Transfer news: Man United and Liverpool eye USA star, Chelsea move 'a done 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…

Ricardo Pepi

Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly both eyeing moves for American teenage striker Ricardo Pepi.

The 18-year-old has been a hit at FC Dallas in recent months, netting 13 goals in the MLS this term.

The youngster also has three goals in six caps for USA and The Sun claim he is now wanted by two Premier League big guns.

United and Liverpool have sent scouts to watch several Dallas matches and both could be about to launch a move.

Lionel Messi

The Argentine has reportedly begun to question whether Mauricio Pochettino is up to the task of being Paris Saint-Germain manager.

French outlet L'Equipe claim that those closest to Messi fear Poch lacks full control of the PSG dressing room and has lost respect among the senior stars.

Former Barcelona captain Messi is also thought to believe that his compatriot is 'too restrictive' with his tactics that don't suit his play style.

The 34-year-old has managed just one league goal since arriving at PSG in the summer while Pochettino continues to be linked with a Premier League return.

Attila Szalai

Chelsea's move for the Fenerbahce defender Attila Szalai is a 'done deal', amid doubts over the futures of the Blues first-team stars.

Hungary boss Marco Rossi, who included Szalai in all three of his countries Euro 2020 games, was quizzed on which of his players would star in Serie A.

He told Calciomercato: "It's hard to name just one player, but right now I see very well Attila Szalai, who plays for Fenerbahce, but I think he is joining Chelsea.

"Clearly, he has been followed by important clubs in Spain, but apparently his move to Chelsea is a done deal.

"He would be a great player also for Italian football."

Chelsea have a host of defensive options at Stamford Bridge already but Antonio Rudiger Andreas Christensen, and club captain Cesar Azpilicueta will all be out of contract within the next 18 months.

Mohamed Salah

Salah put pressure on Liverpool to resolve his contract situation as he comments on reports linking him with a move to Barcelona.

The superstar forward is entering the final 18 months of his deal at Anfield and would be happy to stay.

"I said it several times, if the decision is up to me, I want to stay in Liverpool," said Salah.

"But the decision is in the hands of the management and they have to solve this issue."

The 29-year-old also addressed the Barcelona rumours when speaking to Egyptian broadcaster MBC Masr TV.

Salah said: "I read what was said about Xavi's interest to sign me.

"This is something that makes me happy that a team like Barcelona is interested in me, but I'm happy in Liverpool and we will see what happens in the future.

"At the moment, I prefer to stay in the Premier League as it's the strongest league in the world."

Kieran Trippier

Newcastle United are interested in making a move for Kieran Trippier.

Eddie Howe is looking to bolster his defence at St James' Park and had identified the Atletico Madrid star as a potential option.

According to The Sun, a deal to sign the 31-year-old could cost as much as £25million.

John McGinn

Manchester United have identified John McGinn as a potential transfer target, according to The Sun.

The Aston Villa star is regarded as one of the best midfielders outside of the top six and could be in line for a big move to Old Trafford.

It's thought that he's being tipped as an ideal replacement for Paul Pogba who looks increasingly likely to move on.

Ousmane Dembele

Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to sign Ousmane Dembele.

The Barcelona star is attracting huge interest from clubs in the Premier League with Manchester United and Newcastle United also keen.

With a contract that runs out next summer it means that something of a bidding war could emerge to attract the forward's services.

Jesse Lingard

Newcastle are targeting the Manchester United midfielder as well as three other England players in January.

The Telegraph claim the Magpies are chasing Lingard, 28, Tottenham star Harry Winks, 25, Chelsea ace Ross Barkley, 27, and Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier.

The report also states that Liverpool defender Nat Phillips and Burnley stalwart James Tarkowski are other names that have been discussed.

Timo Werner

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick 'wants to discuss' a shock transfer swoop for Chelsea forward Timo Werner.

The German is reportedly keen on buying the Blues forward having done so already when he was the sporting director of RB Leipzig.

Given that Chelsea signed him last summer and then signed Romelu Lukaku in the 2021 summer transfer window potentially shows that the club's hierarchy don't have much faith in the 25-year-old who has just seven Premier League goals to his name since his arrival.

According to Bild, Rangnick is keen to give his former player the chance to reignite his career at Old Trafford.

Hwang Hee-chan

Leicester City are planning a January move for Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan, according to Football Insider.

The South Korea international, 25, is on loan at the club from RB Leipzig but the Molineux outfit lack the funds to make the deal permanent.

Wolves retain a £13m option to buy next summer but Leciester are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements with Jamie Vardy turning 35 in January.

And the Foxes could persuade Leipzig to sell with an £18m offer next month.

Philippe Coutinho

Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign Philippe Coutinho, according to Spanish outlet SPORT.

The Barcelona star has been heavily linked with a move back to England with Newcastle United linked with a move in January.

However with United preparing for a new era under Ralf Rangnick it means that the prospect of signing the 29-year-old could be appealing.

Ronald Araujo

Chelsea and Liverpool are both considering a move for Ronald Araujo, according to Spanish outlet SPORT.

The Barcelona star is attracting high-profile attention due to his form at the Nou Camp and it seems that a move to the Premier League could be an option.

The 22-year-old is a Uruguay international and is regarded as a ball-playing centre-back.

Steven Bergwijn

Ajax are considering a move to sign Steven Bergwijn, according to reports in the Netherlands.

The Tottenham forward has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in North London and faces a big uphill challenge to do that under Antonio Conte.

It's claimed that the Dutch giants are keen on a loan move until the end of the season.

Ferran Torres

Barcelona have agreed a deal with Ferran Torres regarding a move to the Nou Camp, according to Marca.

The Spaniard is being lined up for a move to the Catalan giants but no deal has been struck with the Premier League champions.

With Xavi's side looking for attacking reinforcements this could be a deal to watch.