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Good evening folks and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. We are in the thick of the January transfer window action with deals being finalized all over Europe as we speak. As expected, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool currently seem to be the most active clubs in this window.
So without wasting more time, let's take a look at the major transfer stories from around the globe which made headlines on January 15, 2018:
Premier League
Manchester City still in Alexis Sanchez race
David McDonnell of the Mirror has claimed that Manchester City have not pulled out of the race for Alexis Sanchez despite numerous reports already projecting the Chilean as a Manchester United player. City are not ready to offer more than £20 million for a player in the last six months of his contract whereas United are ready to pay £35 million.
The Daily Mirror has reported that a meeting is said to take place today between Pep Guardiola, chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain. It is believed that a defeat against Liverpool has spurred City into action who are now set to make one last dash to sign Sanchez.
Stoke City name Paul Lambert as their new manager
The Potters have today announced the arrival of Paul Lambert as the club's new manager. Lambert takes over from Mark Hughes who was recently relieved off his duties after a poor run of form.
After being turned down by the likes of Gary Rowett, Quique Sanchez Flores and Martin O'Neill, Stoke turned their attention towards the former Aston Villa man with Lambert today penning a two and a half year deal that will see him in charge till 2020.
Serie A
Pepe Reina on Newcastle United's radar
Rafael Benitez has been vying for a reunion with his former Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina at St. James' Park this month.
The Sun reports that Benitez is desperate to land a goalkeeper in January and is keen to sign the Napoli man. Newcastle have reportedly kept aside £10 million for signing a goalkeeper this month which will probably be enough to land the manager's wanted man.
Khouma Babacar closing in on a move to Crystal Palace
The Guardian claims that the Eagles have launched a £15 million bid for Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar. A forward remains high on Roy Hodgson's wishlist as the former England manager hopes Babacar can share the workload with the likes of Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha.
Along with the Serie A star, the other January targets for Palace are Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, Lille centre-half Ibrahim Amadou, Everton striker Oumar Niasse and West Ham finisher Diafra Sakho.
Bundesliga
Arsenal still hopeful of signing Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
The Gabonese hitman is reportedly Arsenal's top choice to replace Alexis Sanchez this month. Sky Sports believes that the Gunners are hopeful of completing a permanent move for Aubameyang this month and are ready to offer €60 million to Borussia Dortmund.
Aubameyang missed Dortmund's league game yesterday due to disciplinary issues, with the club also mulling over the idea of dropping him from the roster. He has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season and can prove to be an inspired signing for the Gunners.
Borussia Dortmund sign Manuel Akanji
The Westfalenstadion outfit has today announced the signing of Manuel Akanji from FC Basel. The central defender has signed a four and a half year deal with the club and was signed by Dortmund for €21.5 million. He will wear the number 16 shirt for the Bundesliga side.
After signing for Dortmund, Akanji said, "I felt very comfortable in the talks with Dortmund’s decision-makers. It was a decision of the heart. I’ve always liked the football that’s being played at Dortmund. I’m looking forward to the time here and will give my all."
La Liga
Manchester United end Antoine Griezmann pursuit
The Red Devils have reportedly dropped their interest in Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann. The Daily Mirror suggests that the reason behind this is that the United hierarchy are increasingly confident of landing Alexis Sanchez in the next 48 hours and have hence put a full stop on the Griezmann chapter.
Griezmann had reportedly demanded a pay of around £400,000 per week to sign for Manchester United this month and this had been sanctioned by Manchester United earlier. But a new twist in the form of Alexis Sanchez has changed the scenario with FC Barcelona being the ultimate beneficiaries of this advancement.
Kevin Gameiro on Swansea City's radar
The Swans are ready to spend a record amount for guaranteeing Premier League safety. The Sun understands that Swansea City are preparing a £25 million bid for Kevin Gameiro with the club being in dire need of goals up front.
Atletico Madrid are looking to offload some of their first team stars with Gameiro not currently being a regular starter for his club. Swansea will face competition from Fenerbahce for his signing but if acquired, Gameiro can kickstart Swansea's bid for survival this season.
Rest of the world
Saint Etienne interested in Mathieu Debuchy
According to Telefoot, AS Saint Etienne are reportedly looking to bring Arsenal full-back Mathieu Debuchy on board. The Frenchman is in the last six months of his contract and is eyeing a move away from the Emirates to bring his career back on track.
Saint Etienne have been busy in this January window and are now looking to make Debuchy their third signing of the month.
Ryan Giggs appointed as the new Wales boss
Wales have today announced the arrival of Ryan Giggs as their manager, signing him on a four-year contract. He takes over from Chris Coleman who famously guided the nation to a semifinal spot in the Euros 2016.
The Manchester United legend represented his country 64 times, scoring 12 goals along the way.
The jury is still out on Giggs' managerial credentials with the 44-year-old landing a huge job without having enough experience under his belt.
