Friday’s transfer news: Man United offered Edinson Cavani, Chelsea favourites for Timo Werner plus Liverpool and Arsenal latest
All the done deals and reports from Friday 17 January
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Bruno Fernandes is on the verge of joining Manchester United, with Sporting set to receive around £60m, but the Portuguese midfielder will play in the Lisbon derby tonight against Benfica, which puts the deal in some doubt. Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente could become available due to a lack of playing time, with Diego Simeone eager to shuffle his squad – namely through Edinson Cavani, but Paris Saint-Germain want a big fee, despite the Uruguayan being out of contract in the summer. Arsenal will hope to give Mikel Arteta a couple of new players, either on short-term loans or free transfers, with Layvin Kurzawa an option from PSG to bolster their left-back options. Manchester City do not look likely to sign players, despite being significantly off the pace that Liverpool have set, and the Reds are comfortable right now, both with their lead in the Premier League and the fact they have acquired Japan’s Takumi Minamino from RB Salzburg.
Chelsea could be busy, both in and out: OIivier Giroud looks set for Inter Milan, while the Italians are also looking to add Ashley Young from Man United as Antonio Conte eyes a title in his first season in charge at the San Siro. Tottenham Hotspur have appeased Jose Mourinho to a degree by adding Gedson Fernandes on an 18-month loan and could dip back into the market to add Ze Luis from Porto to cover for Harry Kane, who is out for almost the entirety of the remainder of the season.
Ernesto Valverde’s departure could see Quique Setien handed a few new faces at Barcelona, but it seems as if the Catalans want to trim their squad firstly, with Jean-Claude Todibo set for Schalke in a £25m deal. The 20-year-old joins on loan with a number of options to buy and buy back. Here we detail the latest rumours and news around the continent as we enter the final two weeks of the season.
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Obstacles remain but Bruno Fernandes could soon be a Manchester United player. In negotiations involving the agent Jorge Mendes, Fernandes is keen on a move to Old Trafford, which leaves Sporting and United to settle on a fee.
That is not a mere formality. United’s preference in this window has always been to explore short-term options for cover in midfield, so as not to block or complicate moves planned for the summer, with James Maddison still greatly admired by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and others at the club.
Senior club sources stressed the difficulty of making January signings at the start of the window. Solskjaer refrained from making any adjustments to his squad this time last year while still serving as caretaker manager and this time last week, he was playing down the chance of any new arrivals.
Chelsea are the favourites for Timo Werner with the German striker admitting an appreciation for the Premier League.
Bild report the RB Leipzig striker is open to testing himself in England.
With Bayern said to prefer a different profile of forward, the Blues could snap up Werner in the summer to boost their attack.
Man United have been offered a chance to Edinson Cavani this summer.
The PSG star is out of contract this summer, but has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid this month.
The Spaniard are yet to agree a fee though, with PSG said to want €30m for the Uruguayan and the MEN now claim the player is now off the market this month.
That could see more clubs interested in the player, with Chelsea also thought to be keen.
Inter Milan are set for a treble swoop on the Premier League: Ashley Young, Christian Eriksen and Olivier Giroud.
Corriere dello Sport claim Beppe Marotta will deliver the trio for Antonio Conte.
Leonardo Spinazzola will also arrive from Roma, with Matteo Politano moving in the opposite direction.
Plenty of changes at the San Siro then, with Juventus in their sights, Conte has gone all in.
Leicester have targeted Ryan Bertrand from Southampton.
The Saints left-back is an option in the anticipation that Ben Chilwell leaves the club this summer, claim the Mail.
Chelsea see Chilwell as the preferred long-term option, but will have to wait until the summer to sign the England star.
PSG are moving closer to agreeing a new deal with Neymar.
The Brazilian would like to commit his future to the French club, but a deal could depend on their progress in the Champions League.
Neymar is thought to be settled in the city now, with a decision said to be made in April or May, report ESPN.
Agent Pini Zahavi is close to director Leonardo, which could smooth over any deal.
Juventus have joined the race to sign Tahith Chong, whose Manchester United contract will expire this summer.
In a move that brings memories of Paul Pogba walking away initially from Old Trafford as an 18-year-old, Chong could follow in his footsteps.
Tuttosport report that Juve will join Inter Milan in the race to acquire the Dutch youngster on a free transfer.
Napoli are set to make another addition this month with Hellas Verona's Amir Rrahmani.
A medical is scheduled today, with the Kosovan set to join the Partenopei in July for €14m, putting an end to Manchester United, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund's interest.
A loan back to Hellas will take place with a five-year contract worth around €1.8m, according to Football Italia.
Milan are close to signing Dani Olmo from Dinamo Zagreb, according to Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.
The Spanish midfielder will cost €20m plus €5m in bonuses.
Though Sky Sport Italia report that the deal will not happen until the summer, when the player will only have one year remaining.
Simeone discusses Lemar future
"The facts speak for themselves, better than words. It is certain that he has not been able to show all his qualities," Simeone said.
"Each time that he has been available, I have tried to play him. I have always been enthusiastic about his qualities as a player.
"He has not met the expectations set for him, but we have always had the same expectations.
"Today, who is to know if he will stay or not. His representatives are working hard. The clubs, they operate on what they need."
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