'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hello and welcome to the Premier League transfer round-up for 22nd January 2018.
We're almost into the final week of the January transfer window and it is, as Sir Alex once said, 'squeaky-bum time'.
So without further ado, here are the best rumours of the day
#5 Swansea and Arsenal
Swansea are a team that is at the bottom of the Premier League. They desperately need forwards to address their scoring woes and have quite a few targets in their mind: with Andre Ayew being one of them.
However, The Telegraph believes that West Ham rejected a £14 million bid from Swansea to re-sign Andre Ayew as the Hammers are considering whether or not to sell the Ghanaian after the injury to Andy Carroll.
And then there is Arsenal. The Daily Mail claims that Arsenal will lock horns with Liverpool over the talented Frenchman that goes by the name of Thomas Lemar—and this will happen in the summer. The attacking midfielder is rated at £90 million.
#4 Newcastle
For much of the transfer window, the rumour mill has generated quite a few rumours about Rafa Benitez and his team. After all, they are languishing just above the relegation zone and are willing to do anything required to be in the safe zone.
As a result, Benitez is looking to sign the players that will give him a chance to do so. One such player that is being linked with the Toons now is German 2014 World Cup hero, Andre Schurrle. According to Daily Mail, Borussia Dortmund are willing to loan out the former Chelsea man while also paying half of his £150,000-a-week wages.
And as expected, Newcastle—along with Stoke City—are interested.
In their live transfer blog (January 20, 14.05), The Daily Mail also reports that Newcastle are considering a loan move for Everton’s Sandro Ramirez. They are willing to pay £2 million in loan fee plus his £100,000-per-week wages in full.
#3 Merseyside
It seems as though Daily Mail is on fire today. The outlet has written another report where it is being claimed that Everton are looking to add cover for the left-back position and have, as a result, targeted Chelsea’s Baba Rahman and Crystal Palace’s Patrick van Aanholt.
Meanwhile, it is the final week of the transfer window and Liverpool have money to spend. They also have the need to sign players due to the void left by Philippe Coutinho. As a result, they had previously targeted Thomas Lemar.
However, according to Duncan Castles in The Transfer Window Podcast, Liverpool think his £100 million is too steep and are looking at Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic instead. Liverpool’s American owners are in favour of bringing their compatriot into the team instead of the Frenchman.
#2 Chelsea Chelsea
The hunt for a striker for Chelsea is seemingly eternal. After being linked with a host of strikers, a new one seems to have surfaced. But that’s not all, an old link seems to be nearing fruition.
Anyways, The Times reports that Chelsea are now looking at Islam Slimani of Leicester City. The striker hasn’t played much for the Foxes this season and the club is keen to let go of him. However, they want a permanent deal, which doesn’t match with the London club’s desire to bring him on loan.
Meanwhile, The Sun seems to believe that Edin Dzeko’s deal to Chelsea is nearing completion as the Blues are set to spend an initial £28 million for the 31-year-old. That’s not all, though. Reportedly, there are going to be added incentives in the deal that could make it worth over £30 million.
#1 Manchester madness
Nah, this ain’t ever ending. Even if Manchester United are quiet on a certain day, their city rivals will always come up with something for the rumours section. Or rather, the news outlets will come up with something or the other.
According to El Chiringuito TV, Pep Guardiola will trigger Aymeric Laporte’s €60 million release clause by the end of this month. Guardiola wanted to sign the defender in the summer as well, but he turned down a move citing family reasons.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports believes that Lille are expecting a bid from Manchester City for their young star, Boubakary Soumare, who has been dubbed as the next Yaya Toure by some in the football fraternity. Lille rate him at £35 million and need to raise funds in order to comply with the FFP.
