Aston Villa have expressed their interest in signing 28-year-old Crystal Palace and France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, with the Eagles exploring a move for Villa's Ivory Coast international Evann Guessand, 24. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Villa are also stepping up their efforts to sign Roma striker Tammy Abraham, who is currently on loan at Besiktas, with the club officials watching the 28-year-old England international play in Istanbul on Monday. (Sky Sports), external
Ajax have asked about signing Manuel Ugarte, 24, on loan as they search for a defensive midfielder but Manchester United are not looking to move out the Uruguay international. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Borussia Dortmund boss Niko Kovac has emerged as a new name on Manchester United's shortlist to be their next manager but England head coach Thomas Tuchel and Marseille's Roberto de Zerbi remain their top two targets. (Mirror), external
Inter Milan are exploring a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 33, but the Argentina international would have to accept a wage cut to sign next summer. (Sky Sports), external
Bournemouth plan to resist any bids for Marcos Senesi, 28, this month with Chelsea, Juventus and Barcelona among clubs who have shortlisted the Argentina centre-back as a possible target. (Talksport)
Leon Bailey's loan spell at Roma has been cut short with the 28-year-old Jamaica winger returning to Aston Villa. (Sky Sports - in Italian), external
Fulham are battling Wolfsburg and Real Betis in the race to sign Republic of Ireland forward Troy Parrott, 23, from AZ Alkmaar in the summer. (Independent), external
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard is likely to be a strong contender to replace Oliver Glasner as Crystal Palace manager with the club also interested in Getafe's Jose Bordalas and Rayo Vallecano's Inigo Perez. (Talksport), external
Sunderland have no intention of selling DR Congo midfielder Noah Sadiki, 21, to Manchester United but are willing to listen to offers for fringe players such as English goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, 25, and former England Under-20 midfielder Dan Neil, 24. (Sun), external
Everton have enquired about the availability of Sunderland's 25-year-old French striker Wilson Isidor as they look to strengthen their attack. (Mirror), external
Sheffield Wednesday's 17-year-old English defender Yisa Alao is edging closer to a January transfer to Premier League giants Chelsea. (Sheffield Star)
Sky Paper Talk
PREMIER LEAGUE
Gianluigi Donnarumma's agent has sensationally suggested that the goalkeeper would accept a return to Italy should it be offered - The Sun
Chelsea have joined Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez - Daily Mail
Tottenham are interested in Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones - The Times
Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs watching 17-year-old attacking midfielder Belhinho at NK Kustosija - Daily Mail
Fulham are leading the chase for Manchester City's Norway international winger Oscar Bobb - Daily Mail
Bournemouth's Alex Scott has become the latest midfielder to appear on Manchester United's radar - The Sun
Nottingham Forest are reportedly interested in signing six-foot-seven Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca -The Sun
AFCON
A Moroccan politician has allegedly accused Senegal of 'practising magic' during the controversial AFCON final - Daily Star
EUROPE
Former Brentford and Everton striker Neal Maupay is set for a loan move to Paris FC, the same club who have been linked with Tottenham's Mathys Tel - Daily Mail
SCOTLAND
Rangers are still expected to make two signings in the remaining weeks of the January transfer window - Scottish Sun
Celtic are among several clubs interested in Girona winger Yaser Asprilla - Scottish Sun
Rangers' Nico Raskin is not interested in a move to Besiktas despite the Turkish club reigniting interest - Scottish Sun
Guardian Rumour mill
Tom Davies
Manchester United transfer gossip abounds once more, Mikel Oyarzabal the latest striker in their sights. They had their people in Spain at the weekend watching Real Sociedad’s win over Barcelona, and though they were also there to check on Marcus Rashford – who they apparently want back in the summer – La Real’s Spain forward is reportedly very much on their radar. Oyarzabal, 28, has a €75m (£65m) release clause, mind, and a summer swoop might be more likely than a move now.
Another United target is Rúben Neves, though they may face stern competition for the midfielder from Real Madrid. Neves is in the final six months of his contract with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia and is thought to be keen on a move back to Europe. Meanwhile the latest rumoured contenders for the permanent manager’s gig at Old Trafford include Frank Lampard of Championship table-toppers Coventry, Getafe’s José Bordalás and the Rayo Vallecano manager, Iñigo Pérez.
David Moyes needs an attacking full-back and Sevilla’s Juanlo Sánchez could be just the man. The local outlet Vamos Mi Sevilla tells us that Everton are preparing a £10m offer, with the Spanish club likely to secure some add-ons. Also on the shopping list at Hill Dickinson Stadium is Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor, according to the Mirror.
Crystal Palace’s turbulent month is not getting any calmer as speculation continues to swirl around Jean-Philippe Mateta. The French striker is firmly in the sights of Juventus and Aston Villa in particular. Sky Sports reports that Juve are offering to stump up €30m (£26m), comprising an initial €2m loan fee ahead of a €28m obligation to buy that would be triggered in the summer. But they may be outbid by Aston Villa, who could also offload Evann Guessand in the opposite direction. Palace have expressed interest in the Côte d’Ivoire international.
Another player possibly heading for the Villa Park exit at the end of the season is Emiliano Martínez, and Inter are the likeliest suitors for the 33-year-old Argentina goalkeeper.
Tuesday’s Troy Parrott rumour had him in Leeds’s sights; Wednesday’s puts the Republic of Ireland striker in the competing visions of Fulham, Wolfsburg and Real Betis.
Cash-strapped Sheffield Wednesday could be about to offload their talented 17-year-old wing-back Yisa Alao to Chelsea for a greatly needed six-figure fee. Manchester United and Liverpool have also shown interest but Stamford Bridge is now Aloa’s likelier destination.
And Celtic fans’ thirst for signings may be partly slaked by the reported arrival of Tomas Cvancara from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The tall striker is set to sign on an initial loan with the Hoops having an option to buy in the summer.
C&H
West Ham Transfer “Nowhere Near” as Flamengo Use Paqueta Pal to Force Deal
Sean Whetstone
Lucas Paquetá’s transfer from West Ham United to Flamengo appears to have stalled, despite claims to the contrary from Vinícius Júnior.
Paquetá’s Brazilian teammate took to social media to plead for the transfer on his friend’s behalf, suggesting a deal is close to being completed. However, Claret & Hugh spoke to a source with strong inside knowledge of the situation, who told us bluntly that “it’s nowhere near being done”.
That directly contradicts comments from Vinícius Júnior, who said: “I ask my agents every day about Paquetá and his move to Flamengo, who are also his agents. His happiness is mine, and Flamengo’s happiness is ours. God willing, in the next few days, he could close this deal.”
Talks Continue Despite Doubts
Despite our source playing down how advanced the negotiations are, it is the first clear indication that a deal is at least being discussed seriously. While there may still be significant negotiating to do, it appears talks remain ongoing, regardless of how close – or otherwise – the move is to completion.
Caught Offside
West Ham target hints he is London bound in farewell party
Flamengo winger Gonzalo Plata has been linked with a move to West Ham United in recent weeks.
According to Rafael Cotta on his podcast, the player recently hosted a farewell party at his house and hinted to his guests that he is heading to London. It will be interesting to see if the player ends up at West Ham United. It is no secret that the London club could use more quality on the flanks, and Plata would be an excellent addition for them.
Gonzalo Plata and Lucas Paqueta to swap clubs?
Lucas Paqueta has been linked with a move away from the London club, and Flamengo are keen on signing him. It will be interesting to see if the two clubs can work out a deal involving the two players that benefits everyone.
Paqueta is keen on a move, and West Ham will need to replace him properly. Signing Plata could be a wise decision. He is a young player with significant potential, and he could become an important player for West Ham United with the right guidance.
Plata will fancy West Ham move
The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be exciting for Plata. He will look to test himself at the highest level and prove himself in English football. If he manages to impress with West Ham, he might be able to join a bigger club in future. This could be the ideal move for him at this stage of his career. It would give him the platform to showcase his qualities at the highest level. West Ham would give him the exposure he needs right now.
Meanwhile, the London club need more unpredictability in the final third, and the South American would add just that. The move could be ideal for all parties.