Transfer news Thursday RECAP: Manchester United, City, Chelsea and Liverpool latest

Another day of busy transfer activity comes to a close.

Plenty of movement, and we're only in the second week of the month.

Make sure to check back in with Sportsmail tomorrow morning for all the transfer activity, as it happens, live!

Everton midfielder Mo Besic is a target for Torino.

The 25-year-old is increasingly frustrated at his lack of game time and will slip further down the pecking order if Everton are successful in signing Steven Nzonzi from Sevilla.

Hamburg, his first professional club, have also been linked with the Bosnia international, who was born in Berlin though they would like a loan.

Everton expect interest from Crystal palace for James McCarthy but Sam Allardyce is keen for the Republic of Ireland international to stay.

Everton are also due to give a new contract to teenage midfielder Beni Baningime who has impressed in his breakthrough season.

Another midfielder Harry Charlsey, 21, is joining Bolton Wanderers on loan for the rest of the season.

West Brom and Swansea are among the clubs to show interest in left-sided Greece international centre-back Dimitrios Siovas.

The 29-year-old has been starring for Leganes in La Liga this season playing 12 games and helping to keep seven clean sheets in the process.

Standing 6ft 4ins tall, Siovas can also play as a holding midfielder and is understood to have a release clause set at £10million.

West Brom are looking at options with Jonny Evans expected to leave this month amid interest from Manchester City and Arsenal.

West Brom's Chinese owners are understood to be travelling to the Midlands this weekend to watch their match with Brighton and Hove Albion plus discuss their transfer budget.

Manchester United are recalling Cameron Borthwick-Jackson from his loan at Leeds United.

The Old Trafford club have been disappointed with the amount of game time afforded to the 20-year-old and with Leeds confirming the signing Belgian left-back Laurens De Bock from Club Brugge, United have now opted to cut short Borthwick-Jackson's loan.

Reading and Fulham have already made enquiries to take Borthwick-Jackson for the rest of the league season.

The former Manchester United young player of the year can play at centre-back as well as left-back and has Champions League experience.

Jaap Stam is a confirmed admirer while Slavisa Jokanovic wants to upgrade at left-back to allow him to push Ryan Sessegnon further forward.

Claude Puel has confirmed the Foxes are close to the signing of Fousseni Diabate from French Ligue 2 club Gazelec Ajaccio.

They have agreed a fee of around £2million for the 22-year-old, who can play either as a striker or a winger.

Puel said: 'He is close to signing and it's a good opportunity for us. In the past Leicester haven't signed bad players from Ligue 2, like (Riyad) Mahrez.'

Francis Coquelin is now officially a Valencia player, with a reported buy-out clause of €80m.

SAMI MOKBEL: Crystal Palace are set to beat Watford to the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

The Getafe stopper is wanted by both Premier League clubs, though the player's agent is currently in the UK and speaking with Palace.

The 30-year-old's contract is due to expire in the summer. Guaita has a £7m release clause in his contract but Getafe are willing to sell him this month so they can get a fee.

SIMON JONES: Liverpool will continue to press for Naby Keita's early release from Red Bull Leipzig despite their coach Ralph Hasenhuttl insisting there is no reason to sell.

Sportsmail reported at the weekend that Liverpool were ready to pay an extra fee to accelerate Keita's arrival at Anfield.

Leipzig have not shown any willingness so far but it is understood Keita and his representatives are keen.

A meeting is planned before the weekend to discuss proposals though Hasenhuttl said: 'The current situation is that nothing changed.

'We do not have a reason to sell Keita any time before the end of the season. That's it.

'He will play at the weekend against Schalke 04 and hopefully he does well. That's the only thing I really care about.'

Liverpool are already due to pay Leipzig £58m for Keita but will pay £67m should they qualify for the Champions League.

Leipzig are fifth at the moment and any additional fee now would have to take into consideration the price of compensation should Keita leave and Leipzig lose momentum for their Champions league spot.

It is understood Liverpool have not been quoted a new price as yet. 

Mauricio Pellegrino has warned Southampton fans to be patient as they continue their pursuit of Theo Walcott.

Saints are keen to bring England winger Walcott back to the south coast, 12 years after he left to join Arsenal.

However, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has insisted he wants Walcott to stay while Everton have also been linked with the 28-year-old.

Saints boss Pellegrino said: "I cannot talk about players who are not here."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche has confirmed that the future of Scott Arfield remains in doubt with the midfielder yet to sign a new contract at Turf Moor.

Arfield has six months left on his current deal and is reportedly attracting the attention of a number of the Clarets' Premier League rivals, including Saturday's opponents Crystal Palace.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

As fresh details emerge regarding Manchester United's shock hijack move for Alexis Sanchez, it appears an interesting makeweight deal could be on the table.

The Red Devils are believed to be prepared to offer Henrikh Mkhitaryan as part of a deal, in order to convince the Gunners to do business.

The Armenian established himself as one of Europe's finest playmakers at Borussia Dortmund, though has seen his career go stale at Old Trafford.

A move which benefits both parties?

Despite today's shock news of a United bid for Alexis Sanchez, the Red Devils still remain primed to swoop for Lucas Moura.

The Brazilian is out of favour at PSG and would welcome a move to Old Trafford, though United are believed to only be looking at a loan deal.

Moura has been linked with United before, though PSG beat them to the punch with a mega money bid, despite the winger being just 19.

Legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson reflected on the matter in his autobiography: 'We offered £24million for him, which was upped to £30m and again to £35m, but Paris Saint-Germain signed him for £45m. David and I were just not prepared to go to those sorts of levels.'

Will United now finally get their man?

Here's a bit of a different one for you, to add some spice of variety.

Striker Kazuyoshi Miura has signed a new deal with his club Yokohama FC.

Who's he? You ask. 

Even the most ardent football fans probably wouldn't have heard of him... but the fact that's he's 50 makes this fairly unique. He is one of only two footballers to feature on FIFA 96 who are still playing. 

So, there you have it. Anyway, back to the usual madness of the January transfer window...

Francis Coquelin has left hospital following his medical with Spanish giants Valencia.

The move is on the brink of completion, with Valencia teasing fans with a short video simply titled: 'soon.'

West Ham were also keen to secure the services of the defensive midfielder and keep him in the Premier League, though Coquelin has opted to test his abilities in La Liga.

Notts County have taken Liverpool youngster Matty Virtue on loan until the end of the season.

The move was announced at midday on Thursday via social media.

Crystal Palace are looking at the prospect of signing Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar, according to reports.

The Eagles are searching for firepower to ease the burden on Christian Benteke, and the Senegalese international could fit the bill.

Palace have also recently lodged a bid for West Ham's Diafra Sakho, though face late competition from Newcastle and West Brom.

Both Manchester City and Arsenal still remain locked in a battle to sign defender Jonny Evans, with both sides keen to enhance their back lines for the end of season run-in.

The former Manchester United man has hit his peak since moving to West Brom, with the Baggies now asking for a fee in the region of £35million for the 30-year-old.

Would he be worth it, given his current age? Sportsmail's Laurie Whitwell takes an expert look at the situation and discusses what both teams can expect.

Alexis Sanchez's move to Manchester City looks all but nailed on... but Manchester United may have other ideas.

It has emerged that Jose Mourinho will rival his foe Pep Guardiola for the signature of the player, and has made a shock move to try to tempt the Chilean to Old Trafford.

Sanchez has already agreed personal terms worth around £250,000 a week with City, after the club submitted a bid for the player earlier in the week.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Manchester United will battle it out with fierce rivals Liverpool for the signature of highly rated Borussia Dortmund man Christian Pulisic.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with the youngster, with Jurgen Klopp considering getting back in touch with his former club in hope of orchestrating a move. 

United will match any move made by the Reds, as report the Independent, with the two north west rivals set to go up against each other in summer to bring the American star to the Premier League.

Southampton are interested in Atletico Madrid midfielder Nicolas Gaitan this January.

Mauricio Pellegrino has been tracking the Argentine star since before Christmas, and knows him from his time managing in Spain.

The 29-year-old has been afforded limited first-team opportunities under Diego Simeone since joining from Benfica in 2016, while Southampton are eager to reinvest the £75m raised from the sale of Virgil van Dijk into firepower to save their season.

Gaitin's eye-watering wage demands however could be the stumbling block...

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

JAMES DUTTON: Anderlecht have named their price for Manchester United target Leander Dendoncker.

General manager Herman van Holsbeeck has told Jose Mourinho he will have to pay up to £27million for the services of the 22-year-old Belgian hotshot.

The midfielder impressed Old Trafford officials during last year's Europa League quarter-final, scoring in the first leg as United progressed 3-2 on aggregate.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu has snubbed a move to the Premier League to join Chinese club Beijing Guoan in a record-breaking deal worth £65million.

The 26-year-old has agreed a long term contract worth a reported £307,000 a week, despite interest from Tottenham, Newcastle, West Brom and West Ham.

When it becomes official, Bakambu's move will make him the most expensive African player of all time ahead of Liverpool's £39m man Mohamed Salah.

West Ham are considering cashing in on striker Javier Hernandez, just six months after the Mexican signed for the club and sealed his return to the Premier League.

Hernandez has failed to find the form expected of him since making his move to the London Stadium and West Ham will now listen to offers for their £17million front man, according to reports.

In 17 league appearances so far this term, an under serviced Hernandez has come up with only four goals and has struggled to get back to grips with Premier League action.

Arsene Wenger is lining up a replacement for the wantaway Alexis Sanchez, and has Bordeaux front man Malcom in his sights.

With Sanchez seemingly on the brink of joining Premier League leaders Manchester City, Wenger is looking to put in a £45million bid for the Brazilian in order to bring quality straight back into his team.

Arsenal have held talks with the French club over the player though Tottenham and Manchester United are also said to be interested.

Everton remain favourites to win the race for Arsenal striker Theo Walcott.

As reported by Sportsmail earlier in the week, the Toffees have gone in for the England international despite heavy interest from his former club Southampton.

Both sides will battle to add the 28-year-old to their ranks this month, though Arsenal are believed to be holding out for a fee in the region of £30m.

Brendan Rodgers claims Celtic are in no rush to pay what would be their biggest ever transfer fee of £7million for Odsonne Edouard.

The 19-year-old French striker is halfway through a year-long loan at Parkhead from Paris Saint-Germain.

Rodgers is satisfied with the teenager's progress after four goals in 13 appearances but, despite interest in Moussa Dembele and Leigh Grifiths from elsewhere, he sees no need to trigger an option to sign Edouard on a permanent contract just yet. 

SAMI MOKBEL: Newcastle and West Brom made late moves last night to try and hijack Crystal Palace’s move for Diafra Sakho.

The Eagles have lodged a £10million bid for the player, who will be allowed to leave West Ham by manager David Moyes.

West Ham value Sakho at £15m but are willing to accept less up front with add-ons to follow at the end of the season.

BEN NAGLE: Manchester United and Tottenham have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of youngster Ryan Sessegnon after Fulham's chairman vowed not to sell him in January.

The England Under 19 international has lit up the Championship at Craven Cottage this season, and a number of top clubs have enquired about signing him.

But any potential move looks like it will have to wait until the summer, with Fulham chief Tony Khan revealing that Sessegnon will stay for a promotion push.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Palmeiras defender Yerry Mina for £10.5million (€11.8m). 

The 23-year-old central defender will sign a five-and-a-half year contract at the Nou Camp and provide competition for Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

BEN CHURCH: Naby Keita could become a Liverpool player earlier than expected if the Anfield club decide to pay up an additional £13 million.

The Reds have already agreed a deal worth £48m for the midfielder that will see him move to the Premier League next season.

However, Jurgen Klopp has been given encouragement that RB Leipzig could be willing to let their man go earlier after his form has suffered since the summer.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE. 

SAMI MOKBEL: Tottenham have made the first move in their attempts to offer Dele Alli a lucrative new contract.

The White Hart Lane club have started informal discussions with Alli as they look to end growing speculation over his future.

The 21-year-old is widely recognised as one of Europe's most promising talents with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-German among his admirers.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

And welcome to another day of the transfer window.

It's only January 11 and huge money moves have already been going through. Expect more to come as Premier League and European sides look to add the missing piece to their team, ahead of the end-of-season run.

Stay with Sportsmail all day today as we bring you all of the transfer action, as it happens, live.