Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Real Madrid closing in on Alaba deal

Tottenham forward Heung-min Son is registering on Real Madrid's recruitment radar, claims <a href="https://twitter.com/Ekremkonur/status/1344921491729764353" target="_blank">Ekrem Konur</a>. Zinedine Zidane is said to be a big admirer of the South Korean and may be tempted to table a sizeable bid at some stage in the near future.

Son registers on Real's recruitment radar

Bayern Munich defender David Alaba is heading to Real Madrid in the summer, <a href="http://www.marca.com">Marca</a> believes. He is ready to sign a four-year deal with Los Blancos, worth a reported €10 million (£8.7m/$12m). Out of contract in the summer, the Austria international is free to negotiate with whomever he chooses.

Alaba heading to Real Madrid

Los Blancos set to sign Bayern Munich star

Newcastle have asked Chelsea about the availability of defender Fikayo Tomori. The <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9106711/Leicester-midfielder-Hamza-Choudhury-offered-loan-Newcastle-West-Brom-Southampton.html" target="_blank">Mail</a> claims Magpies boss Steve Bruce is working on a shoestring budget and wants to bring Tomori in on loan.

Newcastle targeting Tomori

Jean-Michel Aulas has heaped praise on Memphis Depay and said the forward can stay at Lyon for as long as he wants. Barcelona are targeting the Dutchman, but Aulas took to <a href="https://twitter.com/JM_Aulas/status/1345268522234961920" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to say "you can stay as long as you want."

Aulas says Depay can stay as long as he wants

Takefusa Kubo is looking to end his loan spell at Villarreal from Real Madrid early. The Japanese winger could be on his way to Getafe. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/real-madrid-youngster-kubo-wants-way-out-of-villarreal-loan-says-/1b8hqlnz7ozzu1mt44tlujx52b" target="_blank">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

 Kubo wants 'way out' of Villarreal

Ronald Koeman has said that whatever decision Lionel Messi makes at Barcelona must be respected. The forward is now free to speak to clubs outside of Spain, and Koeman told <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20210102/491398525876/koeman-hay-que-respetar-la-decision-de-messi.html" target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo</a> the Barcelona icon has earned the right to make a decision on his future in his own time.

Koeman says Messi decision must be respected

Riccardo Saponara is on the brink of sealing a loan move from Fiorentina to Spezia. According to <a href="https://sport.sky.it/calciomercato/2021/01/02/saponara-spezia-calciomercato-news" target="_blank">Sky Italia</a>, the talks are at an advanced stage and could be concluded early next week.

Saponara closing in on Spezia loan

Newcastle United, West Brom and Southampton have been approached about signing Hamza Choudhury on loan. According to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9106711/Leicester-midfielder-Hamza-Choudhury-offered-loan-Newcastle-West-Brom-Southampton.html" target="_blank">Mail</a>, Leicester want the midfielder to get some regular playing time at the top level and have sounded out their Premier League rivals.

Choudhury offered to Prem trio

Daniel Farke is confident that Norwich can keep hold of&nbsp;Emiliano Buendia despite interest from Arsenal. The Gunners have scouted the Argentine extensively, but Farke says he has no plans to sell in January. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/farke-confident-arsenal-linked-buendia-will-not-leave-norwich-in-/d7vmuvte41va12q2fnwnyusb7">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

Farke confident Arsenal-linked Buendia will not leave

Real Madrid are set to pursue a move for Mohamed Salah, reports <a href="https://twitter.com/angelomangiante/status/1345351411526152192">Sky Sports</a>. The Spanish giants have made Salah their big target and will look to sign the Liverpool star this summer.

Real Madrid make Salah priority target

Danny Murphy insists that Liverpool&nbsp;need to be bringing in a starter, not panic buying on cover for injured stars. The Reds have been linked with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly and Dayot Upamecano in recent months, and Murphy believes it is that level of player that the club should be pursuing, even if it doesn't get done in January. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/liverpool-spend-starter-not-cover-murphy-klopp-panic-buy/1xuqq8pqwu0gj12m1cuqw2lc96">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

‘Liverpool should spend on starter, not cover’

Real Salt Lake are set to sign striker Rubio Rubin, reports <a href="https://sbisoccer.com/2020/12/sources-real-salt-lake-finalizing-deal-to-sign-rubio-rubin4">SBI Soccer</a>. Rubin has played for the USMNT as recently as 2018, having earned seven career senior caps. The forward most recently played for San Diego Loyal in the USL, having previously featured for Tijuana, Dorados, Stabaek and FC Utrecht.

RSL set to sign USMNT striker Rubin

Ronald Koeman says he has no regrets over letting Luis Suarez leave Barcelona for Atletico Madrid. "No, I don’t regret letting go of Suarez," Koeman said. "I always highlighted his qualities. The decision was already made by the club and him." <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/no-suarez-regrets-koeman-barcelona-atletico-madrid/qc4t5ix9eslo17z6vtfbc6ifj" target="_blank">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

Koeman has no Suarez sale regrets

Arsenal have not made contact with Borussia Dortmund for Julian Brandt. A report claimed the Gunners had made a move for the midfielder, but BvB sporting director Michael Zorc told Bild that is not the case. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/arsenal-borussia-dortmund-brandt-transfer-zorc/1cval1qs8en5t1x0sp1qbkjo9t" target="_blank">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

Dortmund deny talk of Arsenal bid for Brandt

Arsenal are keeping tabs on Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler. According to <a href="https://eldesmarque.com/valencia/valencia-cf/276376-el-arsenal-de-mikel-arteta-no-se-olvida-de-carlos-soler" target="_blank">ElDesmarque</a>, Valencia will entertain offers for the midfielder and a bid could be made by the Gunners.

Arsenal attentions turn to Soler 

Crystal Palace have joined the chase for Schalke defender Ozan Kabak, according to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9106471/Crystal-Palace-join-Manchester-United-Leicester-tussle-Schalkes-25m-rated-Ozan-Kabak.html" target="_blank">Mail</a>. The Turkish defender has also caught the eye of Manchester United, Leicester City and RB Leipzig, with Palace now joining the hunt.

Palace enter race for Kabak

Real Madrid remain keen on signing Eduardo Camavinga despite offering a new contract to Luka Modric. The Blancos are eager to keep an experienced Croatian on their books, but <a href="https://as.com/futbol/2021/01/02/primera/1609579467_743372.html?m1=cG9ydGFkYV9wb3J0YWRh&amp;m2=QUNUVUFMSURBRA%3D%3D&amp;m3=MQ%3D%3D&amp;m4=dmlkZW8%3D&amp;m5=MjA%3D" target="_blank">AS</a> reports that they want a highly-rated star at Rennes to step in and learn from a Ballon d'Or winner.

Real Madrid remain in hunt for Camavinga

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Welcome Mauricio Pochettino 👋<a href="https://t.co/Fr4ZgKxhNI">pic.twitter.com/Fr4ZgKxhNI</a>— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) <a href="https://twitter.com/PSG_English/status/1345385376098230272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pochettino appointed by PSG

Liverpool have joined the race for Braga defender David Carmo, reports <a href="https://www.record.pt/" target="_blank">Record.</a> Leicester and Manchester United have been linked with the highly-rated centre-half in the past, with it expected that he could be acquired for less than his €40 million (£36m/$49m) release clause.

Liverpool keen on Carmo

Timothy Fosu-Mensah wants to remain at Manchester United despite snubbing their latest contract offer. The <a href="https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-fosu-mensah-news-19550227" target="_blank">Manchester Evening News </a>claims the Dutch defender, who will see his current deal expire in the summer, feels undervalued by the terms put to him.

Fosu-Mensah wants Man Utd stay

Rob Holding is close to agreeing a new contract at Arsenal, reports the <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/01/01/rob-holding-closes-new-long-term-arsenal-deal/" target="_blank">Telegraph.</a> The defender has 18 months left on his current deal but is set to commit his long-term future to the north London club. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta blocked a loan bid from Newcastle for Holding over the summer, while a host a clubs were believed to be considering a loan move for the 25-year-old during the January transfer window.

Holding closing on new Gunners deal

A host of Serie A&nbsp;clubs are interested in signing Fernando Llorente this month, according to <a href="https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/mercato-naples-fernando-llorente-a-la-cote-en-italie-531652" target="_blank">Le10Sport.</a> Sampdoria,&nbsp;Fiorentina&nbsp;,&nbsp;AC Milan&nbsp;and Juventus have all been credited with an interest in the 35-year-old, who has struggled for regular first-team football in Naples. However, Napoli will only consider a deal in the final days of the transfer window when&nbsp;Victor&nbsp;Osimhen and Dries Mertens are fit to return.

Llorente in demand

RMC Sport reporter Loic Tanzi has tweeted an image of Mauricio Pochettino arriving&nbsp;at Paris Saint-Germain's training ground. The former Tottenham boss is expected to be confirmed as PSG's new head coach imminently. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Mauricio Pochettino est au Camp des Loges <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSG</a> <a href="https://t.co/bnMz2CaiYw">pic.twitter.com/bnMz2CaiYw</a> — Loïc Tanzi (@Tanziloic) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tanziloic/status/1345354143750385665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pochettino arrives at PSG

Liverpool will no longer entertain bids for&nbsp;Xherdan Shaqiri this transfer window, reports the <a href="https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfers-origi-news-rumours-19546474?_ga=2.65404264.793022411.1609523958-827605841.1602509848" target="_blank">Liverpool Echo.</a> An injury to Diogo Jota means the Reds need the Swiss forward to provide cover over the next few weeks. The Reds are also reluctant to sell Divock Origi, though they would be willing to let him go if the Belgium forward wants to leave out of respect for&nbsp;his loyal service to the club over the years.

Shaqiri set for Anfield reprieve 

Leeds have made an approach for Real Madrid winger&nbsp;Lucas Vazquez, reports <a href="https://www.todofichajes.com/el-leeds-contacta-con-lucas-vazquez/" target="_blank">Todofichajes.</a> The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is now able to discuss terms with foreign clubs over a summer&nbsp;free transfer. Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa has asked the club to do everything they can to bring&nbsp;Vazquez to Elland Road, with the player himself keen&nbsp;to test himself in&nbsp;the Premier League.

Leeds make Vazquez approach

Lazio are considering a bid for Manchester City full-back&nbsp;Oleksandr Zinchenko, reports <a href="https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-a/lazio/2021/01/02-77788848/lazio_quanti_nomi_per_la_fascia_spunta_anche_zinchenko" target="_blank">Corriere Dello Sport.</a> The Serie A club are keen to bring in a left-side player this month as cover for&nbsp;Senad Lulic, who is still recovering from ankle surgery. An initial loan deal with the option to buy has been mooted, with&nbsp;Zinchenko valued in the region of €20 million (£18m/$24m).

Lazio eye Zinchenko move

Schalke have released&nbsp;Nick Taitague after agreeing to terminate his contract early. The 21-year-old's deal was originally due to expire in June. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> ℹ️ Nick Taitague's contract with FC Schalke 04 has been terminated ⤵️ We wish you all the best for the future, Nick!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/S04?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#S04</a> — FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/s04_en/status/1345309662070104064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Schalke terminate Taitague deal

West Brom boss Sam Allardyce has turned down the chance to sign wingers Duncan Watmore and Daniel James this month as he prioritises other areas of the pitch, according to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9105523/West-Brom-boss-Sam-Allardyce-opts-against-signing-Duncan-Watmore-Daniel-James.html" target="_blank">Mail</a>. Watmore would be available on a free transfer as his short-term contract at Middlesbrough expires this month, while James has been linked with a move away from Manchester United due to a lack of regular first-team football. However, Allardyce has decided against making a move for the pair as he wants to bring in a centre-back, midfielder and striker to try and lift the club away from the Premier League relegation zone.

Baggies opt against James and Watmore deals

Everton are interested in signing Granada goalkeeper Rui Silva, reports <a href="https://www.ideal.es/granadacf/oferton-everton-silva-20210101141249-nt.html?ref=" target="_blank">Ideal.es.</a> The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and so would be available on a free transfer. Silva has made more than 80 appearances for Granada since joining from Portuguese side Nacional four years ago.

Toffees make move for Silva

Feyenoord have signed Argentine forward&nbsp;Lucas Pratto on loan from River Plate until the end of the season. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 𝐁𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐦, Lucas! 🇦🇷<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BienvenidoPratto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BienvenidoPratto</a> — Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) <a href="https://twitter.com/Feyenoord/status/1345047160635748352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Feyenoord confirm Pratto deal

Tottenham have no intention of allowing Hugo Lloris and Dele Alli to leave the club in January, according to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9105551/Tottenham-insist-Alli-Lloris-not-leave-club-month-despite-duo-interesting-PSG.html" target="_blank">Mail.</a> Paris Saint-Germain, who are expected to appoint for Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino as their manager this weekend, have been linked with a double swoop. However, Jose Mourinho's side are standing firm and are ready to reject any offers for the pair this month.

Spurs to resist Lloris and Alli bids

Discussions with Sergio Ramos over a new contract at Real Madrid are being held up because of budget cuts at the Spanish giants, reports <a href="https://as.com/futbol/2021/01/02/primera/1609561656_914448.html" target="_blank">AS.</a> Ramos is out of contract at the end of the season and Los Blancos are keen to tie down their captain to a new deal, but the impact of the coronavirus pandemic means savings of around €300 million (£270m/ £364m) need to be found across the board. That&nbsp;includes&nbsp;player wages and contract renewals, with Real hoping Ramos can lead by example by accepting a wage cut&nbsp;with the promise of bonuses once the impact of the pandemic begins to ease.

Budget cuts hampering Ramos talks

Marseille are the latest club to be linked with a move for Napoli striker&nbsp;Arkadiusz Milik, reports&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gazzetta.it/Calciomercato/01-01-2021/calciomercato-marsiglia-piomba-milik-3902139127949.shtml" target="_blank">Gazzetta dello Sport.</a> The Poland international is out of contract at the end of the season so Napoli are willing to sell him this month in order to secure a fee. Atletico Madrid are also believed to be considering a move for Milik as they seek a replacement for Diego Costa, who was released at the end of last month.

Marseille consider Milik move

Everton are considering whether to offer Gylfi Sigurdsson a new contract, reports the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9105547/Gylfi-Sigurdsson-line-new-deal-Everton.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail.</a> The Iceland international became the club's record signing when he joined from Swansea for a club-record £45 million ($60m) in the summer of 2017. His current deal expires in 2022 but the Toffees may offer an extension after being impressed with his recent performances.

Everton considering new Sigurdsson deal

Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock is keen to sign new players this window but says any deals are likely to drag on until the end of the month. The Championship club remain in talks over extending Duncan Watmore's short-term deal and are also interested in Everton's Yannick Bolasie. “I’d imagine it will be around three o’clock on the 31st,” said Warnock.&nbsp;“It’s like everything else in the world today, everyone wants to get a better deal."

Warnock not expecting early deals

Juventus are lining up a second move for experienced striker Fernando Llorente, reports <a href="https://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/serie-a/juventus/2020/12/30-77726315/llorente_per_rinforzare_la_juve_dal_napoli_il_colpo_di_gennaio_per_pirlo" target="_blank">Tuttosport.</a> The Spaniard left Turin back in 2015 but, as he struggles for game time at Napoli, could be re-signed by the Serie A champions in the winter window as Andrea Pirlo looks to land another goalscorer.

Juve want Llorente back

Fulham boss Scott Parker wants to bring in a new striker during the January transfer window. The Cottagers are one of the league's lowest scorers having scored just 13 goals in 15 games so far this season. “It’s an area where we’re light and we’d like to strengthen. But we know it’s a difficult window and, in this climate, even more so," said Parker.

Fulham boss Parker eyes striker

Mauricio Pochettino will be officially unveiled as PSG boss on Saturday, <a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mauricio-pochettino-au-psg-c-est-pour-ce-samedi/1210880" target="_blank">L'Equipe</a> reports. He arrived in Paris after spending New Year in London and will take his first training session Sunday.

Pochettino to PSG to be made official Saturday

Manchester United&nbsp;are set to boosted by the arrival of&nbsp;Atalanta&nbsp;wonderkid Amad Diallo but don't expect to see much movement from the club in the January transfer window, according to coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/solskjaer-reveals-diallo-to-join-manchester-united/bdiaosnn8xda1cyf5p1qpqryq" target="_blank">Get the full story here...</a>

Solskjaer reveals Diallo to join Manchester United imminently

Philippe Coutinho's injury for Barcelona spells bad news for Liverpool, <a href="https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-philippe-coutinho-barcelona-payment-23248108" target="_blank">The Star</a> reports. Barca were due to pay the Reds an additional £18m if the Brazil international made 100 appearances for the club, but he now appears unlikely to do that as he is set for five months on the sidelines.

Liverpool set for £18m Coutinho blow

Reiss Nelson is not set to be axed by Arsenal in January, despite injury affecting his game time. Although Mikel Arteta is planning to trim his squad, the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal/transfer-news-january-mikel-arteta-b1780791.html" target="_blank">Independent</a> believes that Nelson will be retained for now.

Nelson safe at Arsenal

Winger&nbsp;Philip Zinckernagel has claimed the turned down some leading clubs to join the Championship side. "I could have chosen to go to clubs where I would have earned more money. I preferred the sporting challenge to money, not that it's a bad package I've got at Watford and it's a five-and-a-half-year contract," he told the media. "I had offers from clubs in Turkey, the Netherlands, Schalke in Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and a lot in Eastern Europe. And additionally, Celtic were also involved. "I had to make a decision before Brexit and I got the best feeling at Watford." &nbsp;

Zinckernagel: I snubbed top clubs to sign for Watford

Arsenal are hoping that Kieran Tierney will be able to persuade former Celtic team-mate Ryan Christie to sign for the club, according to <a href="https://www.90min.com/posts/arsenal-premier-league-clubs-transfer-celtic-ryan-christie-leicester-southampton" target="_blank">90Mins</a>. Out of contract in 2022, Christie is mulling over his future and is being courted by numerous Premier League clubs, including Leicester and Newcastle.

Tierney set to be key in Arsenal deal

Angers forward Stephane Bahoken is attracting interest from the Premier League, <a href="https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/angers-sco/angers-sco-la-premier-league-nourrit-de-l-interet-pour-stephane-bahoken-7105419" target="_blank">Ouest France</a> reports. While there are no concrete offers, Wolves are believed to be after the striker.

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Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Real Madrid closing in on Alaba deal | Goal.com Kenya

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world