Transfer news LIVE! Chelsea close to first signing; Messi agreed, Liverpool want Mbappe; Mudryk Arsenal latest
We are now only days away from the opening of the January transfer window and Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are all expected to be busy. Indeed, Graham Potter is reportedly closing in on his first signing at Stamford Bridge as the club move to put their Endrick disappointment behind them and sign another Brazilian youngster in the form of Andrey Santos.
For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has publicly admitted the club could turn to the market following the injury to Gabriel Jesus, while Tottenham may have to be busy to keep Antonio Conte happy. With both north London teams fighting to qualify for the Champions League, its unlikely to be a quite month in the capital.
Slightly further afield and two of the biggest stories come from World Cup finalists. Kylian Mbappe is reportedly on Liverpool’s radar amid apparent unhappiness at Paris Saint-Germain, while Lionel Messi is thought to be close to a new deal in the French capital. Follow all of the latest news, gossip and reaction in Standard Sport’s transfer centre below!
Live updates
What Erik ten Hag has said amid Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s links with Crystal Palace return
Erik ten Hag insists Aaron Wan-Bissaka has a future at Manchester United despite links with a return to Crystal Palace.
The defender, who left Selhurst Park in 2019 for £50m, impressed as United beat Burnley 2-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
United took the lead when the 25-year-old sent a cross into the six-yard box to set up Christian Eriksen from close range before Marcus Rashford scored the second.
Read the full story here!
Jude Bellingham chooses Real Madrid
It looks like the Premier League will NOT house one of England’s best players.
Jude Bellingham is quite clearly a man in demand at the moment and has the cream of the crop in Europe chasing him.
According to AS, the 19-year-old has chosen Real Madrid as his next move despite interest from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Lionel Messi agrees new PSG deal
Elsewhere in the French capital, PSG look to be keeping the only man who can rival Mbappe for interest.
World Cup winner Lionel Messi had been tipped to move to the MLS at the end of his contract, depriving European football of his talents for the first time.
Still, off the back of a famous win in Qatar, Messi could now stay at the Parc des Princes.
According to Fabrizio Romano, a one-year contract extension has been verbally agreed.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winners Arrive to Buenos Aires
/ Getty ImagesLiverpool ready to make fresh Kylian Mbappe move
It doesn’t take a genius to suggest clubs would be interested in Kylian Mbappe.
Perhaps the most in-demand player in the world at the moment, the Frenchman’s relationship with Paris Saint-Germain has never truly seemed happy despite the fact he signed a new contract.
While the 24-year-old will likely have all manner of suitors, transfer links with Liverpool refuse to go away.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, the Reds are ready to make a fresh move to make what would surely be their biggest ever statement signing.
Mykhaylo Mudryk to Arsenal latest
Good news, Arsenal fans!
As Standard Sport have previously reported, the Premier League leaders are in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over a potential move for Mykhaylo Mudryk.
While the £85m asking price is currently proving a stumbling block, some developments might be good news for the Gunners.
According to UOL, Botafogo winger Jeffinho is being lined up by the Ukraine giants as a replacement, potentially moving Mudryk closer to the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea close to landing Andrey Santos
While Chelsea missed out on the signing of Endrick, Graham Potter is now thought to be closing in on his first addition.
Vasco de Gama midfielder Andrey Santos – likened to Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes – is now said to be closing in on a move.
According to the Daily Mail, a £12m transfer is now in the offing.
Chelsea near move for Brazilian teenager
Chelsea are close to sealing a move for Andrey Santos.
The 18-year-old is set to join the Blues from Vasco da Gama, with Fabrizio Romano that personal terms are almost agreed as the deal nears completion.
It’s suggested the Brazilian club will receive 70% of the fee, with the rest going to the player.
Chelsea get Vlahovic boost
Chelsea continue to be linked with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
They’ll be encourgaed by a story in Corriere Dello Sport, with Vlahovic’s agent Darko Ristic reportedly aware of interest from England and of the opinion that while Juventus would prefer a summer sale, a move could happen before then.
It’s less than 12 months since the forward joined the Serie A side, but his future at the club looks extremely uncertain.
Arsenal consider Jesus replacement
Arsenal could turn to Marcus Thuram as they look to bolster their forward options with Gabriel Jesus out.
Bild report that the Borussia Monchengladbach striker could be available for £10m in the summer, with his contract up at the end of the season, and the Gunners are named as one of those interested.
Former Arsenal forward Kevin Campbell has backed the move.
“I think he [Thuram] could be a good addition,” he told The Highbury Squad.
“Someone who can play across the front and someone who can give us a bit of physical presence up there because, although Eddie has been working on his physique and looks a bit stronger, [he is] somebody who is bigger, stronger, somebody more physical.”
Ronaldo arrives on Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has been pictured arriving Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of talks with Al Nassr over a huge contract offer.
Levels.