Transfer news live - Man Utd receive Rice boost and Arsenal move ahead for Isak

The January transfer window is hotting up and could see a move which has seemed in the works for a while.

Kieran Trippier is edging towards an English return with Newcastle, who are close to signing the Atletico Madrid right-back.

Liverpool are not expected to make any moves this month despite losing several star players to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Manchester United and Arsenal could both be busy however, as several players are linked with the exit door.

The Red Devils continue to deceive under Ralf Rangnick, who is working with a big squad and stars like Donny van de Beek are weighing up their options.

Arsenal meanwhile may look to get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off their books and will reportedly listen to offers for the striker.

Chelsea have seen Romelu Lukaku apologise publicly after giving an interview which appeared to suggest he was keen on an early move away.

We'll keep you up to date throughout the day with all the major moves and rumours.

14:07Tom Malley

Coutinho lands other interest as Arsenal stall

Five clubs have asked about the transfer of Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona following Arsenal's failure to act on the situation.

As outlined by Diario Sport, the North London club will not countenance including a compulsory purchase option on any loan deal for Coutinho - while any deal would see Arsenal not shell out for the player's wage in full.

Arsenal are claimed to be frontrunners for Coutinho's signature but they have set conditions for any potential deal that may scupper any agreement.

Cadena Ser radio station have added that Newcastle United - unsurprisingly, following their Saudi Arabian-backed takeover - have also expressed an interest in the player.

There are three other Premier League clubs who have also been approached by the player's representatives, who are keen to facilitate a transfer this month.

Everton, Leicester and Tottenham have all been contacted, with each of those clubs previously expressing an interest in the player.

Read more on this story here.

13:50Tom Malley

Saints plan raid for City youngsters

Southampton are expected to approach Man City for youngsters James McAtee and Liam Delap, according to Sky Sports.

The City duo are catching admiring glances from the south coast club, but the report adds "it is not specified whether Ralph Hassenhuttl's side would be interested in a permanent, or temporary deal".

It is thought that City may allow the young stars to leave on loan in order to continue their development, however.

13:00Tom Malley

Marseille want Kolasinac

Marseille are said to be interested in signing Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac this month.

Kolasinac is currently recovering from an injury but the Ligue 1 side remain keen to secure his services as they look to secure Champions League football this season.

According to the Daily Mail, Marseille are looking to provide the 28-year-old with an Emirates escape as he enters the final six months of his current deal, after making just four appearances this campaign.

Read more on this story here.

12:56KEY EVENT

Gunners 'win' race for Isak

Swedish striker Alexander Isak has been linked with the Gunners on a persistent basis, and a new report from El Nacional now claims that Arsenal have won the race for the Real Sociedad hitman.

The report states that Sociedad had blocked Isak from completing a switch to La Liga rivals Barcelona - with the Gunners reportedly "close" to taking advantage by sealing a deal for the 22-year-old.

Isak has netted 38 times for the Spanish side in 101 games since he arrived from Borussia Dortmund back in 2019.

Read more on this story here.

12:52KEY EVENT

Man Utd receive Declan Rice transfer boost as Ralf Rangnick faces summer exodus

Manchester United have received a major boost in their attempt to solve their midfield woes by signing West Ham star Declan Rice.

The Red Devils solved several of their issues over the summer by signing five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane and exciting young winger Jadon Sancho.

However, they weren't able to acquire the services of a holding midfielder and thus Ole Gunnar Solskjaer paid the price for it by being shown the door after a dreadful run of form.

Short-term interim boss Ralf Rangnick has reportedly made it his priority to not allow his successor to suffer the same fate next season.

Read the full story here

12:37Tom Malley

Barca plan Keita swoop

According to El Nacional, Barcelona are already beginning to plot a future move for Reds' midfielder Naby Keita.

The 26-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations at Anfield since he arrived in a £48million deal from RB Leipzig.

Although Keita has featured more prominently in recent weeks, the Guinea international is in the final 18 months of his deal and his long-term future on Merseyside is far from certain.

Read more on this story here.

12:00Tom Malley

Bayern join Barca in Christensen pursuit

Andreas Christensen has emerged as a target for German giants Bayern Munich, according to reports.

The Dane has been linked with a move to Barcelona, but Goal now reports that Bayern Munich could make an attempt to sign him after being priced out of a move for Chelsea teammate Antonio Rudiger, whose contract also expires in the summer.

The Blues have failed to negotiate new terms with Christensen, who looks set to leave Stamford Bridge after almost 10 years at the club.

Read more on this story here.

11:31Tom Malley

Arsenal attempt to offload Aubameyang

Arsenal are making attempts to offload striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in order to end his difficult situation at the club.

Having already been stripped of club captaincy and banished from first-team duties, the Gabonese forward is now being made available to clubs all across Europe.

According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners have contacted recruitment staff at a number of top clubs across the continent as they look to fast-track the forward's Emirates exit.

Read more on this story here.

11:00Tom Malley

Wolves sign Japan's Kawabe

Wolves have signed Japan international Hayao Kawabe from Swiss side Grasshopper Club Zurich, as reported by The Athletic.

The attacking midfielder has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at Molineux, with the fee believed to be in the region of £500k.

The 26-year-old only joined Grasshoppers in the summer and will return to the Swiss side on loan for the remainder of the campaign after January.

10:41Tom Malley

Van de Beek still hopeful of January exit

Man Utd midfielder Donny van de Beek believes he can still secure an exit from Old Trafford this month, according to TEAMtalk.

The Dutch midfielder has had a torrid time in Manchester since his summer 2020 arrival from Ajax after finding minutes hard to come by, and has been hoping for a move away this month.

And with up to 10 clubs knocking on the foor for his services, van de Beek is looking to leave, following doubts over his playing time under new Utd boss Ralf Rangnick.

10:02Tom Malley

Gunners make Vlahovic bid

Arsenal have stepped up their striker pursuit by reportedly making a bid for Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic.

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, the north Londoners have made a bid of around £46million (€55m) plus Lucas Torreira to sign the striker 'immediately'.

Despite claims Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal for Real Sociedad's Alexander Isak, it seems the Gunners number one option in attack remains Dusan Vlahovic.

09:30Tom Malley

Brighton sign Kozlowski

Brighton have confirmed the signing of Polish youngster Kacper Kozlowski on a deal until 2026.

The Seagulls had been linked with a move for the 19-year-old leading up to this month's transfer window and have finally got their man, who has signed for an undisclosed fee from Pogon Szczecin.

Kozlowski will be immedialtely loaned out for the remainder of the season to Belgian league leaders Royale Union St-Gilloise.

08:54Ben Husband

Arsenal given Isak advice

Rio Ferdinand has urged Arsenal to sign Alexander Isak, amid reports the Gunners are closing in on his signature.

Mikel Arteta has reportedly earmarked the Real Sociedad forward as a potential replacement for Aubameyang and Ferdinand believes he would be a good option for the young squad he is building.

"He will be a good signing. Another young talented player," Ferdinand told his VIBE with Five YouTube channel.

"He has done really well in the Euros for Sweden, I thought. He is a talented player, man."

08:24Darren Lewis

Atletico plot move for Azpilicueta

Atletico Madrid are ready to gazump Barcelona for Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

The versatile 32-year-old is wanted by the Spanish champions to replace Kieran Trippier who is on his way to Newcastle.

Azpilicueta is out of contract in the summer. Atletico hope they could get him cheaply this month and that Chelsea will be unwilling to let him go for nothing.

Diego Simeone loves the fact Azpilicueta can play as a right-back and as a right-sided centre-back in a back three.

New Barca boss Xavi is also interested in signing Andreas Christensen, with the defender yet to commit to a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

Christensen's current deal expires at the end of June, which means he is now able to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs.

The 25-year-old appeared set to sign a new four-year deal but talks broke down, leaving him free to talk to big clubs around Europe.

07:54Ben Husband

Ramsey 'rejects' Burnley approach

Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey is open to a return to the Premier League, but has turned down the chance to do with Burnley, according to reports in Italy.

Ramsey is surplus to requirements with the Italian giants and could make a move this month, with transfer expert Gianluca di Marzio suggesting an offer from Turf Moor has been turned down.