Transfer news and gossip LIVE - Ozil's agent opens up on player's future, Real Madrid's Bale fear

ByGraham Ruthven

Updated 06/01/2021 at 22:53 GMT

Transfer LIVE - Join us throughout the day as we bring you the latest breaking news and the best gossip during the January transfer window. Liverpool are reportedly joining the race to attempt to sign David Alaba, who is attracting interest from around Europe, while Real Madrid fear Gareth Bale will return to the club after his loan stint at Tottenham Hotspur.

22:45 - Prem duo tracking Ajax youngster

West Ham and Wolves are keeping tabs on Ajax youngster Lassina Traore.

According to De Telegraaaf, the two Premier League sides are considering making bids for a player who has 18 months remaining on his contract.

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The Dutch paper states that the forward will not be sold in January.

21:39 - Cutrone heading back to Wolves

Patrick Cutrone is set to cut short his loan spell at Fiorentina and return to Wolves.

Gianluca Di Marzio is claiming the two clubs and in talks and that the forward could be given the chance to replace the injured Raul Jimenez at Wolves.

20:53 - Wijnaldum talks at a stalemate

The Netherlands international has been talking to the club for some time over a new contract, but Sky Sports is saying that talks have hit an impasse.

A contract offer reportedly remains on the table, but the midfielder has not accepted it.

20:22 - Conte has no say on Eriksen future

Antonio Conte has said Inter Milan will have the final say on Christian Eriksen's future.

The former Tottenham midfielder has been linked with a move to Wolves.

Following his side's shock loss to Sampdoria, Conte said: "I am at the complete disposal of the club and any decision they make on the transfer market, so there’s nothing else I can do."

19:50 - Ruud returns as a coach at PSV

Ruud van Nistelrooy is to take charge of PSV Eindohven’s reserve team this summer.

The club’s official website said the parties are still working on the length of the contract, but the former Netherlands international will take his next step in management at his old club.

19:20 - Rekik completes Arsenal medical

Omar Rekik has completed a medical at Arsenal and is on the brink of sealing a move from Hertha Berlin.

Football Insider quotes a source from with the club that the deal is being finalised and the £540,000 signing will be pushed through in the coming days.

Should the deal be completed, the 19-year-old will become the club’s first singing of the January transfer window.

18:45 - Newcastle not interested in Carroll exit

Newcastle United are ‘unlikely to listen to loan offers” for Andy Carroll in the January transfer window.

West Brom have been linked with the powerful forward as they bid to get out of relegation trouble, but the Evening Chronicle has suggested any approach is likely to be rebuffed.

18:05 - De Boer worried about Van de Beek

Ronald de Boer has suggested Donny van de Beek may need to seek a loan move out of Manchester United in a bid to guarantee his spot at the European Championship.

Van de Beek has had limited playing time since making the move to Old Trafford from Ajax, and Netherlands legend De Boer is concerned by his fellow countryman’s plight in the Premier League.

"The European Championship is coming, he will certainly want to be there,” De Boer told Algemeen Dagbald. "I think it would be good for him to discuss with the club exactly what they want with him. If the view on playing time does not improve, he may have to tell them that he should be loaned or even sold.”

17:25 - Drenthe back in Spanish football

Royston Drenthe is on the brink of returning to Spanish football, but not in the top flight.

The former Real Madrid man has agreed terms with Racing Murcia, who are playing in the fourth division in Spain.

All that stands between the 33-year-old Dutchman and the move is a medical.

16:50 - United reject loan approach for Williams

Manchester United have turned down a loan approach from Southampton for Brandon Williams with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to keep a big squad for the rest of the season.

The Telegraph's James Ducker claims Newcastle United are also interested in signing Williams on loan, but the Old Trafford out are similarly reluctant to let the youngster leave this month.

Williams has made just five appearances for United this season, with his game time limited further following the signing of Alex Telles from Porto.

Generally seen as a left back, it's peculiar Solskjaer hasn't used him on the right inside, where he is more natural as a right-footer. United have been linked with attacking right backs, such as Max Aarons, so why not give Williams a shot there?

16:20 - Snodgrass to West Brom?

West Brom have opened talks with Robert Snodgrass over a move to the Hawthorns as Sam Allardyce looks to reshape his squad at his new club.

Sky Sports' Keith Downie reports Snodgrass has been offered a permanent contract, although other Premier League clubs are interested in signing the Scotland international.

Allardyce has already been linked with a move for Andy Carroll today and Snodgrass continues the theme of players you were sure had already played for 'Big Same' at one point in their careers...

16:05 - That's one way to force a transfer!

We're all used to the customary ways to force through a transfer - handing in a transfer request, speaking to the media, refusing to play. I'm not entirely sure we've seen anything like this before, though!

Royal Antwerp striker Didier Lamkel Ze is desperate to force through a move to Panathinaikos this month. So he turned up at training today wearing the shirt of his club's fierce rivals, Anderlecht.

He was then refused entry to Royal Antwerp's facility and ended up fighting with the security at the door. This is one thing Mino Raiola hasn't yet got Paul Pogba to try...

15:35 - Spurs expect Son to extend stay

Tottenham Hotspur believe Son Heung-min will sign a new contract to extend his stay with the North London club beyond his current deal, which expires in the summer of 2023.

The South Korean has been one of the stars of the season in the Premier League, nothing 12 goals and five assists in just 16 appearances for Jose Mourinho's side this term.

According to the Telegraph, Spurs intend to offer Son new terms and are confident the 28-year-old will put pen to paper on an extension that will ward off any interest from rivals.

Spurs are right to be concerned about locking Son into a new contract. He is arguably the best player in the Premier League at this moment in time. They won't find another like him.

15:15 - Wolves recall Gibbs-White from loan

Wolves have made the decision to recall Morgan Gibbs-White from his loan spell at Swansea City, dealing a blow to the Championship club.

Gibbs-White, who failed to make much of an impression at Molineux last season, will now compete for a first team place in Nuno Espirito Santo's squad according to The Telegraph's John Percy.

Wolves are in the midst of something of a transition right now. They have a number of talented youngsters in their squad and Gibbs-White has the potential to join them in making their mark at Premier League level.

14:35 - Kane unlikely to make rivals move

Harry Kane is unlikely to make the switch to a Premier League rival despite continued speculation over the England captain's future at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Athletic reports Manchester City are keen on Kane as they look for a long-term successor to Sergio Aguero, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is unwilling to let his prize asset leave.

Die Matchwinner für Tottenham gegen Leeds: Son Heung-Min (rechts) und Harry Kane

Image credit: Getty Images

It's claimed City also made an enquiry about Joao Felix last year when the Portuguese youngster was out of favour at Atletico Madrid, with Inter centre forward Lautaro Martinez also on their radar.

However, as long as Lionel Messi is potentially on the market City might hold their fire on making a move for a new striker. The Argentine is worth being patient for. Plus, Pep Guardiola doesn't really like centre forwards anyway. Are there any central midfielders out there he can play as a number nine?

14:00 - United move for 'next Ronaldo'

Remember that guy Cristiano Ronaldo? Was good for Manchester United, won a few trophies, owns a museum about himself? Yeah, that guy. Well, United are set to move for the next Ronaldo!

Reports in Portugal claim the Old Trafford outfit are preparing to make an offer for Sporting Lisbon's Pedro 'Peto' Goncalves, with the attacking midfielder compared to Ronaldo who also started out with the same club.

It's reported Sporting Lisbon have yet to receive an approach from Manchester United for the 22-year-old, but if he's the next Ronaldo the club's fans should get excited. Just as they did for Bebe...

United prepare move for 'next Ronaldo' at Sporting - Euro Papers

13:35 - Ozil's agent opens up on player's future

Mesut Ozil's agent has spoken about the player's future amid reports the German playmaker has agreed to join Fenerbahce on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Reports in Turkey claimed Ozil had made a decision on his future less then 24 hours after claims were made that Ozil was in talks with DC United over a move to the United States.

But Ozil's agent, Dr Erkut Sogut, insists his client has not agreed to leave Arsenal, commenting the player's future will be resolved in the coming days.

"He might stay at Arsenal until the summer but he might go," he told ESPN. "Mesut's priority is to stay but you never know in football, things can change very fast. For the moment, we are just checking all the options for January and the summer.

"If we want to leave in January, I need to talk to Arsenal. If we sign for the summer, we don't need to. That's the situation. In the next seven to ten days, it will be a little clearer as now the transfer window is open, things can move faster."

13:20 - Arsenal keeper heading north

Arsenal are used to making decisions on goalkeepers by now with Emi Martinez sold to Aston Villa in the summer window. Now, Matt Macey looks set to leave the club.

The Athletic reports the 26-year-old, who has been at Arsenal for over seven years, will join Hibernian in Scotland on a permanent transfer.

This will leave Bernd Leno and Alex Runarrsson as Arsenal's only senior goalkeepers and let's be honest... we've yet to see any real evidence that the latter actually is a goalkeeper.

12:50 - Drinkwater in talks over Turkish move

Danny Drinkwater's Chelsea nightmare could be about to come to an end with the midfielder in discussions with Turkish club Kasimpasa over a January move.

The 30-year-old has become something of a forgotten figure at Stamford Bridge after disappointing loan spells at Aston Villa and Burnley. Drinkwater could now leave Chelsea behind by joining Kasimpasa.

Bundesliga clubs including Koln and Schalke have also been linked with the midfielder, but the Daily Mail claims Kasimpasa are pushing hardest for his signing. They must be watching YouTube videos from 2016.

Danny Drinkwater, Burnley, Getty Images

Image credit: Getty Images

12:30 - One German out, another one in?

If Mesut Ozil is indeed finally on his way out of Arsenal, as has been reported today, there is a creative void in Arsenal's squad. Could that be filled by Julian Brandt?

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium and so Graham Ruthven (that's me!) has taken a look at the role Brandt could perform for Arteta's side.

Brandt is a different sort of creator to Ozil. The 24-year-old hasn't enjoyed the best of seasons this term, but at a reported price of around £22 million he would surely be worth the gamble for the Gunners. This is, after all, a club that signed Willian on a three-year deal.

12:10 - Real Madrid fearful of Bale return

Real Madrid are growing increasingly concerned Gareth Bale will return to the club at the end of his season-long loan stint with Tottenham Hotspur.

Dean Jones initially reported this in his Inside Football column and this has been supported by further claims made by the Daily Mail on Wednesday.

Bale hasn't featured much for Spurs this season, starting just one Premier League game, but the North London club want to keep him around.

They believe Bale is a good figure to have around the dressing room. They could surely find someone to fulfil that role for less than £500,000-a-week! What's Ally McCoist doing during the week?

11:55 - Wolves ARE interested in Eriksen!

Christian Eriksen must have thought he'd got his fix for January transfer window gossip last year when he made his move to Inter from Spurs. But the Dane is once again a staple of the gossip column this year.

The 28-year-old has struggled to make much of an impression on Antonio Conte over the last 12 months and is looking for a way out of the San Siro as he attempts to revive his career.

A number of interested clubs have been mentioned, but Sky Sports reported earlier this week that Wolves were not one of them.

Eriksen - Inter-Borussia Mönchengladbach - Champions League 2020/2021 - Getty Images

Image credit: Getty Images

Well, the Italian media think differently! It's like that scene from Anchorman when all the news crews face off, but for January gossip! Gianluca di Marzio in one corner, Kaveh Solhekol in another...

Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claim Wolves, along with Ajax and West Ham, have made enquiries about the availability of Eriksen.

However, Eriksen's agent is somone other than Jorge Mendes. That could be a problem for Wolves...

11:25 - Alena secures loan move

Carles Alena has completed a loan move to Getafe until the end of the season after being denied meaningful game time under Ronald Koeman at Barcelona.

There's just something about La Masia products Koeman doesn't like (cough Riqui Puig cough). Indeed, Alena struggled to make much of an impression on the Dutchman in the first half of the season.

So now he's off to Getafe to boost his chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League...

11:00 - Quagliarella wants 18-month contract at Juve

Fabio Quagliarella wants an 18-month contract in order to secure a return to Juventus, with the Old Lady in the market for a new centre forward this January.

Andrea Pirlo clearly has the 'over 30' filter on his Football Manager save because the Italian champions have been linked with a number of ageing strikers this month. Yesterday it was Graziano Pelle they were supposedly making an offer to.

Sky Sports in Italy (via Goal) claim Juve only want to sign Quagliarella, who is currently on the books at Sampdoria, until the end of the season, but the player wants a contract until the summer of 2022.

10:35 - West Brom weigh up Carroll move

Sam Allardyce hopes to use the January transfer window to reshape his West Brom squad and Newcastle United forward Andy Carroll is on his radar.

The Daily Mail reports Allardyce is keen to sign a new striker this month and in typical 'Big Sam' fashion he has his sights set on the tallest forward in the North East. Someone he can hit with long balls.

West Brom have found the back of the net just 11 times in the Premier League this season and are counting on a player who scored his first Newcastle United goal in 10 years just last week to change their fortunes. Bold.

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll

Image credit: Getty Images

10:00 - Atleti to launch bid to sign Dembele

Atletico Madrid are preparing to make a move for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele with the Spanish club keen to find a replacement for Diego Costa.

Dembele has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past, but the Spanish capital might now be his most likely destination as Atleti enter the January transfer market.

Foot Mercato claims Dembele is Atletico Madrid's number one target this month having allowed Costa to leave the club as a free agent last week and have already made contact with Lyon regarding a transfer.

09:40 - Ozil agrees to join Fenerbahce

Mesut Ozil has reportedly agreed to join Fenerbahce on a three-and-a-half-year contract, bringing to an end his exile from the first team at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.

The German playmaker has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with reports on Monday claiming DC United were in talks with the player over a potential move to MLS.

Now, though, Turkish outlet Sabah Spor reports Ozil has agreed to sign for Fenerbahce instead, putting pen to paper on a deal that will keep him in Istanbul until the summer of 2024.

This news comes after Ozil posted an image to his social media accounts declaring his affection for Istanbul. The player has strong roots in Turkey.

09:20 - More Ramos contract drama

The big story in Spanish football at the moment concerns Sergio Ramos' future at Real Madrid with the veteran defender out of contract at the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season.

Marca reports Ramos turned down a contract offer from the club on Saturday, before the match against Celta Vigo, and that no further diary date has been made for further discussions.

The relationship between Ramos and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has broken down with the club only willing to offer the player a one-year extension when he wants two years.

09:00 - Ozil 'in talks' with surprise MLS team

Mesut Ozil is in talks with DC United, according to Football.London. The out-of-favour midfielder looks set to finally leave Arsenal this month, having been excluded from the squad to start the season.

The reports of Ozil leaving for DC note that he has been offered an "attractive" package that includes the ability to expand his personal brand in the US. Frankly, who doesn't want to do that?

It follows the news we flagged up to you last evening that transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal are looking to offload Ozil “as soon as possible”.

The Germany World Cup winner, who reportedly earns £350k a week, hasn’t featured for Mikel Arteta’s side all season, and he isn’t in their Premier League squad.

Romano also reports Genoa have enquired about defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Liverpool 'contact Alaba'

Catching you up with another big story, David Alaba is out of contract at the end of the season and Liverpool are among the clubs to have contacted the Bayern Munich defender about a summer move.

Italian football journalist Romano reports five clubs have made their interest known to Alaba who had the offer of a contract extension withdrawn by Bayern Munich late last year.

Real Madrid are reportedly leading the pursuit to sign the 28-year-old. Talks have already taken place between the two parties, but Alaba has other options in the Premier League, including Liverpool.

Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with Alaba, but the Austrian international is believed to consider playing for Real Madrid a dream.

Hello and welcome

Good morning and welcome back for more rumours, news and half-baked updates from the heady world of football transfers.

And remember, you can also keep fully up-to-date with our 'done deals' page.

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