Live Football Transfer Blog: EPL, LaLiga and Rest of Europe (24th January)

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

That's all for today folks. Ciao!

Manchester City are considering using Sergio Aguero as part of a deal to bring Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann to the Etihad Stadium.

Atleti have made contact with Aguero regarding a return to the Spanish capital, with Diego Simeone keen to unite the Argentine with Diego Costa.

City, meanwhile, are weighing up a move for Griezmann this summer and could use the Liga outfit's interest in Aguero as a negotiating tool.

Another @Arsenal bid for @BVB Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rejected. 50m Euros. Giroud not offered as part of it. Will have to go much higher than that I think.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) January 24, 2018

Liverpool are weighing up a shock move for West Brom forward Salomon Rondon.

The 28-year-old has scored just three Premier League goals for the struggling Baggies so far this season.

Antonio Conte has affirmed that Michy Batshuayi's exit from Chelsea depends on the Blues landing Edin Dzeko from Roma.

Batshuayi has been linked with a loan switch to Sevilla, while Dzeko is expected to complete a return to the Premier League in the current transfer window.

Suits you, @Phil_Coutinho!
🔵🔴 #Coutinho14 pic.twitter.com/sVG1h7kuKJ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 24, 2018

Roma are interested in Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu.

The Spaniard, who rejoined Barca from Everton last summer, has been tipped to leave the Nou Camp this month with Milan and Napoli have also been linked with the 23-year-old.

It is believed Barca would seek a fee of around €20m for the winger.

BREAKING: @FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn says Phil Neville's historical tweets about women do not "meet the threshold for issuing a charge". #SSN pic.twitter.com/auMIytJ12Z
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 24, 2018

Agreement reached for Joao Mario to West Ham. Loan + buy option from Inter. Talks started between #WHUFC and Joao to complete his contract, and to sign soon. ✔️ #WestHam #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 24, 2018

Real Betis are ready to make an offer to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura.

Lucas has been told to find a new club by PSG coach Unai Emery and he has been linked with Premier League trio Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham.

The Brazilian reportedly turned down a loan move to Betis in December, but his agent was invited to watch the game at home to Barcelona last weekend.

That has reportedly helped to boost Betis’ chances of signing Lucas and they are now prepared to offer an initial €18 million, with add-ons taking the deal to €30m.

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Gremio midfielder Arthur Melo has agreed to join Barcelona ahead of a clutch of other leading European clubs.

Barcelona have persuaded the 21-year-old to reject reported interest from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid in order to move to Camp Nou.

The Catalan club must now agree a deal with Gremio, who have previously insisted that Arthur will not leave the club for less than his €50m release clause.

However, Barca hope to agree a deal for around €25m and would be prepared to allow Arthur to spend another year on loan at Gremio as part of the package.

Roma are in talks to sign Atletico Madrid attacker Yannick Carrasco on loan with a view to a permanent deal, claims.

Arsenal and Chelsea had been linked with a move for Carrasco following reports Atletico are looking to offload the Belgium international.

But, with Edin Dzeko set to join Chelsea, Roma have moved for Carrasco and will offer €25m to sign the 24-year-old permanently at the end of his loan.

Arsenal are considering an approach for Corinthians midfielder Maycon, with a view to a summer transfer.

The 20-year-old has been watched regularly by Arsenal scouts and appears to have demonstrated enough to persuade the Premier League club to step up their interest.

Maycon, who has also been linked with Napoli, could cost around £9 million, with Corinthians keen to have him back on loan.

Napoli are hoping to agree a deal to sign Benfica full-back Alejandro Grimaldo in the summer as a potential replacement for Faouzi Ghoulam.

Ghoulam only signed a new contract with Napoli in December, but the Serie A club fear his €60 million release clause will not deter the likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain from making a bid.

As a precautionary measure, Napoli have lined up Grimaldo, who has also been linked with United, as a replacement and are ready to offer €30m for the 22-year-old Spaniard.

BREAKING: @WBA reach agreement with Zamalek to sign defender Ali Gabr on loan with view to a permanent £1.5m transfer - Sky sources. #SSN pic.twitter.com/q7rTxhD7Vv
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 24, 2018

Bristol City turn down £6m Brighton offer for centre back Aden Flint
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) January 24, 2018

Alex Sandro is Manchester United’s primary target, if Jose Mourinho decides to sign a new left-back in the summer.

Mourinho has abandoned plans to bring in a left-back in January, having also been linked with the likes of Tottenham’s Danny Rose and Celtic’s Kieran Tierney.

However, if Mourinho decides to sell Luke Shaw, who has endured a resurgence in form of late, at the end of the season, then he wants Alex Sandro from Juventus.

Chelsea have previously tried to sign Alex Sandro, but have found Juventus to be reluctant sellers amid reports the Italian champions want in excess of €60 million for the Brazilian.

Good luck to @harryjsouttar who, fresh from signing a new 4-and-a-half year #SCFC contract, has joined @RCFCStaggies on loan for the remainder of the Scottish Premiership season. pic.twitter.com/QbteWOEPVy
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) January 24, 2018

Manchester United's interest in Borussia Dortmund teenager Christian Pulisic has cooled.

While the Red Devils had previously been rumoured to want the U.S. international, Alexis Sanchez's signing means Jose Mourinho will turn his attention towards other areas of the team.

Newcastle rejected Brighton’s £8m bid for striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. #nufc currently unwilling to sell to a club involved in potential relegation battle. #SSN
— Bryan Swanson (@skysports_bryan) January 24, 2018

Borussia Dortmund boss Peter Stoger has praised Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s attitude and said he hasn’t yet been ruled out of playing against Freiburg on Saturday.

“Today is Wednesday and everything is fine by me,” he said.“If I had the impression that he would disturb the team then I would react differently.

“If I get the impression nearer to Saturday that it’s disturbing the team then I won’t select him for the squad.”

With Alexis Sanchez now in attack, Manchester United are turning their transfer focus to the central midfield area.

Borussia Dortmund's Julian Weigl, Valencia's Carlos Soler and Nice's Jean Michael Seri are the primary targets for the Red Devils, while Shakhtar Donetsk's Fred, also pursued by Manchester City, is an option, too.

🏥 | @JMcCarthy_16 has confirmed his operation was successful and thanked everybody for their support.#GetWellSoonJames 💪 pic.twitter.com/oxh2J2p1fQ
— Everton (@Everton) January 24, 2018

Inter remain in pole position to land Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge.

Sturridge is not in Jurgen Klopp's first-team plans, and is keen to secure a loan move for the remainder of the season.

Inter's interest, however, remains the only concrete offer on the table so far for the striker, who is reportedly reluctant to move to Serie A.

Gerard Pique will sign a new Barcelona contract next Monday.

The defender is set to extend his stay at Camp Nou until 2022, when he will be 35, with a new release clause of €500 million.

Swansea remain in talks with Atletico Madrid's Argentine midfielder Nicolas Gaitan, according to Sky sources.

He's been on the fringes of Diego Simeone's side this season and a loan move away from Spain looks most likely.

West Ham have made a loan bid of around £440,000 to take Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario to the London Stadium, according to Sky in Italy.

Serie A club want closer to £1.3million for the player, who is currently out of favour at Inter.

We’re told Southampton agree £19.1m [€22m] fee with Monaco for Guido Carrillo. Deal not yet signed. #TransferCentre #SSN
— Bryan Swanson (@skysports_bryan) January 24, 2018

Latest on Aubameyang

There are reports in Germany that Arsenal have increased their bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from £48.3m to just under £50m.

The player is due to give evidence at the Dortmund team bus attacker's trial next Monday. The Judge has brought the hearing forward to make sure Aubameyang will still be available in Germany.

Raheem Sterling is set to be rewarded for his fine Manchester City form with a new and improved contract.

Sterling has been one of the stars of the season for the Premier League table-toppers and has thrived under the direction of Pep Guardiola.

While he still has two years on his current deal, the winger is in line for an extension and a raise on his £180,000-a-week wages.

Barcelona are in advanced negotiations to sign Montreal Impact youngster Ballou Tabla.

Barcelna are keen on the 18-year-old, who was born in the Ivory Coast but has represented Canada at under-20 level.

It is believed they are already in advanced talks to sign the forward, who would link up with the Catalan giants’ reserve side Barca B if he makes the move to Spain.

Courtois is set to be ruled out of #AFC game tonight despite returning to training. Still feeling pain in his ankle. Caballero to start third game in a row for #cfc
— Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) January 24, 2018

Liverpool are NOT in talks to sign Gremio striker Luan.

Reports had suggested that, following the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, Liverpool had opened discussions to bring in another Brazilian, with Luan having an €18 million release clause in his contract.

However, there are reportedly no talks taking place to sign the South American Footballer of the Year, who has also been a target for Arsenal and Barcelona.

Watford will offer Richarlison a new contract to tempt him to stay at the club under new boss Javi Gracia.

The winger has fuelled rumours he is ready to quit Vicarage Road after the Brazilian posted a cryptic tweet in the wake of Marcos Silva's shock sacking.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Andre Schurrle is a loan target for West Brom.

The 27-year-old has reportedly been offered to a number of Premier League sides with Dortmund willing to pay some of his wages.

Monaco have refused an offer of €45m for Keita Balde from Napoli.

Info @RMCsport : @AS_Monaco a refusé ces dernières heures une offre de 45M€ du Napoli pour Keita #Balde. Le club napolitain cherche un ailier.
Le club monégasque n’est pas vendeur.
— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) January 24, 2018

I want to clarify that Henry never told me to leave the club, it was a personal decision ... he LOVES the club and someday it would be nice to see him as the arsenal coach because he loves the club ...
— Alexis Sánchez (@Alexis_Sanchez) January 24, 2018

Newcastle have had a bid rejected for Feyenoord striker Nicolai Jorgensen - but could break their transfer record this month to sign the Denmark international.

The Dutch champions are holding out for over £20million for Jorgensen - who has scored 26 times in 43 games for the club.

Roma are lining up the Villarreal duo of Nicola Sansone and Mario Gaspar as replacements for Chelsea targets Edin Dzeko and Emerson Palmieri.

Dzeko and Palmieri are closing in on moves to Stamford Bridge. Roma are preparing for life without the duo and are interested in Villarreal’s right-back Mario and forward Sansone.

PSG boss Unai Emery believes Tottenham and Arsenal target Lucas Moura should look for another club.

The Brazilian winger has barely featured for PSG this season and is attracting interest from a number of clubs.

Emery admits that the 25-year-old is unlikely to play regularly for PSG and has advised him to continue his career elsewhere.

“I spoke with Lucas. With all respect towards him, but I think that he has no other options here and should look for another club, because he’s a great player,” he is quoted as saying in Marca.

Manchester City are keen to sign Athletic Bilbao centre-back Aymeric Laporte, according to Sky sources.

Sky in Italy is reporting that City are considering paying the £60m needed to trigger Laporte's release clause. If they do it would make Laporte the world's second most expensive defender.

Antonio Conte has dismissed reports that Chelsea were interested in signing Alexis Sanchez, saying they could not afford his salary.

"We never were in this race," said Conte. "Ever. Especially because one of the reasons was this amount of salary. Only one or two clubs can pay this type of salary.

"Manchester United and Manchester City stay there and we have to try and build something important to create a basis, and then make success with our work. Not with money. With work."

Arsenal are now frontrunners to sign West Brom defender Jonny Evans after Manchester City grew disinterested.

The Gunners are reportedly seeking a deal of around £20million.

West Brom are said to be keen to raise funds so new boss Alan Pardew can bolster the side's attacking capability before the transfer window ends.

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