January transfer news & rumours: Rafinha to Inter a done deal


Rafinha to Inter a done deal


Inter and Barcelona have finally agreed a deal to send midfielder Rafinha to Milan, according to Sky Sport Italia.

Inter will initially bring in Rafinha on loan until the end of the season and will have the option to sign him permanently this summer for a fee of €35 million plus €3m in bonuses.

The 24-year-old Brazil international, brother of Bayern Munich's Thiago, has long been a target of the Nerazzurri.


Mourinho makes Bale promises


Gareth Bale Ballon d'OrGetty/Goal

Jose Mourinho has made various promises to Gareth Bale in an attempt to get him to sign for Manchester United, reports Don Balon .

The Real Madrid star has long been a transfer target for the Premier League side, with Mourinho now keen to pull out all the stops to land the Welshman.

The United boss has apparently promised Bale he will be the main man at Old Trafford and even gone as far as telling him he can start thinking about winning the Ballon d'Or if he joins them.


Brighton drop £16M on Locadia


Locadia PSV Wolfsburg Champions league 11032015PROSHOTS

Brighton and Hove Albion have broken their club record by spending £16 million to sign PSV striker Jurgen Locadia.

The 24-year-old has scored nine goals in 16 Eredivisie outings this season, and should help an attack that has scored the second-fewest Premier League goals this season.

Read the full story here.


Dortmund adamant no Auba deal done


Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Borussia Dortmund

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may be being strongly linked with Arsenal, but Borussia Dortmund consider the rumours to be “rubbish”.

The Gabon international has emerged as a top target for the Gunners during the January transfer window, with Arsene Wenger eager to find another proven threat in the final third as Alexis Sanchez edges towards the exits.

Read what Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has had to say on the rumours here.


No Old Trafford return for Chicharito


Javier Hernandez West HamGetty Images

Javier Hernandez is close to leaving West Ham for Besiktas in an €8.5 million deal, Goal understands.

A return to Manchester United had been mooted for the Mexico international, with Jose Mourinho in the market for support and competition to Romelu Lukaku, but he appears set to head for Turkey.

Read the full story on the striker's future, including contract details, here.


Mourinho confirms Man Utd 'are there' in Alexis chase


Alexis

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Manchester United "are there" in regards to their pursuit of Alexis Sanchez, but says the deal is not yet done.

The United boss also revealed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be in the squad to face Burnley, but that he is in good condition ahead of his proposed switch to Arsenal.

Read the full story on Goal!


Mourinho ends left-back search


Luke Shaw, Man Utd, 17/18

Jose Mourinho sees no left-backs “better than this Luke Shaw”, with Manchester United no longer seeking reinforcements in that area.

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a number of performers who can slot into that position, including the likes of Alex Sandro, Danny Rose and Ryan Sessegnon.

Read the full story on Goal.


Goretzka snubbed England and Spain


Leon Goretzka Germany

Leon Goretzka rejected interest from the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A in order to join Bayern Munich, head coach Jupp Heynckes has said.

Goretzka had been linked with the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona and Juventus before agreeing to a four-year deal at the Allianz Arena.

Read the full story on Goal.


No Man Utd debut for Alexis v Burnley


EMBED ONLY Alexis Sanchez Manchester United

Alexis Sanchez will not make his Manchester United debut against Burnley this weekend.

Jose Mourinho's men are set to sign the Chile international in a £35 million deal, and were hopeful of playing him against Sean Dyche's men.

However, Alexis has not been registered in time to play against the Clarets.

Read the full story on Goal!


Arsenal pull out of Malcom race


Malcom Bordeaux

Arsenal have pulled out of the race to sign Malcom from Bordeaux in January.

The Gunners are not willing to pay the French club's asking price of £44 million, though they remain confident that they can sign the 20-year-old in the summer.

Tottenham have also been linked with the exciting forward.

Read the full story on Goal!


Inter in pole position to sign Sturridge


Daniel SturridgeGetty/Goal

Inter are in pole position to sign Daniel Sturridge on loan from Liverpool.

The Serie A giants have made a "serious" proposal to sign the England striker, who is also wanted by La Liga club Sevilla.

Read the full story on Goal!


No Chelsea bid for Dzeko


Edin Dzeko, AS Roma

Chelsea have not made a formal bid for Roma striker Edin Dzeko, according to the player's agent.

The Blues have been linked with a number of strikers in recent weeks, including Tottenham's Fernando Llorente and Stoke City's Peter Crouch.

However, they have yet to make contact with Dzeko, with his agent telling romagiallorossa.it : "Every time you talk about Dzeko, clubs like Chelsea, Chinese clubs, even Mexican clubs crop up. They're only rumours. The truth is that Dzeko wants to stay at Roma.


Moyes curbs Batshuayi talk


Michy Batshuayi ChelseaGetty Images

David Moyes did not attend Chelsea's FA Cup replay against Norwich City to scout Michy Batshuayi, while the West Ham boss has dealt a blow to the Blues in their reported chase of Andy Carroll.

Belgium international Batshuayi has been strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in January after struggling to make an impact at Chelsea in the year-and-a-half since moving from Marseille.

Read the full story on Goal.


Conte quiet on Dzeko & Llorente links


Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte has refused to discuss the plethora of strikers linked with Chelsea in recent days, but admits he would be "happy" if the club opted to bolster his squad in the January window.

Chelsea have reportedly considered bringing in a traditional target man - Edin Dzeko, Fernando Llorente and even Stoke City veteran Peter Crouch have been mentioned - with Conte seemingly on the look-out for a back-up to the struggling Alvaro Morata.

Read the full story on Goal!


Liverpool target Goretzka to join Bayern


Leon Goretzka Schalke 04 Frankfurt Bundesliga 03222014Bogarts

Leon Goretzka has passed a medical and agreed a deal to sign for Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old midfielder was also a target for Liverpool and Arsenal but opted for a move to Bavaria with the German champions.

Read the full story here on Goal.


Fernandinho signs new Man City deal


Fernandinho Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has signed a two-year contract extension at the club.

The 32-year-old has made 23 Premier League appearances this season under Pep Guardiola and is now tied to the club until 2020.

For full details, read here.


Sergi Roberto agrees fresh Barcelona contract


Sergi Roberto Barcelona 2017Getty Images

Sergi Roberto has agreed a new deal at Barcelona that will keep him with the Camp Nou club until 2022.

The full-back was linked with Manchester United but has ended speculation by putting pen to paper on fresh terms.

More about Roberto's contract here.


Mkhitaryan & Aubameyang agree Arsenal terms


Auba MkhiGetty/Goal

Arsenal are confident they will sign both Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan this January.

The Gunners have agreed personal terms with both players, as Arsene Wenger looks to bolster his attacking ranks.

Mkhitaryan is set to arrive as part of a deal that will see Alexis Sanchez move to United, while Aubameyang is valued at £55 million by Dortmund.


Juventus target Hamsik staying at Napoli


Hamsik Napoli Sampdoria Serie A

Former Juventus target Marek Hamsik has ruled out a move away from Napoli. 

"I've got no doubts about my future, I'm a Napoli player and I'm not going to leave," said the player.

Read the full story on Goal!


Giroud bound for Dortmund in Auba deal


Olivier Giroud, ArsenalGetty

Olivier Giroud is set to move to Borussia Dortmund as part of the deal that takes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal, claims the  Daily Mirror .

Already struggling for game time following the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette, Giroud would slip further down the pecking order should Aubameyang land at the Emirates Stadium. 

But Dortmund could offer a way out in a cash-plus-player deal for their Gabon striker, having already shown an interest in the Frenchman over the summer. 


Mkhitaryan will be a 'sensation' for Arsenal


Henrikh Mkhitaryan Man Utd

Paul Merson believes Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be a "sensation" at Arsenal as the out-of-favour Manchester United playmaker closes in on a move to the Gunners.

Premier League rivals Arsenal and United are reportedly close to completing a deal which will see Alexis Sanchez and Mkhitaryan swap places.

Read what he had to say about Mkhitaryan on Goal!


De Gea happy to delay contract talks


David de Gea Manchester United

David de Gea is keen to delay talks over a new Manchester United contract until the end of the season.

United manager Jose Mourinho this week called for De Gea to be given a bumper extension to his current deal, which is set to expire in 2019, although it has an option to be increased for a further 12 months.

Read what he had to say on Goal!


Wenger: Alexis loss won't hurt like RVP


Robin van Persie, ArsenalGetty

Arsene Wenger is resigned to losing Alexis Sanchez and believes Arsenal fans have made their peace with him leaving as well, claiming the loss of Robin van Persie to Manchester United in 2012 was much more painful. 

Arsenal and United are thought to be nearing a conclusion over negotiations for a swap deal that will see Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading to north London and Alexis moving the other way. 

Read his full comments right here on Goal!


Chelsea face two-window transfer ban


Bertrand Traore, Chelsea, 20150916PROSHOTS

Chelsea could be banned from two transfer windows as FIFA investigate the club for irregular signings, according to the Guardian .

The Blues have reportedly been accused of breaking rules on recruiting under-age foreign players, with as many as 25 cases being reviewed. 

Bertrand Traore's arrival in 2014 is just one of the signings under scrutiny.

If the charges are proved they could face similar punishments to those suffered by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in recent years. 


Giroud the answer for Chelsea


Olivier Giroud ArsenalGetty Images

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes Olivier Giroud would be the "perfect" signing for London rivals Chelsea, who are looking to provide support to Alvaro Morata.

Chelsea have been linked with surprising moves for West Ham's Andy Carroll and Stoke City veteran Peter Crouch as the Premier League champions attempt to bolster their forward line.

Read his full comments on Goal!


Mourinho gives thumbs-up to Ronaldo return


Jose Mourinho Manchester United Southampton

Jose Mourinho has given his approval to Manchester United's attempts to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the club, reports  La Sexta  ( via AS ). 

Reports about a possible Old Trafford comeback have grown, as the Real Madrid star shows signs of discontent at his current team. 

United could pay up to £352 million in order to secure the blockbuster transfer at the end of the season.


Alexis frozen out of Arsenal training


Alexis Sanchez Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez trained away from the Arsenal first team on Thursday as his move to Manchester United draws nearer, reports the Daily Mirror .

A deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan plus a cash payment could be completed as soon as Friday.


Chelsea make surprise move for Crouch


Peter Crouch Stoke City 2017

Chelsea have inquired into the availability of Stoke City striker Peter Crouch, according to the Daily Telegraph .

The Blues were in for West Ham's Andy Carroll, but an ankle injury could keep the striker out for months and has ended any possibility of a move. 

And so Chelsea have made a surprise approach to Stoke for the former England striker, who turns 37 this month. 


Roberto set for new Barca contract


Sergi Roberto BarcelonaGetty

Sergi Roberto is set to become the latest Barcelona star to earn a new contract, according to  Sport .

The versatile 25-year-old has become a fixture in the Catalans' starting line-up this season, appearing both in midfield and at right-back. 

And after attracting attention from Juventus and Chelsea last summer, Barca are keen to extend his current deal, which expires in 2019.


Leicester battle Man City & Arsenal for Evans


Jonny Evans West BromGetty Images

Leicester City are ready to enter the battle for the signature of West Bromwich Albion's Jonny Evans, reports the Daily Mail .

Both Manchester City and Arsenal have shown an interest in the defender, but Leicester are also keen to land him in the current window.


Inter & Roma pursue Sturridge


Daniel Sturridge LiverpoolGetty

Serie A sides Inter and Roma are both considering a bid for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, reports Gianluca Di Marzio (via  Football Italia ). 

Roma have been put on alert by reported Chelsea interest for Emerson Palmieri and Edin Dzeko, and see Sturridge as a possible replacement up front. 

Inter, meanwhile, are short of depth up front, with only Mauro Icardi leading the line.


Man City move for Can


Emre Can LiverpoolGetty Images

Manchester City are hoping to land Liverpool midfielder Emre Can at the end of the season, according to the  Daily Mirror .

Can has so far held off on signing a new deal at Anfield, and has been linked with a free transfer move to Juventus and Bayern Munich.  

If Bayern sign Schalke's Leon Goretzka, however, he might favour staying in the Premier League with Pep Guardiola.


Ozil & Wilshere close to new deals


Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere are set to hand Arsenal a welcome boost by committing to new contracts, reports the Sun .

The Gunners duo are among those set to be available on a free transfer in the summer, with no fresh terms agreed as yet.

Both are, however, locked in talks and are ready to bring the uncertainty surrounding their respective futures to a close by putting pen to paper.


Napoli join race for Man Utd target Lucas


Lucas Moura PSG

Napoli are the latest team to show an interest in Paris Saint-Germain's Lucas Moura, according to Gianluca Di Marzio .

Premier League sides Manchester United and Tottenham are also reported admirers, while the Serie A team now consider Lucas a bigger transfer priority than Barca's Gerard Deulofeu.

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