Live Transfer Blog: EPL, La Liga and Rest of Europe (January 2nd)

Barcelona interested in Ozil

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil tops Barcelona's wish list for next season, according to reports. The former Real Madrid man is out of contract at the end of this season and with the transfer of Coutinho seeming complicated, the German superstar could well be strutting his stuff at the Nou Camp next season.

According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur's Moussa Dembele is on AC Milan's shortlist for bolstering their midfield.

David Moyes has made signing a central midfielder his top priority this month and Joe Allen is one of his targets, according to Sky Sources.

However, Stoke do not want to sell the Welshman during the current transfer window. Other West Ham transfer targets include Steven N'Zonzi, Jonjo Shelvey and William Carvalho.

OFFICIAL: PSG confirm 3rd choice GK Remy Descamps has joined Ligue 2 strugglers Tours until the end of the season. Any potential January move for Kevin Trapp will now be more complicated than it already was. https://t.co/ekRn359ymz
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) January 2, 2018

Agreement reached between Juventus and Schalke 04 for Marko #Pjaca: he will join Schalke on loan until June, €1M + 500k add ons. 🇭🇷 #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 2, 2018

Romero wants to leave Manchester United

Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero is looking to leave the club this month in order to safeguard his starting position for Argentina at the World Cup.

Romero hasn't made a single appearance in the Premier League this season and has played just 5 times in all competitions.

UD Las Palmas sign winger Jairo from German team Mainz 05 https://t.co/zJfjvxqDDb pic.twitter.com/xhmJGEe3Ph
— UDLP English (@UDLP_english) January 2, 2018

Borussia Monchengladbach have made a bid in the region of £10m for West Ham defender Reece Oxford, according to Sky Sources.

Chinese club Beijing Guoan are now keen on Villarreal forward Cedric Bakambu. It is understood they are even willing to pay the 40 million euros for his release clause.

Congratulations @hazardeden10! 🙌🇧🇪https://t.co/mgitE5xQ4h
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 2, 2018

DONE DEAL: #htafc has complete the signing of Netherlands international defender @KongoloTerence on loan from @AS_Monaco ➡️ https://t.co/qjMA2IGWoU (AT) pic.twitter.com/EhwdEACL4w
— Huddersfield Town (@htafcdotcom) January 2, 2018

Steve McClaren is hoping to return to management following a five-month spell as a consultant and coach with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

"I've come back to get more insight and in mind. I want to manage again, I am motivated to do that, especially after five months in Tel Aviv."I want to come back and manage, either here or abroad."

Juventus reserved to losing Alex Sandro but want a suitable replacement. No Chelsea offer yet.
— Simon Phillips (@SiPhillipsSport) January 2, 2018

Alaves have released a statement in which they reveal that Oscar Romero's contract has ended.

COMUNICADO | Finaliza el acuerdo contractual con Óscar Romero. A pesar de que se marchó hace un mes, el paraguayo terminó su relación contractual con el Alavés el pasado 31 de diciembre ➡️ https://t.co/GR6rxRSgum pic.twitter.com/yqLOjtyHeH
— Deportivo Alavés (@Alaves) January 2, 2018

Wesley Sneijder has struggled to settle in at Nice and could be on the move this January, with Los Angeles Galaxy a potential landing spot.

Chelsea cool Dembele interest

Chelsea were strongly linked with a move for Celtic striker Moussa Dembele last January but have cooled their interest this time around.

Dembele has been linked with a switch to Brighton during the transfer window and was substituted during Celtic's 0-0 draw with Rangers last weekend

Jairo passes the medical examination at the Perpetuo Socorro Hospital.

Jairo pasa reconocimiento médico en el Hospital Perpetuo Socorro. pic.twitter.com/1QBC3Qo6dl
— UD Las Palmas (@UDLP_Oficial) January 2, 2018

BREAKING: Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan has pleaded guilty to assault charge following incident in Liverpool city centre on December 22. #SSN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 2, 2018

Initial tests confirm the injury sustained by Kevin de Bruyne at Selhurst Park is not as bad as first feared. While the Belgium international will miss tonight’s game against Watford, it’s understood he could be ready for this weekend, but may not be risked in the FA Cup. #MCFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) January 2, 2018

West Ham looked into possibility of signing Joe Allen but have been told he's not available at any price

Conte says he doesn't expect any of our players out on loan to return to the Bridge in January. #ARSCHE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 2, 2018

Luciano Vietto is looking for a new home and Valencia could be his landing spot, with the two parties are inching closer towards a deal.

Coutinho will not be “fit” for the the FA Cup game on Friday vs Everton. On future: LFC’s tone has changed -it seems they are open to all the options. Sell now, sell now for the summer. Keeping him beyond then seems the very last option. But no offer from FBC has arrived... yet pic.twitter.com/rFGyFuXqzF
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) January 2, 2018

BREAKING: Stoke City board are considering the future of manager Mark Hughes, Sky Sports News understands. #SSN pic.twitter.com/UXlruEqgdB
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 2, 2018

Free agent Marcano is one player on Valencia's radar. He hasn't renewed with Porto and would finish his current contract in June.

Tottenham are keen to strengthen in the winter window and there are a number of players piquing their interest, namely Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham, Luke Shaw of Manchester United, Malcom of Bordeaux and Ross Barkley of Everton.

Barcelona interested in Ozil

Ozil could be heading back to Spain. Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil tops Barcelona's wish list for next season, according to reports

Getafe are chasing West Brom loanee Grzegorz Krychowiak

Chielline to stay at Juventus?

Chelsea's hopes of convincing centre-back Giorgio Chiellini to move to Stamford Bridge have suffered a setback after he hinted at extending his contract with Juventus. The 33-year-old had been linked to a reunion with Antonio Conte, but could now find himself staying in Italy.

Juventus target Emre Can

According to reports, Juventus are keen on signing Emre Can this window and are optimistic about their chances.

Chelsea makes official contacts with the Bayern Munich to sign with Arturo Vidal. The negotiation began with the first offer of €37m, the Germans want close to 60

⚽️📰 CONFIRMADO: #Chelsea hace contactos oficiales con el #BayernMúnich para fichar a Arturo Vidal 🇨🇱 (30). La negociación empezó con una primera oferta de 37M€, los alemanes quieren 60. pic.twitter.com/BxleHfOVe8
— Pipe Sierra (@PipeSierraR) January 2, 2018

Congratulations @EdDzeko - voted Roma's Player of the Year for 2017 by the fans! 🥇
#ASRoma #RomaAwards2017
pic.twitter.com/hLwvoW1kuF
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) January 1, 2018

Chelsea want Vidal

Chelsea have got in touch with Bayern Munich to see if they can sign Arturo Vidal. According to reports, the English club want to sign the Chilean and that they could offer him a four-year deal, which would double his wages.

Napoli will allow left-back Faouzi Ghoulam to move to Manchester United if they pay his £53m release clause.

The Serie A side are closing in on the £26.6m signing of his replacement, 22-year-old Spaniard Alejandro Grimaldo from Benfica.

PSG want to sell Guedes

Needing to make some cash to avoid Financial Fair Play sanctions, PSG want to sell Goncalo Guedes now with Valencia being one of the clubs interested in the player.

Madrid not targetting Hazard anymore!

Eden Hazard is no longer a Real Madrid transfer target with the La Liga champions putting their trust in Marco Asensio.

"Why would we bring in the Belgian if we have Asensio?" said Zidane

Arsene Wenger also confirmed that Arsenal have had no offers for Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil or Jack Wilshere in the current transfer window.

Arsene Wenger has denied reports Arsenal will make bids for Chelsea defender David Luiz and Monaco's Thomas Lemar in January.

"I don't want to speak about any special name but these reports are wrong," said Gunners boss Wenger, when asked about the two players.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has hinted that the Catalan giants will look to bring in new players this month.

"We are the club that we are and we always have to improve. In the same way that other clubs are concerned with improving their squads, we must do so too,” he told Barca TV

Negotiations between Everton and Besiktas look uncertain following reports the Turkish club have upped their asking price to £27m for Cenk Tosun. The Toffees were hoping to land the 26-year-old for £25m and are said to be reluctant to increase their bid, with boss Sam Allardyce saying "we've done all we can."

Twist in the story

Schalke's sporting director Christian Heidel on reports that Leon Goretzka is joining Bayern Munich: "Leon has not informed us so far that he has decided to leave us."

Kepa to join Real Madrid

Real Madrid are all set to activate the €20m release clause of Athletic Bilbao's keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga and will join this month

Borussia Monchengladbach have launched a £10m bid for West Ham defender Reece Oxford.

Barcelona are ready to give Samuel Umtiti a new contract to ward off Manchester United and Manchester City interest

Swansea may be looking to West Ham's Diafra Sakho as part of their strategy to bring in out-of-favour players who are looking for more play time ahead of the World Cup

Mourinho wants Kroos!

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho wants to sign Real Madrid holding midfielder Toni Kroos next season. The Spanish and European champions, Real Madrid, are preparing to offload the player, who is also understood to be attracting the attention of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.