Transfer News LIVE updates: Arsenal demand; Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Barca latest

TRANSFER NEWS is heating up with clubs using the intentional break to get their January plans in order and Express Sport is here to bring you the latest updates.

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil shows off skills ahead of possible comeback

TRANSFER NEWS LIVE UPDATES: Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and more…

Wednesday November 8

Chelsea plan ahead

20.05: Chelsea are stepping up their efforts to sign Ross Barkley and a back up striker in January despite the departure of Michael Emenalo.

Chelsea were hit by Emenalo’s exit this week as technical director.

But the Telegraph report that the club’s transfer strategy remains the same.

Chelsea are interested in Barkley despite being turned down by the midfielder in the summer.

And Antonio Conte is also desperate for a back up striker to help Alvaro Morata.

He also wants Alex Sandro from Juventus but a bid for the left-back is likely to come in the summer.

The Blues may also be on the lookout for another defender with David Luiz’s situation uncertain.

Club director Marina Granovskaia is to take full control of transfers following Emenalo’s departure and has already begun talking to agents as the window approaches.

Messi angry at Juventus offer

16:35: Lionel Messi has heard Juventus want to sign Sergio Roberto.

And the 30-year-old is far from happy about it.

The Serie A giants are supposedly ready to pay Roberto's £30million release clause.

And Spanish website Don Balon claims Messi wants Barcelona to take measures to ensure a deal does not go through. 

Jovetic return to PL

15:00: Monaco striker Stevan Jovetic could be returning to England if Southampton decide to make a move for the player in the new year, the Daily Mirror reports.

Having previously starred in the Manchester City line-up, 27-year-old Jovetic is seen as an option to help end the Saints' goal drought.

Reid on radars

14:45: Bristol City's Bobby Reid is seeing growing interest from four clubs, according to TEAMtalk. 

After an impressive eight goals in 16 games, Leicester, Brighton, Burnley and Middlesbrough are all said to be keen on the 24-year-old. 

But Bristol will certainly try and keep their star man.

Toon eye Ings

14:30: After showing an interest in Liverpool's Danny Ings in the summer, Newcastle are again ready to swoop for the striker in the new year, the Daily Mail says.

After suffering a number of injuries while with the Reds, the 25-year-old has not been seen much first-team action under Jurgen Klopp.

But after impressive performances with the under-23s, Newcastle are said to have put the player on their radar for a potential loan deal.

Key men to boost Liverpool

14:15: Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet believes the squad have handled the absence of key players Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana well and their impending comeback after the international break provides a chance to kick on.

"I think we've been a bit unfortunate with the injuries and the suspensions," he said.

"If you have three of those kind of players injured at the same time then it's obviously a tough thing to deal with, but at the same time the squad's stayed calm underneath it.

"Hopefully after the international break they will be pushing the rest of the squad forward by adding in the goals and giving us a bigger platform to go from."

Rush wants Bale at Anfield

13:45: Ian Rush says he would love to see Gareth Bale playing for Liverpool.

He told the Mirror: "Gareth Bale is a world class player - every club in the world would want him.

"From a Welsh point of view, I'd like him to stay, to get more European experience. That will benefit Wales.

"Any English club would want Gareth Bale. Maybe Tottenham have first offer to bring Bale back to the Premier League.

"Man United has been talked about, maybe because the goalkeeper David De Gea could go the other way?

"I'd love to see him at Liverpool though. A world class player."

Drogba to replace Emenalo

13:30: Didier Drogba is the latest name tipped to replace Michael Emenalo.

Emenalo resigned from his role as Technical Director on Monday, and there’s been no shortage of possible candidates to replace him.

Frank Lampard, Leonid Slutsky and Marina Granovskaia have been mentioned in the last few days.

And now the Telegraph claim Emenalo’s departure could pave the way for former striker Didier Drogba back to the club in some capacity.

Chelsea Transfer News: Alvaro Morata thinks Chelsea should sign Everton's Sandro RamirezGETTY

Chelsea Transfer News: Alvaro Morata thinks Chelsea should sign Everton's Sandro Ramirez

Martinez offers Lukaku advice

13:15: Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has offered some words of wisdom for Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku, who worked alongside Martinez at Everton, has received criticism after seven games without a goal.

But Martinez doesn’t think he should be concerned and believes he’ll start firing again soon.

“I have no worries whatsoever. All he needs to do in his career is to carry on being himself in a club with the expectations and the demand of Manchester United,” Martinez said.

“For me nothing has changed in Romelu’s mind. He is confident, he has an incredible belief in what he can bring. All I want is that he carries on seeing himself in that manner when he scores and when he doesn’t, which is going to be highlighted in a club like Manchester United."

Morata tells Conte to sign Everton flop

13:00: Chelsea star Alvaro Morata has made a shock transfer suggestion to Antonio Conte.

A new striker is a major priority for Conte, according to Don Balon, because the Blues boss remains unconvinced by Michy Batshuayi. 

Spanish ace Fernando Llorente was targeted on deadline day in August but Tottenham beat Chelsea to his signature. 

Don Balon claim Conte asked Morata for advice about a possible signing and the Spaniard reportedly suggested a move for Everton’s Sandro Ramirez.

Gunners target Baggies talent

12:30: Arsenal are thought to be showing interest in West Brom’s talented young forward Tyler Roberts.

The Birmingham Mail claim Arsenal, Bournemouth, Swansea and Wolves have been monitoring the The 18-year-old forward, whose contract expires in June 2018.

Roberts has netted four goals in 13 appearances this season for loan club Walsall.

And has been tipped to become a Wales international having been named as a stand-by player for Wales' World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in March.

Laszlo appointed by Dundee

12:15: Dundee United have confirmed Csaba Laszlo as their new manager.

The 53-year-old former Hearts boss has signed a contract until the end of next season.

Laurie Ellis retains his position as assistant manager after leading the team to back-to-back Ladbrokes Championship victories since the departure of Ray McKinnon.

In a statement, United chairman Stephen Thompson said, "After meeting Csaba, seeing his enthusiasm for the job and his understanding of what is required by Dundee United, he emerged as the outstanding candidate.

Dirtiest teams of the 2017/18 season 

12:10: The Premier League isn't for the faint-hearted with a reputation for ferocious challenges, fierce competitors and fans who will celebrate big challenges like they've won a trophy.

But some teams have stepped over the line too often for referees and have been brought back more times than anyone else for fouls.

Manchester United and Chelsea are among the dirtiest sides in the league, while Manchester City and Liverpool rank on the passive end of the scale.

Suarez: Messi’s contract will be resolved

12:00: Lionel Messi’s contract situation at Barcelona will be resolved “soon”, hopes Luis Suarez.

Messi’s current deal ends next summer, meaning he could discuss a free transfer to another club as early as January.

Manchester City are said to be interested in the 30-year-old.

But Suarez is adamant Messi will remain at the Nou Camp and continue his career-long affiliation with Barca.

Asked if he sees Messi remaining at Barca until he retires, Suarez told Mundo Deportivo: “I would love to.

“For what Leo is, for what he has meant for the club and for the admiration I have for him. Hopefully soon there will be good news.”

No Keita in January

11:30: RB Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick has dismissed the chances of Naby Keita making an early move to Liverpool.

Keita is spending this season with Leipzig before formally joining Liverpool on July 1, 2018.

But it’s had been claimed in some reports that Keita could make an early move to Anfield but Rangnick has shot down any hopes Liverpool may have had about Keita.

“Even if we should not reach the knockout stages of Champions League, it would make no sense to allow Naby to join Liverpool earlier,” Rangnick told German outlet Leipziger Volkszeitung.

“We want to qualify for Europe again, and we need Naby for that.”

Laca isn’t upset - Agent

11:00: Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette is NOT upset about being dropped for Sunday's loss to Manchester City, according to his agent.

The French international, who was signed for £50million from Lyon this summer, was among the substitutes for the 3-1 defeat.

It’s the second big away match that Arsene Wenger has seen fit to drop Lacazette. The other was a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

But his representative, David Venditelli, is calm about the situation.

"It's not worrying, because he played at Chelsea," Venditelli told SFR Sport.

"Our way of working is to relativise things: 11 matches, nine starts. Of course, it's not nice to see that he didn't start that match, but it was, as Arsene Wenger explained, for tactical reasons.

"He's learning. Alex needs to have calm around him. He's happy, and Arsenal are too with his work. It's not because a player doesn't play, even though it's two important games of course. He would have preferred to have played them."

Arsenal News: Alexandre Lacazette isn't upset about being droppedGETTY

Arsenal News: Alexandre Lacazette isn't upset about being dropped

Jose wants Jose...

10:45: Manchester United is gunning to bring Benfica scout Jose Boto to Old Trafford in January.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claim Mourinho has personally spoken with Boto, who is currently Benfica's chief European scout.

Boto, who’s also attracted attention from Fiorentina, has been part of Benfica’s recruitment team for the last ten years.

And has been praised for identifying some of the top South America and European talents.

Messi to City?!

10:30: Lionel Messi’s odds on quitting Barcelona for Manchester City have plummeted overnight.

Messi is out of contract at Barcelona at the end of the season and is yet to sign a new deal.

He can begin negotiations with other clubs over a free summer transfer in January.

Mega-rich City have been linked with Messi in the past and their PaddyPower odds on signing the player have dropped from 25/1 to 16/1.

Suarez: Coutinho needs a "step up"

09:45: Philippe Coutinho is looking like a player who needs a “step up” from Liverpool to Barcelona, Luis Suarez has claimed.

When asked if Coutinho wants to play for Barca, the former Reds striker told Mundo Deportivo: “Obviously he must have because he’s a player who has ambition and any player would want to come to Barca.

“He went through a difficult and very complicated moment but as a professional he continued to show how good a player he is and the personal quality he has.

“Despite trying to leave Liverpool he continued helping the team and working. 

“He is demonstrating as a professional who has the ambition to take a step further.”

Spurs tracking Arslan

09:30: Tottenham want to sign Besiktas’ Tolgay Arslan - but will have to up their valuation of the midfielder.

Spurs are said to have already sounded out an £8.8million bid.

But Turkish newspaper FotoMac claim Besiktas want closer to £11m before they consider a deal.

Spurs already have a full-loaded midfield, meaning any move for Arslan would likely to as a result of players leaving.

Mesut Ozil in action for Arsenal against Manchester CityGETTY

Mesut Ozil wants the number 10 shirt at Arsenal

VAR… it’s happening!

09:15: England's FA will trial the video assistant referee (VAR) system when the national side host world champions Germany in a friendly at Wembley on Friday, The Times reported.

Matches between England and Germany have seen several controversial decisions in the past including Frank Lampard's disallowed goal in the 2010 World Cup and Geoff Hurst's goal in the 1966 World Cup final.

VAR involves assistant referees watching the action remotely and then drawing the match referee's attention to officiating mistakes or missed serious incidents and was previously tested during the Wembley Cup charity match last month.

The International Football Association Board has tested Wembley and approved the use of the system alongside existing goal-line technology.

Ozyakup on Arsene’s radar

09:00: Arsenal want to sign Turkish midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup

According to Turkish newspaper FotoMac, Arsenal are keen on the 25-year-old midfielder.

The Gunners sold Ozyakup to Besiktas for just £400,000 four years ago.

But they have never forgotten about the playmaker and have supposedly tracked him in recent months, with plans in the pipeline for a £10m bid.

The Real hit list…

08:45: Real Madrid have created a shortlist of Premier League players they want to sign in January.

Club president Florentino Perez is reportedly looking to the bolster the squad after the Champions League loss to Tottenham and a slide in the LaLiga table.

The Daily Mirror reports that Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is said to be leading the list which also features Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera as well as Liverpool's Emre Can.

Sanchez, 28, has less than eight months remaining on his current contract at Arsenal, and talks over an extension are believed to have come to a complete standstill.

The Gunners now face a difficult decision on whether to sell him in January, or risk losing him for free next summer.

Messi picks Coutinho alternatives

08:15: Lionel Messi has reportedly proposed three signings for Barcelona instead of Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho.

Barcelona remain interested in a deal for Coutinho despite Liverpool snubbing three bids for the Brazil international back in the summer.

With the Reds unlikely to challenge for the Premier League title this season, a parting of the ways in January could be on the cards.

But Spanish website Diario Gol says Lionel Messi has proposed Barcelona spend their money on one of three other players.

It is said the Argentina international would love for the club to sign Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, Lyon hotshot Nabil Fekir or Leicester ace Riyad Mahrez.

Chelsea will need to wrap Morata in cotton wool in order to get him through a Premier League season

Garth Crooks

West Ham fire sale

07:40: West Ham will have to offload a number of their home-grown players to raise cash for new manager David Moyes in the transfer window.

The Mirror claim Moyes will not be given big transfer funds to invest in the squad come January.

According to the report, the Scot will have to reluctantly offload some of West Ham’s young talent before he can bring in his own recruits.

Two men who could leave, it is claimed, are Reece Oxford and Declan Rice.

Mesut Ozil Arsenal contract demand

07:25: Mesut Ozil will stay at Arsenal so long as he can get his hands on Jack Wilshere’s shirt, reports claim.

Manchester United are monitoring his situation with a view to a potential move.

Recent reports have suggested Ozil’s camp are confident a transfer to Old Trafford will take place.

United supposedly believe his advisers would want a £10million signing-on fee in order for him to make the switch.

The German midfield schemer currently takes home £150,000 a week and he is angling for a huge pay rise.

And according to The Sun, Ozil wants to be awarded with the No.10 shirt as part of the new contract too.

Alvaro Morata protection

07:10: Away from transfer news, Garth Crooks thinks keeping Alvaro Morata injury free will be key to Chelsea’s title hopes.

Morata hit the ground running after arriving at Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid in a deal worth an initial £58m over the summer.

Crooks has now offered his take on what Conte must do to ensure Morata is available to help Chelsea defend their Premier League title.

“Chelsea will need to wrap Morata in cotton wool in order to get him through a Premier League season," Crooks told BBC Sport.

"Fixtures during the Christmas and New Year periods can make or break a team, not to mention a player's form, and Morata looks more like a thoroughbred stallion than a Hereford bull.”

Real Madrid star Gareth BaleGETTY

Ian Rush thinks Gareth Bale should move to Liverpool

Gareth Bale Liverpool hope

07:00: Liverpool legend Ian Rush claims he would love to see Gareth Bale at Anfield.

Real Madrid star Bale has been linked with a return to the Premier League, with Manchester United closely connected.

But Rush would love to see Bale turn out for the Anfield outfit, as he told the Daily Mirror: “I'd love to see him at Liverpool though. 

“A world class player. We don't know what will happen, but it would be great to see him back here [in the Premier League] and at Liverpool."

Antoine Griezmann Barcelona condition

06:30: Barcelona star Lionel Messi will reportedly only let the club sign Antoine Griezmann if Luis Suarez stays. 

The striker nearly joined Manchester United in the summer and, in the wake of his failed move to Old Trafford, has managed to find the net just three times so far this season.

Reports have suggested Barcelona could pounce to make him the focal point of their attack, particularly with Suarez off the boil.

And Spanish website Don Balon claims Messi is open to the player arriving - but on one condition.

And that is because he wants Suarez to remain at the Nou Camp despite his ongoing troubles.

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