A round-up of the latest transfer gossip from around Europe with Liverpool looking to rival Manchester City for Joshua Kimmich and Chelsea plotting a transfer for a striker.
The Reds and Citizens have identified their midfields as a potential area to improve over the upcoming transfer markets. But Liverpool have also set their eyes on singing a new defender from a rival Premier League club. Jurgen Klopp believes the Anfield natives must strengthen.
Strikers are on the radar for Chelsea, meanwhile, with Mauricio Pochettino desperate to add to his attack. The Blues beat Middlesbrough 6-1 in their EFL Cup semi-final second-leg this Tuesday. Yet Chelsea have scored 35 goals over their 21 Premier League games this term.
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Chelsea are seriously considering making Aston Villa a bid for the transfer of Jhon Duran, per The Telegraph. The striker joined Villa last January for £18m and has two goals in 26 Premier League games to date. Aston Villa have already rejected a loan enquiry by West Ham United.
Paraguay winger Miguel Almiron has told Newcastle United that he wants to stay at the club amid a £17m offer from Saudi side Al-Shabab. The Daily Mail claims he is happy on Tyneside and Almiron is not considering leaving England before the January transfer window finishes.
Atletico Madrid are prepared to pay Celtic up to £20m for the transfer of Matt O’Riley, notes the Daily Mail. But the Colchoneros want to sign the midfielder on loan with an obligation to buy in the summer. Diego Simeone’s interest flatters O’Riley but Atleti are hamstrung by FFP.
Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is now attracting interest from Liverpool, as well as Manchester City, per Bild. Anfield chiefs are exploring fighting their Etihad Stadium rivals in the race for the 28-year-old. Kimmich is only under contract with Der FCB until June 2025.
Liverpool have also put a new centre-half at the top of their shopping list with interest in the transfer of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi. But the Mirror reports Jurgen Klopp must wait for the summer sales to sign the 23-year-old to replace Joel Matip as the Eagles will not sell yet.
AS Roma are unlikely to be able to afford the permanent summer transfer of Romelu Lukaku as Chelsea want £38m. Calciomercato reports the Blues will not send the striker out on loan again next season. But Roma must qualify for Europe to afford a move, which may be at risk.
KRC Genk right-back Daniel Munoz has gone on strike in his bid to force a January transfer amid interest from Crystal Palace. The Evening Standard reports the Eagles have monitored the 27-year-old for some time. Genk are asking for £8.5m to sell the Colombia international.
Barcelona are trying to sign Giovani Lo Celso in a cut-price transfer from Tottenham Hotspur after missing out to West Ham in the race for Kalvin Phillips’ loan from Manchester City. But the Independent reports Spurs feel the Blaugrana’s loan offer and wage structure fall short.
Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is considering his future at St James’ Park but he will not leave them in January. i News reports the Slovakian’s stance could force Eddie Howe into signing a shot-stopper this summer as Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie will be out of contract.
PAOK have agreed on terms with Jonny Otto ahead of a free transfer from Wolves, notes the Express & Star. Molineux chiefs will let the 29-year-old leave without a fee after banning the left-back from the first-team in November. Wolves will also continue to pay part of his wage.
IF Elfsborg have accepted a €3m (£2.5m) offer from Brentford for the transfer of goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, per The Athletic. The 22-year-old Iceland international is now flying to London to undergo his medical. Brentford have beaten strong rival interest in Valdimarsson.
Luton Town are plotting an offer for the transfer of Ben Sheaf of Coventry City after scouting him regularly. TEAMtalk notes the Hatters have kept close tabs on the 25-year-old and given boss Rob Edwards glowing reviews. Edwards also made a defensive midfielder his top target.
Coventry’s attacking midfielder Callum O’Hare is also attracting Premier League interest with Burnley considering a transfer, per Tom Collomosse. The 25-year-old is also meriting interest from Leicester City, Southampton and some La Liga sides with his contract expiring in June.
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