Transfer news: Barcelona working on Salah switch, Arsenal keen on Pepe swap deal

The mid-season market is always a hectic time for top-flight clubs as teams look to bolster their ranks for the second half of the campaign.

It's more difficult to do business in the January window but several sides across the country may be forced to open their chequebooks after Christmas.

What are the latest rumours and headlines? talkSPORT.com takes a look…

Mohamed Salah

Barcelona are 'working silently' on a deal to lure the Liverpool superstar to the Nou Camp, according to Catalan outlet El Nacional.

New Barca boss Xavi is said to want the 29-year-old - who is yet to agree a new contract at Anfield - 'at all costs'.

Egypt forward Salah, who signed for £36million from Roma in 2017, has just over 18 months to run on his existing deal at Liverpool.

Liverpool have recently announced extensions for Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Barca are also monitoring The Spanish defender's situation at Chelsea, according to ESPN.

Azpilicueta, 32, is in the final eight months of his contract and the Catalans are targeting a number of free agents to ease their financial difficulties.

He has made 12 appearances for Chelsea this campaign and remains a regular under Thomas Tuchel, either at full-back or as part of a back three.

The report adds that the Blues remain in negotiations with Azpilicueta and are hopeful he will extend his stint at Stamford Bridge.

Dejan Kulusevski

Juventus are keen to offload the 21-year-old Sweden winger, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.

The report adds that a swap deal with Arsenal for record signing Nicolas Pepe, 26, has been suggested but the Old Lady prefer cash.

Kulusevski - who is also a target for Tottenham - revealed he grew up loving Arsenal in Swedish podcast Lundh back in October 2019.

He said: "My favourite team is Arsenal, because I like everything about the club, the city, the players and the way they play football."

Adrien Rabiot

Italian outlet Calciomercato claim Newcastle are interested in a move for the Juventus and France midfielder.

However, speaking to TeleFoot, Rabiot said: "I'm happy in Turin. I see my future at Juventus, of course!"

The 26-year-old, who was previously at Paris Saint-Germain, still has 18 months remaining on his contract with the Old Lady.

Donny van de Beek

Wolves are eyeing a deal for Manchester United outcast Van de Beek, according to Birmingham Live.

The 24-year-old midfielder joined United from Ajax for £35million in the summer of 2020, after playing an integral role in the Dutch's side impressive run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

The Dutchman, though, has struggled to live up to expectations at Old Trafford and registered three Premier League starts last season.

Everton were linked with a transfer bid for Van de Beek - who reportedly recently changed agents to help him find a new club.

Barcelona

The LaLiga giants are planning moves for three Chelsea players, claim Catalan Daily Sport, via AS.

Hakim Ziyech, 28, England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, 21, and Christian Pulisic, 23, are all said to be on Barcelona's wish-list.

All three are struggling for regular game time at Stamford Bridge and have emerged as potential loan targets in January.

Brendan Rodgers

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has emerged as the favourite to replace under-fire Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to reports.

Solskjaer remains under intense pressure following the Red Devils' dire display in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford, which came just two weeks after a 5-0 hammering at home to Liverpool.

It is understood United will stick with the Norwegian for now, but with more difficult fixtures on the horizon, they may be forced to act.

The Sun claims Rodgers is now the board's first-choice candidate if they need to replace Solskjaer in the near future.

Antonio Conte, Zinedine Zidane and Erik ten Hag have also been on United's radar.

Former Chelsea title winning boss Conte was interested but was not prepared to wait around once the Tottenham offer came along.

Out-of-work Zidane guided Real Madrid to three Champions League titles in two spells but has indicated that he would not be interested in the Old Trafford hotseat.

And Ajax coach Ten Hag did not want to discuss any hypothetical openings with the agent.

Harry Kane

Manchester City have reportedly revived their interest in Tottenham striker Harry Kane ahead of the January transfer window.

The Premier League champions tried to sign the 28-year-old over the summer, but despite bidding as much as £125million, chairman Daniel Levy stood firm.

Kane bagged a perfect first-half hat-trick for England in their 5-0 thrashing of Albania but his club form has been uncharacteristically poor this season.

The Spurs star has just one goal in his opening ten Premier League matches - and ESPN report that City are planning to reignite their interest in January.

Dusan Vlahovic

Tottenham are interested in Serbian sensation Dusan Vlahovic and are planning to snap him up ahead of rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.

New Spurs boss Antonio Conte wants another striker in January to take the weight off Harry Kane.

In-demand Vlahovic is top of Conte's wish-list after bagging 21 goals for Fiorentina in Serie A last season.

The 21-year-old has netted eight goals in 12 league games this term and City, Arsenal and Juventus have been linked with him.

Vlahovic's current contract is due to expire in 2023 and Fiorentina are said to be willing to cash in on their £65million-rated marksman.

Newcastle

Newcastle are reportedly targeting THREE Manchester United players in January.

The Mirror claim the Toon will look to raid United this winter for a trio of their bit-part players.

On the Magpies' radar are Netherlands midfielder Donny van de Beek, England midfielder Jesse Lingard, and goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

It is said that Newcastle are looking to sign all three on permanent deals despite loan moves seeming more achievable.

Wilfred Ndidi

Real Madrid are reportedly keen to make a January move for Leicester defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

Fichajes claim the LaLiga giants are big fans of the 24-year-old Nigeria international.

Ndidi is under contract at Leicester until June 2024 and is valued in excess of £60million.

The Foxes signed the midfielder from Genk for £17m in December 2016.

Raheem Sterling

Manchester City are willing to sell Raheem Sterling if a bid of £45million is tabled.

Barcelona have been frequently linked with a move for the England forward while Newcastle and Arsenal are also said to be keen.

The Metro claim City value Sterling at around £45m, £5m less than what they paid Liverpool for him in 2015.

The 26-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola and is interested in taking up a new challenge.

Paul Pogba

The Frenchman reportedly wants to renew his contract with Manchester United.

However, L'Equipe, via Metro, claim Pogba is demanding he overtakes Cristiano Ronaldo to become the Premier League's highest-paid player.

CR7 is currently the top earner after signing a 480,000-a-week deal upon his return to Old Trafford in the summer.

Pogba meanwhile - who will be a free agent at the end of the season - is looking for an increase on his £290k-a-week contract.

Lionel Messi

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner could be set for a move back to Barcelona having only quit the La Liga giants three months ago, according to the Star.

Marca report that Victor Fonte, who came second to Joan Laporta in the presidential election, is imploring Barca to pursue a return for Messi.

Speaking on Catalan radio, he said: "His departure deserved to be through the front door.

"From that moment on, the club should be thinking about how Messi could return to Barcelona in 2023."

Timo Werner

Barcelona are preparing to bolster their forward line in January with a host of Premier League options reportedly on their wishlist.

Marca, via Mirror, claim that Manchester City star Raheem Sterling, Man United veteran Edinson Cavani and Chelsea's Timo Werner are all being considered.

Barca oversaw the summer departures of Messi and Antoine Griezmann while Sergio Aguero's health issues have created a role in the club's front-line.

The Catalans are prioritising experienced forwards who are currently out of favour at their respective Premier League clubs.

Frenkie de Jong

The Dutch midfielder could be used as part of a stunning £60million swap deal with Barcelona for out-of-favour Raheem Sterling.

Catalan outfit El Nacional claim Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of De Jong while England star Sterling has been a long-term target at the Nou Camp.

The report adds that City winger Sterling - who has managed just two goals this season - would be an ideal fit in their system under new boss Xavi.

The 26-year-old is valued around £43m at the Etihad compared to Barca's £60m for De Jong meaning a swap deal plus £17m could be on the cards.