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Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea plot Barcelona raid, Suarez to Arsenal ON, top Man Utd target
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool gossip and done deals, as well as all of the latest from Real Madrid, Barcelona and beyond.
Transfer news LIVE: Tuesday January 29
- Chelsea want Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic to replace Cesc Fabregas at Stamford Bridge
- Manchester United are eager to sign Kalidou Koulibaly regardless of who their manager is
- Arsenal and Barcelona are once again discussing a loan deal for Denis Suarez
- Real Madrid have knocked back an offer from Manchester City for playmaker Isco
12.30 UPDATE: Denis Suarez to Arsenal back ON
Arsenal are back in for Denis Suarez after a fresh breakthrough with Barcelona, reports in Spain claim.
Esports COPE and Mundo Deportivo reckon the midfielder is set to renew his Barcelona contract until 2021.
He will then join Arsenal on loan, with Emirates chiefs having the option to sign him in the summer.
It is reported that Suarez’s switch could be finalised with the next few hours.
12.20 UPDATE: Leeds United transfer latest
Ruch Chorzow youngster Mateusz Bogusz is set to link up with Leeds United.
Bogusz has arrived in Yorkshire to complete his proposed move and an announcement is expected imminently.
The 17-year-old Poland youth international will link up with the Whites’ development squad initially.
Reports claim Brighton were also interested in Bogusz, but the Premier League side look set to miss out.
11.50 UPDATE: Shock Man Utd rumour
Manchester United are considering a shock raid on Monaco for Youri Tielemans, according to reports in the Belgian’s homeland.
United have decided against spending in January with a permanent replacement for Jose Mourinho yet to be appointed.
But Nieuwsblad reckons the Red Devils could launch a move to get Tielemans before the transfer window closes on Thursday.
Tielemans has struggled since joining Monaco and a fresh start could be what he needs at this early stage of his career.
11.37 UPDATE: Sunderland announce Grant Leadbitter return
Sunderland have confirmed the re-signing of Academy of Light graduate Grant Leadbitter from Middlesbrough.
Leadbitter made 111 league appearances for the Black Cats after progressing from their youth setup.
And he is back on Wearside, putting pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year contract at the Stadium of Light.
Leadbitter will be hoping to help his boyhood club Sunderland achieve promotion from League One.
11.20 UPDATE: Four Premier League clubs handed boost
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed Charlie Austin can leave the Saints.
Austin, 29, has started only two games since Austrian Hasenhuttl replaced Mark Hughes in December and is attracting interest from Cardiff, Newcastle, Leicester and Wolves.
Hasenhuttl said: "Sometimes it comes to the point as a club you cannot give a player what he expects you to give him.
"He wants to play in the starting XI and if there is not the option at Southampton maybe there will be at another club."
11.05 UPDATE: Adrien Rabiot to Liverpool claim
Liverpool will not beat Barcelona to a deal for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, says former Scotland international Craig Burley.
"Well [Liverpool] are interested in Rabiot but so are one or two others, particularly I think Barcelona," Burley said.
"I’d be surprised if Rabiot goes to Liverpool with the other offers he’s got."
Rabiot is on the radars of Tottenham and Chelsea too with his contract expiring in the summer.
10.50 UPDATE: Newcastle manager doubts
Rafa Benitez has cast fresh doubt on his immediate future at Newcastle by refusing to rule out quitting in the wake of another bungled transfer window.
On the eve of Tuesday night’s home game against Manchester City, an agitated Benitez admitted that, as the days go by, he has no idea whether the club will sign anyone this month.
The Toon manager has never broken a contract and claims it would be "very difficult" to walk away with the Magpies’ Premier League status on a knife-edge.
Asked to guarantee he would not walk out before the end of the season, he replied: "No, I cannot guarantee anything."
10.35 UPDATE: Liverpool discover Sandro Tonali cost
Liverpool will have to fork out £30m if they want to buy Sandro Tonali this summer, reports in Italy indicate.
Liverpool have opted against splashing the cash this month with Jurgen Klopp content with his squad for now.
But Michael Edwards is always on the lookout for potential new signings, with Tonali in his sights.
Tutto Mercato Web claim it will take £30m (€35m) to convince Brescia to let the midfielder go at the end of the season.
10.23 UPDATE: Chelsea line up Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic
Chelsea have now identified Ivan Rakitic as the man they want to replace Cesc Fabregas in Maurizio Sarri’s squad, according to reports in Spain.
Chelsea waved goodbye to Fabregas earlier this month as they playmaker joined Monaco for guaranteed game time.
Sarri had identified Leandro Paredes and Nicolo Barella as potential successors to the veteran, but faced issues trying to sign both.
Spanish newspaper Sport are now reporting Chelsea are targeting Rakitic, who could end up being marginalised by Frankie de Jong’s arrival from Ajax.
10.10 UPDATE: Man City launch Isco bid
Manchester City have offered just £43.5m (€50m) for Real Madrid star Isco, Spanish transfer guru Eduardo Inda claims.
"Mikel Arteta had called Isco to consummate Pep Guardiola's eternal dream, which is to sign him," Inda said.
"The City made an offer to sign Isco and that was €50m, a ridiculous offer."
City have kept their powder dry this month, with no incoming signings made by Pep Guardiola and co. so far.
10.00 UPDATE: Man Utd identify No 1 target
Manchester United have lined up Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly as their priority for the summer transfer window, reports claim.
Koulibaly has forged a reputation as one of the planet’s top centre-backs thanks to his performances for Napoli and Senegal.
The Daily Mail report United are eager to get the 27-year-old on board, regardless of who is managing them next season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in charge at Old Trafford on an interim basis, and United want to sign Koulibaly for him or whoever they appoint on a permanent basis.
Paris Saint-Germain welcomes Leandro Paredes to Paris
09.48 UPDATE: Leandro Paredes explains PSG switch
Leandro Paredes has lifted the lid on his decision to join Paris Saint-Germain.
"I’m very proud to be joining Paris Saint-Germain,” Paredes said. “After my previous experiences in Italy and Russia, I now have this fantastic opportunity, not only to discover a new league, but above all one to wear one the most prestigious club jerseys in the world.
“I’d like to thank the chairman and the coach for the confidence they have shown in me by signing me.
“We all know the extraordinary sporting dimension of Paris Saint-Germain, its players and staff.”
09.42 UPDATE: Barcelona - Arsenal transfer talks collapse
Barcelona have pulled the plug on Denis Suarez’s prospective loan move to Arsenal, according to reports in Spain.
Unai Emery is eager to secure a reunion with Suarez having coached the midfielder during his time at Sevilla.
And talks have been ongoing for a number of weeks with the Gunners pushing for a loan deal to be put in place.
However, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim Suarez will not be going anywhere and Barcelona blame Arsenal director Raul Sanllehi for the collapse.
Arsenal only want Denis Suarez on loan says Guillem Balague
09.30 UPDATE: Arsenal find Hector Bellerin replacement
Arsenal have identified Kevin Malcuit as a potential last-ditch replacement for the injured Hector Bellerin, reports in France indicate.
Unai Emery wants an experienced alternative to the versatile Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has slotted in at right-back at times.
And it seems Malcuit is on his radar, having impressed in Napoli’s 0-0 draw with Serie A rivals AC Milan on Saturday.
France Football reckon Arsenal are interested in snapping up the 27-year-old - but Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis might not sanction a deal.
09.20: Rangers make £50,000 bid
Rangers have told Dundee they will pay £50,000 to take Glen Kamara to Glasgow before the transfer window slams shut.
Kamara, 23, is already committed to joining Rangers at the end of the season after signing a pre-contract agreement, but Steven Gerrard and co. hope their cash offer can get him on board this week.
Dundee boss Jim McIntyre has admitted it would be in all parties’ best interests if the Finnish midfielder Kamara moved this month.
Rangers are unlikely to go much higher than £50,000 and are prepared to wait until the summer to get their man if the bid is not accepted.
09.10 UPDATE: Chelsea suffer midfielder blow
Paris Saint-Germain have announced the signing of Chelsea target Leandro Paredes from Zenit St Petersburg.
Chelsea had lined up the midfielder as a potential replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who left for Monaco this month.
However, Paredes has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with PSG after undergoing a medical at the Aspetar Hospital in Doha.
Chelsea will now have to go back to the drawing board, with Cagliari’s Nicolo Barella another option for Maurizio Sarri.
09.00 UPDATE: Barcelona plot four late deals
Barcelona want to finalise four deals before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Thursday.
The La Liga giants have already snapped up Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jeison Murillo and Frenkie de Jong this month.
And Spanish newspaper Sport report they want to accelerate agreements for Adrien Rabiot and Jean-Clair Todibo.
Barcelona are also keen to offload Malcom and Denis Suarez, both of whom are in Arsenal’s cross hairs.
08.50 UPDATE: Timo Werner to Liverpool?
Liverpool will not splash the cash to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, claims Bundesliga expert Raphael Honigstein.
"And what about Liverpool? Klopp's insistence that the squad is now ‘complete’ would suggest that a fourth transition-type forward for a total outlay north of €100m (£86.8m) might not be a priority right now," Honigstein said.
"LFC are probably more interested in bringing in a versatile centre-back with the ability to deputise in wide areas.
"In purely tactical terms, however, few attacking players look as perfect a fit for the explosive style favoured at Anfield."
08.35 UPDATE: Chelsea draw up plan
Chelsea are set to give Callum Hudson-Odoi as many minutes as possible before the end of the season in a bid to keep him long-term, reports claim.
It was revealed on Monday that Chelsea have told Bayern Munich target Hudson-Odoi he will not be allowed to leave them this month.
The winger has 18 months left on his current contract and the Blues risk getting a smaller fee than the £40m Bayern have offered for him if he runs down his deal.
However, The Guardian reckon Chelsea are set to hand him plenty of game time in an attempt to convince him to sign a fresh agreement with them.
08.20 UPDATE: Man Utd deals hint
Manchester United interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted the club could sanction a few deals before Thursday night.
"At the moment, I can see everyone staying at the club because no deal has been done with anyone I think but then again there is still a few more days," Solskjaer said.
"It will be good to get the window closed so we can just focus on the squad and just improving the ones that stay here."
Solskjaer also revealed he is already planning for United for next season, whether he is at Old Trafford or not.
08.05 UPDATE: Ivan Perisic to Arsenal bid
Arsenal are poised to table a fresh offer for wantaway Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic, says Italian journalist Nicolo Schira.
"Ivan #Perisic today has reiterated the desire to leave #Inter, but #Arsenal's offer is considered insufficient by #Marotta," Schira tweeted.
"Inter wants a permanent deal o obligation to buy after a loan. Not a loan with option to buy. Tomorrow will arrive a new bid from #Gunners. #transfers #AFC"
Perisic emerged as a shock Arsenal target over the weekend and has handed in a transfer request at Inter.