Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd REJECTED, Liverpool helped Celtic deal, Hazard Chelsea stance

Transfer news LIVE: Saturday January 26

• Man Utd have seen their hopes of snapping up an experienced defender ruined
• Liverpool AND Tottenham are in the hunt for a highly-rated winger
• Chelsea star Eden Hazard has decided what he wants as Real Madrid circle
• Arsenal have been warned off making a January move for James Rodriguez

11.07 UPDATE: Man Utd make De Gea decision

Manchester United are prepared to make David de Gea the best-paid goalkeeper on the planet in order to keep him at Old Trafford.

De Gea has forged a reputation as one of the world’s top stopper’s thanks to his performances for United and Spain.

He has previously aroused interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, who could sign him at no cost in 2020.

However, Bleacher Report claim United are ready to pay De Gea the big bucks to ensure he is going nowhere.

10.51 UPDATE: Barcelona impact Real Madrid plans

Real Madrid face splashing out the big books for Christian Eriksen because of how much Barcelona are paying for Frenkie de Jong, according to Spanish reports.

Express Sport understands Real are interested in Eriksen as they plan to tear up their underperforming squad and start afresh next season.

But Tottenham chief Daniel Levy is known for driving a hard bargain and the La Liga giants face being impacted by their arch-rivals.

AS report the valuation which Eriksen will have hanging round his neck will be influenced by the £74m fee Barcelona are handing Ajax for De Jong.

10.27 UPDATE: Arsenal given order by legend

Arsenal chiefs have to hand Unai Emery the money he needs in order to bolster his squad.

That is the verdict of Gunners legend Martin Keown as his old side battle to secure Champions League qualification.

“Emery has said he can only bring in players on loan this month,” Keown told the Mail.

“If Arsenal are to finish in the top four, the club have to back him with funds to bolster his defence.”

10.12 UPDATE: Sunderland done deal

Sunderland have announced Josh Maja’s departure to Bordeaux with a terse 26-word statement.

“Josh Maja has completed a move to Bordeaux,” it read.

“The 20-year old Sunderland AFC academy graduate has joined the French Ligue 1 side on a permanent basis.”

Sunderland are reported to have received £3.5m for the forward, who was out of contract in the summer.

09.55 UPDATE: Rodriguez to Arsenal update

Arsenal’s chances of snaring James Rodriguez rest on them getting rid of Mesut Ozil on loan, according to reports.

Rodriguez is being heavily linked with a move away from loan club Bayern Munich because they do not want to sign him permanently.

And the Gunners have been credited with interest in securing the Colombian playmaker’s services for the rest of the season.

However, Bleacher Report indicate Arsenal need to shed Oil’s £350,000-a-week wages in order to strike a deal with Real Madrid.

09.40 UPDATE: Tottenham warned against £30m deal

Tottenham must NOT spend £30m on a striker this month despite the injured Harry Kane’s spell on the sidelines.

That is the opinion of former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage, who says it could lead to unhappiness behind the scenes.

“The big question for Pochettino now is whether he goes out and buys a striker as cover for Kane before the transfer window shuts next week,” Savage told the Mirror.

“But on balance, the answer is no. Once the England captain is fit again, his replacement is going to be potentially a £30million striker on the bench, which is never a recipe for contentment.”

09.28 UPDATE: Higuain deal impacts Hazard

Chelsea’s signing of Gonzalo Higuain means Eden Hazard can return to his natural wide role, says former Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason.

“Will Higuain’s arrival mean Hazard goes back to the wing? I think so. I think so,” Mason said.

“I think that’s why they’ve done everything to get Higuain in to put him up top as that No 9, that focal point.

“It means the likes of Hazard, Willian and Pedro can play in their more natural positions and get involved in the game a lot more.”

09.20 UPDATE: Liverpool aided Celtic transfer

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has opened up on how his time as Liverpool gaffer helped him snap up Maryan Shved from Karpaty Lviv.

“I happened to know the agent from my time at Liverpool and I know he has a good reputation,” Rodgers said.

“When you’re managing 60-odd games a season you can’t be a scout as well. My job is to coach and manage and put a team on the field. We have a network of scouts behind that to try to find the players.

“In the modern game the key is not getting players in, it’s keeping them out. We have a very good squad. I’ve always known the areas we want to improve but we can’t just bring anyone in.”

09.05 UPDATE: Man Utd to Arsenal deal backed

Arsenal would be doing “good business” if they bought Eric Bailly from Manchester United, says Sky Sports pundit Steve Sidwell.

“He’s a defender, you can tell he enjoys defending. He’s been in a difficult situation at Manchester United,” Sidwell said.

“I mean, he’s been all over the place. Their back four, they’ve been rotating all the time, he’s had a few injuries as well. He’s found it really hard to cement that place down, as well.

“But if Manchester United are willing to sell him and Arsenal can get him then I think that would be good business for Arsenal.”

08.50 UPDATE: Tottenham transfer prediction

Tottenham will not sign Andy Carroll or Marko Arnautovic from London rivals West Ham before the end of the month.

That is the verdict of former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov as his old club look to deal with Harry Kane’s injury layoff.

“The papers always have an idea of course, but they’ve been making mischief with Tottenham transfer targets this week suggesting one of West Ham pair Andy Carroll and Marko Arnautovic would be joining my old club,” Berbatov told Betfair.

“Carroll is very similar to [Fernando] Llorente so that doesn’t make any sense to me. Arnautovic would be a better fit but it looks very unlikely.”

08.30 UPDATE: Chelsea stall on potential deal

Chelsea are making Bayern Munich wait over a possible move for Callum Hudson-Odoi, according to German football expert Raphael Honigstein.

“Bayern have come in strong with four offers,” Honigstein told the Transfer Talk podcast. “They have now matched the asking price but what seems to have happened is Chelsea have gone a little bit quiet.

“When the asking price is met, that’s normally when the deal has been done. It seems to me that Chelsea are still not quite sure whether they want to make this happen, even though Bayern are prepared to pay the kind of money they have been quoted.

“At the same time, they are holding out hope that they can convince Hudson-Odoi that his future could yet be at Stamford Bridge.”

08.15 UPDATE: Arsenal told NOT to sign James Rodriguez

Arsenal should prioritise a deal for Denis Suarez over James Rodriguez, according to Invincibles legend Lauren.

“Suarez should be Arsenal’s number one target this transfer window,” Lauren told Bwin.

“He’s an excellent player and he’s having to fight with so many top players to get first-team football at Barcelona.

“Arsenal should look to sign him above the likes of Rodriguez, no doubt about it.”

08.00 UPDATE: Eden Hazard stance on Chelsea future

Chelsea star Eden Hazard is prepared to sign on the dotted line at Stamford Bridge as long as Real Madrid do not move for him.

That is according to Bleacher Report, who claim the winger is genuinely happy with life in west London.

Hazard’s future has been the subject of plenty of speculation with Real eager to get him on board ahead of next season.

However, it is reported that he is willing to extend his Chelsea stay beyond 2020 should a Bernabeu switch fail to materialise.

07.45 UPDATE: Liverpool vs Tottenham battle

Liverpool AND Tottenham have joined the race for PSV Eindhoven winger Steven Bergwijn, according to reports in Holland.

Manchester United are known to be interested in Bergwijn, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a fan of the 21-year-old.

And De Telegraaf have claimed they potentially face competition for his signature from two Premier League rivals.

Liverpool and Tottenham are said to be keeping tabs on Bergwijn, with a scrap for a deal on the cards.

07.30 UPDATE: Man Utd REJECTED

Manchester United have been knocked back by Medhi Benatia after making a last-ditch raid for the centre-back, it has been claimed.

Benatia has made it clear he wants to quit Juventus this month for a fresh start having fallen down the pecking order.

And transfer guru Alfredo Pedulla reckons he is on the way to Qatari-outfit Al-Duhail in an £8.6m switch.

That move is only in the pipeline though after Benatia rejected a £3.2m-a-year offer from United.