Man Utd agree £98k Bruno Fernandes deal, Chelsea open £50m talks, Tottenham medical today

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip

Monday, January 13

• Chelsea have made an enquiry to sign Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk

• Manchester United have struck an agreement with Bruno Fernandes

• The Portuguese star has agreed a five-year contract worth £98k per week

• Wolves have been linked with a surprise move for Thomas Lemar

• Jack Grealish has dropped a major hint he wants to join Manchester United

Lampard double

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard still wants to get two new signings over the line this month, says transfer expert Ian McGarry.

Speaking on the Reach PLC Transfer Window Podcast, McGarry said: “They have been linked with many, many players in this January window.

“So far Frank Lampard, who of course is operating in his first transfer window as Chelsea manager and certainly his experience at Derby County is going to be a lot different in terms of finances available and quality of players that he would be looking at, has resisted the opportunity to dive into the market and just basically sign the first player who comes up.

“We know that the first priority is a striker who can back up Tammy Abraham. “That is a position as I’ve said that they’re yet to fill, indeed it looks like Olivier Giroud will go to Inter Milan leaving only Michy Batshuayi as the recognised senior backup to Abraham – there’s interest in Batshuayi as well.

“The second priority is a centre-half, he wants someone who can command a defence which has looked inconsistent at best with regards to conceding goals, especially at set-pieces.”

Muller alert

Bayern Munich forward has put a number of clubs, including Manchester United, on alert with his latest comments.

Muller was close to joining United in 2015 but opted to sign a contract extension at Bayern.

“My focus is exclusively on being successful this season,” he said when initially asked about his contract situation.

“What will happen in the summer, I will talk to the club and consider my options. Then let’s see in which direction things will go.”

Another goalkeeping move

This time it’s Bournemouth but it’s an exit with Asmir Begovic moving to AC Milan on loan.

Begovic spent the first half of the season at Azerbaijan Premier League side Qarabag.

Begovic has made 62 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth but Aaron Ramsdale has been the No 1 for Eddie Howe’s men this season.

He joins an AC Milan side currently in tenth place in Serie A, four points from the Europa League qualification spots.

Aston Villa done deal

Pepe Reina’s loan move to Aston Villa has been confirmed with the goalkeeper moving to Villa Park until the end of the season.

Villa manager Dean Smith said: “We’ve managed to secure a player in Pepe who has a wealth of Premier League experience.

“At the start of the summer we were looking for an experienced goalkeeper and brought in Tom Heaton.

“Unfortunately, his injury has ruled him out for the rest of the season but Pepe fits our criteria not just because of his experience but also because of his leadership qualities.”

Gone from the Gunners

Arsenal have confirmed that Konstantinos Mavropanos has joined second-tier German side FC Nurnberg on a short-term loan deal.

Mavropanos was one of the last players signed by Arsene Wenger back in January 2018 but the centre-back has failed to make a Premier League appearance this season.

The 22-year-old will now join Nurnberg, who currently sit 16th in 2.Bundesliga.

Perez’s Pogba porky

Manchester United ace Paul Pogba has been constantly linked with a move to Real Madrid.

But Los Blancos president Florentino Perez has jokingly revealed he doesn’t know who the midfielder is.

When asked about the Frenchman following Real’s Super Cup win, Perez simply replied: “I don’t know who Pogba is.”

He left with a cheeky smile. What a funny guy.

Klopp’s Dembele chances dashed?

Former Liverpool ace Luis Suarez may have scuppered the Reds’ chances of signing Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been linked with a move for the winger, but Barca may now force Dembele to stay with Suarez having been ruled out for four months.

The Uruguayan forward underwent surgery on his knee with Barcelona confirming the ace would miss the majority of the rest of the season.

Fernandes phone call

Sporting Lisbon chief Hugo Viana has phoned the agent of Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo as he looks to get a deal done for the Argentine this month, says transfer expert Duncan Castles.

It comes with United believed to have offered Sporting a swap deal in an attempt to secure the signing of Bruno Fernandes.

Castles told the Reach PLC Transfer Window Podcast: My information as of [Sunday] night was that Sporting were still working to get [Marcos] Rojo involved, that Hugo Viana, the sports director, had called Rojo’s agent to see if they could come to an agreement to bring him back to the club.

“I think it’s more making a public statement that even though they lose their best player, they bring an Argentina international who had a reasonable status while he was in Portugal as part of the deal.”

Liverpool bid

Liverpool have reportedly got in contact with Trabzonspor again over a potential deal for goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.

Turkish outlet Sabah claim that the Reds have contacted the club for a second time, making an offer of €15m (£12.8m).

It’s claimed that Liverpool are insistent they can not wait until the summer to complete the deal.

Trabzonspor president Ahmet Agaoglu recently admitted: “There are offers for Cakir, we continue to receive offers. It’s been said Liverpool have made an offer.”

Grealish to Man Utd backed

Jack Grealish’s former Aston Villa team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor has backed the midfielder to secure a move to Manchester United, should Villa be relegated this season.

Agbonlahor told Malaysian TV channel Stadium Astro: “If they go down, I think he’ll leave. If they stay up, it could be 50-50. If Villa go out there and spend another £100m maybe…

“If they go out and spend, he’s getting better players around him. I know him, he won’t want to leave. He’s the captain.”

When fellow pundit Danny Mills suggested no-one would meet Villa’s valuation of Grealish, Agbonlahor responded: “I actually think they will. Man United, Villa might say, ‘You know what, it’s going to cost you £70m.’ I think Man United pay it. He’d walk into that side, they’re missing that creativity.”

David Moyes urged

West Ham boss David Moyes should make a move for Liverpool ace Nathaniel Clyne, according to former Premier League full-back Danny Mills.

When asked if West Ham would be a good fit for the injured Clyne, Mills told Football Insider: “I think he’s a very good player, a very good defender and he’s been unfortunate.

“And obviously the emergence of Alexander-Arnold has clearly hampered his progress but I think he’s a good player.

“Somebody, once he gets himself a 100% fit, will benefit greatly from the player that he is.”

Patryk Klimala to Celtic

Polish striker Patryk Klimala has arrived at Parkhead to complete his move to Celtic.

The 21-year-old is reportedly set to sign a four-and-a-half-year deal to join Neil Lennon’s side for a fee of £3.5million.

Asked by STV before going into Celtic Park on Monday morning as to how he felt, Klimala said: “Good thanks. Yes, it is exciting”.

The former Poland youth international has scored seven goals in 17 appearances for Polish Ekstraklasa side Jagiellonia Bialystok.

Tottenham raid

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho is considering a move for Norwich ace Max Aarons and West Brom defender Nathan Ferguson this month.

According to Football London, Aarons and Ferguson are unlikely to leave the Canaries and the Baggies respectively because they are important in each team’s battles in the Premier League and Championship.

Spurs look set to offload Kyle Walker-Peters, with Crystal Palace posing as a likely destination for the full-back, and so the club will look to sign a defender that can play as a right-back during the January transfer window.

Tottenham are also said to be weighing up some high-profile moves in midfield as Christian Eriksen appears to be on his way out with Inter Milan, Manchester United and Real Madrid among the clubs keeping an eye on ongoing developments.

Shkodran Mustafi exit

Representatives of Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi are set to hold talks with Galatasaray.

Mustafi, 27, looks destined to leave the Emirates Stadium having failed to make either of Mikel Arteta’s last three match day squads.

And now publication FotoMac claim he could be heading to Turkey for the remainder of the season

Besiktas were initially expected to sign the German defender, but it looks as if Galatasaray will win the battle.

Marcos Rojo swap

Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United remains a strong possibility this month.

And Portuguese newspaper O Jogo say that Sporting Lisbon have settled on Marcos Rojo being involved, despite it initially being claimed they’d turned the Argentina international down.

Sporting are, however, said to be concerned about his high salary.

The United star currently pockets £80,000-a-week and Sporting aren’t willing to go that high.

United may actually end up having to pay some of his wages to ensure the Fernandes deal happens.

Wanted: Christian Kabasele

Manchester United and Arsenal are interested in Watford defender Christian Kabasele.

Kabasele, 28, joined Watford from Belgian side Genk in 2016 for a paltry £5.8million.

And despite the Hornets being involved in a relegation scrap – Le10 Sport claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mikel Arteta have been impressed with his displays.

French outlet Le10 Sport say Kabasele will sign a contract extension at Vicarage Road until June 20204 – and that the Premier League duo are monitoring his situation.

Olivier Giroud delay

Inter Milan cannot complete the signing of Olivier Giroud until Antonio Conte has offloaded a player.

That’s according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, who claim winger Matteo Politano needs to be sold to balance the books at the San Siro.

Politano, 26, has started just two Serie A fixtures this season and is considered surplus to requirements with AC Milan, Fiorentina and Napoli thought to be interested.

Giroud, meanwhile, has already agreed personal terms and an 18-month contract with Inter for a fee in the region of £4.2million plus bonuses.

Boubakary Soumare tracked

Manchester United sent a scout to France on Sunday to make a final check on deep-lying Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare ahead of a possible transfer bid.

Express Sport understands under-pressure United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to strengthen his midfield this month, and Lille are open to selling Soumare.

Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and AC Milan have all looked at Soumare, 20, over the last few weeks.

Solskjaer, though, appears to now be at the front of the queue of clubs keen on the French Under-21 international, who came through the ranks of Paris Saint-Germain before joining Lille in 2017.

Nathaniel Phillips loan

Nathaniel Phillips has re-joined Stuttgart for the remainder of the season.

The 22-year-old was recalled by Liverpool from the Bundesliga 2 side to help remedy an injury crisis at Anfield following knocks to Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren.

But 17 days after his return to Anfield – he’s gone back.

Phillips completed 90 minutes during the FA Cup third-round victory over Everton at Anfield earlier this month.

Luke Shaw enquiry

Leicester have spoken with Manchester United to discuss the availability of Luke Shaw.

The Leicester Mercury claim Brendan Rodgers’ side are preparing for the loss of first-choice left-back Ben Chilwell.

Manchester City and Chelsea have both been linked with the £60million-rated England international and the Foxes are considering Shaw as his successor.

It’s thought the emergence of Brandon Williams could convince United chiefs to sanction his departure.

Konstantinos Mavropanos medical

Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos looks set to join German second division side FC Nurnberg today.

Sky Sports claim the centre-back is currently undergoing a medical with the club ahead of joining on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 22-year-old has made three senior appearance for the Gunners this term – but has been left out of Mikel Arteta’s last two match day squads.

Nurnberg won the race to land Mavropanos ahead of Werder Bremen, Dusseldorf and Hanover.

Wanted: Moussa Dembele

Manchester United scouts were in attendance to watch Lyon striker Moussa Dembele on Saturday, ESPN report.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham are all interested in the France international, who has scored 11 Ligue 1 goals this campaign.

Dembele, 23, played the full 90 minutes, provided an assist and scored the winner during a 2-1 victory away to Bordeaux.

It’s believed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are ready to ‘hijack’ any potential deal from their Premier League rivals.

Wanted: Marash Kumbulla

Chelsea have joined Manchester United in the battle to sign Albania international Marash Kumbulla.

That’s according to Italian publication Calciomercato, who claim Frank Lampard is eager to bring the 19-year-old to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are in the market for a defender and Kumbulla would represent a cheaper alternative to Brighton’s Lewis Dunk.

It’s said that Kumbulla, who plays for Serie A side Hellas Verona, is valued at £13million but is also being tracked by Juventus and Inter Milan.

Bruno Fernandes agreement

Manchester United have struck an agreement with the agent of Sporting Lisbon star Bruno Fernandes.

That’s according to journalist Nicolo Schira, who claims the Portuguese international has agreed a five-year contract worth £98k per week.

“Total agreement between Bruno Fernandes agent (Miguel Pinho) and Manchester United until 2025 (£5.1million a year),” Schira tweeted.

“They’ve told to Sporting about Bruno’s desire to play in Premier League. Tomorrow, Manchester United will work to reach agreement with Sporting and close the deal.”

It’s believed Ed Woodward and Co. will will lodge an offer in the region of £65million today.

Gedson Fernandes medical

Gedson Fernandes is due in London today where he will complete a loan switch to Tottenham from Benfica.

The midfielder has been a prominent figure in the rumour mill since the turn of the year, but now he is set to seal a move to the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho is set to win the race for his compatriot and the deal is set to be completed on Monday.

According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Fernandes will jet to London this morning, where he will undergo a medical.

Bournemouth stance on Nathan Ake

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe insists he is unconcerned about speculation Chelsea could re-sign Nathan Ake because it’s out of his control.

Express Sport understands Ake is an option to strengthen the Blues’ defence, with Chelsea able to buy the Dutchman for £40m thanks to a clever transfer clause.

But, Howe said: “I’m not going to play games with Nathan. We want him back, as fit as he can be, to make a difference. You have to do what’s right for the team. I don’t worry about things out of my control.”

Issa Diop of West Ham is Chelsea’s top defensive transfer target, but Frank Lampard might move for Ake if the Hammers will not sanction a deal.

Ernesto Valverde treatment is ugly

Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta believes the Spanish champions are treating coach Ernesto Valverde unfairly.

Barca approached Iniesta’s former team mate Xavi Hernandez to replace the under-pressure Valverde who they wanted to sack after defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final last week.

Barcelona are top of La Liga and have lifted back-to-back league titles under the Spanish coach, but there are concerns over the team’s levels of performance and style.

“What Barcelona are doing is a bit ugly. They have to have some respect for their current coach, the way things are done are what hurt the most,” Vissel Kobe midfielder Iniesta told Onda Cero radio station.

Fabinho open to Monaco return

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is open to returning to Monaco at some point in the future.

Fabinho, 26, arrived at Anfield from Monaco in 2018 for £39million after five successful seasons with the Ligue 1 side.

Speaking as a guest on French television programme Telefoot yesterday, Fabinho said: “I continue to watch Monaco. In the future, I could come back, yes.”

Fabinho also revealed how he would “like to welcome” Kylian Mbappe to Liverpool in the future.

Chelsea vs Tottenham for Gabriel Barbosa

Chelsea and Tottenham could go head-to-head this month to sign Inter Milan outcast Gabriel Barbosa, who stunned fans with his form at Flamengo last year.

Barbosa gave his career a much-needed kickstart after returning to Brazil on a temporary basis, helping Flamengo win the league title and Copa Libertadores.

Express Sport understands Barbosa is an option for Frank Lampard as he looks to supplement Tammy Abraham’s attacking threat with another forward.

According to the January 12 edition of the Sunday Mirror, Tottenham want Barbosa too, so a scrap might be on the cards.