Transfer news LIVE - Coutinho 'open' to return, Arsenal ready Aubameyang exit

Merry Christmas everyone!

Santa Claus may have been but for football clubs across Europe, the big window opens on January 1.

Already moves are being made with perhaps the biggest question in the Premier League right now being what will Arsenal do about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang? It seems Mikel Arteta has had enough of his former skipper and is ready to cash in.

Arsenal have also been mooted, again, as a destination for Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho. The Blaugrana need to get big money off the books to allow them to register Ferran Torres when he joins from Man City, and Coutinho is said to be 'open' to a Premier League return.

Elsewhere, Ralf Rangnick is looking to improve Manchester United's midfield and Leeds United's Raphinha has a growing list of admirers - not least Bayern Munich

We'll keep you up to date with the latest transfer news and rumours.

10:06Joshua Smith

Aubameyang's future

The Gabon international has not been seen in an Arsenal shirt since he was stripped of the club captaincy following his latest disciplinary breach.

As a result, speculation around Aubameyang's exit has inevitably followed, with a number of different clubs touted as possible destinations for the forward in January.

Both Barcelona and Juventus reportedly harbour interest in the 32-year-old, who is likely to remain unused by Arsenal until after the Africa Cup of Nations.

ESPN claim that the Gunners hierarchy are willing to call time on Aubameyang's time in north London as they listen to any offers that are sent their way between now and the end of the January window.

09:42Alex Richards

Chelsea want Tchouameni in January

According to Eurosport, Chelsea will try to strike a deal with Monaco for the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni in January.

In the report, it's said that even if the Blues cannot convince the principality club to part ways with the French international mid-season, they will look to agree a fee in early 2022 with a view to a summer move.

It's added that Chelsea expect one of N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic or Jorginho to leave in the next year, meaning there is potentially going to be a gap to fill in the heart of the team.

The 21-year-old Frenchman is rated as one of the best midfield prospects in European football and has been excellent for Monaco in Ligue 1 this season.

09:29Joshua Smith

Arsenal reignite Philippe Coutinho interest

The Gunners have spent a number of transfer windows being linked with the struggling Barcelona midfielder and January 2022 appears to be no different.

A number of different Spanish outlets are reporting that Arsenal are 'working' to sign Coutinho, in what would complete a star-studded line-up of attacking midfielders if the Brazilian was to play alongside Martin Odegaard Smith Rowe.

Coutinho is one of the highest earners at Camp Nou and given Barcelona's current economic hardship, the Catalan giants could view his exit as a positive.

The former Liverpool man is reportedly not in Xavi's plans, something that is known to Coutinho's representatives - hence the search to find him a new club.

Mundo Deportivo report that the Brazil international would be open to a return to the Premier League after the 29-year-old enjoyed five years at Anfield before his exit in 2018.

09:05Kit Mann

Sterling still a Barcelona target

According to Eurosport, Barcelona's imminent acquisition of Torres has not dampened their enthusiasm to sign Raheem Sterling from City as well.

Sterling's future has been a topic of discussion all season and while the England international has recently enjoyed a run in the team again, he's still yet to agree an extension to his contract that expires in 2023.

In the report, it's said Barcelona are hoping to capitalise on the situation, with new manager Xavi a big admirer of Sterling.

"Much will depend on how their squad is able to shape up over the next six months but while finding the cash for a transfer and wages looks problematic right now, they have found a way around the Ferran situation and a lot can change between now and the summer," the report continued.

09:03Alex Richards

Merry Christmas all!

Welcome folks to a new dawn and a new day.

Ready to roll again?

Let's go!

21:04Chris Doyle

Mikel Arteta transfer plan falls into place

Arsenal and Liverpool are both set to have depleted squads for their Carabao Cup semi-final as the African Cup of Nations is set to go ahead.

Arsenal will see Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all leave for the competition.

Liverpool are arguably at a bigger disadvantage losing Mohamed Salah, who has been the best player in the Premier League this season, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita.

But the Gunners could also be boosted by a new signing arriving in time for the clash as Mikel Arteta looks to add reinforcements in January, whereas the Reds will likely just do their best to get by without Salah and Mane.

Read more: Mikel Arteta transfer plan falls into place as Arsenal perfectly get one over Liverpool

17:50Tom Victor

Everton's Mina on Napoli radar

Napoli are keeping an eye on Everton centre-back Yerry Mina, according to reports in Italy.

The Colombian is one of three defenders being looked at by the Serie A side, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), with Attila Szalai and Mina's international teammate Jhon Lucumi the others.

Mina joined Everton from Barcelona in 2018, and has had an injury-interrupted time on Merseyside.

The 27-year-old has played just seven league games this term, after struggling to overcome thigh problems.

16:55Tom Victor

Juventus "unconvinced" over Aubameyang

Juventus remain 'unconvinced' by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the Old Lady look to avoid a repeat of the lasting damage left by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Arsenal attacker is reportedly one of three transfer targets identified by the Italian giants as they look to bolster their faltering forward line in January.

Having been stripped of captaincy and frozen out by manager Mikel Arteta, Aubameyang appears to be on his way out of the Emirates with the Gunners reportedly keen to offload the Gabonese striker in the New Year.

Despite interest from Juventus, it appears a potential deal could be scuppered as a result of the Serie A side's experience with another mega-money earning star name in Ronaldo.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

16:23KEY EVENT

Mourinho's Roma keen on Maitland-Niles

Roma has emerged as a surprise potential destination for Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The Athletic reports that Jose Mourinho's side are keen on the England international, who spent the second half of last season at West Bromwich Albion.

Everton also remain interested in the 24-year-old, who hasn't started a game for Arsenal since the victory over Watford on November 7.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be prepared to let him leave in January, with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny due to jet off for the Africa Cup of Nations.

15:52Tom Victor

West Brom after US striker Dike

West Bromwich Albion have made an approach for Daryl Dike, according to 90min.

The United States international spent time in England with Barnsley last season, when current Albion boss Valerien Ismael was in charge at Oakwell.

The 21-year-old fired Barnsley into the play-offs with nine league goals, and also won the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the US over the summer.

He returned to parent club Orlando City after the Tykes failed to win promotion, and scored 11 times in 19 MLS outings.

15:23Tom Victor

Dembele close to Barca resolution

Ousmane Dembele's contract standoff could be close to an end, with Marca reporting that the French international is on the verge of a new deal.

The former Borussia Dortmund forward is out of contract in the summer, prompting interest from the Premier League and further afield.

Newcastle United have been linked with an approach following their mid-season takeover, while Manchester United were strongly linked over the summer.

However, Dembele is thought to be close to extending his Barca stay until at least 2024 after having a tough time with injuries since moving to Camp Nou.

14:53Tom Victor

West Ham to sign Linfield striker

Linfield's teenage striker Callum Marshall is due to complete a move to West Ham United in January.

According to the BBC, the Northern Irishman will join the Hammers on a three-year deal, having recently broken into the first team at Linfield.

Marshall scored his first senior goal in a League Cup win against PSNI in November, and has also featured for David Healy's side in the league.

He will join a number of young recruits in east London, after the summer signing of former Celtic forward Armstrong Okoflex and Thierry Nevers from Reading.

14:24KEY EVENT

Cavani tug-of-war on the cards

Edinson Cavani is reportedly 'unhappy' at Manchester United amid talks of a transfer tug-of-war between Barcelona and Brazilian side Corinthians.

The Uruguayan established himself as an Old Trafford fan favourite in his first season with the Red Devils, netting 17 times after joining in October 2020 on a free transfer following his PSG release.

However, the 34-year-old has endured a tougher time of it so far this season as a series of injuries, coupled with increased competition for places in United's attack, have seen him take to the field on only eight occasions.

Despite having initially extended his Manchester stay until next summer, a January departure has been touted with Barcelona believed to be favourites for his signature.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

13:54Tom Victor

World's richest footballer joins new club

Former Chelsea and Leicester City youngster Faiq Bolkiah is widely regarded as the world's richest footballer, but the Brunei international had been struggling to find a new club after leaving Portuguese outfit Maritimo.