Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip
Wednesday, January 22
- Bruno Fernandes’ agent Jorge Mendes has spoken about his clients future
- The Portuguese midfielder will leave Sporting Lisbon either in January or the summer
- Valencia striker Rodrigo Moreno is Barcelona’s top choice to replace the injured Luis Suarez
- Chelsea are open to selling club-record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer
Arsenal replacement
Arsenal have identified Raul Jimenez as a potential replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the Gunners hierarchy fearing that their captain could seal a move to Barcelona.
That’s what is being reported in Spain, as the Mexican continues to alert top clubs with his form for Wolves.
He now has 10 Premier League goals to his name this season and is the club’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 23 goals.
Now according to AS, Arsenal might make an offer for the forward if Aubameyang departs the club.
Ismaila Soro to Celtic
Midfielder Ismaila Soro has completed a medical ahead of his proposed move to Celtic.
Terms have already been agreed with Soro’s current club in Israel, Bnei Yehuda, for a four-and-a-half-year deal for the 21-year-old Ivorian.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon revealed on Tuesday that Soro was undergoing a medical in Israel as he waits for a visa to be sorted to confirm his move.
Soro began his career with FC Saxan in Moldova before joining FC Gomel in Belarus in 2017 and subsequently making the switch to Tel Aviv-based Bnei Yehuda the following year.
Tottenham withdraw
Tottenham have been in contact with Lyon star Moussa Dembele and Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani.
Thats according to Cadena SER, who claim Jose Mourinho’s side are no longer interested in pursuing the Ligue 1 attackers.
Spurs are desperate to sign cover for Harry Kane, who could be sidelined until April.
Cadena SER say the north London side will now turn their attentions to Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose, and are prepared to pay £42million for his services.
AS add that Jose will travel to London on Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning for talks.
The waiting game…
Chelsea are prepared to take their pursuit of Edinson Cavani to the final hours of the transfer window, the Telegrah claim.
PSG’s superstar, 32, has informed the club’s hierarchy that he wants to leave in January having seen precious little first-team action this season.
Frank Lampard’s side are eager to secure the Uruguayan’s signature but the French club’s £12.6million valuation is proving difficult.
The Blues believe that fee on top of his £360k salary demands and age is too much and will ‘sit tight’ to see whether the situation changes.
Philippe Coutinho return
Bayern Munich will not sign Philippe Coutinho on a permanent basis.
The Brazil international, 27, joined the Bundesliga champions on a season-long loan having failed to justify his £105million price-tag at the Nou Camp.
Bayern have the option to buy Coutinho for £101million at the end of the campaign.
But German newspaper Bild claim the club’s executives don’t think he’s impressed enough and will decline to exercise their purchase option.
Bruno Fernandes agent
Bruno Fernandes’ move from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United has been discussed by Jorge Mendes.
The super-agent has admitted he’s unsure if a deal will happen now but that the 25-year-old will be on the move soon enough.
Manchester United want to sign Fernandes but they still have some work to do if they’re to make the Sporting Lisbon star their big-money signing of the January transfer window.
“If he doesn’t leave now, he will leave for sure in the summer,” he said.
“Because Sporting have already spoken with other clubs. Something will happen but I am not sure if now or at the end of the season.”
Wanted: Rodrigo Moreno
Valencia striker Rodrigo Moreno is Barcelona’s top choice to replace the injured Luis Suarez.
That’s according to publication Sport, who claim the player has agreed to leave Valencia and join the Spanish champions.
It’s believed discussions are ongoing with Barcelona eager to secure a six-month loan agreement with an option to make the deal permanent this summer.
Barcelona explored the possibility of bringing one of Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or RB Leipzig frontman Timo Werner to Catalonia but both clubs rebuffed the moves.
Kepa Arrizabalaga sale
Chelsea are open to selling Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer.
That’s according to Bleacher Report, who claim Roman Abramovich and co. are considering Burnley’s Nick Pope a possible replacement.
Kepa, 25, still remains Chelsea’s record signing having arrived from Athletic Bilbao for £72million in August 2018.
The Spanish goalkeeper and midfielder N’Golo Kante are the club’s two top earners at Stamford Bridge – earning a reported £150,000 per-week.