Transfer news: Chelsea eye Kounde and De Ligt, latest on Man United manager hunt

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…

Chelsea defence

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly busy sorting out his defence with four senior options out contract this summer.

Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta a will all see their contracts expire soon.

Goal claim Tuchel wants to keep all of them at Stamford Bridge but knows there is plenty of work to do to ensure that.

Should any decide against penning fresh terms, Chelsea are also eyeing new recruits.

It is said Sevilla's Jules Kounde is the Blues' primary target while they have also reportedly been offered the chance to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus.

Ernesto Valverde

Manchester United have spoken to Ernesto Valverde with regards to him becoming their interim manager, it has been reported.

The 57-year-old was Barcelona's manager from May 2017 until January 2020, winning La Liga twice and a Copa del Rey, and is currently out of work.

The Guardian reports Valverde has had discussions with John Murtough, United's football director, about taking over on a temporary basis, with the club conscious that having worked with Lionel Messi at Barcelona he would be at ease managing Cristiano Ronaldo.

The report adds that Valverde has started sounding out potential players he could add to strengthen the squad should he be appointed.

Mauricio Pochettino

The Paris Saint-Germain squad reportedly expect manager Mauricio Pochettino to join Man United in the near future.

According to Marca, PSG's players are hopeful France legend Zinedine Zidane will replace the current boss if he departs.

The Mirror add that United will have to pay £8.4m if they want to prise Pochettino away from PSG.

Pochettino is 'desperate' to become United's new manager, sources close to the Argentine have told talkSPORT.

The 49-year-old's wife and children still live in London, fuelling his desire to return to the Premier League.

talkSPORT understands legendary former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is leading the quest to bring Pochettino to Old Trafford.

Advisers for the former Tottenham boss have already held talks with members of the United hierarchy.

Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal will reportedly hold off on contract talks with Alexandre Lacazette until the summer - even if they risk losing him for nothing.

The 30-year-old striker will see his current Gunners terms expire at the end of the season and he will be free to talk to other clubs in January.

But The Sun claim Arsenal won't be discussing his deal any time soon.

Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Marseille and Newcastle are among those said to be monitoring his situation.

The Sun add that Arsenal do not want to offer him a long-term deal but could table a fresh 12-month contract.

Jesse Lingard

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is reportedly interested in signing the midfielder when he becomes available on a free transfer in the summer.

Spurs are leading a queue of top-flight clubs including Newcastle and Everton in the race to land Lingard, according to ESPN.

The England international has put a host of clubs on red alert following reports that he is expected to leave Old Trafford.

Lingard, 28, has been a bit-part player since returning to Man United after his loan spell at West Ham ended.

Corentin Tolisso

Tottenham are leading the race to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso, according to Football Italia.

The Frenchman, who is a target for Inter Milan and Juventus, will also be available on a free in the summer.

Spurs director of football Fabio Paratici previously attempted to secure the midfielder's services from Lyon back in 2017.

Christian Pulisic

Chelsea's winger could be on his way to Liverpool as the American's game time continues to be limited at Stamford Bridge, report the Star.

The report adds that Thomas Tuchel could look to cut his losses on the 23-year-old after fitness and form has restricted him to just two league appearances.

Liverpool meanwhile are considering long-term replacements for both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah with Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma another target.

And Jurgen Klopp has worked with Pulisic before when the pair were at Borussia Dortmund together.

James Tarkowski

Sean Dyche has played down speculation regarding the Burnley star's future at the club.

Tarkowski is out of contract next summer and has been heavily linked with a move away from Turf Moor with Newcastle United among those interested.

However according to Dyche, his situation at the club doesn't mean anything.

Newcastle United

The Magpies are planning a triple raid on Italy's Serie A as they turn their attention to the January transfer window.

According to The Times, moves for Stefan de Vrij and Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan are a priority, as is a switch for Lazio's goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha.

Eddie Howe is looking to strengthen the spine of his team as they prepare for a relegation battle in the second half of the season.

Philippe Coutinho

Newcastle are unlikely to complete a deal to sign the Brazilian star in January, according to Spanish publication Sport.

The Barcelona star has been heavily linked with a move to St James' Park as they plot a flagship signing to kickstart the new era as the richest club in world football.

Coutinho had been linked with a move but the playmaker is determined to stay at the Nou Camp and will therefore reject any approaches to move away.

Adama Traore

Wolves are open to selling the winger in the January transfer window as talks over a new contract stall, according to 90min.

Traore has endured a mixed time since moving to Molineux having failed to live up to his undoubted potential on a consistent basis.

Barcelona and Liverpool are both said to be interested in a move for the 25-year-old and could try their luck as his future continues to go unresolved.

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."

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.

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.