Transfer news LIVE! Mbappe addresses Real Madrid links; Chelsea eye Raphinha; Arsenal, Man United rumours

Transfer news - LIVE!

The start of the January transfer window is now just days away and the rumour mill is well and truly up and running.

Tottenham are expected to make improvements to their squad following Antonio Conte’s arrival in the dugout and are today said to be winning the race to sign AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, with Arsenal and Manchester United also interested.

Across London, Chelsea are reportedly eyeing up a move for Leeds winger Raphinha, who has for some time been linked with Liverpool.

Man United, meanwhile, may be more concerned with outgoings next month, with Anthony Martial keen to leave, though Jesse Lingard appears set to run his contract down at Old Trafford.

On the continent, there is sure to be yet more speculation over the futures of the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, though it may be that neither actually move clubs until the summer.

Check out al the day’s latest news and rumours with our LIVE blog below...

Latest transfer news and gossip
Mbappe rules out January move
Spurs hoping to win Kessie race
Chelsea to rival Liverpool for Raphinha
Sevilla fail in Martial loan offer
Lazio linked with Hudson-Odoi
Real Madrid consider Haaland plan B
Ferran Torres signs for Barcelona

Chelsea eye up Chilwell replacement
19:21 , Matt VerriBen Chilwell will undergo surgery on his ACL injury, which is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season. You can ready more about that here.It means Thomas Tuchel is keen to add a left-back to the squad in January, and Fabrizio Romano reports contact has been made with Lucas Digne, who has reportedly fallen out with Everton boss Rafa Benitez and is willing to leave Goodison Park.Sergino Dest and Nicols Tagliafico are two other potential options.

Bad news for Tottenham fans...
18:49 , Matt VerriMbappe: ‘I don’t think I will ever play for Tottenham - I’m 100% staying at PSG’

Mbappe addresses transfer rumours
17:46 , Matt VerriHe continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid, but Kylian Mbappe insists his full focus is still on PSG - particularly with a Champions League tie against the Spanish side to come.“No, I’m not joining Real Madrid in January,” Mbappe told CNN. “I’m in PSG, I’m really happy and I will finish the season [here] 100 per cent.“I’ll give everything to win the Champions League, the league and the cup and to give all of the pleasure to the fans because they deserve it.“And I think I deserve to win something great with PSG.”

16:48 , Marc MayoRonaldinho has told Kylian Mbappe to snub a move to Real Madrid and stay with Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian is a Parisian alumnus and has added his voice to the calls for the striker, out of contract in the summer, to stay.He sated: "All the players in the world want to play at Paris Saint-Germain, the best in the world are at PSG, so they're the best club in the world."So I imagine [Mbappe] will be here for a long time."

What next for Alvaro Morata?
15:32 , Marc MayoAlvaro Morata’s future is up in the air with Juventus yet to decide whether to enact their purchase option on the striker.Atletico Madrid loaned Morata to Turin in the summer of 2020, for a £16.5million fee.A £30m payment will secure his services permanently but Tuttosport report on Juve being unsure of their next step, with the possibility of sending him back to Madrid or trying to negotiate a lower price. The striker has scored only seven goals this season.

Torres: The numbers
14:12 , Marc MayoBarcelona have paid an initial £47million for Ferran Torres, believed to be split up over instalments.A further £8.5m has been agreed in add-ons.The winger will be presented on January 3 after signing a contract to 2027, which boasts a ONE BILLION euro release clause.

Man City statement
13:50 , Marc MayoManchester City have sent their “best wishes” to Ferran Torres after his move to Barcelona was announced.Director of Football Txiki Begiristain adds: “Ferran should be proud of what he has achieved here at Manchester City.“Last season was his first time in a new country, but he adapted well. He always gave 100%, worked hard for the team and scored goals which helped us win trophies.“Injury unfortunately prevented him from playing more games this season, but Ferran is a player we have all enjoyed working with and we wish him all the best at Barcelona and for the rest of his career.”

Sevilla rebuffed for Martial
13:37 , Marc MayoThe Athletic report on Sevilla’s Anthony Martial loan bid being REJECTED.The Spanish club are said to have offered to pay half of the striker’s £240,000-a-week wages, but Manchester United want all of his wages plus a loan fee before sanctioning a January exit.Therefore, the Red Devils are described as content to keep Martial until the summer if no team meets these demands.

Premier League duo chase Vecino
12:58 , Marc MayoInter Milan star Matias Vecino has received two offers to move to the Premier League when his contract expires in the summer, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.However, it is claimed the Uruguayan is in no rush to finalise his future.Leicester have previously been linked with the 30-year-old, who has been a bit-part player in Milan this season.

Real Madrid look away from Haaland
12:33 , Marc MayoReal Madrid are ready to turn their attention to Dusan Vlahovic in the summer.Erling Haaland has long been described as a big target for Los Blancos but Carlo Ancelotti is said by El Nacional to be content with Karim Benzema as his first-choice striker.Therefore a cheaper move for Fiorentina star Vlahovic, at around £65million, is being considered.

Sarri targets Hudson-Odoi reunion
12:00 , Malik OuziaTuttosport claim that Lazio are interested in signing Chelsea winger Callum Hudon-Odoi. The Rome outfit are currently managed by former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri, who is said to be keen on a reunion, but would need to sell players next month before bringing in new additions as the Serie A side push for a top four finish. Hudson-Odoi was a major target for Bayern Munich in the January window a couple of years ago but has seemingly revived his Chelsea career under Thomas Tuchel in recent months, prior to a Covid-enforced absence.

Sevilla make Martial move
11:29 , Malik OuziaSky Sports are reporting that Sevilla have made an offer to take Manchester United forward Anthony Martial on loan for the rest of the season.The report claims that there is no option obligation to buy included in the Spanish side’s offer, with United yet to respond.Interim United boss Ralf Rangnick confirmed earlier this week that Martial has asked to leave the club, with the Frenchman looking for a new challenge having struggled for playing time this season.

Carragher: Ramsdale is my signing of the season
10:57 , Malik OuziaArsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been hailed as the Premier League’s signing of the season so far by former Liverpool defender Jamiae Carragher.“I went for Ramsdale because it was almost the biggest surprise to me,” Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. “When they brought him in I thought they were bringing him in as back up and because he was an English player for the quota.“He hadn’t impressed me in his Premier League time at Sheffield United and Bournemouth.“But it’s not just the saves he’s made. He’s a personality, he’s a character. Already, to go into that dressing room - yes, there’s young players in there but it’s still a huge club, going into Arsenal as a young lad, a young goalkeeper.“He’s got a presence about him that I didn’t see that he had and he’s had a big impact on the team.”

Madrid eyeing James?
10:22 , Malik OuziaSomehow, I’m not sure this one would be a go-er, but Spanish outlet El Nacional claim Real Madrid want to sign Chelsea right-back Reece James. The England international has been arguably the Blues’ star performer this season and it is almost impossible to see them sanctioning a sale. The report claims Real would use Eden Hazard as a potential makeweight in any deal - which doesn’t sound a particularly tempting offer, to be honest.

No Toon move for Dele
09:25 , Malik OuziaNewcastle boss Eddie Howe has decided against making a January move for Dele Alli, according to Football Insider. The midfielder looks likely to be on his way out of the club, whether in January or in the summer, with his Spurs career having stalled under several different managers.The England international has often been talked about as an ideal target for newly-moneyed Newcastle, but the report claims Eddie Howe is instead focused on reinforcing his backline next month.

Blues to rival Liverpool for Raphinha?
09:00 , Malik OuziaSport Italia are reporting that Chelsea are interested in signing Leeds United star Raphinha, as speculation over the futures of several of their own wingers continues. Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic are all struggling for form and Werner has long been linked with a return to Germany, while Ziyech is reportedly a target for AC Milan.Liverpool have been rumoured to be interested in Raphinha for some time but with Mo Salah on the verge of signing a new contract, such a signing may be deemed unnecessary.

Spurs ‘in Kessie talks’
08:46 , Malik OuziaThe Express say Tottenham have already held talks with representatives of AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie as they bid to win the race for his signature. The Ivory Coast international is out of contract at the end of the season and therefore is eligible to negotiate with foreign clubs from January 1. Kessie has attracted reported interest from both Arsenal and Manchester United, but the report claims Spurs are hoping to move first, possibly even in the next week.

Good morning!
08:38 , Malik OuziaHello and welcome back to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the January transfer window - or rather, the build-up to it. With the window just days away from opening, we’ll start with a round-up of all the morning’s latest news and rumours...

Ruben Neves speaks out on United rumours...
Monday 27 December 2021 19:39 , Matt VerriThe Wolves midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Man United, but Ruben Neves has insisted he is happy where he is.“It’s normal in football,” Neves told Record. “Whenever there’s a transfer market there’s a lot of talk, but my goal and focus are on Wolverhampton and I’m not going to change that, things have been going really well for me.“I still have a lot to learn, I have a lot to give here. The future will be seen soon, I like to live in the present and I’m happy, I feel great at Wolverhampton and I’ll focus here, because if I do things right I’m sure the future will be bright. “My goal will always be to give my best and give even more for the club.”

Liverpool unlikely to win race for Adeyemi
Monday 27 December 2021 18:08 , Matt VerriLiverpool have reportedly been interested in signing Karim Adeyemi, the 19-year-old RB Salzburg striker.With Sadio Mane and Mo Salah both leaving in January for the Africa Cup of Nations, Jurgen Klopp’s will be short in attacking areas.But Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Borussia Dortmund will see off other clubs and secure an agreement with Adeyemi, either in January or for the summer.

Leeds may have to sell key players
Monday 27 December 2021 16:52 , Matt VerriIt remains to be seen whether Raphinha will leave Leeds for Bayern Munich as rumoured, though recent reports suggest it is increasingly unlikely.However, Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani told Forbes magazine that the club may have to sell some star players to fund future activity in the transfer window.“[We] will have to sell maybe one or two key players and buy other talents coming up like Leicester did in the past so we need to be humble and realistic of our means [so that] we grow gradually step by step.”

Barcelona planning busy January window
Monday 27 December 2021 15:42 , Matt VerriBarcelona have pretty much completed a deal for Ferran Torres, but it looks like they’re far from finished in the transfer window.Marca report that Xavi is eyeing up a move for Edinson Cavani in January, as he looks to boost his options in attack.But after already splashing out on Torres, the Catalans will need to sell some players first to finance a deal for Cavani. Samuel Umtiti, Philippe Coutinho, Yusuf Demir, Sergino Dest and Luuk de Jong are all believed to be surplus to requirements at Barcelona.

Erling Haaland update
Monday 27 December 2021 14:45 , Jonathan GorrieErling Haaland is linked pretty much anywhere and everywhere as he seemingly comes towards the end of his Borussia Dortmund, although it might not be the Premier League he lights up next. Indeed, Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed the forward would much prefer a move to Spain next, rather than to England.

Real Madrid looking for a clear out
Monday 27 December 2021 13:42 , Jonathan GorrieBoth Isco and Gareth Bale are reportedly set for the transfer list at Real Madrid, as they attempt to make space for Kylian Mbappe. Still, it’ll be a hard task to find buyers willing to take such huge contracts halfway through the season, you feel.

Alexandre Lacazette could leave Arsenal
Monday 27 December 2021 11:38 , Jonathan GorrieAs Simon Collings states in Standard Sport’s look at the biggest soon-to-be free agents in the game, Alexandre Lacazette could leave Arsenal this summer in pursuit of a longer contract elsewhere. Both Lyon and Atletico Madrid are keen.

Man United want Ruben Neves
Monday 27 December 2021 09:54 , Jonathan GorrieThe Daily Mirror, meanwhile, suggest Manchester United are eyeing Ruben Neves of Wolves as a replacement for Paul Pogba. Known to both Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes at international level, Ralf Rangnick is understood to have targeted him.

Real Madrid are increasingly confident of signing Kylian Mbappe
Monday 27 December 2021 09:48 , Jonathan GorrieAccording to Spanish outlet AS, Real Madrid are growing in confidence they will sign Kylian Mbappe over the course of the summer. The Frenchman is out of contract at PSG at the end of the season and looks set for a move to the Spanish capital, although a move won’t be agreed before the two clubs meet in the Champions League in February.

Dembele’s Barcelona hint
Monday 27 December 2021 08:40 , Jonathan GorrieElsewhere on social media, Ousmane Dembele uploaded a photo overnight of the Barcelona crest amid his contract talks with the club. Clearly, that is far from proof the Frenchman will be staying at the Camp Nou but would appear to hint at where his priorities lie.

Antonio Rudiger latest
Monday 27 December 2021 07:34 , Jonathan GorrieAccording to The Daily Telegraph, Real Madrid players are certain Antonio Rudiger will join them in the Spanish capital from the summer onwards. Heading towards the final few months of his Chelsea contract, the La Liga champions-in-waiting are reportedly set to swoop by offering the German international a lucrative contract.

Ralf Rangick confirms Anthony Marital has asked to leave Man United
Monday 27 December 2021 07:02 , Jonathan GorrieSpeaking ahead of Man United’s return to Premier League action on Monday night, Ralf Rangnick has confirmed Anthony Martial has asked to leave the club. “We spoke on Wednesday, we spoke at length,” Rangnick told British media. “He explained to me he’s been at United for seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.“In a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club. We have COVID times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions.“I told him as long as there’s no club showing interest in him, and it shouldn’t only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club. So far... there’s been no offer ... and as long as this is the case he’ll stay.”

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