Deadline day: Transfer window closing in European soccer

By Associated Press

January 31 at 5:22 AM

LONDON — Clubs in Europe's leading leagues are making their final signings for the rest of the season on transfer deadline day.

Premier League clubs in England have until 2300 GMT to sign players in what could be the last transfer window before Britain leaves the European Union, impacting future trading.

The transfer window closes at 22:59 GMT in Spain, just before midnight local time.

French clubs also have right until the end of Thursday, the final day of January.

For Bundesliga clubs, the transfer window closes earlier in Germany at 1700 GMT.

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Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Argentine soccer ace Emiliano Sala aboard plane missing in English Channel, days after $19 million transfer to EPL

In this his picture taken on Jan. 14, 2018, Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala of the FC Nantes club gives a thumbs up during a soccer match against PSG in Nantes, France. David Vincent/AP Photo

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PARIS — The search for the missing plane taking Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala to his new team in Wales was called off for the night on Tuesday with authorities not expecting to find any survivors in the English Channel.

Police said floating objects had been seen in the water but they were unable to confirm whether they were from the light aircraft that disappeared from radar Monday night off the coat of Guernsey as it made the journey from Nantes.

The 28-year-old Sala had spent the previous hours saying farewell to teammates at the French city's soccer team after Cardiff signed him for a club-record fee last week.

"After all this time, the weather's quite cold, the water is very cold out there … I am not expecting anyone to be alive," Channel Islands Air Search chief officer John Fitzgerald told The Associated Press. "We just don't know how it disappeared at the end of yesterday. It just completely vanished."

Authorities have found no sign of those on board.

"If they did land on the water," Guernsey Police said, "the chances of survival are at this stage, unfortunately, slim."

Britain's Coastguard received an alert at 8:23 p.m. on Monday from air traffic control in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, after it failed to make contact with the Piper PA-46 plane with two people on board, Guernsey police said. The French civil aviation authority confirmed Sala was one of the people.

Supporters of FC Nantes gather to pay tribute to Argentinian soccer player Emiliano Sala, in Nantes, western France, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. David Vincent/AP Photo

Authorities have been searching for 15 hours in total. They suspended the search later Tuesday after the sun set.

Sala's last post on Instagram was a picture on Monday with Nantes players alongside a message which translates as "the last goodbye."

Cardiff announced it had signed Sala for a reported $19 million through 2022. He was in Cardiff last week to finalize the transfer, which was awaiting international clearance. The Premier League did not respond to questions about whether the transfer had been completed.

"I can't wait to start training, meet my new teammates and get down to work," Sala said in a video posted on the club's website.

View this post on Instagram

‪La ultima ❤️ ciao @FCNantes 👋🏻💛💚‬

A post shared by Emiliano Sala (@emilianosala9) on Jan 21, 2019 at 4:09am PST

A powerful and direct player, Sala equaled his career-best total of 12 goals — achieved in the past two seasons with Nantes — in 19 league games this season. He is fifth highest scorer in the French league, one behind Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, who is the world's most expensive player.

"He was a polite, nice and adorable player who was loved by everybody," Nantes president Waldemar Kita told French TV channel CNews.

Nantes was due to play Entente Sannois in the French Cup on Wednesday but the third-tier club said it was postponed until Sunday "following the disappearance of the plane of former player Emiliano Sala." Cardiff also cancelled its training session scheduled for Tuesday, with chief executive Ken Choo saying club officials were "very distressed about the situation."

"We continue to pray for positive news," Choo said.

Sala, who had not played for Argentina's national team, has also played in France for Bordeaux.

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This Analytics Firm Wants To Make Soccer Transfers More Like Video Games

SciSports InsightSciSports

After the clock strikes midnight on January 31, most European soccer clubs will be unable to sign any new players for another six months.

The month-long winter transfer window is the only opportunity for teams to strengthen their championship bids, aid their battle against relegation, or ease an injury crisis.

January is a particularly difficult time to purchase players. Teams often do not want to sell and there is no pre-season to gradually introduce a new player to a club's tactics and philosophy. Coupled with the recent inflation in transfer fees, it's important that teams get their acquisition strategy right.

The biggest clubs employ huge scouting teams to watch matches around the world, filing detailed reports on physical, technical and mental attributes and a much greater emphasis on data analysis has been applied to soccer recruitment.

Life imitating art

But even still, it can be difficult to predict the impact of a particular player on a team – especially in a January transfer window when you hope a signing will hit the ground running. This conundrum is something Dutch analytics firm SciSports hopes to solve.

SciSports sees video games as inspiration. In Football Manager you have access to a wealth of statistics about real-life players, while FIFA offers 3D visualization of matches. In the FIFA Ultimate Team mode, gamers can see the potential impact of a signing on their team through the 'Chemistry' statistic.

Giels Brouwer founded SciSports two and a half years ago after completing his studies in the Netherlands and is influenced by the user experience and data-driven recruitment options they offer.

"I did my thesis on how FC Twente [the local football club] had improved its transfer strategy through the use of data," he tells me. "The idea [behind SciSports] was to build a real-life Football Manager using data by helping football clubs build an index on all players [to aid] the recruitment process."

Recruitment

Just like Football Manager, recruiters can search for players based on various parameters but what separates SciSports' Insight platform from other analytics tools is the way it assesses players.

While other platforms crunch statistics like completed tackles, pass accuracy and chances made, SciSports only looks at events that happen while a particular player is on the pitch. Every event within 15 seconds of a goal is given particular emphasis so it's not just assists and goals that get the glory.

"We estimate the expected outcome on the pitch. If they're expected to win 2-1 and the win 3-1, then we recalibrate which players underperformed on the pitch and overperformed," he says. "Most clubs use it to improve their recruitment policy. In the UK we have Wigan, Leeds and Huddersfield."

Clubs look at this data to see whether players are an ideal fit. For example, some clubs have identified strange patterns in the data and withdrawn from a signing because of concerns about a player's mentality.

The most effective way to use the tool, Brouwer says, is part of a more rounded scouting operation that ensures a club is spending their money in the most effective way.

"The best players will always rise," he says. "I don't think any club will need us to scout Messi or Salah. That's not where our expertise lies.

"The data is never sufficient enough to rely on it alone, but it can help flag the right type of player. It's like buying a house - you'll be able to research the house online but you'll never buy it without seeing. But at the same time, you'll never drive around a city looking at all the houses and take a risk."

SciSports InsightSciSports

Opposition analysis

Some clubs use SciSports' data to analyze the opposition. Ajax and the Belgian national team are two that benefit from the analysis of hundreds of thousands of data points to identify potential strengths and weaknesses.

In games like Football Manager, these insights are presented in bite-size snippets that are easy to understand. Brouwer says this ease of use is a clear inspiration for the ongoing development of SciSports' platform.

"We're definitely influenced by video games," he continues. "They put so many hours into their UI and if they do it so well [why shouldn't we look at it]."

It is the desire to improve opposition analysis through 3D visualization that has seen SciSports team up with analytics expert SAS.

"We were not able to build the entire infrastructure to roll it out to a number of leagues. We need a partnership with an analytics company that is slightly bigger than hours," Brouwer explains, adding that the deal will also see the two firms look at deep learning possibilities and will improve the ability to assess their own performances as well as those of the opposition.

SciSport purchases data from third-party sources to power its Insight recruitment platform and tasks itself with enriching that data. For opposition analysis, the partnership with SAS will allow SciSports to use custom datasets such as GPS, video and more subjective information such as youth department questionnaires.

The ultimate aim is to build an AI simulator that can predict an entire match: "We're not there yet, but 2-3 years we think it will be possible to watch a match in a hologram style."

The future

The insights that can be gained are improving all the time, and although Brouwer concedes that soccer is the most difficult of all sports to apply analytics to, he believes there is more progress to be made.

"[The level of insight] has definitely improved," he argues. "[For example] one of the things we see now is the measurement of goal threat. Based on the direction of the goal, we can estimate the likelihood of a goal. You can also [digitally] see a radar on the pitch and identify the spaces on the field.

"For us, deep learning is the most interesting [future development]. We have about 20 people working on deep learning and machine learning.

"[Soccer] is definitely different. It's the most complex sport in the world but I think that's the beauty of the game – you will never create a robot match."

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Search ends for plane, angering soccer player Sala’s family

By Rob Harris | AP

January 24

LONDON — Sobbing after the active search for her brother was halted, the sister of Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala urged authorities Thursday not to give up trying to find the remains of his plane that disappeared from radar over the English Channel.

Authorities said the chances of survival are "extremely remote" for Sala and pilot David Ibbotson after a three-day air-and-sea operation, covering 1,700 square miles near the Channel Islands, failed to locate the aircraft or the two people on board.

The plane was flying from the French city of Nantes to Cardiff, where the 28-year-old Sala was due to start playing for the Welsh capital's Premier League club.

"I know that they're alive and they're well, and they're looking for us," the player's sister, Romina Sala, said in Cardiff. "Please, please, I'm asking you — don't stop searching. They're alive."

Sala spoke about 30 minutes after Guernsey harbor master Capt. David Barker announced they had "taken the difficult decision to end the search" while asking ships and aircraft to continue looking for parts of the light aircraft.

"The chances of survival at this stage are extremely remote," Barker said.

The plane was last known to be flying near Hurd's Deep, an underwater valley which has a depth of more than 100 meters (328 feet).

"Finding anything in that depth of water is going to be extremely difficult," Barker said. "But we can't say conclusively if the plane is on the seabed."

Sala's transfer was completed only last week, with Cardiff agreeing to a club-record fee reported to be 15 million pounds ($19 million). The club described Thursday's latest developments as a "time of immeasurable sadness."

"We were looking forward to providing Emiliano with the next step in his life and career," Cardiff owner Vincent Tan said in a statement published on the club's website. "Those who met Emiliano described a good-natured and humble young man who was eager to impress in the Premier League. The response from the football community has been truly touching and we place on record our sincere thanks to those who have sent messages of support."

The Piper PA-46 aircraft was arranged by Sala's representatives to take him to south Wales after saying goodbye to his former teammates in Nantes, according to agent Mark McKay.

"Emiliano is a fighter. I know he has not given up," Romina Sala said. "We don't have any certainty of anything. Nothing has been found."

Sala secured the move to the world's richest soccer league after a standout season in France, scoring 12 times in 19 league games.

After emerging as a player in the Proyecto Crecer youth academy in the Argentine city of San Francisco, Sala moved to Europe in 2010 to join Bordeaux.

Sala was sent on loan to Orleans in the third-tier of French soccer, where he excelled with 19 goals in his one season there.

But Sala was unable to establish himself at Bordeaux and he was sent out on loan to the second division team Niort. After scoring 21 goals, he was given a chance in Ligue 1 by Bordeaux. But after scoring only once in 11 league games for Bordeaux during the 2014-15 season, Sala had to go out on loan again to Caen but his goals secured a move to Nantes.

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Luis Andres Henao and Almudena Calatrava in Buenos Aires contributed to this report.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Arsenal Make Late Move for £50m Barcelona Star Malcom Ahead of Transfer Deadline

© Soccrates Images/GettyImages Sevilla v FC Barcelona - Spanish Copa del Rey

​Arsenal have lined up a potential move for Barcelona winger Malcom as Unai Emery seeks to bring in reinforcements ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline.

The Gunners are widely reported to have spent much of the January transfer window in pursuit of Denis Suarez, though a deal for the Spaniard has yet to materialise with Barcelona.

According to ​The Sun, ​​Arsenal are now prepared to launch a move for a second ​Barcelona forward, with Brazilian winger Malcom also on the agenda. The 21-year-old has struggled for consistency at the Camp Nou, and the Gunners are apparently keeping tabs on his developments - or the lack thereof.

It is said that the north London side have inquired into the possibility of taking Malcom on loan at the Emirates during talks with the La Liga side over a separate deal for Denis Suarez.

The Brazil forward has made just six La Liga appearances for Barcelona this season, with his only goals for the club so far coming in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

Malcom has struggled to force his way into Ernesto Valverde's plans since arriving in Catalonia from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux last summer, though it is said that the club still rate him highly and may be reluctant to let him leave.

It is suggested that a potential loan deal may be profitable in allowing Malcom to gain more minutes on the pitch elsewhere before returning to Barcelona in better form at the end of the season.

With the La Liga champions also said to be keen on raising the Brazilian's value, Barcelona would apparently demand £50m in any potential deal to sell Malcom – a fee which Arsenal would apparently be willing to pay.

However, the Gunners are only able to make loan signings this month, meaning that an initial loan deal with the option to buy in the summer could work for all parties.

Serie A giants ​Milan are also said to be interested in a temporary move for Malcom and Barcelona would apparently be open to such a deal, though Arsenal are set to wait in the wings for a 'green light' on the deal.

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Jozy Altidore on the 'missed opportunity' of the Pulisic transfer saga

On Saturday afternoon, Jozy Altidore says he was going to get into a car in Los Angeles, drive down I-5 to Chula Vista and do what he had not done since Oct. 10, 2017, and that's meet up with the U.S. national team.

Recovering from ankle surgery last fall, Altidore has not played for the USA since it lost to Trinidad & Tobago, 2-1, and failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. He's not in January camp to train, but just to be around the team for a little bit and help out any way new head coach Gregg Berhalter wants.

"I look forward to helping in any way to bridge the gap or whatever is needed," Altidore said before leaving MLS's annual Media Day in Los Angeles. "I think we have a very bright young generation coming through. And it will be exciting to watch them grow and give them all the tools they need to succeed. "

Altidore says he doesn't remember when the USA had so many young players playing at such big clubs.

"Tim Weah scored a goal today," he said. "You've got [Weston] McKennie playing. You've got Tyler Adams making his debut [in a friendly for RB Leipzig]. I think it is really exciting."

Business as usual. Like them, Altidore was just a teenager in 2008 when he moved from the New York Red Bulls to Spain's Villarreal for a transfer fee reportedly close to $10 million, nearly twice as much as the previous record for an American.

The American record for a transfer was shattered earlier in January when Chelsea agreed to pay Borussia Dortmund an estimated $73 million for Christian Pulisic. Inside the American soccer village, the transfer was analyzed and debated from every angle, but in the bigger world of American sports Altidore says the Pulisic deal went unnoticed.

"If you were an American and watched American TV," he said, "you'd think it never happened. El sewhere around the world, it was a big thing, but I was disappointed in the States it was kind of business as usual. I guess they have a lot of guys going for $70 million."

Altidore says he's happy for Pulisic with whom he played on the national team in 2016 and 2017.

"I think he will do great," he said. "We just need to support him. Like players at any other clubs, there will be ups and downs. In the big picture, you need to give him space to still grow."

Altidore says Pulisic's transfer was a missed opportunity to show what American soccer can be.

"I just think it would be great to show people here an American kid who's been given the opportunity to go to one of Europe's biggest clubs," he said. "The transfer fee is huge. It ticks every box if you want to portray it to the youth to get them more into the sport. Soccer in a lot of ways is not looked to kids, to inner-city kids, as an opportunity to make it out, to make a life for yourself. We don't have a lo t of those stories. This was a great one. And I thought it was a missed opportunity to shed light on what this game is about."

Altidore says there will be more of those stories, though, as MLS academies produce more players like Canadian Alphonso Davies, whom he described as a "stud" and who dressed on Friday at the age of 18 for Bayern Munich.

"Stories like that are fantastic for the league," he said.

Simply not good enough. Altidore is coming off the longest offseason of his career. After reaching MLS Cup in 2016 and winning it in 2017, Toronto FC failed to make the 2018 playoffs. He said the Reds simply weren't good enough and to blame the collapse on injuries would be naive.

"We had no choice," he said of the 12 weeks off. "We got knocked out.  We had a couple of months to do whatever.  I had a chance to be more of a dad. I was domesticated. I was in the house cooking and all that stuff. It was fun. It was cool. But it was too long off. I missed playing . I missed being around the locker room and the guys. I am just excited to get back to work." Roots in Toronto. What the future holds for Altidore, 29, is unknown. His contract is up at the end of the year after five seasons with TFC and he doesn't know where he will be playing.

"I've loved my time there," he says. "If it continues, fantastic, because I've grown roots there. My family loves it there."

Like Altidore, Sebastian Giovinco and Michael Bradley, the other two Toronto FC Designated Players, will also be free agents at the end of the season.

"Everybody knows what we are about," Altidore said. "Fans know what we are about and what to expect from us. 100 percent professionalism. To try to win games. To try to win trophies. This is what we came to MLS for. We're not like some teams, with all due respect, that just year to year see how it goes. We came to win, to push the envelope. If you look back at our time, I think we've done a lot of those things to be pro ud of. We have another year to make another dent."

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Transfer rumor roundup: Man Utd wants Bergwijn; Bournemouth after $16M CB

Manchester United is hoping to beat a host of teams to $32 million PSV Eindhoven attacker Steven Bergwijn.

The 21-year-old has 10 goals and nine assists this season after breaking out with nine and 11 last season.

[ MORE: Latest on Emiliano Sala ]

Bergwijn plays across the top of attack as a center forward or wing. He has a goal or an assist in 13 of his last 14 Eredivisie matches.

Inter Milan, West Ham United, and Tottenham Hotspur are among the other clubs linked with Bergwijn.

Bournemouth have reportedly seen a near $16 million bid for Brentford defender Chris Mepham, a Welsh international viewed as a piece to help fill the void caused by Simon Francis' long-term injury.

Mepham, 21, was with Chelsea's academy before moving to Brentford. Standing 6-foot-3, he has 48 appearances with a goal for the Bees.

Rafa Benitez and Newcastle continue to seek reinforcements in the market, with The Daily Mail reporting that the Magpies are nearing a breakthrough at left back in the form of Milad Mohammadi.

The 25-year-old Iranian plays for Russian side Akhmat Grozny, and is currently on international duty with Iran at the Asian Cup. He's one of the mid-table side's top performing players this season.

The Magpies have also joined West Ham in tracking Josh Maja, the Sunderland striker who is out-of-contract this summer. Maja, 20, has 15 goals in 24 League One matches this season.

Follow @NicholasMendola

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Soccer Adds Lund As Transfer For 2019

John Thomas January 23, 2019

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Razorback soccer team and head coach Colby Hale announced the addition of All-Big 12 and All-Region transfer goalkeeper Katie Lund on Wednesday.

Lund was a First Team All-Big 12 and Second Team All-Region player in 2017 and comes to Arkansas after spending her last three seasons at TCU. She also was named the Big 12 Championships Defensive Most Outstanding Player and First Team Academic All-Big 12 as a sophomore.

"We are excited to add someone with Katie's experience and accolades to our team," Hale said. "Our goalkeeper group will be very competitive going into 2019."

Lund was a starter all three years she spent with the Horned Frogs and has notched a combined 36 starts in 50 games with a 0.87 goals against average. One of Lund's strongest years came in 2017 as she started 19 matches and helped TCU tie a school-record with eight shutouts, seven of which were solo efforts.

Lund led the Big 12 with an .835 save percentage that year and ranked second in the league with a 0.65 goals against average. She also made 66 total saves on the year to rank fifth in the conference as she guided TCU to the Big 12 conference tournament championship game and the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

Before college, Lund was part of a premier club program as she played for the 97 Dallas Sting under head coach Tatu. She helped lead her team to the 2014 ECNL National Championship and placed third at the 2013 ECNL National Championships.

In high school, Lund was a four-year varsity letter winner at Ursuline Academy of Dallas and helped lead her team to the TAPPS Div. 1 Championship in 2012, 2013 and 2014, as well as was a member of the 2014 TAPPS All-State Tournament Team and the TAPPS All-State Team in 2013 and 2014.

For more information on Razorback Soccer, follow @RazorbackSoccer on Twitter.

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LIVE Transfer Talk: Real Madrid to beat Man City to £90m Paulo Dybala

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/out of your club this month.

TOP STORY: Real to fight Man City for Dybala

Real Madrid are hoping to defeat Manchester City in the race to sign Juventus forward Paulo Dybala and are ready to splash £90m on the Argentina international, reports the Sun.

Los Blancos have been desperate to fill the Cristiano Ronaldo-shaped vacuum in their attack ever since the Portuguese superstar's move to Turin and have identified his current teammate as the ideal replacement.

The 25-year-old boasts an impressive 54 goals in 115 Serie A appearances and, with Aaron Ramsey set to grace the Allianz Stadium next season, the Old Lady are believed to be open to the idea of cashing in on one of their prized assets.

If Madrid managed to secure their latest Galactico, it would deal a huge blow to Pep Guardiola, who is supposedly a keen admirer of the ex-Palermo attacker. And would also send a bit of a message to the upstarts of Juve over just who wields the power in the transfer market these days.

LIVE BLOG

12.10 GMT: Borussia Dortmund will soon have a Christian Pulisic-shaped hole to fill when the American leaves for Chelsea in the summer. But how will they fill it?

Bild reports that Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is the man they want to step into Pulisic's shoes. It was only six months ago when reports claimed Palace wanted a swap deal with Zaha and Jadon Sancho. That certainly isn't going to be happening now!

11.55 GMT: Paris Saint-Germain have not yet made a bid for Napoli midfielder Allan, although the Serie A club's president Aurelio De Laurentiis has told RMC Sport that he is open to talks.

"I've not received an offer, but we're good friends and both clubs are always talking about other opportunities," De Laurentiis said. "If there's an opportunity, we'll have to see. We always buy players because we want to keep them, but if there is a situation which makes sense for both clubs, then we will have to see. I never talk money."

De Laurentiis is reported to be wanting in excess of €100m for the midfielder, who joined them for €12m from Udinese in 2015.

11.31 GMT: Gonzalo Higain's move to Chelsea gets ever closer...

Sources have told ESPN FC that the striker left Linare airport in Milan at 8 a.m. local time and landed at Farnborough airport (less than an hour's drive to Chelsea's training ground in Cobham) around 9 a.m. GMT. Given that medicals generally take a couple of hours to complete, it's touch and go whether he'll be registered in time for the Spurs game on Thursday. They have 30 minutes to get it done by 12.00 GMT today.

11.30 GMT: David Beckham has become the latest former Manchester United player to invest in Salford City, taking a 10 percent stake in the club alongside Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers.

Salford, third in the National League, are one step away from the Football League after winning three promotions in four years since being taken over by the Class of 92 and Singapore businessman Peter Lim in 2014.

And former England captain Beckham has been confirmed as a part-owner, which sees the Class of 92 -- Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Butt and the Nevilles -- own a controlling 60 percent stake in the club. Beckham is also joint-owner of Inter Miami CF, who will play in Major League Soccer in 2020.

11.22 GMT: Fenerbahce are interested in loaning Chelsea winger Victor Moses, sources have told ESPN FC, but are yet to reach an agreement.

Fenerbahce sporting director Damien Comolli has been in London working on transfers but the club are constrained by Financial Fair Play in January and Moses is reportedly reluctant to leave England.

However, the Nigerian has found himself struggling for playing time since the appointment of Maurizio Sarri over the summer -- playing just 176 minutes of first-team football this season and being left out of the squad that lost 2-0 against Arsenal last weekend.

11.12 GMT: Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali suggests he would be keen on a move to AC Milan, although he insists he is not thinking of a move just yet.

"I'm just thinking of this season with Brescia and not the future and all the names I'm being linked with," he told Sky Sport Italia. "I want to finish this season in the best way possible, but all I can say is that I'm honoured to be linked with big clubs and it makes me realise what progress I'm making. For me it would be a huge pleasure [to be coached by Gennaro Gattuso] -- it's something I've dreamed of since I was a child. I've always been a Milan fan and he's my inspiration."

10.52 GMT: Denis Suarez looks set to remain at Barcelona until the end of the season after talks regarding a move to Arsenal broke down on Tuesday, sources close to the player have told ESPN FC.

Arsenal were keen to sign Suarez, who is in the final 18 months of his deal at Camp Nou, but have been unable to reach an agreement with Barca.

Barca want around €20m for the midfielder, while Arsenal prefer a loan. The Catalan club would be open to loaning Denis until the end of the season, but only if any prospective deal included an obligatory option to buy in the summer.

10.34 GMT: Albacete have confirmed their Spanish midfielder Jon Erice is leaving the club to join MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

A regular starter for Spanish second tier Albacete since arriving at the club in the summer of 2017, the 32-year-old will head to Canada and a club statement said: "Albacete Balombie and Jon Erice have reached an agreement to end the player's contract with our club, the player will begin a new personal and professional challenge with Vancouver Whitecaps FC of the Major League soccer. The club accepted the petition made by the player a few days ago to leave the club in order to accept the offer which he considered important in view of his future sporting career. We wish the player the best of luck in his new professional career."

10.16 GMT: Valencia-bases sports newspaper Superdeporte report that Genoa have joined in the race to sign Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.

According to the publication, Genoa are on the verge of selling their forward Krzysztof Piatek to Milan for a reported €35m and are keen to strengthen their attack. However, the Serie A outfit are only prepared to acquire the player on loan with no purchase option included in the deal.

Batshuayi, who is on a season-long loan at Valencia from Chelsea, is expected to leave the La Liga side this month and Everton are also keen to sigh him, although the Belgium international's preferred choice is to join Monaco.

10.04 GMT: Staying with PSG, Tuttosport report that Torino could take Jese Rodriguez on loan from the French side with an option to buy him at the end of the season and also pay 60 percent of his wages.

10.01 GMT: PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp tells beIN Sports about his return to Eintracht Frankfurt on loan and suggests he wants to stay: "I already knew Frankfurt like a home. I had always said that I would return to Frankfurt if I could. I had several other offers, but they were not as attractive. We had good discussions, particularly about our objectives. I have followed the club since I left, and it has developed over the past two or three years."

09.50 GMT: Reported Arsenal and Newcastle target Gelson Martins is seriously considering leaving Atletico Madrid this month, sources close to the player have confirmed to ESPN FC.

The transfer could free up space on the Atletico Madrid wage bill to help them sign Alvaro Morata from Chelsea as, under La Liga's strict financial fair play rules, Atletico must move on at least one player in January if they are to bring in Morata, either on loan or a permanent deal.

Sources told ESPN FC that it was "normal" for Gelson to be listening to offers from other clubs given he was "playing little" [just three starts all season], while suggesting that a loan deal was more likely than a permanent transfer given his contract with Atletico runs to 2023.

- See how Rumour Rater rates the likelihood of the deal.

09.31 GMT: Matio Balotelli is due to undergo a medical at Marseille on Wednesday ahead of signing a six-month deal with the club, L'Equipe reports.

The Italy striker, whose contract with Nice has been ended by mutual consent, will earn up to €4m, the paper says citing a source.

09.15 GMT: Barcelona are reluctant to say a deal is done for Ajax's Frenkie de Jong after Antoine Griezmann's late snub last summer but they are "increasingly optimistic" of getting the transfer over the line, sources have told ESPN FC.

08.50 GMT: Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri appears to have played down talk of a move for Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian by saying that Leonardo Spinazzola will not leave the club.

"He's a Juventus player and he's staying here," Allegri told reporters.

Spinazzola has been linked with Bologna and the arrival of Darmian is considered dependent on his departure.

08.10 GMT: Chelsea's proposed loan deal for Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain is taking longer than expected to be wrapped up, but the wheels might be turning now as AC Milan move closer to bringing in a replacement.

Krzysztof Piatek has reportedly arrived in Milan for a medical ahead of a move to from Genoa, for a €35m move. Negotiations were reported to have gone on until well into the early hours following Milan's win at Genoa on Monday night, but an agreement has been reached and the Poland international could make his debut against Napoli at the weekend.

That, in turn, would allow Milan to end Higuain's loan from Juventus, freeing up his path to Chelsea.

However, if the Premier League side want him in their squad for tomorrow's Carabao Cup semifinal second leg against Tottenham, they will need to have him registered as their player by 12.00 GMT today.

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ESPN FC's Julien Laurens reveals the latest on Barcelona's efforts to land Ajax youngster Frenkie de Jong.

PAPER TALK (Charlie Brooke, Football Whispers) Barcelona win race to sign De Jong

After months of speculation surrounding the future of Ajax starlet Frenkie de Jong, it appears there is finally light at the end of the tunnel, pointing directly toward the Camp Nou.

Catalunya Radio reports that Barcelona is the preferred destination for the young Dutch international, despite fervent interest from French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

The 21-year-old's agent is reported to have informed Manchester City, Juventus and PSG that his client intends to become a Barca player. The Catalan club are desperate to finalise the deal and will send club delegates to Amsterdam on Wednesday to secure De Jong's signature.

The transfer is likely to command a £66 million fee, with Los Cules hoping to make the transaction in three instalments. De Jong has made 16 appearances for Ajax in the Eredivisie this season, scoring three goals, as well as playing five games in the champions League.

Arsenal eye audacious move for Monchi

With Sven Mislintat's imminent departure from his role as head of recruitment, Arsenal are accelerating their restructuring plans and have pinpointed Roma sporting director Monchi as their main target for the technical-director position, according to the Independent.

The Spaniard joined the Italian club only in April 2017, signing a four-year contract, but it appears increasingly likely that a deal could be struck with the Gunners.

Monchi is highly regarded throughout world football for his scouting ability, having excelled at Sevilla, where he signed and then sold (for a huge profit) the likes of Dani Alves, Ivan Rakitic and Julio Baptista.

Bringing in the Roma chief would represent a major coup for Arsenal, who hope to make the most of Unai Emery's relationship with the 50-year-old transfer guru, given the pair coincided during the Basque coach's fruitful three-year spell at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

United block Arsenal move for Bailly

Manchester United have rejected an inquiry from Arsenal to take Eric Bailly on loan for the rest of the season, according to the Daily Mail.

The Ivorian centre-back has started just once in Ole Gunnar Solskjær's seven games in charge, in which he was shown a straight red for a reckless challenge.

Arsenal boss Emery is eager to sign a defender after losing Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin to injury, and he has targeted the 24-year-old United man as a viable solution. However, the Red Devils are loathe to sell to a direct rival, with the two sides set to do battle in the FA Cup on Friday night.

Football Whispers' top emerging whispers

Football Whispers' transfer algorithm gives the likelihood of rumours happening a score out of 5.

Hector Herrera to Atletico Madrid: 3.5

Atletico Madrid would welcome the opportunity to add Porto's Mexican midfielder Herrera to their ranks on a free transfer this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo. It is believed that the 28-year-old is reluctant to sign a new contract with the Portuguese club and, despite interest from Los Rojiblancos, might well have his heart set on a move to Inter.

Allan to Paris Saint-Germain: 3.2

Napoli midfielder Allan is attracting interest from French champions Paris Saint-Germain, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Brazilian maestro would add even more depth and quality to a side hardly bereft of talent and, although the Italian club initially set the asking price at £88m, owner Aurelio De Laurentiis might well be tempted by an offer in the region of £70m.

Isco to Inter: 3.2

Ever since the arrival of Santiago Solari at the Real Madrid dugout, Isco has found his minutes significantly reduced and remains on the fringes at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 26-year-old Spain international is one of the most sought-after stars in world football and, according to Tuttosport, Inter Milan have now joined the race for his signature. The Italian club would need to stump up at least £88m for the former Malaga man and also fend off the likes of Juventus, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

Duvan Zapata to West Ham: 2.4

Zapata hit the headlines at the weekend after bagging an astonishing four goals in Atalanta's 5-0 rout of Frosinone and is rumoured to be wanted by West Ham. Italian media outlet Tuttosport reports that the Hammers have seen a £35m bid rejected for the Colombia international, who has netted 14 goals in his past eight games. Zapata is leading the way in the Serie A scoring charts alongside Ronaldo and Fabio Quagliarella.

Miguel Almiron to Newcastle United: 3.0

This rumour just refuses to go away, and with only nine days left of the January transfer window, Newcastle United's offer for Atlanta United star Almiron remains on the table, according to the Newcastle Chronicle. The Magpies are understood to have offered around £16m for the Paraguay international, who has managed 22 goals and 21 assists in 70 appearances for the MLS Cup champions.

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Maurizio Sarri Holds Training Ground 'Inquest' as Chelsea Prepare for Transfer Ban

© IAN KINGTON/GettyImages FBL-ENG-PR-ARSENAL-CHELSEA

​Maurizio Sarri held a 'training ground inquest' at Cobham on Monday, having hung his squad out to dry in the media after Saturday evening's defeat to Arsenal. 

The Italian called his players 'difficult to motivate' after the defeat and the ​Mail report that - despite having the support of the majority of the Blues' squad - some questions are being asked about Sarri's tactical decisions, including playing Eden Hazard out of position as a false nine. 

The report claims that Sarri was more focused on looking forward than backward when players and staff met at Cobham on Monday, concentrating on turning things around for Thursday night's Carabao Cup semi final second leg against ​Tottenham rather than dissecting the weekend's loss. 

​Gonzalo Higuain may or may not be in the Blues' squad in time for Thursday's match, but his imminent arrival will at least give ​Chelsea's attack a focal point around whom to coalesce going forward. 

Higuain is likely to be far from the last player that the club bring in over the course of 2019 - with some higher-ups concerned that a transfer ban is on its way over allegations of breaching transfer rules concerning the signing of Under-18 players. 

The impending arrival of Christian Pulisic is a symptom of that concern, with Chelsea looking to nail down as many deals as possible in case they are handed a transfer ban - likely at least two windows long - from the coming summer. 

An appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport would see the punishment delayed and open the door for Chelsea to make signings this summer, but likely not beyond - unless the ruling were overturned. 

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Transfer Talk: Chelsea plan to lure Philippe Coutinho back to Premier League

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/out of your club this month.

TOP STORY: Chelsea enquire about Barcelona flop Coutinho

He's been at Barcelona for only a little over a year, but already things have turned sour for Philippe Coutinho.

The 26-year-old has not been able to force his way into Ernesto Valverde's side on a regular basis, starting just 10 La Liga fixtures this term.

Speculatively linked with Manchester United last week, the former Liverpool attacker could still be offered a Premier League lifeline, with a report from the Daily Express claiming Chelsea have asked after his availability.

The Londoners have been quoted a reported £100 million for Coutinho, who cost the Catalans £142m when he joined a year ago.

LIVE BLOG

23.28 GMT: That'll do it for Sunday's edition of Transfer Talk! Join us tomorrow morning for a fresh slate of transfer news!

23.26 GMT: The Mirror reports that England legend Ashley Cole will return to his home country and play for Frank Lampard's Derby County.

According to sources, he will earn £10,000-per-week.

22.35 GMT: The Liverpool Echo report that Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he faces a "really difficult problem" regarding the right-back position due to a combination of injury and suspension troubles.

Could this be a sign that Liverpool are in the market for a new right-back before the end of the window?

21.58 GMT: football.london reports that Roman Abramovich has given the go ahead for Chelsea to sign Barcelona teenager Ilaix Moriba.

The 16-year-old is a product of the famous La Masia, and would represent a huge coup for Chelsea, seeing as they'd see the deal through at the expense of fellow Premier League heavweight Manchester City.

21.23 GMT: The Hull Daily Mail report that both Manchester United and Chelsea are hot on the trail of League Two sensation Antoine Semenyo of Bristol City.

The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Newport County and would command a fee of about £2 million.

20.45 GMT: Here's one that'll undoubtedly get fans, especially Real Madrid fans, salivating: talkSport reports that Kylian Mbappe refused to rule out the possibility of one day moving to Real Madrid from PSG.

Will that ever actually happen? He'll certainly cost a pretty penny, but Lord knows that Real Madrid's president Florentino Perez has never been shy about spending big.

20.17 GMT: According to the Birmingham Mail, Marouane Fellaini's mooted transfer either to AC Milan or Porto (both clubs were linked with the player) is off thanks to a calf injury that has ruled him out for up to a month.

19.39 GMT: The Birmingham Mail reports that Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing has been made available for transfer because he wants a better pay raise than the one he will likely receive.

His current contract states that he is due for a raise after making 150 appearances for the club. After coming on as a second-half substitute yesterday against Millwall, that number stands at 149. That said, he wants to go to a club that can give him the kind of pay raise he believes that he deserves.

18.27 GMT: MLS.com reports that the New York Red Bulls have rejected Club America's first bid for prized playmaker Kaku.

This comes as no surprise as Club America are seeking a replacement for Diego Lainez, who recently transferred to Real Betis in La Liga.

17.44 GMT: According to the Guardian, Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian is the subject of advanced discussions between his parent club and Juventus, who want to take him to Turin on loan for the rest of the season.

The proposed deal would also include a £7.1 million clause to sign the player permanently in the summer.

17.13 GMT: Here's a transfer triangle of sorts that's been reported by The Mirror: Arsenal could be in line to secure the transfer of Atletico Madrid winger Gelson Martins...thanks to Chelsea.

The transfer of Alvaro Morata to Spain's capital would leave Martins surplus to requirements, leaving him open for the Gunners to pick him up.

However, there's an issue. Since manager Unai Emery said that the team can only make loan signings during this window, that leaves them at a disadvantage, one that Monaco manager and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry intends to exploit by also making a run at the Portuguese winger.

16.00 GMT: With Higuain on his way to Chelsea, AC Milan have reportedly acted quickly by securing Krzysztof Piatek as a replacement striker, according to the Guardian.

The paper reports that a €35m deal has been agreed between the Rossoneri and Genoa for the Poland international.

Piatek, 23, has scored 13 goals in 19 Serie A games so far this season.

14:40 GMT: Luka Modric was heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan, following his star turn at the World Cup.

However, the Croatian playmaker has now confirmed he intends to extend his Real Madrid contract.

"I have a year and a half left on my contract and I am calm, as that's a long time," Modric told reporters after scoring in Madrid's 2-0 win over Sevilla on Saturday.

"My desire is to stay here for more time. I am as happy as I was on the first day."

13.35 GMT: West Ham look set to keep hold of star striker Marko Arnautovic after his big-money move to China collapsed, according to the Mail on Sunday.

The paper reports that the Austria international's proposed £35m move to Guangzhou Evergrande is off.

Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini explained Arnautovic's absence for Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth by saying: "A manager must choose the players that work better during the week. Marko has his head on another issue so it wasn't a good idea for him to play.

"I don't think we need to continue talking about players that are not in the squad in this moment. We couldn't win and, if Marko Arnautovic didn't play, we have another player that must do it."

12.55 GMT: Gonzalo Higuain has been left out of AC Milan's squad to face Genoa on Monday as a loan move to Chelsea draws near.

Higuain, who is on loan to Milan from Juventus, is set to cut short his spell with the Rossoneri in order to move to the Premier League to be reunited with Maurizio Sarri, who he played for at Napoli.

Earlier in the week, sources told ESPN FC that the agreement will give Chelsea the option to either buy Higuain next summer or extend the loan for a further 12 months.

12.30 GMT: Inter Milan have confirmed their interest in Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin -- ranked No. 3 among the world's centre-backs int he ESPN FC 100.

Godin, 32, had previously been linked with Manchester United, but as his Atletico contract gets closer to expiring in the summer it is Inter who have emerged as favourites to sign him.

Inter CEO is quoted by Calciomercato as saying: "I have to underline how Inter Milan has a very strong appeal, many players are looking for us and many agents knock at our door, which flatters us, because we represent a point of reference for many important players. We evaluate profiles of champions that we must not let go and Godin is one of them"

11.45 GMT: Paul Scholes is in talks with Oldham Athletic over the manager's position at the League Two club, sources have told ESPN FC, but no agreement is yet in place for the former Manchester United midfielder to take his first steps into management.

Scholes, who made 718 appearances for United during a 19-year career at Old Trafford, is involved in football as a part-owner of National League club Salford City along with several of his former Manchester United teammates.

Should he take the Oldham job, he would have to relinquish his role at Salford if the two clubs are in the same division next season.

But the former England international has made no secret of his desire to try his hand at management and sources have confirmed to ESPN FC that he is considering the opportunity to take charge of Oldham -- a team he watched as a youngster growing up in nearby Middleton.

Scholes, 44, saw Oldham suffer a 2-1 defeat against Macclesfield at Moss Rose on Saturday, but if he is prepared to succeed the sacked Frankie Bunn as manager at Boundary Park, he could be appointed in time for the FA Cup fourth-round clash at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

10.50 GMT: Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said midfielder Julian Weigl will stay in Dortmund this winter amid heavy links to Thomas Tuchel's Paris-Saint Germain on Saturday.

Weigl, 23, played an integral role in BVB's 1-0 win away to RB Leipzig that restored the Bundesliga leaders' six-point advantage over second-placed Bayern Munich, who had dismantled Hoffenheim 3-1 on Friday.

Asked about a potential move from Weigl to the Ligue 1 leaders, Zorc told German broadcaster ZDF: "Julian Weigl will stay in Dortmund," adding: "He has already played very well against Gladbach [as centre-back] before the winter break and once again showed a brilliant performance tonight -- especially when keeping in mind that he usually plays in midfield."

Sources told ESPN FC that Weigl, who played under Tuchel at Dortmund, remains PSG's top choice this month while PSG are looking for a replacement for Adrien Rabiot, who is still training with the reserves after refusing to sign a new contract. The pressure on sporting director Antero Henrique is increasing after midfielder Marco Veratti picked up an ankle injury in PSG's 9-0 win over Guingamp on Saturday.

10.15 GMT: A former fan favourite could be about to return to Arsenal in an upstairs role, according to the Sunday Mirror.

The paper reports that former Gunners winger Marc Overmars is a candidate to become the club's new technical director, following his success in a similar role at Ajax.

Overmars has helped develop young Dutch players such as Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Justin Kluivert, as well as recruit and then sell stars such as Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez.

The story comes after a source confirmed to ESPN FC that head of recruitment Sven Mislintat is set to leave Arsenal after a series of disagreements over the Gunners' organisational structure and transfer strategy

09.30 GMT: They may be the richest club in the world with two quality players in every position, but it seems Manchester City are not above bringing in players on loan if they need to.

According to the Sun on Sunday, Pep Guardiola's side may make a move to bring in Schalke and Germany midfielder Sebastian Rudy.

The report claims that City want the 28-year-old to provide cover for Fernandinho in central midfield, the area Guardiola has identified as the one where he needs more strength in depth.

City are looking at players such as Ajax's Frenkie de Jong, Wolves' Ruben Neves and West Ham's Declan Rice as permanent signings in the summer, but Rudy could help plug the gap until then.

PAPER TALK (Tom Bodell, Football Whispers) Real Madrid's Silva service

If one man has benefitted from Kevin De Bruyne's injury woes at Manchester City this season, it's Portuguese schemer Bernardo Silva. The 24-year-old had to be patient after joining from Monaco in the summer of 2017 but has come into his own this term with the Belgian seeing limited action.

Real Madrid have taken note of Silva's fine form for Pep Guardiola's side and, according to the Daily Mirror, will make a move this summer.

The report in Sunday's edition goes on to claim the Spanish giants' interest could force the Premier League champions to open talks over a new deal. Silva is contracted until the summer of 2022.

Dortmund intent on keeping Sancho

Jadon Sancho has been one of the breakout stars of the season and a key player in Borussia Dortmund's remarkable title bid.

Naturally, talk of a big-money move has started to emerge. But BVB are adamant they will hold onto the teenage forward beyond the summer. Among those linked already are Manchester City -- the side he left to join Dortmund for just £7m just two summers ago.

"Jadon Sancho will stay with us in the next season," sporting director Michael Zorc told SportBild. "He has great quality and is a bet for the future, he will remain in Dortmund."

Emery drops hint over Suarez reunion

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has already admitted Arsenal can afford only to make loan signings this month, limiting their capabilities in the market.

However, the Star says one target who is available on loan is Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez. The 25-year-old is known to Emery, having played under him at Sevilla and, handily, is well down the pecking order at the Camp Nou, meaning he would be allowed to leave this month.

Asked about the possibility of signing the Spanish midfielder following his side's 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, Emery said: "I know the club is working with different possibilities if [it] can help us for these four months for our competition."

Asked whether Suarez might be signed in time for his side's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester United on Jan. 25, Emery replied: "I know it's a difficult window for the transfer market, and if a player is coming to help us I am happy. But the club is doing that and I am going to wait."

Football Whispers' transfer algorithm gives the likelihood of rumours happening a score out of 5.

Weston McKennie to Liverpool: 2.8

Jurgen Klopp knows the Bundesliga better than most and could be about to return to his homeland to sign United States and Schalke powerhouse Weston McKennie, according to the Sun. The 20-year-old midfielder, who can also play at centre-back, could be available for around £20m.

Christian Eriksen to Chelsea: 1.5

While Harry Kane continues to dominate the headlines, the Danish playmaker struggles to get the credit he deserves for his quietly brilliant performances behind the England captain. But his quality has not gone unnoticed, with Chelsea joining Real Madrid in expressing an interest, according to the Daily Mirror.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester City: 1.4

It's been a while since Wilfried Zaha and Nathaniel Clyne came through Crystal Palace's much-vaunted academy. Now the South Londoners have another talent on their hands in Wan-Bissaka. The 21-year-old has made the right-back spot his this season and, according to the Times, Manchester City are keen to swoop.

Carlos Vela to Barcelona: 1.2

The Mexico international was never a regular for Arsenal and finally left for Real Sociedad in 2012 after five loan spells away from the Emirates. Now 29, he spent last season in Major League Soccer with LAFC, bagging 14 goals and supplying 11 assists. According to ESPN Deportes, Vela is now a surprise loan target for Barcelona.

Hirving Lozano to Arsenal: 1.2

One of the stars of the World Cup as Mexico reached the round of 16 before crashing out -- as usual -- the PSV Eindhoven forward has carried his form into this season, scoring 11 goals in just 17 Eredivisie starts. That form, according to Tuttomercato, has prompted interest from Arsenal. The North Londoners face competition from Napoli, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

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Unai Emery Discusses January Transfer Window Difficulties & Updates on Denis Suarez Deal

© Catherine Ivill/GettyImages West Ham United v Arsenal FC - Premier League

​Arsenal manager Unai Emery has revealed that the Gunners are looking into a number of 'possibilities' when it comes to signing players in the transfer window this month, although he admits that improving the squad in January is 'not easy'.

Arsenal have been in talks with Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez, but club remains limited to loan deals and Emery wasn't prepared to give much away when he spoke to the media at his weekly press conference ahead of facing Chelsea on Saturday.

© Marc Atkins/GettyImages Unai Emery

"This transfer window is not easy to take players that can help us with better performances than the players we have now," Emery explained, via Arsenal.com.

"The club is working and I spoke with Sven [Mislintat], with Raul [Sanllehi] about different possibilities with players. They are working but it is not easy to take players that can help us with big performances now," the Spanish coach added.

"I think it is more one transfer for something special you need that can help us. We are looking, the club is working with the possibility to loan players and if we can take for helping us in a different position on the team, then maybe we can."

The latest reports from Spain regarding the pursuit of Suarez claim that Barcelona have asked for a €2m loan fee, as well as a €20m compulsory purchase option to be included in any deal

On the subject of Suarez, Emery noted that 'conversations have taken place.

"They are conversations between us privately. I don't want to say to you this private conversation with the club," he said.

And as for the rumours that Mislintat is set to leave the club just a year after arriving as chief scout in a major restructuring, Emery played down the possibility.

© Soccrates Images/GettyImages Denis Suarez

"I was working with him the last two weeks. We had two or three meetings together and we are working normally. I don't know another different issue to him," the boss said.

"I don't know [if he is leaving]. When I spoke with him it was all normal. My relationship with him for transfers in the last two or three weeks, we are speaking about that."

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Soccer - Kane injury has not changed Spurs transfer plans: Pochettino

LONDON (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane's ankle injury that will sideline him until March was tough to take but has not affected the club's January transfer window plans, manager Mauricio Pochettino told Sky Sports on Wednesday.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - January 13, 2019 Tottenham's Harry Kane reacts as he receives treatment from the physio after sustaining an injury at the end of the match Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Kane damaged left ankle ligaments near the end of the 1-0 loss to Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday after being sandwiched between Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones.

Tottenham are already without their South Korea forward Son Heung-min who left after the United game to join up with his country at the Asian Cup which runs until the Feb. 1 final.

But France midfielder Moussa Sissoko, who pulled up with a groin injury just before halftime in the United defeat, should be fit for the League Cup semi-final second leg at Chelsea next Thursday. Spurs lead 1-0 from the first game at Wembley.

Pochettino said it was "tough" to be without "one of the best strikers in the world" for the next six weeks, but added that it could be an opportunity for the academy players.

"It didn't change (the club's approach to the January window) all that happened with Harry," said the Argentine.

"Son we knew was involved in the Asian Cup for a few weeks. We were always open to improve with Harry in condition or not, but at the same time we know it is going to be tough and difficult to add the player that we want.

"It didn't change our mind, I think it's a very good opportunity for players to play more, to step up. I'm sure it's going to be a good opportunity for young players through the academy to show their quality."

Pochettino has brought several youngsters through to the first team squad with midfielder Oliver Skipp and Argentine defender Juan Foyth having played this season.

But he is likely to rely on experienced Spanish forward Fernando Llorente as a replacement for Kane, while speedy Brazilian forward Lucas Moura should soon be back from injury.

"We know what it means to have Harry Kane fit and available to play and help the team to win, but we have a squad and (his absence) can't be an excuse.

"In the next game we need to play against Fulham (in the Premier League on Sunday) and the semi-final second leg with Chelsea with the same mentality - thinking we can beat any team."

Third-placed Spurs are nine points behind leaders Liverpool and five off Manchester City but Pochettino said it was not impossible to fight for the title with 16 games left to play.

However, he added: "For me the realistic contenders (to win the Premier league) are Liverpool and Manchester City."

Writing by Ken Ferris; Editing by Toby Davis

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When is the Football Manager 2019 January Transfer Update release date?

I see you. You've got the itch, haven't you? The Football Manager 2019 January Transfer Update has got you coming back for me. Unfortunately, the new FM 19 January data update doesn't simply get added to your game at the end of January as soon as the transfer window slams shut. Instead, SI is busy working hard to ensure that the Football Manager 2019 January Transfer Update release date is as close to the month as possible. Here's when you can expect it.

What is the Football Manager 2019 January Transfer Update?

Serving as both a widespread update of worldwide clubs' transfer dealings during the January Transfer Window as well as attribute upgrades and downgrades for a whole host of players, the Football Manager 2019 January Transfer Update acts as a mini-reboot for each entry. As such, players are champing at the bit to play an updated, more fully-realized (and realistic) version of FM 19 that accurately reflects January transfer window comings and goings as well as who is blowing hot and cold in the world of soccer.

When is the Football Manager 2019 January Transfer Update release date?

Unfortunately, the FM 19 January Transfer Update won't be seeing the light of day in January 2019, that's for sure.

As per Football Manager director Miles Jacobson on Twitter, the January Transfer Update release date is tentatively set for "mid-March." That's due to transfer windows across the globe still being open as well as, presumably, the amount of work it takes to finely tune the delicate balance of the game's ecosystem without breaking anything. With over 30,000 players in the database, that's a lot harder than it sounds.

For prior reference, last year's update arrived on March 1. Jacobson's estimate puts this year's FM 19 date update slightly further out. Still, I'm sure you can do something to pass the time until then. Have you heard of a game called Football Manager 2019?

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Transfer rumor roundup: Klopp lining up USMNT starlet; Higuain dominoes

If you blinked, you might have missed the first half of January, along with the first half of the January transfer window.

Don't worry, though. Given the lack of deals completed thus far, it would appear that most Premier League clubs missed it, too…

[ MORE: Emery on possible exit for Mesut Ozil, reason for his absence ]

U.S. men's national team midfielder Weston McKennie sits high atop Jurgen Klopp's wish list and could be set for a move to Liverpool — most likely in the summer — according to a report from the Sun (from the same reporter who was first on the scene with word of Manchester City's interest in USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen).

A bid — expected to be around $26 million — for the 20-year-old could very well be made this month with McKennie allowed to remain at Schalke through the end of the season. Fellow USMNT star Christian Pulisic will join Chelsea this summer, for $73 million, after completing a similar arrangement with Borussia Dortmund.

Perhaps the highest-profile move we're likely to see this month could be completed inside the next 24 hours, as Chelsea are doing everything within their power to bring Gonzalo Higuain to London in time for Saturday's trip to Arsenal (Watch live, 12:30 p.m. ET, on NBC and NBCSports.com).

The Blues reportedly made an official offer to Juventus for a six-month loan, with an option for a further 12 months and/or an option to make the transfer permanent, on Wednesday. Higuain is currently on loan to AC Milan.

According to the Standard, manager Maurizio Sarri is desperate for the 31-year-old to arrive as soon as possible.

With Higuain widely expected to complete his move to Chelsea in the coming hours or days, the dominoes will almost certainly quickly fall, beginning with current Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata. After an up-and-down first season and a half at Stamford Bridge, Morata has fallen out of favor with Sarri and could very well leave the club before the window closes on Jan. 31.

According to a report from Sky Sports, Atletico Madrid are already in advanced negotiations with the club and/or player over a $60-million transfer back to the Spanish capital where he was previously surplus to requirements at Real Madrid. Chelsea paid nearly $100 million for the now-26-year-old in the summer of 2017. Atleti signed Diego Costa from Chelsea, for more than $70 million, not long after acquiring two summers ago.

With Harry Kane set to miss the next two months due to another ankle ligament injury, Tottenham Hotspur will surely be linked with a loan move for every available forward over these next 14 days — no matter unlikely they are to actually make a move.

Today's fill-in comes courtesy of the Telegraph, who claim Liverpool's Divock Origi is one player currently considered as an option. Fernando Llorente remains at the club despite rumors linking him with various moves around Europe. Mauricio Pochettino will also consider promoting 16-year-old Troy Parrott from Under-23 team, according to talkSPORT.

Arsenal are desperate to shed Mesut Ozil's $450,000-per-week contract with the German international seemingly not in the plans of manager Unai Emery. The Gunners will almost certainly have to eat a significant chunk of his remaining wages, or accept a heavily reduced fee.

At 21 years old, Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong is one of the most sought-after youngsters in the world, with the likes of Man City, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly hot in pursuit. According to the Mirror, only PSG are willing to meet Ajax's $85-million valuation of the five-times-capped Dutch international, despite his preference being a move to the defending PL champions.

Another Chelsea forward, Michy Batshuayi, remains in limbo as the club attempts to secure a $50-million offer for the 25-year-old. Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco have reportedly already agreed loan terms with Batshuayi and Valencia, where the Belgian has been on loan since the start of the season, but the Blues are holding out for a bid leading to recouping a hefty fee.

Bayern Munich claim to be in negotiations with Chelsea and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi after the 18-year-old has shone brightly in limited opportunities with the Blues. In a bid for more first-team action, Hudson-Odoi is said to be open to a move to Germany, following in the footsteps of Dortmund wonderkid Jadon Sancho.

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For Christian Pulisic and Dortmund, Chelsea Transfer Was a Team Effort

MARBELLA, Spain â€" It was just after lunchtime on Tuesday, and Christian Pulisic was facing a rare free afternoon. There was a nap in his plans, for sure, and maybe dinner at a local restaurant afterward.

Pulisic was in this southern Spanish town, bracketed by mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, for a weeklong training camp with his German club, Borussia Dortmund. The sun was shining. Waves skimmed across the beach. Any leisure time was to be cherished.

“This is always fun,” he said about German soccer’s annual winter break, when most teams pack their bags and go in search of a week of warm-weather training abroad. “It’s a week to get away, get some sun, just to change things up a little bit.”

It was also, he acknowledged with a laugh, most likely the last time for a while that he would enjoy this particular type o f holiday rest.

Last week, Pulisic announced that he would leave Dortmund â€" the only professional club he has known â€" at the end of the season to join Chelsea of the English Premier League. They have winter breaks in Germany; in England, they do not.

It is one of the countless changes, some small and many big, that the 20-year-old Pulisic will encounter in his planned move to the supercharged world of English soccer. It is a situation he says he relishes, a personal milestone in a young career already full of them.

“This was a big dream of mine,” Pulisic said of playing in England, “and I feel this was the right time to make this step.”

Pulisic announced his move himself on social media with an open letter to Borussia Dortmund fans. In it, he declared, with a “heavy heart,” that he would move to London aft er finishing the remainder of the season in Germany. He referred to Dortmund as “(y)our world-famous club,” the parentheses at once reflecting the deep ties he formed with the team, which signed him at age 16 and is the only professional club he has known, and his looming exit.

Pulisic, who was born in Hershey, Pa., said he took great care to get the wording of the letter right, working with a team staff member to make sure a German translation posted at the same time captured the message’s nuances â€" and made clear his deep gratitude to the club and its fans.

“The five years I’ve been at Dortmund have been unbelievable, and I don’t want them to think that I took any of that for granted,” Pulisic said. “It’s not going to be easy for me to leave. I’ll miss it here.”

In the United States, where every turn in Pulisic’s career can be viewed through the prism of what it means for the American national team, news of the transfer generated a splash befitting the country’s best player. The fee Chelsea paid for Pulisic, 64 million euros (about $73 million), was the highest ever paid for an American player, more than tripling the previous mark.

Pulisic acknowledged the enormousness of the figure, and the expectations that come with it, but he brushed aside the notion that it might burden him.

“In the soccer world, especially now with these numbers you have, who really knows who’s worth what?” Pulisic said. “It is what it is. They wanted me obviously enough to pay that much, but I’m just excited to go there and give my best.”

As transfers go, the deal was a congenial one. Borussia Dortmund had approached Pulisic last summer about extending his contract, which had two years remaining. But Pulisic signaled that he was hoping to move on.

Michael Zorc, the team’s technical director, was disappointed. But he also knew such a day would come: Pulisic had never been shy about his ambition to play in England.

So Dortmund and Pulisic quickly set about moving forward with parallel goals: the club hoping to maximize the value of an attractive young asset still under its control, the player trying to make sure his dream move landed him in the right place.

“There was a lot of trust in these talks,” said Zorc, who said multiple clubs expressed interest in Pulisic and that at least one other Premier League team was willing to pay Dortmund’s final asking price.

His transfer will bring an end to three remarkable years at Dortmund. As a 17-year-old, he broke into the club’s first team and promptly beca me the youngest non-German to score a Bundesliga goal. But his rise slowed somewhat this season as injuries and the emergence of other young players diminished Pulisic’s playing time. Zorc said he suspected the transfer negotiations had distracted Pulisic this season â€" “maybe his mind was not so clear” â€" but hopes the resolution will have a positive effect on the field. Pulisic agrees.

“I feel much, much clearer in my head now that all this is passed,” he said about making the deal public.

Pulisic has five more months to contribute at Dortmund, which leads the Bundesliga with 42 points â€" 6 ahead of Bayern Munich â€" through 17 games. After that, he will continue his development at Chelsea, a club not particularly known for nurturing young players.

Still, it was not lost on Pulisic â€" or his father, Mark, who worked closely with him t o evaluate his transfer destination â€" that Chelsea’s roster situation, with several forwards potentially moving on this summer, could work in his favor.

“Of course that was part of the equation: You look at what a team is going to look like over the next few years,” Mark Pulisic said. “Chelsea will be having some turnover due to the ages of players. But, at the end of the day, that doesn’t matter. When you’re at the highest level of your sport, there’s going to be new competition coming in constantly.”

Mark Pulisic also said the recent narrative that his son’s acquisition by Chelsea had been completed without the knowledge of the club’s Italian coach, Maurizio Sarri â€" an impression fueled by a television interview in which Sarri implied he had been left in the dark about the move â€" was “far from the truth.”

“We obviously met with Sarri for quite a long time,” Mark Pulisic said. “We had a chat with him. Christian got to meet with him for a bit, and it just felt good.”

The resulting move will represent a return of sorts for Pulisic, who spent a year with his family in Tackley, England, when he was 7 years old.

His memories from that year are few, but vivid: winning a few tournaments with the youth team he joined, going to professional games with his father, wearing his soccer uniform all day at school, playing on a concrete soccer court afterward for hours.

And he noted one more, rather obvious, benefit to the move: “I’m excited to go be able to speak my first language on a day-to-day basis,” he said, laughing. “Something as simple as that, you don’t notice it, but it’s nice at times.”

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Soccer leagues' transfer window Jan. 25

Staff Reports Pacific Daily News/USA TODAY NETWORK

Published 7:41 PM EST Jan 16, 2019

The Budweiser Soccer League and Bud Light Women's Soccer League transfer window closes at 6 p.m. Jan. 25.

"The transfer window gives both players and coaches an opportunity to strengthen their teams in the second part of the 2018-2019 season after the holiday break," said Sam San Gil, Guam Football Association competitions director. "This feature is in line with GFA's objective to create a more competitively balanced, stable and sustainable licensed program."

(Story continues below photo)

In order to initiate the transfer process, a player must download and fill out a transfer request form and have coaches from both the releasing and the receiving teams acknowledge the transfer, according to a news release. There's a one-time $25 transfer fee in addition to any other fees clubs may impose.

Clubs must maintain at least 15 players on their official rosters; no transfers will be allowed if the roster size falls below 15, the news release stated. Players under 18 years old must have a parent or guardian present to sign the form when completing a transfer request.

Get the form

The form is on GFA's official Web site: guamfa.com/all-leagues-mens-regular-rules.

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LIVE Transfer Talk: Arsenal willing to pay Mesut Ozil to leave the club

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/out of your club this month.

TOP STORY: Ozil out, whatever the cost

Arsenal are willing to pay some of Mesut Ozil's wages after he leaves the Emirates if that would make a potential move more likely, according to the Mirror.

Just one year ago, the German signed a new contract that made him the club's highest-earning player on £350,000 per week, and it's not surprising that that eye-watering sum is putting off clubs.

There has been interest from China and loan interest from Inter Milan, but with Unai Emery seemingly not a fan and the wages proving burdensome, Arsenal look like they're getting desperate.

LIVE BLOG

09:45 GMT: In times of transfer windows, fans will look to anything as a sign of movement -- especially when it's concerning a high profile agent.

And Inter Milan fans have been left concerned after Mauro Icardi's wife and agent, Wanda Nara, posted a picture of herself by a private jet on Instagram, with the cryptic caption: "While you're waiting for something that will never happen, appreciate what is waiting for you."

Icardi has not entered contract talks with Inter as yet but, with so many high profile clubs looking for a new forward, the prolific Argentina international will be a key protagonist in this and the summer transfer window.

Wanda's post gives little away -- but it wouldn't be the transfer window if fans didn't go into meltdown over something as cryptic as this, would it?

09.20 GMT: La Liga president Javier Tebas believes Atletico Madrid would have to sell a player in order to have any chance of signing Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata in the winter transfer window.

"In order to sign Morata, Atletico has to let a player leave," Tebas told Cadena Cope. "They are very limited financially due to the wage cap."

08.30 GMT: Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla is reportedly close to leaving the Bernabeu for England, to sign for Championship club Leeds United.

Leeds are looking for a goalkeeper in the winter transfer window and, according to AS, the club sporting director Victor Orta has convinced Madrid to allow the 32-year-old Casilla to leave the club as a free agent.

Casilla missed Tuesday's training and Madrid did not give any information as to why the Spaniard was absent from the session. The deal is expected to be completed today, with Casilla set to undergo a medical before signing a new contract with the Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Since Thibaut Courtois signed for Madrid this summer, Casilla has only sat eight times on the bench in 31 games Los Blancos have played this season. He is the only player in the squad that has not played a single minute. In his three-and-a-half seasons at Madrid, he has played 43 games, giving away 50 goals and keeping 15 clean sheets.

PAPER TALK (by Mark Thompson, Football Whispers) Spurs might take a lesson in trapping attackers

Arsenal might be hoping their creative attacking midfielder leaves, but their North London rivals are hoping theirs stays. However, Christian Eriksen is unlikely to sign a new contract with the club, Spanish outlet AS reports.

Instead, the Denmark international is likely to join Real Madrid, with the £100 million mark being discussed by the two clubs. It won't be in January, though, particularly now that Harry Kane is out until March with an ankle injury.

Better Cech your coaching availability

Chelsea could offer Petr Cech a new (but at the same time old) home after his announcement that he is to retire at the end of the season, the Times reports.

The Arsenal and former Chelsea goalkeeper posted a tweet Monday announcing the news, but the doors of Stamford Bridge are open for him to return as a goalkeeping coach.

The club have reportedly kept in close contact with the shot-stopper since he left for Arsenal four years ago and would like to welcome him home in a coaching or ambassadorial role.

Morata Madrid move might be muddled

Alvaro Morata's desire to leave Chelsea could have hit a snag. Atletico Madrid don't want to buy him outright, the Daily Mail reports.

Atletico, the club where Morata started his youth career, had been linked with a move for the 26-year-old but are interested in bringing the striker in on only a short-term loan.

To add to the Spaniard's transfer problems, Sevilla reportedly pulled out of the race to sign him on Monday, citing other big clubs who had joined the fight as an obstacle.

Javier Hernandez to Valencia: 4.5

Personal terms have been agreed between Hernandez and Valencia, according to Marca. West Ham are holding out for a mega offer to let him go in January. Otherwise, the move will go through in the summer.

Julian Weigl to PSG: 4.0

Thomas Tuchel wants to be reunited with his former player Weigl, Le Parisien reports. Weigl is still only 23 but has made only four appearances in the league this season under new manager Lucien Favre.

Malcom to Tottenham: 2.6

Now that Tottenham have confirmed that Kane will be out with ankle ligament damage until March, the Daily Star has reported that the London club might turn to Barcelona winger Malcom to add some more attacking threat. The 21-year-old's time at the club has not quite worked out since he joined from Bordeaux in the summer, and he has made only five appearances in La Liga.

Mario Balotelli to Genoa: 2.1

Italian outlet Mediaset is reporting that Balotelli could be a domino in a chain. If AC Milan's Gonzalo Higuain joins Chelsea and Milan turn to Genoa's Krzysztof Piatek, then Genoa might turn to Balotelli to fill the gap in their forward line.

Cengiz Under to Manchester United: 1.9

As ESPN FC reported, United have joined the race to sign the Roma winger. The 21-year-old won't be leaving Italy this January, but his representatives are preparing a summer move, and Old Trafford could be a landing place.

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Barcelona Put Veteran Striker at Top of Transfer Hitlist as Back Up for Luis Suarez Becomes Priority

© David Ramos/GettyImages Girona FC v Deportivo Alaves - La Liga

​Barcelona are looking to bring in a goalscoring backup to Luis Suarez in the January transfer window, with Girona's veteran star Cristhian Stuani top of their short list. 

The 32-year-old had only once hit double figures in a top flight season in his career - 12 with Espanyol in 2014/15 - until he moved from Middlesbrough to Girona 18 months ago, becoming a late-career revelation in the style of Aritz Aduriz and Ruben Castro. 

​Sport report that the Catalan side are considering activating Stuani's release clause, which is set at just €15m, as they look to add depth to their squad for a deep challenge in all competitions. 

Since arriving at the Estadi Montilivi, Stuani's 33 goals in 50 games have marked him as one of the league's top marksmen - finishing behind only ​Lionel Messi, ​Cristiano Ronaldo and ​Luis Suarez, naturally, as well as Iago Aspas in the league's goalscoring charts last season. 

The Uruguayan hasn't slowed down this season either, trailing only the ​Barcelona pair of Messi and Suarez with 12 goals at the season's halfway point.

The departure of Munir to Sevilla last week has sharpened Barcelona's focus in the market, putting them in a position where their need for a forward is almost undeniable - even though they are more or less unable - and certainly unwilling - to pay the big ticket price on a more marketable name. 

At this halfway point of the season, Ernesto Valverde's side are the overwhelming favourites to retain their Primera Division crown, sitting five points ahead of an Atletico Madrid side who may well focus more heavily on Champions League progression, and a full ten points ahead of Sevilla and ​Real Madrid in third and fourth.

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LIVE Transfer Talk: Tottenham look to loan Barcelona's Malcom to replace Kane and Son

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/out of your club this month.

TOP STORY: Tottenham weighing up loan offer for Malcom

Injury-hit Tottenham have become the latest side linked with out-of-favour Barcelona forward Malcom.

The Daily Star claim the north Londoners are preparing for a spell without Harry Kane after the striker limped off at the end of Sunday's defeat to Manchester United with suspected ankle ligament damage, which could keep him out for at least a month. While Son Heung-Min is also out for January playing at the Asian Cup with South Korea.

Spurs expressed interest in Malcom before the Brazilian joined Barca from Bordeaux last summer. However, having failed to make an impact at Camp Nou, the 21-year-old is said to be open to the idea of getting his career back on track elsewhere.

LIVE BLOG

09.00 GMT: Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin has reached a verbal agreement with Inter Milan and will join the Serie A club this summer, according to Cadena Ser.

Godin, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season, has reportedly agreed to a two-year-contract with Inter, with an option to extend it for a further year.

The 32-year-old -- ranked at No. 3 among the world's centre-backs in the ESPN FC 100 -- has been a regular at Atletico in his nine years with the Madrid outfit.

Atletico offered him a one-year contract extension but the Uruguay international wanted a longer deal and has reportedly accepted a move to Inter, which will see him earn €5.5m per season.

08.35 GMT: Barcelona are considering signing Girona forward Christian Stuani, Cadena Cope reports.

Barca sold Munir El Haddadi to Sevilla this week and have turned their attention to the Uruguay player to bolster their attack.

The 32-year-old, who joined Girona from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2017, has made a huge impact this season, scoring 12 goals in 17 league appearances.

Stuani is tied to Girona until June 2020 and has a €15m release clause which Barca are reportedly prepared to pay.

08.00 GMT: Paris Saint-Germain have made a formal approach to Everton for midfielder Idrissa Gueye, footmercato.net says.

Following Thiago Motta's retirement last summer and Adrien Rabiot's ongoing row with the club over his failure to sign a contract extension, PSG are seeking to reinforce their midfield. The French champions will have to spend €40m on Gueye.

PAPER TALK (by Matt Gault, Football Whispers) Solskjaer now favourite for United job

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's faultless start to life in the Manchester United dugout has moved him ahead of Mauricio Pochettino in the running to replace Jose Mourinho on a permanent basis.

According to The Sun, United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been "hugely impressed" by the ease with which the Norwegian has seemingly breathed new life into the club after his appointment on an interim basis in December.

Woodward reportedly visited the away dressing room to congratulate Solskjaer after he led United to a 1-0 win over Tottenham at Wembley.

With six wins in a row, the 45-year-old has quickly won over players, fans and members of the boardroom and has thrown a spanner in the works by greatly surpassing Woodward's expectations.

Chelsea slap £100m price tag on Hazard

Eden Hazard will cost Real Madrid at least £100 million if the Spanish giants move for him in the summer, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is keen for Hazard to make a decision on his future but it's unclear if the Belgian is still a top target for the European champions.

The 28-year-old is out of contract at Stamford Bridge in 2020 but the Blues believe they can demand a premium fee for him given his status as one of Europe's most talented players.

As per the report, Madrid may use Mateo Kovacic's potential permanent move to Chelsea as part of the deal, with the Croatian currently on season-long loan in London.

However, it's unlikely that Real could finance deals for both Hazard and Christian Eriksen, with the Tottenham playmaker also high on the Spanish giants' list of targets.

Conflicting reports on Chelsea target Paredes

Staying with the Blues, the club have been told they must up their offer for Zenit Saint Petersburg midfielder Leandro Paredes.

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea's opening offer for the Argentine was £26.8m but it will take £36m to seal the 24-year-old's signature.

However, the Daily Mirror say the move is much closer to completion, with the player set to move after agreeing terms.

Sarri is keen to bolster his midfield after losing Cesc Fabregas to Monaco. Though Cagliari's Nicolo Barella has also been linked, the Mirror claim the 21-year-old is not keen on upping sticks mid-season.

De Gea wants £300,000-a-week to stay at United

David De Gea wants to stay at Manchester United but is waiting for the club to offer him a whopping £300,000 a week before putting pen to paper on a fresh contract, according to the Daily Mail.

Negotiations between the goalkeeper's representatives and United are ongoing but the Spaniard's demands are a significant leap from the £200,000 he currently earns on a weekly basis.

A four-time United player of the season, De Gea reaffirmed his importance to the club with a starring display in the 1-0 over Spurs at Wembley.

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2:53

Craig Burley says Arsenal's recent poor form was always expected, and the club have to respect Unai Emery's treatment of Mesut Ozil.

Football Whispers' top emerging whispers

Football Whispers' transfer algorithm gives the likelihood of rumours happening a score out of five.

Fernando Llorente to Barcelona -- 2.8

The Spaniard remains on the the Catalan side's radar. Barca are in the market for a back-up option for Luis Suarez with Munir El Haddadi set to leave the Camp Nou this month. The reigning La Liga champions are keen to bring in a replacement immediately and Llorente, 33, may be open to a move having worked under Ernesto Valverde at Athletic Bilbao.

Fraser Forster to Leeds United -- 3.2

The Championship leaders are increasingly confident of finalising a move for the Southampton keeper, who has fallen down the pecking order at Saint Mary's. Forster, who joined the Premier League side from Celtic in 2014, is behind Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn at the Saints and may view a move to Elland Road as the chance to revive his career.

Ismaila Sarr to Arsenal -- 1.3

The Gunners have stepped up their interest in the exciting Rennes winger. The 20-year-old has impressed in France this season with five goals and two assists and would add electrifying pace to the Arsenal ranks. However, with Unai Emery ruling out the possibility of signing players on a permanent basis in the current window, it's unlikely the club will move for the Senegal international until the summer.

Marouane Fellaini to AC Milan -- 2.4

Having lost his place at Manchester United, the Belgian could be on his way to Italy. The divisive Belgian, who is under contract at Old Trafford until 2020, is interesting the Rossoneri, who have been hit by injuries this season and lost out on long-time target Cesc Fabregas to Monaco.

Victor Moses to Crystal Palace -- 3.1

The Eagles are interested in signing Moses on loan with the Nigerian not featuring in Sarri's plans at Stamford Bridge. The 28-year-old enjoyed a run in the Blues first-team under Antonio Conte but has managed just 28 minutes of Premier League action under his the Italian's compatriot and successor.

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Christian Pulisic transfer to Chelsea is a historic breakthrough for U.S. soccer

Steven Goff

Reporter covering soccer (D.C. United, MLS, U.S. national teams, World Cup), plus some college basketball.

January 2

American soccer has been waiting a long time for this — a young attacking player with breathtaking ability joining an elite European club for an absurd amount of cash and subsequently earning a global headline as a new year dawned.

For some 25 years, U.S. players have been carving a modest presence overseas. Many have been goalkeepers and defensive types. Some have arrived with scoring portfolios forged in MLS. Several were dual nationals, born and trained abroad.

Intra-European transfers involving king's ransoms and glamorous suitors were reserved for the likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar; for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona; for Brazilians and Argentines and Spaniards.

Certainly not for Americans.

Christian Pulisic, 20, busted that mold Wednesday when Premier League titan Chelsea purchased him from German leader Borussia Dortmund for $73 million. (That doesn't include the multimillions Chelsea will provide him in salary.)

[Pulisic on record transfer to Chelsea: 'It's a privilege']

The transfer fee was more than three times the previous record for a U.S. player — in May 2017, John Brooks, a defender, jumped from one middling German club to another without fanfare — and around the 25th largest in the sport's history.

Pulisic will remain with Dortmund through the end of the season, then in August become the first high-profile American, not including goalkeepers, to suit up for an English heavyweight since, well, forever.

Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey did score goals for Fulham, but the Cottagers operate in the shadows of London brethren. (Dempsey also had a seven-goal campaign with Tottenham before returning to MLS.) Claudio Reyna and DaMarcus Beasley liked the ball at their feet. John Harkes played for trophies at Wembley. Tim Howard, Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel were world-class goalkeepers.

Pulisic has always been different. His electric skill set — initiated in Hershey, Pa., by parents who played at George Mason University and took him abroad in early 2015 — belies the reputation of Americans being hard workers, supporting actors and little else.

Amid gains in the sport since the late 1980s, the United States has developed few creative male prospects suited for the world's brightest stages. (Where have you gone, Freddy Adu?)

In terms of dynamic attackers, the closest comparison to Pulisic was Landon Donovan. Their acceleration and confidence with the ball are eerily similar.

Donovan, however, spent the bulk of his decorated career in San Jose and Los Angeles before retiring last year, never making a European breakthrough despite opportunity in Germany and England.

As a teenager, Pulisic was starting regularly in the Bundesliga, which sits in the top tier of European circuits with the Premier League, Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A and France's Ligue 1. Beyond domestic competition, Dortmund typically qualifies for the UEFA Champions League, which brings together clubs from across the continent.

Given his high-level experience at such a young age, Pulisic was one of the top five transfer targets this winter, regardless of nationality. Liverpool — guided by his former Dortmund mentor, Juergen Klopp — also reportedly took interest.

The appeal of Pulisic's capacity and age overshadowed his lessening role at first-place Dortmund this season. Bumped from the lineup by English teenager Jadon Sancho, Pulisic has appeared in 11 of 17 league matches, starting five and scoring once. He has continued to start in the Champions League.

Given Pulisic's profile and cost, Chelsea is almost sure of thrusting him into the lineup next summer. The Russian-owned Blues won the Premier League in 2014-15 and 2016-17 but finished fifth last year and are fourth this season, 11 points back of front-running Liverpool entering Wednesday's matches.

Beyond Pulisic's contributions on the field, Chelsea is, no doubt, counting on a marketing bump in the United States. Through tours and TV exposure, European clubs have made great strides in recent years appealing to U.S. audiences. Chelsea, though, is not nearly as popular here as the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Thanks to Pulisic, Dortmund might have a larger following, as well.

Given the historical ties between England and the United States — and that NBC Sports' presentation of the Premier League is akin to NFL coverage — Chelsea is eyeing an uptick in exposure and jersey sales.

NBC is certainly thrilled about building coverage around an exciting U.S. player. (Two defenders and a defensive midfielder comprise the current U.S. contingent in the Premier League.)

Pulisic's mega-move is also a victory for U.S. men's soccer, which, in the wake of the 2018 World Cup qualifying fiasco, has fallen off the sports radar and begun major renovations under new coach Gregg Berhalter.

Before the Chelsea transfer, Pulisic was already the centerpiece of the program. Wearing Chelsea colors and competing on the sport's most popular circuit, he will soon inherit a role no American has ever taken.

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