TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – Wednesday, January 23
- Chelsea are set to announce the signing of Gonzalo Higuain imminently
- Manchester United continue to be linked with Barcelona ace Philippe Coutinho
- Arsenal are eyeing a defender as well as Denis Suarez
- Liverpool are interested in Callum Hudson-Odoi
UPDATE 18.10 – Eric Bailly wants to stay at Man Utd
Manchester United star Eric Bailly wants to stay at Old Trafford after seeing a move to Arsenal fail, according to reports.
Manchester United defender Bailly has been linked with a sensational move to Arsenal amid his current struggles at Old Trafford.
The Ivory Coast toiled under Jose Mourinho during the 55-year-old’s spell in charge, often being stuck behind the likes of Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling in the pecking order.
It has been a similar story since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the Manchester United job, with Bailly featuring just once under the 45-year-old.
Arsenal have reportedly seen a loan attempt at landing Bailly fail.
And the Daily Mail say the defender is eager to remain at Old Trafford.
Transfer news LIVE: Frenkie de Jong has joined Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
UPDATE 17.50 – Barcelona confirm Frenkie De Jong signing
Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong will join Barcelona at the end of the season.
He will join on July 1 and Barcelona have paid €75m (£65.4m) as well as a further €11m (£9m) in possible add-ons.
De Jong has signed a five-year contract until the summer of 2024.
Does this mean Denis Suarez could be on his way to Arsenal shortly?
UPDATE 17.30 – Eden Hazard told to leave Chelsea
Michael Ballack has told Eden Hazard to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid.
“Eden Hazard has to decide if he wants to stay or not,” Ballack told ESPN.
“He’s not only an outstanding player at Chelsea but also in the Premier League.
“Now he has to decide if he wants to play at an ultimate top club. That’s what he’s already communicated from time to time.
“In my opinion he is a little bit coo calm, especially at Chelsea. There should be more demanding and expressing of his wishes.
“He can do that because he is in an outstanding position. If he wants to win more titles with Chelsea, something has to happen otherwise Eden Hazard will think about looking for another opportunity.”
Transfer news LIVE: All the latest gossip from Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
UPDATE 17.00 – Chelsea to sign Gonzalo Higuain today
Chelsea should complete the signing of Gonzalo Higuain today, according to Maurizio Sarri.
“We believe he will sign the contract today,” Sarri said.
“I hope that he will start scoring for us.
“I know he has had some difficulties at the moment, but we hope he can get back to his best form.
“He is a very strong striker, especially in my first season at Naples.
“He did very very well, for sure he is one of the best strikers in my career.
“He has played four seasons with Real Madrid, he is the right player to play here.”
Transfer news LIVE: Eden Hazard has been linked with a move to Real Madrid (Image: GETTY)
UPDATE 16.45 – Philippe Coutinho to Man Utd latest
Philippe Coutinho will NOT be joining Manchester United, according to Guillem Balague.
“We expected much more, the fans did, Barcelona did,” he said on the Guillem Balague Transfer Show.
“Right now he seems like a very shy player who is not making a big enough impact into games. Even though he’s given the opportunity to grow and I’m sure at some point he will certainly improve.
“But linked to that and the fact that he’s not starting the big games and not starting every game, there are stories that come out in the English press, not the Spanish press, saying Manchester United one day and Chelsea the next.
“It would be easy to guess where those stories come from. Perhaps from the same people that actually went to Barcelona and said ‘what’s happening here?’
“Those are the representatives of Coutinho trying to put pressure to Barcelona.
“Barcelona have got no intention to get rid of Coutinho.”
Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal boss Unai Emery is looking to strengthen his squad (Image: GETTY)
UPDATE 16.30 – Denis Suarez to Arsenal off?
Arsenal’s transfer talks with Barcelona over a deal for Denis Suarez have collapsed.
Arsenal want to sign Suarez as a replacement for Aaron Ramsey.
Bringing in the Spaniard on loan would mean Ramsey can be sold to Juventus six months before his contract ends.
But the transfer is OFF after Suarez himself told Barca manager Ernesto Valverde that he is staying at the Nou Camp, Mundo Deportivo claim.
Transfer news LIVE: Callum Hudson-Odoi is wanted by Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
UPDATE 16.15 – Liverpool eye Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi
Liverpool have joined the race for Chelsea ace Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The 18-year-old is keen to quit Stamford Bridge after a lack of game time in west London.
Bayern Munich are desperate to sign the winger, who is frustrated under Maurizio Sarri.
It’s claimed the youngster has snubbed Chelsea’s offer of a new contract worth £85,000-a-week in a bid to force through a move to Bayern.
However, according to German newspaper Bild, Liverpool are in the running to sign Hudson-Odoi.