Transfer news: Spurs eye Pickford deal, Chelsea reluctant to lose Ziyech

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…

Jordan Pickford

Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up a move for the England number one, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Pickford has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers outside of the top six and with Antonio Conte looking to revamp his squad it means that new faces could be set to come in.

With question marks over Hugo Lloris's future it means that the Everton man could be a direct replacement.

Hakim Ziyech

Chelsea are unlikely to allow Hakim Ziyech to leave the club on loan next month.

Speculation had been building over the winger's future at Stamford Bridge with the prospect of a move away being a distinct possibility.

However according to the Daily Telegraph it seems that a move away in the next couple of months is unlikely.

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.

Erling Braut Haaland

Manchester United and Chelsea have been told that a move for the in-demand striker will cost them £64million next summer.

According to The Sun, the Borussia Dortmund star has a release clause that kicks in at the end of the season which means that there's likely to be a huge race for his signature.

Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are all keen, however it's claimed that the Spanish side have accepted that the 21-year-old is likely to be playing in the Premier League next term.

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.

Paul Pogba

The Frenchman's agent Mino Raiola has hinted that the Manchester United man could move on in the January transfer window.

According to Rai, via Goal, Pogba could be allowed to leave Old Trafford at the start of 2022 ahead of his contract expiring in the summer.

Raiola said: "December is the month of dreams… and I can't stop dreams, but it is better to not speak about Paul. If some former Man Utd players don't speak about me and Paul, they won't work anymore.

"It's too early to speak about Paul Pogba's contract. Let's see what happens. I can't stop anyone from dreaming."

Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal are only willing to offer the striker a short-term deal to stay at the club beyond next summer.

According to The Athletic, Lacazette will have a decision to make over his future as he enters the final months of his deal.

With the Frenchman now 30 years of age it seems that the Gunners are reluctant to tie themselves into a long-term deal for the player.

Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid won't be making a move to sign the French forward in the January transfer window with the player available on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Florentino Perez released a statement to Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez, saying: "The state-owned clubs don't sell their players. It's a madness.

"Now we offer €200 million for a single player and they don't sell him. When players finish their contract, it's better."

Liverpool are also interested in his services and will be watching on as they consider a potential move.

Philippe Coutinho

Newcastle United 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.

Diogo Dalot

Jose Mourinho is plotting a raid on his former club for the young full-back, according to The Times.

Now Roma head coach, Mourinho is looking to strengthen his defensive line and has identified the Manchester United man as a potential new addition.

Given Dalot's lack of first team opportunities at Old Trafford there's a chance that the lure of first team football could be appealing.

Calum Chambers

Everton are considering a move for Calum Chambers in January.

According to reports from The Sun, the Toffees are in the market for a full-back and could be tempted by a £5million move for the Arsenal man.

Chambers is in the final months of his contract in North London and therefore could be allowed to move on for a nominal fee.

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.

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.