Paper Talk
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will test Barcelona's resolve to keep former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez by making a summer bid. The Gunners, meanwhile, face a race against time to land Valencia left-back Jose Luis Gaya, 19, who is set to be offered a vastly improved new deal by the Spanish side.
Darren Fletcher's Manchester United exit has hit a snag over a cash wrangle.
Meanwhile, United are ready to take a £9m hit on winger Wilfried Saha and allow him to return to former club Crystal Palace where he is currently on loan.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis has set up a £3.5m deal for Swansea left-back Neil Taylor, 25 - if he passes a medical.
Midfielder Stuart O'Keefe, 23, is set to join Cardiff City from Crystal Palace today in an £800,000 deal.
Former Leicester City defender Sean St Ledger, 30, has gone to Washington for a trial with DC United.
Athletic Bilbao's 20-year-old French defender Aymeric Laporte wants a move to Manchester United - but his Spanish side have a £32m buy-out clause on him.
Serbian midfielder Danilo Pantic, 18, claims he is leaving Partizan Belgrade to join Chelsea before Monday's transfer deadline.
Liverpool, Manchester City, Everton and Spurs are keeping an eye on Arsenal starlet Chuba Akpom, 19, who has been offered a new three-year deal by the Gunners but wants assurances over chances in the first team.
Liverpool have watched Porto's highly-rated 17-year-old midfielder Ruben Neves, who is valued at £25m.
Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko, 25, has admitted he would a love a move to French champions Paris Saint-Germain as he wants to play in the Champions League.
QPR want Crystal palace striker Fraizer Campbell as part of a swap deal for midfielder Jordan Mutch.
Southampton have made an enquiry for 20-year-old Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena.
Sky Bet Championship club Cardiff City have made an approach to West Ham for out-of-favour winger Matt Jarvis.
Meanwhile, the Hammers still hope to sign Hamilton left-back Stephen Hendrie.
German club VFL Wolfsburg have denied reports that they are interested in Chelsea winger Andre Schurrle, who sat out the Blues' Capital One Cup semi-final win over Liverpool last night.
Juventus star Andrea Pirlo has warned Manchester United they will never get midfielder Paul Pogba back after allowing him to leave on a free.
Real Madrid have rekindled their interest in signing Liverpool and England forward Raheem Sterling, 20, and are willing to pay £50m.
Swansea have opened talks with French club St Etienne over £3m midfielder Franck Tabanou, but face competition from Inter Milan.
Middlesbrough are set to seal a £2.5m deal for 23-year-old Wigan Athletic midfielder Adam Forshaw.
Chelsea have contacted the agent of Sergio Ramos as they hope to persuade the 28-year-old Real Madrid defender to move to Stamford Bridge.
Cardiff City and West Brom are set to try and tempt out-of-favour West Ham midfielder Matt Jarvis, 28, into a move away from Upton Park.
Birmingham City winger Demarai Gray, 18, is wanted by Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg.
Stoke City have joined Crystal Palace in expressing an interest in Bolton midfielder Lee Chung Yong, who is valued at £1m.
Meanwhile, Palace are close to agreeing a £3.6m fee with French club Lille for Senegal left-back Pape Souare, after missing out on Swansea's Neil Taylor.
West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison is expected to have a medical with Italian side Lazio today after agreeing a pre-contract.
Yevhen Konoplyanka is still holding out for a move to Spurs, even though he looks set to leave Dnipro for Roma.
Spurs, meanwhile, have withdrawn their interest in signing PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot on loan.
Borussia Dortmund are monitoring Andre Schuule's proposed move to Wolfsburg, but will not meet Chelsea's valuation of the forward.
West Brom defender Donervon Daniels has joined Aberdeen on loan.
West Brom are set to complete a £4.75m move for 23-year-old Wigan Athletic winger Callum McManaman today, after having two previous bids rejected.
Partick Thistle right-back Stephen O'Donnell has rejected a £100,000 move to Sky Bet Championship strugglers Blackpool.
BBC
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Real Madrid have rekindled their interest in signing Raheem Sterling from Liverpool. The Spanish club are willing to pay £50m for the 20-year-old England forward. (Daily Star)
Chelsea have contacted the agent of Sergio Ramos as they hope to persuade the 28-year-old Real Madrid defender to move to Stamford Bridge in the summer. (Daily Express)
Meanwhile, Chelsea remain in talks with Fiorentina over a move for 26-year-old winger Juan Cuadrado. (London Evening Standard)
Birmingham City winger Demarai Gray, 18, is wanted by Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. (Daily Mail)
Queens Park Rangers want to sign striker Fraizer Campbell, 27, from Crystal Palace as part of a deal to take midfielder Jordon Mutch, 23, to Selhurst Park. (Daily Mirror)
West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison, 21, will travel to Rome on Wednesday for a medical with Lazio, and will sign a pre-contract agreement to move to Italy in the summer after seeing out the remainder of his Hammers contract. (Telegraph)
Crystal Palace are closing in on making Wilfried Zaha's loan move from Manchester United permanent. The deal would see Palace pay up to £6m for the 22-year-old winger, who left Selhurst Park for Old Trafford two years ago. (Guardian)
Darren Fletcher's bid to leave Manchester United on a free transfer has hit trouble over a disagreement over the 30-year-old midfielder's pay-off. (Sun - subscription required)
Arsenal plan to follow up the signing of Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal by adding Italian defender Daniele Rugani, 20, from Empoli. (Talksport)
Cardiff City and West Brom are set to try and tempt out-of-favour West Ham midfielder Matt Jarvis, 28, into a move away from Upton Park after just one Premier League start this season. (Daily Mail)
Meanwhile, Cardiff look set to miss out on signing Stoke City defender Robert Huth as other Premier League clubs show an interest in the 30-year-old. (Western Mail)
Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko says he would find it difficult to refuse a move to Paris St-Germain as the Ligue 1 club make a fresh approach to sign the 25-year-old France international before the transfer deadline. (Northern Echo)
Everton manager Roberto Martinez says the January transfer window rarely offers "value for money" and has ruled out bringing in a replacement for striker Samuel Eto'o, 33, following his departure to Sampdoria. (Liverpool Echo)
OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, has signed a new five-year contract, according to reports on Twitter in Italy.
Midfielder Fabian Delph, 25, has been told he is unlikely to realise his dream of helping Aston Villa reach the Champions League - by the club's own chief executive. (Daily Mirror)
Boss Mauricio Pochettino says Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Sheffield United is "the most important game" of his Tottenham Hotspur tenure so far. (Independent)
Meanwhile, Pochettino has confirmed Michel Vorm will keep his place in goal for Tottenham in the semi-final despite his costly mistake in the FA Cup defeat by Leicester City on Saturday. (Times - subscription required)
The Tottenham manager says he has no fear of the atmosphere which will await his side at Bramall Lane when they face Sheffield United after surviving hostile crowds in South America. (Daily Star)
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the Spanish club are considering ending their lucrative shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar because of concerns over social issues in the Gulf state. (Guardian)
BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA
The apparent stamping by Chelsea striker Diego Costa against Liverpool has sparked some inventive responses on Twitter.
The Football Jester on Twitter: "Two more stamps and Diego Costa gets a free coffee."
The Guardian's Barney Ronay on Twitter: "Hope I don't end up sitting next to Diego Costa on the tube home. Imagine sharing an arm-rest with him."
Former Leicester and Norwich midfielder Darren Eadie on Twitter: "I love how much of an irritant Costa is. Every quality team needs one. We had Robbie Savage at Leicester - an absolute pest on the pitch."
AND FINALLY...
French club Nice's B team have adopted a novel way of defending free-kicks - by lining up a defensive wall on the goalline behind the keeper. (Metro)
Guardian Rumour Mill
Michael Butler
You must forgive The Mill this morning. Like a raised bit of road designed to cull speed in residential areas, we’ve got the hump. That’s not to say that it is a slow news day, or that the Mill is a canine frothing at the mouth for a scrap of gossip but … oh you get the picture.
This week is all turning into a bit of an anti-climax. Normally spirits are high as the transfer window nears its end – dry January is coming to a close, youngsters everywhere are gearing themselves up for the traditional English pastime of huddled ‘in and around’ a Sky Sports News presenter in a car park somewhere, and the Mill is kept busy with Arsenal’s attempts to sign every half-decent wantaway in Europe. But with this month being considerably ‘wetter’ than anticipated, Sky Sports ruining everybody’s fun, and Arsenal taking an eternity to get one miserly deal over the line, it’s all gone to pot.
Combine that with the fact that the biggest story of the day involves a Brazilian – urgh! – and it’s all left the Mill feeling a bit underwhelmed. Alexandre Pato, you see, has been offered to just about every Premier League club and while Hull City and QPR (!) have decided that the 25-year-old’s reported £60,000-a-week wages are too hefty, Everton’s need to arrest their terrible run of form, and fill a Samuel Eto’o-shaped hole, has led to interest in the forward. The 25-year-old, who is currently on loan at São Paulo from Corinthians, has largely struggled in his homeland since his ‘wonderkid’ years in Italy and is thought to favour a move back to Europe.
Manchester United seem intent on blowing far too-much money on a La Liga defender with Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte the latest to be linked to the Premier League bigwigs. The Frenchman may have yet to earn an international cap – apparently finding Eliaquim Mangala and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (who has signed for Roma on a permanent deal for £5.5m) too difficult to usurp – but that hasn’t stopped Bilbao slapping a hefty £31.5m buy-out clause on Laporte’s contract as they attempt to pull a very expensive woolly jumper over Ed Woodward’s head.
Another Frenchman doing the rounds is Mill-favourite Morgan Schneiderlin, who has again been linked to a summer exit at Southampton. To replace him, manager Ronald Koeman has scoured the globe, searching for the next hidden gem, and decided that simply returning to the club he managed last year, Feyenoord, and plucking their diamond captain Jordy Clasie, is the best option.
With a deal for Crystal Palace-bound Shola Ameobi apparently falling flat, West Brom have opted for Besiktas’ Demba Ba instead. The Senegalese, who was not included in his country’s squad for the African Cup of Nations, has previously scored 43 times in 99 Premier League appearances for West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea, with the Bimingham Mail linking the striker with a move to the Midlands.
Finally, another Turkey-based player angling for a move back to Blighty is Galatasaray’s Emmanuel Eboué, with Sunderland leading the chase, while Derby are chasing the QPR duo Junior Hoilett and Matty Phillips. What a way to end.
Mail
Diafra Sakho faces ban after Senegalese FA make complaint to FIFA about West Ham striker's FA Cup appearance at Bristol City
Senegal striker Diafra Sakho pulled out of AFCON due to back injury
However, West Ham forward played and scored in FA Cup on Sunday
Senegal boss Alain Giresse was 'surprised' to learn attacker played
Sakho faces heavy fine and could be miss at least next two games
By David Kent
West Ham striker Diafra Sakho faces a ban after the Senegalese FA lodged an official complaint with FIFA.
Senegal coach Alain Giresse blasted the 25-year-old on Monday night after he featured for his club side against Bristol City 24 hours earlier, despite pulling out of the Africa Cup of Nations with a back injury.
Sakho climbed off the bench to bag the winner in the FA Cup fourth round clash against the League One side, but Senegal officials were not expecting him to play.
However, Senegalese FA chiefs have spoken to FIFA and demanded they take action, which could mean the summer signing from Metz could be banned by world football's governing body.
The tournament in Equatorial Guinea runs until February 8, and although Senegal have already crashed out, FIFA can stop Sakho appearing for the Hammers for the duration of the competition.
That means he could miss the Premier League games against Liverpool and Manchester United, while they could issue a fine or an even longer ban.
Senegalese fans also want the Hammers booted out of the FA Cup. Sam Allardyce's side travel to West Brom in the fifth round next month.
Giresse said earlier this week: ‘I’m very surprised to learn that he played. When you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you’re playing a football game. There must be miraculous medicine in England.
‘This sets a dangerous precedent because in future you are going to have players claiming they cannot catch planes to Africa but who can still play football (for their clubs). It is a debate that deserves more discussion.’
Mail
EXCLUSIVE: Defiant West Ham co-owner David Sullivan hits back at Senegal complaint to FIFA for playing Diafra Sakho
Senegal striker Diafra Sakho pulled out of AFCON due to back injury
However, West Ham forward played and scored in FA Cup on Sunday
Senegal boss Alain Giresse was 'surprised' to learn attacker played
David Sullivan hits back: 'We are sure any FIFA hearing will vindicate us'
By Jack Gaughan
West Ham are not worried about any potential FIFA ramifications in their ongoing feud with Senegal over the availability of Diafra Sakho.
The striker pulled out of competing in the African Cup of Nations earlier this month on medical advice after sustaining a back injury - but co-owner David Sullivan insists they have done nothing wrong despite the 25-year-old's involvement with the Hammers.
But Senegal coach Alain Giresse bemoaned Sakho's absence on Monday night after he featured, and score, for West Ham against Bristol City in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Senegal lodged an official complaint with FIFA - demanding that the game's governing body take action.
But Sullivan has emphatically hit back.
'A top back surgeon said Sakho can’t fly and he still can’t fly, he went by car to Bristol and is going by train to Liverpool,' Sullivan told Sportsmail. 'How can we go against medical advice?
‘We are sure any FIFA hearing will vindicate us. The player missed four games as a result of injuries incurred whilst playing for Senegal. We have done nothing untoward.’
Sakho scored the winner at Ashton Gate on Sunday and is set to be included in Sam Allardyce's squad to play Liverpool on Saturday.
The tournament in Equatorial Guinea runs until February 8, and although Senegal have already crashed out, FIFA can stop Sakho appearing for the Hammers for the duration of the competition.
That means he could miss the Premier League games against Liverpool and Manchester United, while they could issue a fine or an even longer ban.
Senegalese fans also want the Hammers booted out of the FA Cup. They travel to West Brom in the fifth round next month.
Giresse said earlier this week: ‘I’m very surprised to learn that he played. When you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you’re playing a football game. There must be miraculous medicine in England.
‘This sets a dangerous precedent because in future you are going to have players claiming they cannot catch planes to Africa but who can still play football (for their clubs). It is a debate that deserves more discussion.’
Sakho has come in for criticism on social media after pulling out of the tournament, with one fan writing: 'Congratulations on your goal, I hope you never play for Senegal again, the Senegalese people feel betrayed.'
Sakho responded: 'I took the time to browse all your reactions on social networks. Very quickly my joy from scoring and rescuing my club has turned into sadness and anger.
'Sadness because some of your words touched me deep in my person and my heart and this, without you knowing what has really happened.
'And great anger, because after all my struggles day after day, season after season to finally wear the jersey of my homeland, and my family, the only nation that matters to me - you doubt my love and my patriotism.
'My absence at CAN 2015 (the African Nations Cup), my first CAN, was not painless.
'The dream of contributing to the victory of my country got away from me this year, but it is not dead!
'Never doubt the lion sleeping in me, as I never doubt the passion that burns within you.'
HITC
Report: Tottenham and West Ham linked star Munoz available for just €2 million
By Dan Coombs
Palermo defender Ezequiel Munoz is available for just €2 million, report Tuttomercatoweb.
The centre-back was linked by the same website a month ago to three English clubs, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Newcastle United.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, the Serie A side are being backed into a corner with renewal talks breaking down.
The report states Palermo are currently in negotiations with AC Milan, and are asking the Rossoneri to front up the €2 million fee to do a deal.
The Argentine has recently lost his place in the Palermo side, with the club sporting director Beppe Iacherini quoted by Football Italia explaining that the talk over Munoz's future has affected his game.
At a bargain fee, the 24-year-old is surely worthy of consideration for the Premier League trio, who each could do with reinforcements at centre-back.
Tottenham have been linked with signing West Ham's Winston Reid by The Mail, and Munoz is an alternative, while for the Hammers, he is a potential replacement.
Newcastle sold Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to Roma this week having had him out on loan all season, and the saving on his wages could potentially be put towards a player arriving in his place.
Each club could hope Munoz's contract is allowed to run down and consider snapping him up in the summer, but the current interest from AC Milan is making that option appear risky.
Mail
Matt Jarvis on Cardiff radar as West Brom also ponder move for West Ham winger
Matt Jarvis is attracting interest from Cardiff City and West Brom
West Ham winger has been limited to just five appearances all season
Bluesbirds boss Russell Slade is hoping to sign the 28-year-old
By Simon Jones
Cardiff City have made an ambitious move to take Matt Jarvis from West Ham.
The 28-year-old has been limited to just one Premier League start so far this season for the Hammers.
Jarvis has appeared a further four times but is way down the pecking order at Upton Park.
Bluebirds boss Russell Slade is already set to add Crystal Palace midfielder Stuart O’Keefe to his squad shortly.
And Slade is lining up a move for Jarvis, who is also attracting interest from West Brom manager Tony Pulis.
