Live Football Transfer Blog: EPL, LaLiga and Rest of Europe (21st January)

Follow all the biggest and best transfer news around Europe LIVE!

Updated: 21 January 2018 23:59 IST - Published: 21 January 2018 21:58 IST

That's all for today. See ya tomorrow. Ciao!

Chelsea and Barcelona are braced for a summer battle to land Real Madrid starlet Oscar Rodriguez.

The 19-year-old midfielder is set to be out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to move on after struggling for minutes with the Blancos.

West Ham have rejected a second offer believed to be worth up to £10m with add-ons from Rennes for striker Diafra Sakho, according to Sky sources.

Rennes' first offer last week was worth about £6m, but Bordeaux’s new manager Gus Poyet is also interested in signing the 28-year-old.

Sakho came close to moving to Crystal Palace 11 days ago and wants to leave because he is being paid a quarter of what some of the other strikers at the club are being paid. He is on £30,000 a week.

Sunderland are hoping to land Chelsea teenager Ethan Ampadu on loan.

Ampadu has already made multiple appearances for Chelsea's first team in 2017-18, leading Chris Coleman to register an interest in the Wales international.

West Ham have rejected a £14m bid from Swansea for Andre Ayew.

Swans boss Carlos Carvalhal wants to bring the 28-year-old back to south Wales, but the Hammers are reconsidering whether to sell the Ghana international in the wake of the latest injury to Andy Carroll.

Swansea's current record transfer is £15.5m, which brought Borja Baston to the club from Atletico Madrid in 2016.

West Ham have offered Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier a three-year contract.

The 27-year-old, who is a free agent in the summer, is also reportedly a target for Inter Milan, but the Hammers are keen for the player to join this month rather than wait for the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola will not be looking to bring another striker into Manchester City during the January transfer window.

The Premier League leaders appear set to miss out on Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, but they are prepared to work with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus for the remainder of the season.

Newcastle are interested in signing Bournemouth striker Junior Stanislas.

Rafa Benitez wants to bolster his attacking options and sees the 28-year-old, who has been out with a thigh injury, as an option this month.

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has several offers on the table with the German eager to work with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

The highly rated playmaker could be among those made available in the summer as the Blancos seek to freshen up their ranks.

Roma are hoping to pip Serie A rivals Inter and Juventus to the signing of Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian.

The Italy international has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford and Jose Mourinho is eager to move him out on a permanent deal, but Roma would prefer a loan agreement.

West Brom are interested in signing Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to Sky sources.

West Brom want to sign a striker this month, but any move in the market could depend on raising money by selling Jonny Evans.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he's not in a rush to spend the €160 million generated from the sale of Philippe Coutinho.

If a deal comes along that is right for the club then Klopp indicated he will consider it, but the German feels confident in the squad already at his disposal.

#MUFC #AFC confirmation of Sanchez/Mkhitaryan swap Mon/Tue as work permits need updating. Arsenal stepping up Aubameyang pursuit - confident but will drag as must agree fee & possibility of player going other way to #BVB If done no significant funds available for further signings
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) January 21, 2018

Arsenal are the latest club to express an interest in Paris-Saint Germain winger Lucas Moura.

Manchester United, Tottenham and Nantes are among those to have been linked with the Brazil international, but the Gunners also believe that he could add something to their squad.

Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa had been tipped to join Real Madrid this month but it now looks as though he will stay where he is.

According to reports, Kepa has grown tired of waiting for an offer from Real Madrid and will commit his future to Athletic Bilbao instead by agreeing to a new long-term contract.

Everton are set to move for Baba Rahman and Patrick van Aanholt on loan.

Schalke lead the way for Chelsea's Rahman and Inter are also hovering, while Van Aanholt has worked under Toffees manager Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace.

Adama Soumaoro, a versatile defender at Lille, remains on their radar.

Sky sources understand that the door is open for Daniel Sturridge to leave Liverpool with Inter Milan strongly interested in taking him to the San Siro.

While there is no deal in place at this time the decision on whether to stay or go now lies with Sturridge himself with Jurgen Klopp willing to let him leave.

Inter Milan are set to complete the signing of Rafinha Alcantara from Barcelona on loan with an option to buy for £30m.

The 24-year-old Brazil international, who is the younger brother of Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago, has endured a torrid time with injuries in recent seasons and will be looking to start afresh in Italy.

Chelsea have been linked with Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch and Edin Dzeko this window and according to Sky Sports News they are also interested in Burnley striker Ashley Barnes.

Antonio Conte is clearly after a target man and Barnes, who only has 18 months remaining on his deal at Turf Moor is another forward reportedly on his shortlist.

Former Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas was less than impressed with the Gunners' swap of Alexis Sanchez for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Nicholas believes Arsene Wenger should've demanded Anthony Martial instead of the Armenian, even if it meant sending £50 million to Old Trafford.

Juan Mata will be offered a route out of Manchester United this summer by former club Valencia.

The Spaniard is set to be out of contract at the end of the season and could head home as a free agent - although the Red Devils do have the option for a 12-month extension.

Javi Gracia will be the new manager of @WatfordFC. From Villarreal Academy to Watford via Greece, Osasuna, Malaga, Rubin Kazan... meticulous, strong personality, tactically savvy. He deserves this chance. He speaks English and has been working at it. pic.twitter.com/mo51UW7kjw
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) January 21, 2018

While Arsenal are nearing a deal to bring Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Emirates Stadium from Manchester United, The Sun claims they initially wanted Luke Shaw as part of the Alexis Sanchez agreement.

The England international left-back has struggled for game time throughout his time at Old Trafford, but he has returned to favour of late and Jose Mourinho is no longer looking to move him on.

Monaco are interested in signing Islam Slimani from Leicester City but they will have to pay close to the £28m according to Sky Sources.

Slimani became Leicester's record signing when joining from Sporting Lisbon but has fallen down the pecking order this season. Besiktas, Southampton and Newcastle United are also interested.

Tottenham are set to make a loan move for Atletico Madrid striker Kevin Gameiro.

Former Sevilla forward Gameiro has fallen down the pecking order following Diego Costas' return to the Spanish capital, and has already rejected the chance to join Swansea City during the January window.

Fenerbahce are also keen on acquiring his services, though Spurs are hopeful the idea of a temporary move will tempt him to north London.

Sky sources understand that Tottenham remain adamant Harry Kane will NOT be sold this summer - even if they receive a world record bid.

Kane has been linked with a potential move to Real Madrid at the end of the season but Daniel Levy told Sky Sport News last week that he is "100% confident that every player we want to keep will be with us next season.”

SKY SOURCES: Silva's successor has already been lined up. He is expected to be a newcomer to England and the Premier League. @WatfordFC not expected to name their new coach today. #SSN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 21, 2018

Chelsea have made an approach to sign Leicester City striker Islam Slimani.

Antonio Conte wants to add a tall forward to his ranks before the end of the January transfer window and has been linked with Andy Carroll, Edin Dzeko and Peter Crouch.

Now his attention has switched to Slimani, who he hopes to take on loan from the King Power Stadium for the second half of the season.

Juventus are looking to sign Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere on a free transfer.

England international Wilshere's contract is up at the end of the season, with the Gunners only willing to offer him a new deal that includes a 20% paycut.

Serie A champions Juve are hopeful Wilshere will reject this offer after a standout season and consider a move to Turin.

Inter Milan remain confident that they will be able to sign Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge this month, according to Sky in Italy.

The Serie A side want to take the 28-year-old on loan but are reportedly unwilling to pay Liverpool's €40m valuation of him.

📝 | #watfordfc has parted company with Marco Silva.

The Club will seek to make a swift appointment and there will be no further comment until that appointment has been made.

More here ⤵️https://t.co/vQbbURcTbn
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) January 21, 2018

Monaco winger Thomas Lemar is ready to snub interest from Arsenal and Liverpool after setting his heart on a move to Barcelona.

The France international has been heavily linked with Premier League clubs since the summer of 2017, but is eager to open the next chapter in his career in La Liga.

Real Madrid are prepared to smash the world transfer record in order to land Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

The Blancos have been tracking the England international for some time and are now piecing together a £200 million package in an effort to take him to Spain.

David Moyes is keen to add a midfielder to his West Ham squad this month and has been offered Samir Nasri by Antalyaspor.

Nasri only moved to the Turkish club from Manchester City in the summer but has reportedly failed to settle and is open to a return to the Premier League.

Hearing @Arsenal will have to break transfer record and pay well over £50m if they want to get Aubameyang out of @BVB this month.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) January 21, 2018

Paul Pogba will demand a new contract at Manchester United that will see him earn the same £400,000-a-week salary as Alexis Sanchez.

The Red Devils are close to tying up a lucrative deal for Arsenal's wantaway forward, but his contract will make him the envy of those already at Old Trafford.

According to Sky Sources, Henrikh Mkhitaryan will undergo a medical at Arsenal in the next 48 hours and was in central London last night.

Mkhitaryan to Arsenal will be a straight swap with Alexis Sanchez heading in the opposite direction to Manchester United, but as of yet the paperwork is yet to be signed off.

Mkhitaryan was left out of United's squad for their 1-0 win over Burnley while Sanchez was also absent for Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Could today be the day that Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan swap clubs perhaps...