old had been called up to the squad to face the Eagles as the 19th man and there was a possibility Arsene Wenger could have named him on the bench.

However, all signs now point to a deal being completed over the weekend, especially after Henrikh Mkhitaryan appeared to have cleared out his United locker yesterday.

Borussia Dortmund have Aubameyang doubts

05.00: Former Chelsea midfielder Andre Schurrle has hinted that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to joining Arsenal.

The Gunners are set to lose Alexis Sanchez in the coming days as he nears a £35million switch to Manchester United.

And Schurrle has expressed his doubts that Aubameyang would still be plying his trade in the Bundesliga come the end of the transfer window.

“We’ve often tried to influence him in team meetings,” said Schurrle. 

“When you talk to him, he’s a great guy. 

“Everything seems ok, but you never know what’s going on in his head.”

Chelsea step up Crouch chase

05.00: Chelsea have stepped up their chase for Stoke striker Peter Crouch.

Rumours circulated on Thursday evening that the Blues were interested in taking Crouch to Stamford Bridge as cover for misfiring forward Alvaro Morata.

And now they have stepped up their interest and made a formal enquiry to the Potters, according to the Mirror.

Chelsea had initially planned to sign Andy Carroll from West Ham but he has since been ruled out for a month with an injury.

Michy Batshuayi looks set to leave the club and boss Antonio Conte is desperate to bring in reinforcements to his front line.

However, the Mirror add that the two clubs are still yet to agree on a fee for the England international.

Ronaldo looks unhappy at Real Madrid

04.30: Cristiano Ronaldo looks unhappy at Real Madrid, according to former Los Blancos striker Pedrag Mijatovic.

“The situation needs to be well evaluated at the end of this season,” Mijatovic told Spanish newspaper Marca.

“These things must be talked about and if he [Ronaldo] is not happy then he has to say so.

“I don’t see Ronaldo as being sad in the Champions League, but I do see it in La Liga.

“That has nothing to do with his wages.

“Maybe he’s just more motivated by the Champions League.”