Barcelona closing in on third January signing, Liverpool superstar set to join PL club: Transfer round-up, January 29, 2018

FC Barcelona Unveil New Head Coach Ernesto Valverde
FC Barcelona are making head turns this January

Hello, and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer need and rumours roundup. Wednesday is the transfer deadline day and hence we can expect all the top clubs to make a final dash for their targets. So without wasting further time, let's take a look at the major transfer stories from around the globe which made headlines on January 29, 2018:


La Liga

FC Barcelona closing in on third signing of the month

According to Brazilian outlet, UOL Esporte, FC Barcelona are in advanced negotiations with Gremio over the transfer of Arthur Melo. The 21-year-old midfielder has strongly been linked with the club and a consensus is expected to reach before the deadline day. It is also believed that Barcelona will let Arthur stay in Brazil until the next season as the club has currently filled their quota of non-EU players because of Coutinho and Yerry Mina.

Speaking with Esporte, Gremio chief Zanotta confirmed Barcelona's interest in the talented attacker. He said, "There has been a formal contact and we're going to continue the conversations." Along with Barcelona, the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and PSG are also linked with the Brazilian star but it is Barcelona who are deemed as the favourites to take him on board.

Nicolas Gaitan rejects a bid from Swansea City

AS states that Nicolas Gaitan has rejected an offer from Swansea City. It is reported that Swansea and Atletico Madrid had arrived on a conclusion and a fee was also decided. The Swans had reportedly offered £120,000 to the midfielder but the Argentine midfielder decided to reject the bid. Gaitan has not played for Atletico since November but is still determined to prove his worth in Spain.

Serie A

Chelsea FC v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League
Edin Dzeko will stay put at AS Roma

Edin Dzeko's move to Chelsea called off

After over two weeks of Chelsea's interest in Edin Dzeko, the Blues have finally conceded defeat in acquiring the Bosnian striker this month. The Daily Star understands that Chelsea have failed to come to a conclusion with Roma over a transfer fee with personal terms with the player also proving to be a difficult task.

But this advancement is not expected to have any effect on Emerson Palmieri's move to the Bridge who is still expected to become a Chelsea player by Wednesday.

Three Italian clubs in the race for Gerard Deulofeu

Talksport have made a claim through Spanish radio station RAC 1 that Gerard Deulofeu is a transfer target for as many as three Italian clubs. It is reported that Inter Milan, AS Roma and Napoli are looking to sign the FC Barcelona forward who has fallen out of favour since his £10.6 million move back to Camp Nou in the summer. Along with the Serie A sides, Watford have kept a close watch on Deulofeu's future.

Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Champions League
Soon to be a Gunner

Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund close to reaching a consensus

Borussia Dortmund have finally received a bid close to their valuation of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal, according to Sky Sports. Arsenal had made a bid of around £50 million for Aubameyang last week which was instantly rejected by the Bundesliga side.

But the latest offer in the region of £55 million plus extensive add-ons has reportedly been accepted by Borussia Dortmund with a deal set to be finalized today or tomorrow.

FC Kaiserslautern monitoring Gustav Engvall

According to reports in Sweden, Bristol City striker Gustav Engvall is on the radar of the Bundesliga II side FC Kaiserslautern. Engvall has made just eight appearances this season with the Championship side ready to let the Swedish striker leave in January. FC Kaiserslautern sit at the bottom of the second division at the moment and are looking at Engvall to provide much-needed composure in front of goal.

Premier League

Liverpool FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Champions League
Sturridge will soon be seen at the Hawthorns

Daniel Sturridge set to join West Bromwich Albion

In a recent turn of events, Daniel Sturridge has reportedly agreed to join West Bromwich Albion on a six-month loan spell. The Daily Mirror claims that Jurgen Klopp is ready to accept the player's wish to leave Liverpool in search of regular playing time.

Sturridge has hopes of making the England World Cup squad and for that, the striker needs regular games under his belt. Sturridge last played for Liverpool in December's 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow and has since struggled with niggling injuries. He has previously been linked with Newcastle United, Inter Milan and Sevilla.

Brighton sign Leonard Ulloa on loan

Leicester City's Leonard Ulloa has today completed a short loan move to Brighton and Hove Albion. The striker will join the Seagulls for the second time and had joined Leicester for £8 million from Brighton itself in 2014.

Ulloa scored 26 goals in 58 appearances for Brighton and was a crowd favourite at the Amex Stadium. The striker made just four appearances for Leicester this season which prompted his departure to Brighton.

Rest of the world

Italy v Spain - FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier
Pelle is on West Ham's radar

West Ham United contact Graziano Pelle

According to Sky Sports, West Ham United have gotten in touch with Shandong Luneng over a potential move for Graziano Pelle. The Hammers are in the market for a striker after seeing 13 of their first team players out on the injury table.

Pelle has been playing in the Chinese Super League for 18 months now and is currently earning £1 million per month. He has managed just 12 goals in the Far East so far and might be looking for a move back into the main scene.

Diafro Sakho joins Rennes

West Ham United outcast Diafro Sakho has today passed his medical with Rennes and will now be seen playing in Ligue 1. Sakho scored 24 goals in 71 appearances for West Ham and has today joined Rennes in a deal worth £9 million. The French side will pay £4.5 million to West Ham upfront whereas the remaining amount will be paid in add-ons and bonuses.

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