The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is open again. Transfer Talk has been scouring the world’s media and setting our correspondents loose to see who could be heading to or from your club this month.
TOP STORY: Arsenal set to land one of their main transfer targets
It has been a transfer that has been bubbling along, but it seems like Arsenal might finally land their man after Barcelona softened their stance on Denis Suarez’s potential departure, according to the Independent.
Suarez was first linked with a reunion with Unai Emery, whom he worked with at Sevilla, back in December, but a lack of funds meant the Gunners were interested in only a loan deal for the former Manchester City midfielder, with the option to buy him in the summer, while Barcelona favoured a permanent switch.
Complicating matters, Sevilla swooped in with their own interest in buying Suarez outright. With Los Rojiblancos willing to depart with the cash now, Arsenal looked like they were set to miss out on one of their main transfer targets.
But it appears that a solution has been found, with the 25-year-old willing to extend his contract at Barca a further year to 2021 to protect his sell-on value when he is expected to move on permanently in the summer.
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08.05 GMT: Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba has agreed a new contract at the club after months of negotiations, according to Cadena SER.
The Spain international, whose contract expires in June 2020, had declared on several occasions his wish to continue at the club. But that did not stop him being linked with clubs such as Manchester United and Juventus.
The 29-year-old said in a recent interview with Sport when asked if he was optimistic about a contract renewal: “Yes, of course. It’s obvious that my dream is to stay at Barcelona. It’s cost too much to get here to then have to leave. I have my family here, their support, the fans and my teammates. I don’t think I’d be happier anywhere else.”
Alba has agreed to extend his contract until June 2024 and according to Cadena Ser, the deal will be announced after the end of the transfer window.
PAPER TALK (Frank Smith, Football Whispers): Gunners set to miss out on international star
While Arsenal might be set to land Suarez, they could miss out on Ivan Perisic if Corriere dello Sport’s back page is to be believed.
The newspaper claimed that the Croatia star’s future is “in the balance” after Inter Milan’s sporting director stated that the club would not be doing any more business in this window and insisted that they have yet to receive any offers for the 29-year-old.
Perisic handed in a transfer request, and it has previously been claimed that Inter are open to selling if their £35 million price tag is met, but the Gunners are pursuing a loan deal with the option to buy at the end of the season.
Manchester United have been longtime admirers, but with Jose Mourinho no longer at the club, their interest appears to have dwindled.
Spurs considering late offer for highly rated midfielder
It looks as though Youri Tielemans is heading to Leicester City, but that hasn’t stopped Mauricio Pochettino from considering a late bid, according to the i.
Reports from France on Tuesday afternoon suggested that Tielemans was set to travel to Leicester to conclude a loan switch, with Adrien Silva heading to Monaco in the opposite direction.
But the i’s back page claims that Tottenham are weighing making a late offer, and there have been reports elsewhere that claimed Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham are also keen on the 21-year-old.
The Belgium international was deemed one of Europe’s most highly rated talents as recently as the summer, but he has struggled since his move to Monaco, who have found themselves in an unexpected relegation battle this season and recently sacked Thierry Henry as manager just months after appointing him.
Discussions ongoing over Nkunku’s move to North London
Arsenal’s dominance of Transfer Talk continues, as it looks as though they might miss out on talented youngster Christopher Nkunku, at least for now, following his agent’s comments to Canal+ show Late Football Club.
Arsenal are keen to secure the 21-year-old’s services on loan, and the midfielder’s agent, Jose-Pierre Fanfan, has confirmed that talks are ongoing between them and Paris-Saint Germain.
But the Gunners’ situation has been described as “difficult” by Fanfan — which is likely referring to their being reluctant to make permanent transfers this month — and he has acknowledged that a potential switch in January is looking increasingly unlikely.
Nkunku’s contract expires in the summer of 2020, though, which means a switch to Arsenal will not be off the table completely, as the player is keen on a move to the Emirates.
PSG make second bid for Everton man
Nkunku’s potential departure from PSG could be decided by whether they are successful with a second offer for Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye.
French radio station RMC reports that a second bid in excess of £30 million has been submitted, with Yahoo! Sport France claiming that the Premier League side have accepted.
It comes after the two clubs and the player’s representatives met in a Liverpool hotel on Tuesday, if the website Paris United is to be believed.
While in the U.K., Sky Sports has reported that Arsenal and Manchester City are interested in signing the Senegal international, who has told the Toffees that he wants to leave the club.
Football Whispers’ transfer algorithm gives the likelihood of rumours happening a score out of five.
Miguel Almiron to Newcastle United: 4.8
Newcastle United are set to break their 14-year-old transfer record by signing Atlanta United star Almiron. The 24-year-old is in England waiting to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms on a move believed to be worth around £20 million, which would surpass the £16 million Newcastle United paid Real Madrid for Michael Owen in 2005.
Marouane Fellaini to Shandong Luneng: 4.3
The giant midfielder is out of favour at Manchester United and has been told that he is allowed to leave, with Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng reportedly willing to pay the 31-year-old an eye-watering £365,000-a-week contract, which is more than three times his current deal.
Vincent Janssen to Real Betis: 4.1
The Spurs striker is deemed surplus to requirements at the North London club, and Real Betis have made an approach. Tottenham are keen to recoup as much of the £18.6 million they paid for the striker in 2016 as possible, with a £15 million offer for the 24-year-old likely to be enough.
Ademola Lookman to AC Milan: 1.7
This seems unlikely to happen, as Everton have rejected the approach from the outset, but it’s too intriguing not to include in case the Serie A side come back in. Milan submitted an enquiry for the 21-year-old winger, who has been a long-standing target for RB Leipzig as well after impressing on loan there last season.
Jonny Castro Otto to Wolves: N/A
He can’t have a Whispers score because he is already at the club on loan, but Wolves are set to make Jonny’s switch permanent with a club-record fee. The 24-year-old has impressed since he joined on loan from Atletico, who he had just signed for from Celta Vigo. Now Wolves are ready to part with £18 million to sign the Spaniard for good.