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          Man United eye Real Madrid's midfield misfit Mateo Kovacic

          • ESPN staffJan 25, 2018, 12:49 AM

          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: Kovacic on Man United radar

          They might have already completed a budget-busting move for Alexis Sanchez in January, but Manchester United aren't finished there.

          Jose Mourinho is still keen to bring another central midfielder to the club, with Le10 Sport reporting that Real Madrid's Mateo Kovacic has emerged as the number one target.

          Kovacic has struggled for game time under Zinedine Zidane this season, starting only one match in La Liga as Real Madrid toil 19 points behind leaders Barcelona.

          The 23-year-old has previously been linked with Tottenham, but it appears United now lead the race for his signature as Mourinho searches for a long-term replacement for Michael Carrick.

          LIVE BLOG

          22.50 GMT: That will do it for for today's edition of Transfer Talk Live. Remember to check back in a few hours for the latest on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and all the rumours and completed deals from around world football. Goodnight!

          22.45 GMT: DONE DEAL Atlanta United have sold 30-year-old midfielder Carlos Carmona to Chilean giants Colo Colo.

          Due to family issues in his native Chile, Carmona was seeking a move home and Atlanta obliged, with technical director Carlos Bocanegra saying "sometimes you have to think about life over soccer."

          Carmona started 30 games for Atlanta in their debut season and according to Bocanegra was "excellent" during his lone season in MLS.

          22.29 GMT: With Joao Mario's signing imminent, West Ham are being linked with another midfielder: Fulham's Tom Cairney.

          The midfield maestro is one of the most coveted players in the English Championship and has been heavily linked with moves to Newcastle and West Brom in the past.

          Fulham have already rejected £15m for Cairney from West Brom this transfer window but can West Ham tempt the Cottagers to move the Scotland international?

          Last season, Cairney played a part in 23 goals, scoring 13 and laying on another 10 as Fulham fell just short of promotion in the play-offs.

          22.14 GMT: DONE DEAL -- Bayern Munich have loaned Austrian youngster Marco Friedl to Werder Bremen.

          The 19-year-old Austria Under-21 defender has only made two senior appearances for Bayern, making his debut in November against Anderlecht in the Champions League.

          22.03 GMT: DONE DEAL -- Scottish side Hearts have signed Danish winger Danny Amankwaa from FC Copenhagen.

          21.41 GMT: From one relegation struggler to another...Sunderland are close to making a move to bolster their attacking ranks.

          The Black Cats who sit 21st in the Championship are finalising a loan deal with Brighton's Kazenga LuaLua.

          LuaLua is viewed as surplus to requirements at Brighton and just recently returned from a goalless loan spell this season with Queens Park Rangers.

          21.24 GMT: Sources have told ESPN FC, Malaga are closing in on out-of-favour Watford striker Stefano Okaka.

          The one-time Italian international has one goal in eight games for the Hornets and is looking for more regular first-team football.

          Malaga could desperately use the help, as they currently sit bottom of La Liga in both the table and in terms goals scored.

          21.06 GMT: Tottenham look to be closing in on their first signing of the winter window.

          Spurs target Lucas Moura was spotted in London on Thursday, fuelling speculation that the PSG man is close to finally completing his move to London.

          According to French journalist Nabil Djellit, the 25-year-old has landed in the UK ahead of sealing what would be a permanent deal with the club.

          Lucas would provide Mauricio Pochettino with another wide option and it is interesting tha Djellit notes the move would be permanent, as most clubs were looking to take the Brazilian on loan initially.

          20.43 GMT: DONE DEAL -- Norwich have raided Germany for a trio of signings on Thursday.

          Along with Onel Hernandez who we mentioned here earlier, the Canaries have also added Moritz Leitner on loan from Augsburg and Denis Srbeny from Paderborn.

          Norwich manager Daniel Farke, a German himself, seems to be putting his scouting connections in Germany to good use.

          20.26 GMT: DONE DEAL -- We mentioned earlier that Southampton's Mauricio Pellegrino was confident of reuniting with striker Guido Carrillo.

          Well that reunion is now official, as the ex-Monaco man is on his way to the south coast and Southampton.

          Carrillo is just the first domino to fall for Southampton, who are expected to make a couple of attacking signings this month. Stay tuned.

          19.59 GMT: According to the Daily Mail, the latest snag between Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund regarding Olivier Giroud has Dortmund ready to walk away from the table.

          This could be a deathblow for Arsenal, who were hoping to dangle Giroud as part of a swap for high-price hitman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

          19.38 GMT: With Columbus Crew winger Justin Meram looking for a trade, rumours have exploded regarding potential landing spots for the Iraq international.

          One place Meram will not be going is Portland, as the Timbers have ended their interest in the wantaway winger, sources have told ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle.

          Merem reported to training this week with the Crew but this saga does not appear to have a final resolution yet.

          19.09 GMT: DONE DEAL -- League One leaders Wigan have continued to bolster their squad this transfer window; adding Swansea's Jay Fulton on loan Thursday.

          The 23-year-old Fulton is the third player brought in by Wigan this month, joining James Vaughan and Jamie Walker at the DW Stadium.

          18.54 GMT: DONE DEAL -- Cleaning up a move that happened overnight, Liga MX side Pumas have signed Mexico international Erick "Cubo" Torres.

          Torres who came through Chivas' renowned academy, returns to Mexico after spending the majority of the last three seasons with Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo.

          18.30 GMT: Still locked in the relegation fight, Southampton could be poised to splash some of their Virgil van Dijk cash before the end of the month.

          We mentioned earlier that the Saints are chasing Spartak Moscow's Quincy Promes but manager Mauricio Pellegrino has also identified a striker he would like to sign to the club.

          Monaco's Guido Carrillo is that desired target, with Pellegrino confident of a reunion with his compatriot, who he previously managed at Argentina's Estudiantes between 2013-15.

          Carrillo has scored four goals in Ligue 1 for Monaco and would join a Southampton club who have scored just 24 goals in 24 games so far this season.

          It is shaping up to be a busy few days at St Marys.

          18.09 GMT: West Ham's David Moyes has revealed that the Hammers have turned down a £20m bid for forward Andre Ayew.

          Ayew's ex-club Swansea are believed to be the club to have bid on the Ghanaian international, as the Swans seek help upfront and a potential reunion between Andre and his brother Jordan.

          Ayew has been a popular name in this transfer window but now that Andy Carroll has gone down injured, Ayew may not be as expendable as he once was in East London

          17.54 GMT: And another DONE DEAL. And this name is a blast from the past.

          Ex-Chelsea man Florent Malouda is off to Luxembourg to play for FC Differdange 03! Luxembourg is just the latest stop on Malouda's world odyssey, the decorated Frenchman previously making stops in France, England, Turkey, India and Egypt.

          It's safe to say, Malouda is probably the biggest name to ever play his club football in Luxembourg.

          17.32 GMT: DONE DEAL! League One side Fleetwood Town have acquired Preston's Kevin O'Connor on loan until the summer. O'Connor recently made headlines when he won €1m in the Irish lottery with a ticket given to him by his uncle, inspiring this Twitter announcement...

          17.27 GMT: West Ham have lodged a £12m bid for Norwich attacking midfielder James Maddison, reports the Guardian. Maddison featured in our list of Championship talent to watch out for.

          17.21 GMT: Manchester United have confirmed that Jose Mourinho has signed a contract extension to remain at the club until 2021. Full story here.

          17.14 GMT: Los Angeles FC have snapped up Honduras international goalkeeper Luis Lopez. The 24-year-old joins the MLS side from Honduran club Real España.

          16.54 GMT: DONE DEAL! Neven Subotic has completed his move from Borussia Dortmund to Saint-Etienne, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Ligue 1 club.

          16.35 GMT: West Ham are going big in the final week of the transfer window. Inter Milan winger Joao Mario is having a medical at the club today, while Daniel Sturridge has also emerged as a target. The Liverpool forward could join David Moyes' side on loan until the summer, claims The Sun.

          16.17 GMT: Southampton have been linked with a £30m move for Spartak Moscow winger Quincy Promes as they look to reinvest some of the £75m they received from Liverpool for Virgil van Dijk.

          15.46 GMT: Brighton are plotting a move for Charlton defender Ezri Konsa, reports The Sun. The England under-20 international could cost as much as £8m, with the Seagulls hoping to complete the transfer in time for the weekend.

          15.30 GMT: DONE DEAL! Millwall have signed Derby defender Jason Shackell on loan for the rest of the season. The 34-year-old could make his debut against Rochdale in the FA Cup on Saturday.

          15.21 GMT: Sunderland misfit Jack Rodwell will no longer be going on trial at Vitesse Arnhem. "Due to organisational reasons, Jack Rodwell's trial with Vitesse does not take place," the Dutch club confirmed in a statement.

          15.13 GMT: David Moyes has confirmed that Joao Mario is undergoing a medical at West Ham as the midfielder edges closer to a loan move from Inter Milan. Full story here.

          14.57 GMT: Liverpool under-23s boss Neil Critchley has told the Liverpool Echo he expects Jurgen Klopp to send three players out on loan before the transfer window closes. U23s captain Harry Wilson, plus Ovie Ejaria and Lloyd Jones, have all been earmarked for temporary moves.

          14.40 GMT: Brace for Impact! Here's an interesting move: Montreal Impact youngster Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla has joined Barcelona for an undisclosed fee, becoming the club's first Academy star to sign for a European side.

          "This first transfer is an important moment in the history and evolution of our club," said Impact president Joey Saputo. "We take a lot of pride in seeing a young player, developed in our Academy, climb the ladder all the way to the first team and realize his dream to play in Europe with a big club like Barcelona."

          14.32 GMT: DONE DEAL! Werder Bremen have signed Bayern Munich youngster Marco Friedl, 19, on an 18-month loan. The versatile defender will compete for minutes at left-back and centre-back.

          14.19 GMT: German magazine kicker reports that Taylor Booth could be about to swap the Real Salt Lake City Academy for Bayern Munich in the next couple of weeks. The highly-rated 16-year-old would be following the same path Julian Green took from the US to Bayern earlier in his career.

          13.57 GMT: DONE DEAL! Bristol City have completed the signing of Saint-Etienne striker Lois Diony on loan until the end of the season.

          13.42 GMT: Serge Gnabry will not make his loan move to Hoffenheim permanent at the end of the season, reports kicker. The former Arsenal winger will return to Bayern Munich in the summer.

          13.30 GMT: Manchester United fans hoping to see Cristiano Ronaldo back at Old Trafford will be disappointed by Jose Mourinho's latest thoughts on a potential transfer. The United boss has suggested it's unlikely the club will be able to tempt Ronaldo back in the summer. Read more here.

          13.20 GMT: DONE DEAL! Aston Villa have now confirmed the loan capture of Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United for the rest of the season.

          13.17 GMT: With Guido Carrillo expected to complete a £17m move to Southampton, Monaco are planning to replace him with "a player of superior quality," according to their vice-president, with Leicester's Islam Slimani put forward by L'Equipe as a target.

          12.56 GMT: L'Equipe reports that Neven Subotic will leave Borussia Dortmund on Thursday to sign for Ligue 1 side St Etienne. The defender is out of contract with the Bundesliga club at the end of the season. The news is confirmed by kicker in Germany, with the player set to move on after 10 years with BVB.

          12.42 GMT: It looks like Aston Villa have signed someone. A tweet from owner Dr. Tony Xia is very cryptic. Is Axel Tuanzebe arriving on loan from Manchester United?

          12.30 GMT: Mainz have ruled out selling defender Abdou Diallo to Arsenal. "He's not for sale," said sporting director Rouven Schroder, who signed the 21-year-old from Monaco last summer.

          12.19 GMT: Reece Oxford is set to return to Borussia Monchengladbach for the rest of the season despite being recalled by West Ham in December. Max Eberl, the club's sporting director, told a news conference: "It looks very good that we can take him on loan again."

          12.14 GMT: Juventus have stepped up their bid to sign Italy Under-19 striker Pietro Pellegri amid interest from Arsenal, Man City and PSG. La Gazzetta dello Sport says Genoa are demanding at least €30m for the 16-year-old.

          12.03 GMT: DONE DEAL! Norwich City have snapped up Eintracht Braunschweig winger Onel Hernandez on a three-and-a-half year deal. The 24-year-old has one international cap for Cuba.

          11.54 GMT: Axel Tuanzebe is having a medical at Aston Villa today ahead of finalising his loan switch from Manchester United, sources have told ESPN FC.

          11.51 GMT: Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic has emerged as a target for Manchester United, according to French outlet Le10 Sport. The 23-year-old has started just one game in La Liga this season and is believed to be searching for a fresh challenge.

          11.37 GMT: Napoli are set to bring forward the signing of Amin Younes from Ajax. Having already agreed a free transfer with the player for the summer, multiple reports suggest the Serie A side will now push through a €5m deal to sign him immediately. Younes rejected a move to Premier League basement boys Swansea City earlier in the window.

          11.25 GMT: Lazar Markovic to Lokomotiv Moscow and Jack Rodwell to Vitesse are two of the day's transfer rumours, according to Football Whispers.

          11.13 GMT: Liverpool are searching for the next Andrew Robertson following the left-back's impressive form this season, and may have found their man in Falkirk's Tony Gallacher. The 18-year-old is the subject of a £200,000 bid from the Reds. Read more here.

          11.05 GMT: Sweden Under-21 goalkeeper Pontus Dahlberg is having a medical at Watford today ahead of a £3.5m move from IFK Göteborg, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.

          10.59 GMT: Young Arsenal midfielder Ben Sheaf is heading to Stevenage on loan for the rest of the campaign, sources have told ESPN FC. The 19-year-old has made two appearances for the Gunners this season.

          10.49 GMT: Baba Rahman is closing in on a loan return to Schalke, with sporting director Christian Heidel confirming the Chelsea defender will undergo a medical today.

          10.38 GMT: Lazio sporting director Igli Tare says the club are "down to the fine details" over extending Stefan De Vrij's contract amid speculation the defender could leave for a new challenge.

          10.26 GMT: Former Liverpool winger Albert Riera has announced his retirement. The 35-year-old won 16 caps for Spain and was part of the Reds side that finished runners-up to Manchester United in 2008-09.

          10.18 GMT: Versatile Barcelona full-back Aleix Vidal could be a target for Roma this month, with the Serie A side's sporting director Monchi confirming he is an admirer of the player. Read more here.

          10.10 GMT: Hoffenheim midfielder Nadiem Amiri has a €17m release clause in his contract and has been linked with Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal in recent months. He told kicker: "There are many rumours. I'd be at a different club every two months if they were right. I don't look too far ahead. Other clubs currently don't play a role. I like it here at TSG."

          09.58 GMT: Look away now, Manchester United fans. Cadena Ser reports that Real Madrid are keen to resurrect their interest in David De Gea this summer and have notified his agent, Jorge Mendes. United will apparently only consider a fee of around €100m, €70m more than what Real had agreed to pay the Red Devils in the summer of 2015.

          09.43 GMT: Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are looking to sign more players in January, but believes his squad is strong enough to compete if they don't.

          09.31 GMT: Argentina Under-20 striker Lautaro Martinez says he is aware of interest from Real Madrid but remains focused on performing for Racing Club. The 20-year-old signed an improved contract with Racing earlier this month that runs until 2020.

          "We received many offers on the previous buyout clause and my decision was to remain," he told Tyc Sports. "My idea was always to stay in this club."

          09.16 GMT: The Daily Telegraph reports that Lazar Markovic is a target for Lokomotiv Moscow after finding himself completely out of favour at Liverpool. The winger, who has been farmed out on loan to Fenerbahce, Sporting Lisbon and Hull City in the past, hasn't made a single appearance this season.

          09.01 GMT: Dortmund are playing hardball over the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with kicker saying the club are losing patience with Arsenal over the transfer fee. It's looking like this one will be a deadline day deal.

          08.39 GMT: PSG defender Thiago Silva started his career in the Fluminense youth teams, and played for them early in his career. Now the 33-year-old reckons he could go back there to finish his career -- but not just yet. He told Radio Globo that "there is always the desire to go back to where you started" but adds "we're still a long way from that."

          08.16 GMT: Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco says he will continue to field Edin Dzeko for as long as he remains with the club, thanking him for scoring the equaliser in Wednesday night's 1-1 draw at Sampdoria. But it does seem certain the striker will join Chelsea if a fee can be agreed.

          "This is more the club's decision, I repeat -- having said it in yesterday's press conference -- but for as long as the player is mine, I will field him because he's demonstrated to me his sense of belongingness, professionalism and seriousness," he said. "As always, he has been and he remains the most decisive player I have got and the one who has scored the most for my side."

          08.00 GMT: There's now just six days left in the transfer window, so we're moving into panic territory. Who will blink first as the market hots up? Stay with us.

          PAPER ROUND

          City given green light for Laporte

          Manchester City have been given a positive response from Aymeric Laporte in their search for a new centre-back, claims the Telegraph, with a deal now expected to be completed before next week's deadline.

          The Athletic Bilbao star is available at his buy-out clause of £57 million and with the 23-year-old open to moving to the Premier League, the Blues are now able to push ahead without negotiating a fee with the Basque club.

          Pep Guardiola is keen to acquire a new centre-back as Vincent Kompany and John Stones have suffered injuries this term. Eliaquim Mangala and Stones, since returning from injury, have both looked shaky.

          Laporte's development has stagnated in recent years, though City will hope a fresh start can reinvigorate him again, with an added bonus of Champions League availability for the club in the knockout stages.

          Athletic identify Laporte replacements

          Should Man City swoop in and pay up Laporte's buyout clause, Athletic Bilbao will move for one of two targets, according to Mundo Deportivo.

          The Basque club would ideally like Inigo Martinez but fear negotiations would be hostile given their rivalry with Real Sociedad. That could also lead to an enquiry for Arsenal's Nacho Monreal.

          And with only 18 months to run on his contract and at 31 years of age, Arsenal may not have a better opportunity to recoup some value on Monreal, a player Arsene Wenger called the team's "silent leader" after a Carabao Cup win over Chelsea on Wednesday.

          Two in, one out at Inter Milan

          Inter Milan are ready for a busy end to the transfer window with arrivals and departures at the San Siro.

          Javier Pastore's move from Paris Saint-Germain appears imminent now, reports Tuttosport, with Daniel Sturridge next on the list of targets.

          The Liverpool striker may join on an initial loan, while Joao Mario is reportedly set for the exit. West Ham will take the Portuguese midfielder as Luciano Spalletti reshuffles his squad in pursuit of a top-four place this season.

          Baba set for Schalke return

          Schalke are ready to re-sign Baba Rahman from Chelsea on loan, claims the Mail.

          Antonio Conte is craving cover for Marcos Alonso on the left side this month, yet Rahman has not been considered as an option.

          Despite the Ghanaian left-back having now being recovered from a knee ligament injury, the Blues are set to sign Roma's Emerson Palmieri instead, meaning he will be free to leave on loan.

          The 24-year-old had offers from Inter Milan and Everton, but the familiar surroundings of the Bundesliga appear to have been the deciding factor.

          Tap-ins

          - Juventus are to step up their efforts to sign Genoa wonder kid Pietro Pellegri, with Gianluca Di Marzio reporting an opening offer of €20m is incoming.

          Monaco are also keen on the 16-year-old who became the youngest player to take the field in Serie A history in 2016.

          - Barcelona will face competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco for Gremio star Arthur, claims Sport.

          The Brazil-born midfielder is fresh from winning the Copa Libertadores and was even pictured recently with a Barca shirt, with the 21-year-old now set to make his first stop in Europe.

          - Napoli will sign Ajax star Amin Younes this month, as opposed to in the summer, reports Corriere dello Sport.

          The German winger's contract has six months left, but the Partenopei will pay €4m plus €1m in bonuses to have his services early to aid their battle for the Scudetto.