Football
ESPN staff 6y

Man City back for Shakhtar's Fred; Man United in for Arthur

The transfer window is heating up! Transfer Talk brings you live updates on all the latest rumours and done deals. Check out all the confirmed January moves so far on our transfers page.

TOP STORY: Fred in line for Man City move

While the Alexis Sanchez saga dominates the headlines, Manchester City continue to plot the rest of their transfer business for 2018.

There has been speculation that Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred is a leading target for Pep Guardiola's side, and the Manchester Evening News now reports that City are prepared to pay up to £45 million for the Brazilian.

It's believed Shakhtar are holding out for a higher fee, however, with Guardiola determined to recruit the player he has earmarked as Fernandinho's long-term replacement.

At 24, Fred is eight years younger than Fernandinho, who also enjoyed a spell at Shakhtar before moving to Manchester in 2013.

LIVE BLOG:

22:00 GMT: That will do it for Transfer Talk tonight, but we'll be back in a few short hours with a look at what the Sunday papers are saying.

We leave you with the wisdom of that legendary philosopher Landon Donovan on his move to Mexican club Leon, which is apparently a real thing that is happening.

21:20 GMT: Bild report Red Bull Leipzig may be lining up an heir to Naby Keita by swooping for Benfica's 16-year-old starlet Umaro Embalo, who has been heavily linked to Manchester United, as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid.

20:55 GMT: Amid news that Man City are already prepared to baulk at Arsenal's price for Alexis Sanchez, The Telegraph is reporting that the player's agent, Fernando Felicevich, is demanding a fee in excess of £10m on top of any deal.

20:35 GMT: FC Dallas recently reached out to ask about signing U.S. international Omar Gonzalez, but the center-back is likely to stay with Pachuca, MLSsoccer.com has reported.

20:20 GMT: Manchester City have gotten in touch with the agent of Nice midfielder Jean Seri ahead of a potential move, but PSG remain in the fold, according to Le Parisien.

19:50 GMT: Amid reports that Naby Keita could be moving to Liverpool faster than expected, he started and scored for Leipzig in Saturday's 3-1 win over Schalke, though he did leave the game in the 67th minute.

Leipzig boss Ralph Rangnick was quoted before the game as saying the player is not looking to fast-track his move. "He wants to leave us in the summer," the manager said. "He will play with us until the end of the season. He is starting today. There isn't more to say."

19:20 GMT: MLS sources have confirmed to ESPN FC that the Portland Timbers have a deal with Mexico's Morelia for Peru international attacker Andy Polo. Full story.

19.00 GMT: West Brom boss Alan Pardew has said "it is not the case" that defender Jonny Evans, linked with both Arsenal and Manchester City, will definitely leave in the January window.

18.45 GMT: Basel defender Manuel Akanji, a reported target for Liverpool, will be joining Borussia Dortmund for £20 million instead, according to the Mail.

It reports that Akanji "had also been considered by Southampton, West Ham and West Brom, but Dortmund have moved quickly for the Switzerland international."

18.15 GMT: West Ham boss David Moyes wasn't resting on his laurels after his side's crushing 4-1 win at Huddersfield, instead looking ahead to a successful January window.

Moyes told reporters: "The board know, and they want to add a few players -- it's just the difficulty of the month. We want to add players if that is possible."

18.05 GMT: League One news: Jack Byrne is set to join Oldham Athletic from Wigan on a permanent deal, Wigan boss Richie Wellens has said. Bryne spent the first half of the season at Oldham.

16.30 GMT: Sunderland boss Chris Coleman said after his side's heavy defeat at Cardiff that they have to bring in more attacking options this month.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Coleman said: "It's not a case of 'I'm hoping' -- we've got to do it."

15.23 GMT: Hull City have made an offer for Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna, the Hull Daily Mail, citing reports in Scotland, says. Boss Nigel Adkins also wants to bring in a winger.

15.08 GMT: A DONE DEAL with an eye to the future now -- Coventry City Academy youngster Charlie McCann, 15, has completed a move to Manchester United that was originally agreed in September.

14.40 GMT: Young Manchester United defender Charlie Scott has had a trial with Championship club Sheffield United, the Manchester Evening News reports.

14.24 GMT: Orlando City SC forward Cyle Larin has completed a move to Besiktas, the Turkish club have said -- but Orlando has denied any deal have been done and could take action. Full story.

14.00 GMT: A DONE DEAL from League Two for you now, where Wycombe Wanderers have completed a move for Middlesbrough centre-back Nathan McGinley on loan for the remainder of the season.

13:50 GMT: Former Evertonian Tony Cottee has said he believes Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson is the ideal man to strengthen Sam Allardyce's ranks, the Liverpool Echo reports.

13:40 GMT: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said on Friday that rising star Axel Tuanzebe can go out on loan as long there are enough fit senior defenders at the club -- and that's good new for Aston Villa, increasingly strongly linked with him. And here's Eric Bailly doing his best to get back to action:

13.30 GMT: Championship side Leeds United are interested in signing Juventus forward Moise Kean, according to reports in Italy.

13:20 GMT: Another DONE DEAL! And a familiar face is heading back to Gijon, as Jony returns on loan from Malaga until the end of the season.

13:10 GMT: The arrival of Fousseni Diabate at Leicester City could be good news for Aston Villa.

How so? Well, Villa want to sign Leicester striker Leonardo Ulloa, and the Birmingham Mail says their hopes of doing so have been boosted by the Foxes' signing of another attacking player.

13:00 GMT: Sunderland won't be letting record signing Didier Ndong leave on loan, manager Chris Coleman has said, meaning either Watford and West Ham, both of whom are interested, would have to pay around £8 million for a full-time switch, according to the Mail.

12:50 GMT: Georges Mandjeck has told the BBC he went back to Metz on loan from Sparta Prague because he wanted to help them in their relegation fight. He said: "Metz is a family club and deserves to stay in the top division -- this is why I chose to return on loan."

12:40 GMT: Roy Hodgson has inspired quite some turnaround at Crystal Palace, but he fears frustration lies ahead in the transfer window. Hodgson has lost Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend to injuries, having already said he wants to add a goalkeeper and a striker. He told reporters: "It is going to be a busy month. What actually happens at the end of it in terms of what players arrive here -- if any do -- is another question altogether."

12:29 GMT: This is a huge blow for Stoke City. Quique Sanchez Flores was the frontrunner to replace Mark Hughes and everything seemed set for him to take over, but the Espanyol manager doesn't look like a man in a rush to leave. 

12:15 GMT: While Turan is on his way out, there's one on their way in. It's Yerry Mina's Barcelona presentation today and Sam Marsden is there for us:

12:02 GMT: Here's all the details regarding Arda Turan's exit from Barcelona -- and why more players could follow him out the Camp Nou exit door this month.

11:43 GMT: Here's our man Sam Marsden with the key takeaways from the Turan deal:

11:25 GMT: Another DONE DEAL! And a big one too ... Arda Turan is leaving Barcelona for Istanbul Basaksehir. It's a two-and-a-half year loan deal, but Barcelona still have the right to sell him while he's under contract with them until 2020.

10:48 GMT: We're mainly about transfers here, but don't forget about the action on the pitch. It's a massive weekend in the Premier League as Manchester City travel to Liverpool. There's also Chelsea vs. Leicester and Tottenham vs. Everton today, so get involved and predict the outcomes.

10:31 GMT: Leicester fans, take a look at the full story on your new signing, Fousseni Diabate

10:08 GMT: We have a DONE DEAL early on Saturday morning. Leicester have signed Fousseni Diabate from Gazelec Ajaccio.

09:59 GMT: A potential double boost for Tottenham with news that Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min are in line for new contracts. 

09:28 GMT: On United's move to gazump Manchester City for Alexis Sanchez, the Manchester Evening News' United reporter has this to share ...

09:22 GMT: Could this hold the key to Manchester United's move for Alexis Sanchez? Sky Sports believe Arsenal are in talks with Bordeaux regarding forward Malcom. The outcome of a meeting that happened on Wednesday is not yet known, but Arsene Wenger clearly has a replacement in mind if Sanchez does depart as expected.

08:45 GMT: If you're just waking up, lucky you. You missed this from overnight, as Landon Donovan announced a U-turn on his retirement and signed for Liga MX side Leon. Here's the full story and his new side are eager to point out that their news became the No.4 trending topic worldwide.

08:30 GMT: Morning everyone -- an intriguing line to kick off the day with rumours Liverpool could sign Naby Keita earlier than expected. After losing Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, the Reds are reportedly eager to bring forward their move for RB Leipzig midfielder Keita ... and could land him as early as Sunday.

PAPER ROUND-UP:

Man United battle Chelsea for Arthur

Manchester United also are in the market for a Brazilian midfielder with a 1920s English name, as they continue to monitor Arthur's situation at Gremio, according to the Daily Mail.

The 21-year-old had been an option for Barcelona after helping Gremio to Copa Libertadores glory in 2017, even posing in the club's iconic shirt after meeting sporting director Robert Fernandez.

It seems the Premier League is now a more likely destination, though, with Arthur aiming to tie up his future and secure a place in Brazil's World Cup squad.

The youngster is valued at around £35m, with United and Chelsea both tracking his development with a view to a move at the start of the summer.

De Gea offered bumper new deal

David De Gea will be offered a huge pay rise by Manchester United as they seek to fend off renewed interest from Real Madrid, claims The Sun.

De Gea was close to moving to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2015 before a dodgy fax machine scuppered the transfer, but Real remain keen to sign the goalkeeper as they look to replace Keylor Navas.

United hope to put a stop to speculation by tying De Gea to a new £300,000-a-week contract, which would make him the joint highest-paid player at Old Trafford, alongside Paul Pogba.

With the Spaniard's current deal expiring in 2019, United aim to extend his stay for another five years.

Liverpool struggling to bring in Keita

There has been no movement in Liverpool's bid to fast-track Naby Keita's move from RB Leipzig, according to Liverpool Echo reporter James Pearce.

The Reds had hoped to bring the midfielder's arrival forward to January, with Leipzig believed to be open to the idea if an extra £13 million were put on the table.

But despite negotiations taking place over the past week, it now has been reported there has been "no progression at all," with Keita set to stay in Germany until the summer.

Tap-ins

- Robin van Persie is close to securing a return to Feyenoord, according to The Sun The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward will undergo a medical this weekend as he prepares to leave Fenerbahce.

- Real Madrid were ready to pay Lionel Messi's €250m buyout clause in 2013 and defend the Argentine in his tax fraud case against the Spanish government. Mundo Deportivo quotes German outlet Der Spiegel as revealing Real's mega bid for Messi before they eventually signed Gareth Bale.

- Tottenham have dropped their interest in Malcom, giving Arsenal a free run at the Brazilian, claims the Daily Mail. The Bordeaux forward has been in fine form this season and could cost as much as £45m.

^ Back to Top ^