Transfer news and rumours LIVE – Dzeko available to Premier League clubs, Draxler swap deal

ByGraham Ruthven

Updated 26/01/2021 at 23:13 GMT

Transfer news and rumours LIVE - Join us throughout the day as we bring you the biggest breaking news and the best emerging rumours from across European football, with reports emerging that PSG are poised to offer Arsenal a swap deal involving Julian Draxler in a bid to land Matteo Guendouzi. Plus, there's news of Edin Dzeko offering himself to a number of clubs including Manchester City.

Edin Dzeko esulta per il gol, Roma-Sampdoria, Serie A 2020-2021, Getty Images

Image credit: Getty Images

23:02 - Goodnight

That's all for today, join us again tomorrow to keep up with all the latest transfer news.

22:46 - Arteta 'very positive' on Odegaard signing

Transfers

Chelsea undecided on Pochettino future - Paper Round

9 hours ago

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the club are close to securing the signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid.

Speaking after tonight's 3-1 win over Southampton, Arteta said: "I think we are pretty close but it's not finalised it as I understand it. 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."

22:01 - Frimpong to join Leverkusen

Celtic look set to sell Jeremie Frimpong to Bayer Leverkusen.

The 20-year-old full-back has been a regular for Celtic this season but now looks set to depart. Manager Neil Lennon said Frimpong made it clear he "wantd to leave" and the club have received a "really robust offer for him".

The Scottish Sun say the deal will be worth £11.5m.

21:00 - Sevila sign Papu Gomez

Sevilla have completed the signing of midfielder Papu Gomez from Atalanta.

The 32-year-old has penned a deal until 2024 and has reportedly cost 5m euros. Eurosport's Pete Sharland is a big fan of the move for Sevilla...

'Unbelievable steal' - Sevilla guru Monchi works wonders again to land 'magician'

20:05 - Ighalo announces departure

Some more Manchester United news as striker Odion Ighalo has confirmed he is leaving the club.

United signed Ighalo on loan from Shanghai Shenhua last January and the deal was extended in the summer until the end of this month. However, he is now set to depart after netting five goals in seven starts.

19:07 - 'Man Utd treated him so badly'

Jesse Lingard was “badly treated” by Manchester United and could be a “great” signing for West Ham if he can rediscover his best form, according to our transfer experts.

United academy graduate Lingard has fallen out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season and looks set to join the Hammers on loan.

In the latest Eurosport vodcast in partnership with The Beautiful Game Podcast, Dotun Abijoh, Justin Cole and Pete Sharland discussed the move and whether it is good for all parties.

Read the full story here.

'Treated him so badly' – Lingard will show Man Utd what they are missing

18:13 - Tuchel confirmed as Chelsea head coach

Thomas Tuchel has been confirmed as Chelsea's new head coach.

He replaces Frank Lampard, who was sacked on Monday, and has signed an 18-month contract with the possibility of an extension.

"I would like to thank Chelsea FC for their confidence in me and my staff," he told the club website.

"We all have the greatest respect for Frank Lampard’s work and the legacy he created at Chelsea. At the same time, I cannot wait to meet my new team and compete in the most exciting league in football. I am grateful to now be part of the Chelsea family - it feels amazing!"

17:20 - Villa sign Sanson

Aston Villa have signed midfielder Morgan Sanson from Marseille.

The 26-year-old has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal at Villa Park and is reported to have cost 18m euros.

17:00 - Chelsea intend to be in Haaland running

It's all change at Chelsea right now with Thomas Tuchel expected to be confirmed as the club's new manager shortly following the sacking of Frank Lampard.

But Dean Jones has plenty information in his Inside Football column on how the change in management could change the Blues' plans in the transfer market.

Dortmund's Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland (C) celebrates scoring the equalising goal 1:1 with teammates during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Moenchengladbach v BVB Borussia Dortmund in Moenchengladbach, western Germa

Image credit: Getty Images

Erling Haaland has been recently linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea's interest won't wane now that Tuchel is in charge. Chelsea intend to be in the running for the Norwegian should he become available.

And you thought Chelsea already had a lot of attackers to cram into one team...

16:45 - Everton in race with Parma for Zirkzee

Everton are now in a "straight race" with Serie A side Parma for the signing of Joshua Zirkzee from Bayern Munich.

Sky Sports Germany reporter Max Bielefeld claims both Everton and Parma have made offers for the Dutch forward who has struggled for first team football this season.

Zirkzee spent time training with Everton earlier in his career and now the Goodison Park want to follow up on their long-standing interest in the 19-year-old.

He would be a solid deputy to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and would allow Everton to play in the same way even when their top scorer is unavailable or being rested.

16:10 - Leverkusen working on deal for Gray

Bayer Leverkusen are hopeful of signing of Demarai Gray from Leicester City with the Bundesliga club working on a deal for the winger.

Sky Deutschland claim Leicester City have received an official offer from Leverkusen for Gray who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Leverkusen will reportedly pay a fee of €3m to sign Gray this month and beat Benfica and Marseille to the 24-year-old.

15:40 - Dele PSG deal could be done in next 48 hours

Dele Alli could complete a loan move to Paris Saint-Germain in the next 48 hours with the midfielder keen to find first team football having been frozen out at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Spurs this season and is on PSG's radar following the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino.

Dele played his best football under Pochettino and Canal Plus journalist Geoffroy Garetier says a deal could be completed very shortly.

15:00 - West Brom enter race for Lingard

West Brom have lodged an enquiry with Manchester United for Jesse Lingard with Sam Allardyce keen to add the midfielder to his Baggies squad.

Lingard was believed to be close to completing a loan move to West Ham, but West Brom have now entered the pursuit for the England international according to Sky Sports.

Jesse Lingard of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final between Sevilla and Manchester United at RheinEnergieStadion on August 16, 2020 in Cologne, Germany.

Image credit: Getty Images

It's clear Lingard needs to leave Old Trafford to get his career back on track. If it's a choice between these West Brom and West Ham, the latter would appear to be the more attractive option.

14:35 - Barca probe Gaya signing

Barcelona are exploring the possible signing of Jose Gaya with the Catalan club keen on the Valencia left back as they look for someone to compete with Jordi Alba.

Mundo Deportivo claim Valencia want €15m for Gaya although the future of Junior Firpo could prove to be an obstacle to any deal being struck.

Gaya is one of the best left backs in La Liga and it's remarkable he's still at Valencia given how the club has sold so many of its prize assets on the cheap recently.

Firpo has been at Barca for two seasons now and has still to prove he is good enough. If they can find a buyer for Firpo, and the money Valencia want, signing Gaya would be a no-brainer.

14:05 - Marquinhos in Tuchel's thinking?

Marquinhos is a player who has been on Chelsea's radar before and now the links between the Brazilian and the Blues could grow even stronger with Thomas Tuchel in charge.

The German coach was seemingly a big fan of Marquinhos during their time together at PSG with the 26-year-old his third most used player.

But as Dean Jones reports in his Inside Football column, it will be difficult for Chelsea to prise such an influential figure away from the French champions. Which is a pity because he's what Chelsea need - a better Declan Rice.

Coach of PSG Thomas Tuchel, Marquinhos of PSG during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Liverpool FC

Image credit: Getty Images

13:35 - How will Odegaard fit in at Arsenal?

Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano reports Martin Odegaard has agreed to join Arsenal on loan with official confirmation set to come soon.

But how will the Norwegian midfielder actually fit in at the Emirates Stadium? Graham Ruthven (that's me!) has looked at where Odegaard will improve Mikel Arteta's side and why they need him, even if it's only on loan.

Odegaard thrived in a hybrid number eight-number 10 role for Real Sociedad last season. It's in this position where he could make a real difference for the Gunners.

13:00 - Tuchel's looming goalkeeping conundrum

It's only six months ago that Edouard Mendy arrived at Chelsea as the club's new number one goalkeeper, but Thomas Tuchel has a decision to make on the man between the posts.

Dean Jones claims in his Inside Football column that the Blues remain determined to offload Kepa Arrizabalaga, but also want to bring in another goalkeeper to challenge for Mendy for his place in the team.

"Tuchel is unlikely to get too much say on that front - Petr Cech had more involvement in the Mendy signing than Lampard - but in terms of defensive players he will get more of a voice," says Jones.

12:30 - Is Rice now off the menu for Chelsea?

Frank Lampard was very keen to see Declan Rice signed by Chelsea, so is a move to Stamford Bridge now unlikely to happen given the change in the dugout?

Dean Jones reports the Chelsea hierarchy were never convinced by Lampard's case that Rice needed to be signed from West Ham and that stance is unlikely to change now that Thomas Tuchel is in charge.

West Ham United's Declan Rice during the Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United

Image credit: Getty Images

"The £70m price tag was off-putting but even if that number had dropped to £50m there were figures involved in brokering the deals who remained unconvinced he was the right fit," Jones writes in his Inside Football column.

"Rice, 22, had come through the Chelsea academy and was allowed to leave in 2014. There are other players that are being scouted that might hold more potential and value - such as Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, 17, who as we previously reported could be an alternative target."

12:05 - Spurs want di Maria on free transfer

Tottenham Hotspur have made an approach to sign Angel di Maria at the end of the season when his Paris Saint-Germain contract will have expired.

L'Equipe claims the North London club have made contact with di Maria although PSG still hope to convince the Argentine to renew and extend his stay at the Parc des Princes.

Tottenham make contact with former Mourinho favourite - Euro Papers

Of course, Jose Mourinho worked with di Maria during his time at Real Madrid and so it's perhaps unsurprising that the Portuguese would like a reunion with the player.

However, di Maria's arrival at Tottenham would further underline how Mourinho is taking the club away from their previous strategy of targeting young players with sell-on value. How will that sit with Daniel Levy?

11:35 - Dzeko is available and wants City return

Edin Dzeko could be available this month after falling out with Roma manager Paulo Fonseca and has 'knocked on the door' of Manchester City over a return to the club.

Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claims the Bosnian striker has also alerted Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Barcelona to his availability after rejecting offers from West Ham and Wolves.

Roma-Benevento, Serie A 2020-2021: l'allenatore della Roma Paulo Fonseca dà indicazioni a Edin Dzeko (Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

Dzeko is keen to stay at the elite level of the game. You have to admire the self-confidence from a player who at 34 years old is well into the twilight of his career.

10:55 - Osayi-Samuel arrives in Turkey

Bright Osayi-Samuel is nearing a move to Fenerbahce with the QPR winger now in Istanbul to complete a move to the Turkish club.

Fenerbahce tweeted out a picture of the 23-year-old fresh off a flight from England after the Turkish club agreed a fee with QPR for his signing.

Osayi-Samuel is out of contract at the end of the season and has seemingly made the decision to join Fenerbahce as Mesut Ozil's new teammate.

10:30 - Benzema wants to return to Lyon

Karim Benzema would like to return to Lyon according to the former agent of the Real Madrid centre forward.

Karim Djaziri revealed on that the French forward would speak "regularly" about returning to the Ligue 1 club where he started his career.

"Karim Benzema at OL? Yes, I think he really wants, he talks to me regularly, watching the matches," Djaziri said.

"In his mind, it's something he really wants, OL is in his heart . There is everything at OL for Karim. He doesn't does not want to come back to Lyon and not have the legs. He is torn between leaving the biggest club in the world and returning to Lyon."

No matter how badly Benzema wants to return to Lyon, it's unlikely Real Madrid would let him leave. The striker has never been a more important figure at the Santiago Bernabeu! Zinedine Zidane needs him!

10:10 - PSG offer Ramos a three-year deal

Paris Saint-Germain want to sign Sergio Ramos this summer and have offered the Real Madrid centre back a three-year deal to join the French club.

Onda Cero reports the Ligue 1 champions have offered Ramos a contract worth €15m a season, a figure Real Madrid cannot and are not willing to match.

Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Osasuna v Real Madrid

Image credit: Getty Images

PSG are convinced they can lure Ramos to the Parc des Princes. €15m a season for a player who will be 35 in March would be quite the gamble, though. That would take Ramos through to the age of 38!

09:45 - Key day in Barca pursuit of Garcia

It has been one of the sagas of the January window so far, but a conclusion to Barcelona's pursuit of Manchester City defender Eric Garcia might finally be in sight.

The 20-year-old is out of contract and there is widespread agreement he will sign a pre-contract agreement to secure a return to the Camp Nou at the end of the season.

But Mundo Deportivo reports the Barca board will meet today to discuss whether to make a move for Garcia this month, with Ronald Koeman keen for the player to be added to his squad now.

Koeman could certainly use more defensive options with Gerard Pique still sidelined through injury. Garcia would fit the bill.

09:30 - Papu Gomez to complete Sevilla move

Papu Gomez is expected in Seville today to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract to join Sevilla from Atalanta, where he has been frozen out.

The attacking midfielder fell out with manager Gian Piero Gasperini and has been looking for a way out of Atalanta for a number of weeks. Moves to Inter and MLS were mooted.

Juventus-Atalanta, Serie A 2019-2020: da sinistra, Federico Bernardeschi, Alejandro Papu Gomez e Rodrigo Bentancur (Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

But it's Sevilla who have won the race to sign Papu Gomez with Marca reporting he is due in Spain today. What a signing he could be for the Spanish Liga side. Possibly another Monchi masterclass.

It is, however, a shame that Papu Gomez and Gasperini couldn't patch things up. Is this the start of Atalanta's weird and wonderful team falling apart?

09:10 - Premier League interest in Amavi

Arsenal and Crystal Palace are interested in signing Marseille full back Jordan Amavi with Serie A side Napoli also believed to be tracking the 26-year-old.

L'Equipe reports Palace are particularly keen on signing Amavi this month, but Arsenal have asked for more information on the player. They have not, however, made an offer yet.

The signing of Amavi would make some sense for Arsenal. While Kieran Tierney is Mikel Arteta's forst choice at left back, the exit of Saed Kolasinac has left the Gunners slightly light for options in that position. Amavi would be a decent depth player.

08:45 - Paper Round

Tuesday’s Paper Round looks at the fallout at Chelsea after the Premier League club sacked Frank Lampard, as well as the contract length for impending arrival Thomas Tuchel, while there is also transfer news relating to his expected appointment.

Also, Liverpool are hopeful of signing Derby County teenager Kaide Gordon, according to the Liverpool Echo, with the paper claiming the 16-year-old could cost the Premier League champions an initial £1m, which could rise to around £3m.

Having drawn comparisons to Mohamed Salah and Mason Greenwood, much is expected of the England U16s international, who was named Derby’s Academy Player of the Year last season and has also been the subject of interest from Tottenham and Manchester United.

The clashes and complaints at Chelsea before Lampard sacking – Paper Round

08:30 - Good morning!

Graham Ruthven will be here from 9am but ahead of that here is a fascinating transfer story: Paris Saint-Germain will offer Julian Draxler to Arsenal in their bid to land midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, the Daily Mail reports.

Arsenal have been linked with Draxler in the past, and with Borussia Dortmund insisting Julian Brandt will not be sold, the Gunners could be tempted by the exchange which would see Guendouzi return to PSG after spending years there at their academy. Guendouzi is currently on a season-long loan at Hertha Berlin in Germany after being frozen out by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Now, time to enjoy yesterday's Euro Papers with Real Madrid 'unable to match' PSG's lavish offer for one of their biggest stars...