Transfer news and rumours LIVE - Haaland thinks Odegaard will suit Arsenal, Modric contract update
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 27/01/2021 at 22:21 GMT
Erling Haaland has had his say on his compatriot Martin Odegaard's loan move to Arsenal from Real Madrid, while there is an update on Luka Modric's contract situation at the Santiago Bernabeu. Stick with us throughout the day as we bring you the latest breaking news and all the best rumours in the final week of the transfer window.
Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge (Norway)
Image credit: Getty Images
22:20 - Brandt not for sale in Jan
That is according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, with Martin Odegaard's loan move to Arsenal seemingly ending their pursuit for any more playmakers this transfer window.
21:06 - Udinese sign Llorente
Former Athletic Bilbao, Juventus, Sevilla, Swansea and Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente has joined Serie A club Udinese from Napoli.
The 36-year-old Spain international has agreed an 18-month contract and will wear the number 32 shirt.
Llorente joined the Naples side as a free agent in September 2019 from Spurs. His contract was due to expire at the end of this season.
Udinese are 14th in the Serie A standings and have struggled for goals this season, scoring 20 in 19 matches, the third-lowest total in the league behind Parma (14) and Genoa (19).
20:30 - Napoli back Gattuso
Napoli have publicly backed coach Gennaro Gattuso after speculation that he could be sacked by the Serie A club following a slump in form.
“President Aurelio De Laurentiis, with vice president Edoardo (De Laurentiis) and CEO Andrea Chiavelli, met the coaching staff tonight to confirm full confidence in the coach Rino Gattuso,” read a club statement on Wednesday.
Gattuso came in for criticism after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the Italian Super Cup and a 3-1 loss at home to Hellas Verona in Serie A in the space of four days last week.
The 43-year-old was appointed in December 2019 to replace the sacked Carlo Ancelotti and led Napoli to a Coppa Italia triumph, the club’s first trophy in six years.
But disappointing results since the turn of the year, including a 2-1 loss at home to 10-man Spezia and a draw with struggling Torino, led to media reports that the club were considering other options including former boss Rafael Benitez.
19:30 - 'Parma make Zirkzee bid'
Promising young striker Josh Zirkzee had been reported Everton target in recent weeks, but Parma are said to be the ones who have made the first move for the 19-year-old.
The Times reported on Tuesday that he would prefer a move to the Premier League club.
19:00 - West Ham make Benrahma permanent
West Ham have converted Said Benrahma's loan from Brentford into a permanent transfer and are in talks to sign RB Leipzig forward Hwang Hee-Chan, according to Sky Sports.
They report the West Ham board will make between £20m and £30m available to Moyes to sign players in the next few days if required.
18:00 - Leverkusen sign Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong has joined Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen from Celtic.
Frimpong, who joined Celtic from Manchester City in 2019, has signed a four-year deal with the German club.
17:00 - Musacchio leaves AC Milan for Lazio
Mateo Musacchio has completed his move from AC Milan to Lazio, with the central defender joining the Rome club on a permanent deal.
The 30-year-old made just one substitute appearance in Serie A this season as Stefano Pioli favoured other options at the back.
It's therefore unsurprising to see Musacchio depart the San Siro. Besides, AC Milan have the Cobham Costacurta now - A.K.A. Fikayo Tomori.
16:40 - Shakhtar up efforts to beat Liverpool to teenager
Shakhtar Donetsk are upping their efforts to sign Fluminense youngster Kayky after Liverpol entered the race for the highly rated Brazilian teenager.
Netflu (via Sport Witness) claim the Ukrainian side are set to improve their bid for Kayky such is their determination to capture the player.
Of course, we all know how much Shakhtar Donetsk love a Brazilian signing. The club has managed to keep itself at the top of the Ukrainian and European game by plundering the country's youth ranks for its best talent.
I actually thought it was illegal for Shakhtar Donetsk to be beaten to the signing of a Brazilian player.
16:10 - Mourinho doesn't expect Dele exit
Jose Mourinho insists he doesn't expect Dele Alli to leave Tottenham Hotspur this month despite strong speculation linking the midfield with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Wednesday saw reports surface that PSG had struck an agreement with Spurs for the loan signing of Dele, but Mourinho denied such suggestions in his press conference that day.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/01/07/2966778-60891488-2560-1440.jpg)
Dele Alli (L) and Jose Mourinho (R)
Image credit: Getty Images
"The transfer window is open and sometimes unexpected things can happen but I don't expect it," said Mourinho.
"I am saying that since the beginning of the transfer window I was not expecting anyone to leave.
"I was not expecting anyone to come. Until now 27th Jan, almost at the end… I don't believe anything will happen but it's open, still. Football is football."
15:50 - Haaland opens up on Odegaard's 'interesting' move
Erling Haaland has labelled Martin Odegaard's loan move to Arsenal "interesting," but thinks his Norway teammate can fit in well in his new surroundings.
Odegaard's loan move from Real Madrid until the end of the season was confirmed on Wednesday and Haaland believes the 22-year-old could be perfect for Mikel Arteta's side.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2020/04/29/2812517-58015368-2560-1440.jpg)
Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge (Norway)
Image credit: Getty Images
"It will be interesting. Arsenal are a big club in England," the Borussia Dortmund striker told VG.
"It’s a bit different football, but I think he can fit in well with Mikel Arteta in the number 10 role. He can enjoy himself there.
"He has to get in there and simply start playing games. That’s what he needs. We know how good Odegaard can be. When he gains confidence with the ball, we know that the most incredible things can happen."
Now all Arteta needs Odegaard to do is put in a call to his good mate to join him in North London.
15:15 - Azpilicueta could return to Spain in summer
Cesar Azpilicueta could make a return to Athletic Club in the summer window with the Basque club keen to add the Chelsea defender to their squad.
La Razon claim the Spaniard could be interested to the club he played for nine years ago with Athletic Club already planning for next season with new manager Marcelino at the helm.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2020/11/30/2946756-60491088-2560-1440.jpg)
César Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Image credit: Getty Images
Azpilicueta is still a useful figure for Chelsea, but one of Thomas Tuchel's biggests tasks at the club is to trim his squad. This could be an effective way for him to do this.
What's more, Nacho Monreal shows Azpilicueta has proven it's possible for an ageing defender to revive his career in the Basque country having played for a London club.
14:30 - Modric contract agreement 'imminent'
Luka Modric is set to put pen to paper on a new contract that will see him stay at Real Madrid beyond the end of the season according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian football journalist claims the final details have been resolved in discussions between the two parties and so an agreement should be reached soon.
Modric is in the form of his life at the moment. He is still one of Real Madrid's most important players and so it would be no surprise to see the Croatian stay.
Now if they can only force a pen into Sergio Ramos' hand...
14:10 - PSG reach Dele loan agreement
Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly reached an agreement for the loan transfer of Dele until the end of the season.
However, Le Parisien also claims there will be no option for PSG to permanently sign the midfield and Tottenham are waiting to find a replacement for the 24-year-old before sanctioning a deal.
Of course, Dele would be reunited with Mauricio Pochettino at the Parc des Princes. He needs to play for someone who appreciates his qualities. He needs to get his career back on track and PSG would appear to be a good fit, at least in the short term.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/01/19/2974601-61047948-2560-1440.jpg)
Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur warms up during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham
Image credit: Getty Images
13:40 - Inter confident Martinez will stay
Inter are growing in confidence that Lautaro Martinez will sign a contract extension to stay at the club amid interest from a number of potential suitors.
The Argentine forward has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona while Manchester City have also been mentioned as a possible destination.
However, Calciomercato (via Mundo Deportivo) claims Inter believe Martinez will put pen to paper on a new deal to remain at the San Siro club for the forseeable future.
Martinez's form has dropped off this season, but he has still found the back of the net nine times in 19 Serie A apearances this season. His strike partnership with Romelu Lukaku remains one of the strongest in the game.
13:20 - Club Brugge to use Mignolet to lure Alderweireld
Club Brugge have their sights set on Toby Alderweireld and plan to use Simon Mignolet to lure the Tottenham Hotspur defender to the club.
Alderweireld is out of contract at the end of the season and Voetbal 24 claim Club Brugge have identified the Belgian international as a key target for the summer.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2020/10/26/2923042-60054808-2560-1440.jpg)
Toby Alderweireld
Image credit: Getty Images
It's believed family reasons could be enough to persuade Alderweireld to return to his homeland and the plan is to use the player's friendship with Mignolet, who is at Club Brugge, to complete a deal.
Remember what I was saying earlier in the afternoon about negotiating with Daniel Levy? Good luck, Club Brugge!
12:50 - Ozil presented as a Fenerbahce player
Mesut Ozil has been presented to the Turkish media as a Fenerbahce player for the first time after his drawn out transfer from Arsenal was confirmed.
This comes as Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Martin Odegaard on loan until the end of the season. One midfield creator out, another in.
There are similarities between the two players in the way they just need to play first team football. They have too much talent to be sat on the sidelines.
12:15 - West Ham interested in Cadiz striker
West Ham are widely believed to be in the market for a new striker this month and Cadiz's Anthony 'Choco' Lozano has emerged as a potential target.
Goal Spain reports Lozano is one of the players the Hammers are looking at as they attempt to find a replacement for Sebastien Haller, who left for Ajax earlier this month.
Youssef En-Nesyri had been West Ham's top target, but Sevilla held firm in their valuation of the player who has hit a hot streak in front of goal recently.
Now, the London club are looking at another La Liga forward to provide some support to Michail Antonio as a final third option.
11:50 - West Brom agree deal for Galatasaray forward
West Brom have agreed a deal with Galatasaray for the signing of forward Mbaye Diagne according to Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett.
Diagne will make the move to the Hawthorns on an initial loan agreement, but the Baggies will have an option to sign the 29-year-old on a permanent basis.
Sam Allardyce had made the capture of a new striker a priority for this month and it now seems he has found one in Diagne. Of course, Christian Benteke had also been linked.
11:35 - Odegaard to Arsenal made official
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season.
The Norwegian arrives in North London having failed to make much of an impression at Real Madrid this season, but there is much excitement over the role he could play for the Gunners.
And with good reason. Odegaard was one of the best players in La Liga last season, shining on loan for Real Sociedad. If he can find that sort of form, this could be a pivotal moment in Arsenal's season.
11:00 - Odegaard shirt appears on Arsenal site
Arsenal fans are keenly awaiting the announcement of Martin Odegaard's loan move from Real Madrid and the club's own site might have offered a hint of imminent news.
The Norwegian midfielder's shirt has appeared on the Arsenal online store and it seems Odegaard will wear number 11 for his new team.
The number 11 shirt has been vacant at Arsenal since Lucas Torreira left the Emirates Stadium to sign for Atletico Madrid on loan. Before that it was Mesut Ozil's shirt number.
10:35 - Alonso is an option for Barca
Marcos Alonso has been identified as a target by Barcelona who are keen to add some depth to their squad in the left back position.
Mundo Deportivo reports the Catalan club see Alonso, who has been frozen out of the first team at Chelsea this season, as a potential option.
Valencia's Jose Gaya is also a target. That's the same Gaya who is proven as one of the best full backs in La Liga and is a regular for Spain. So it's Alonso, the 30-year-old Chelsea misfit, or him. Tough choice...
10:15 - Arteta update on Odegaard deal
Mikel Arteta said on Tuesday night that a deal for the loan signing of Martin Odegaard is "pretty close" with the Norwegian expected to become an Arsenal player until the end of the season.
Odegaard has been frozen out at Real Madrid this season, leading the 22-year-old to request a loan move away from the Spanish club this month.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/01/26/2979349-61142788-2560-1440.jpg)
Martin Odegaard
Image credit: Getty Images
"I think we are pretty close but it’s not finalised it as I understand it,” Arteta said after the win over Southampton. "I haven’t spoken to Edu or the club in the last few hours but we’re very positive that we’ll finalise the deal.”
Graham Ruthven (that's me!) looked at how Odegaard will fit in at Arsenal and how he could be the final component of the modern, dynamic midfield unit Arteta envisages for the Gunners.
10:00 - United leading race for Hoffenheim midfielder
Manchester United are lining up a summer move for Hoffenheim midfielder Christoph Baumgartner who has been billed as the next Michael Ballack.
The Sun reports the 21-year-old is on the radar of the Old Trafford club who are keen to add to their midfield and attacking options at the end of the season.
United have been much smarter in the transfer market in recent windows and the signing of Baumgartner, seen as one of the Bundesliga's best young players, would be a sign of how their recruitment has improved.
09:30 - Conte insists Eriksen won't leave Inter
Christian Eriksen won't be on the move this month according to Inter boss Antonio Conte who insists the Danish playmaker will be staying put.
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has been the subject of speculation for weeks and was even linked with a return to the North London club on loan, but now looks set to remain in Serie A.
"For a month now I’ve been saying the same thing: this is the Inter squad," Conte said after Inter's win over AC Milan on Tuesday night, in which Eriksen scored the winner. "Nobody will arrive, nobody will leave. I keep saying it and nobody seems to believe me.
"We are working with Eriksen on a tactical level to find an alternative for [Marcelo] Brozovic, because we don’t have someone like that in the squad.
"Christian is a very intelligent lad, he has quality, he’s part of the project and I am happy he scored that goal. I really wanted him to take it, as we all know the quality he has from set plays.
"He’s very shy, so I hope this goal can shake him up and make him come out of his shell. We all like him, he’s a good lad, perhaps too good! He needs to be more determined.”
09:15 - Ramos contract situation at a 'standstill'
Sergio Ramos still hasn't signed a new contract to keep him at Real Madrid beyond the end of the season and Marca reports the situation is now at a "standstill."
The veteran centre back has been in various stages of discussions with the Santiago Bernabeu club over the last year or so, but Ramos has yet to put pen to paper as he reportedly wants more than just the one-year extension being offered.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/01/26/2978922-61134248-2560-1440.jpg)
Sergio Ramos / Real Madrid
Image credit: Getty Images
This has opened the door for other clubs to make their case to Ramos, with it being reported yesterday that Paris Saint-Germain have offered the Spain international a staggering €15m four-year deal.
With David Alaba believed to be close to signing for Real Madrid, could this really be how it ends for Ramos at Real Madrid? He's never been this close to leaving before, not even when he tricked Ed Woodward into thinking he wanted to play alongside Phil Jones.
08:45 - Tuchel wants Haaland
Good morning, Graham will be with you from 9am but we are kicking things off with the news that Thomas Tuchel has identified Erling Haaland as a summer target for Chelsea.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager is keen to return to his ex club for the sensational striker, who is wanted by pretty much every big club in Europe.
"The club will back the German in the summer transfer window. They had already started to identify centre forward targets for next season, with Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland among those the recruitment staff admire. A change of manager is unlikely to alter those plans to sign a new striker, but Chelsea are now set to drop their interest in West Ham midfielder Declan Rice."
We brought you both of these angles in yesterday's Inside Football, which also detailed how PSG star Marquinhos is a player who could come under consideration.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement