Transfer news RECAP: Manchester United, City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal latest as Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan near swap deal

  • Manchester United close to finalising a deal for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez
  • The Chilean will sign a four-and-a-half year deal worth £450,000 a week
  • Gunners manager Arsene Wenger says the move is 'likely to happen' 
  • Henrikh Mkhitaryan looks set to move in the opposite direction 
  • Arsenal closing in on Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
  • Chelsea, Man City and PSG in the race to sign Nice's Jean-Michael Seri 

  • Daniel Matthews

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  • Will Griffee

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  • Adam Shergold

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20:02
Thank you for following, join us again tomorrow!

Thank you for your company throughout the day, we'll have plenty more transfer stories from these shores and abroad tomorrow so be sure to tune in then.

20:00
Silva expects Richarlison and Doucoure to stay

Watford boss Marco Silva insists prized assets Richarlison and Abdoulaye Doucoure will not be sold this month.

Brazilian forward Richarlison has been linked with both Arsenal and Chelsea, while French midfielder Doucoure has impressed too.

Silva told a press conference on Thursday: 'What I can tell you is feedback I have from our board that of the most important players nobody will be leaving this month.

READ THE FULL STORY

19:37
Naismith completes loan move to Hearts

Steven Naismith claims Hearts' desire to capture his services led to his move to Tynecastle, after the club announced that the 31-year-old striker has signed until the end of the season from Norwich City.

Naismith had been linked with a return to former clubs Kilmarnock and Rangers but after completing his temporary transfer to the Edinburgh club, managed by his former Scotland manager Craig Levein, he explained why.

He said: 'It is a club which obviously has had its difficulties in the past but it is definitely flourishing now under the leadership of Ann Budge and the gaffer as well, and if I can help that move forward I would be delighted to do so.

READ THE FULL STORY

19:01
Leeds sign Forshaw for £4.5m

JONATHAN SPENCER: Leeds have announced the signing of midfielder Adam Forshaw from Sky Bet Championship rivals Middlesbrough for £4.5million.

Forshaw, 26, has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract and will go straight into head coach Thomas Christiansen's squad for Saturday's home league game against Millwall.

'I'm made up, as soon as I knew Leeds were interested I wanted to come here,' the player said.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

18:50
Chelsea keen to accelerate Carroll move

SIMON JONES: Chelsea are keen to accelerate a move for Andy Carroll following the red card for Alvaro Morata.

However, Carroll has been receiving treatment for an ankle injury. He is understood to have received an injection earlier this month and missed West Ham's FA Cup tie with Shrewsbury Town as a consequence.

There are concerns that Carroll's injury is not as bad as the player believes but, regardless, Chelsea have still to make an offer suitable to West Ham's valuation.

18:25
Sunderland chase loan deal for Derby's Chris Martin

SIMON JONES: Sunderland are the latest club to express an interest in taking Chris Martin on loan from Derby County.

Reading have also asked about the 29-year-old Scotland international who, like Darren Bent, will be allowed to leave now that Derby have signed Cameron Jerome from Norwich City.

Manager Gary Rowett said: 'The reality is that Chris Martin and Darren Bent will want to go and play football. I have spoken to those two players about it, they are in agreement with that and it will just be about seeing whether interest becomes more concrete.'

18:00
Petit thinks Arsenal can do better than Aubameyang + Malcom

OLIVER TODD: Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has questioned the quality of his former club’s transfer targets Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malcom — and says they should be aiming higher.

Arsene Wenger is looking to the Borussia Dortmund striker and Bordeaux wideman to re-energise a side sixth in the Premier League and set to be shorn of Alexis Sanchez.

But Petit is unsure whether the wages Arsenal are willing to pay are sufficient to attract real top-tier quality to the Emirates.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

17:39
Marseille reject £4m Leicester offer for Sarr

SIMON JONES: Leicester have had a second offer of around £4million rejected for Marseille's Bouna Sarr.

The 25-year-old has been playing at right-back but can double up as a winger and Claude Puel is keen to add his pace to his squad.

Leicester are expected to return with another improved offer though Marseille coach Rudi Garcia is reluctant to lose the Guinea international.

17:20
Moyes fails to recall Snodgrass from Villa loan

SIMON JONES: West Ham have failed to bring Robert Snodgrass back from his loan spell at Aston Villa.

Manager David Moyes was keen to sign Snodgrass for Sunderland last season and believed he could get the Scotland international back to his best form despite the criticism the player has received from West Ham's owners.

However, there is no break clause in the deal and Snodgrass will stay at Villa.

17:01
NO DEAL: Tottenham choose not to pursue Moura

Tottenham have not opened talks over a deal for Lucas Moura at Paris Saint-Germain.

The Brazilian has been offered to a number of Premier League sides, including Manchester United, as the French club look to sell to meet their FFP guidelines.

Reports out of France say talks have begun over a potential loan with view to permanent deal for the 25-year-old but Sportsmail understands it is not a deal Tottenham are pursuing.

Mauricio Pochettino has the maximum quota of foreign players allowed, 17, in his Champions League squad already. Should he sign another foreign player one would have to be sacrificed prior to the next registration.

16:47
Baggies keen on Basle's Lang

Another line from Simon Jones...

West Bromwich Albion are in talks over Basle right-back Michael Lang.

The 28-year-old has 22 caps for Switzerland and is keen on a move to the Premier league after Albion sent scouts to watch him in action during Basel's winter training camp in Malaga.

Albion are discussing a fee with Basle and are prepared to offer Lang a three and a half year contract.

Lang, who can also play at centre-back, scored the winning goal for Basle in their 1-0 Champions League victory over Manchester United in November.

16:28
City scouts in Lille to watch Soumare once again

Manchester City were represented again at Lille on Wednesday night as they continue to monitor stylish young midfielder Boubakary Soumare.

The 18-year-old has broken into Lille's first team this season after leaving Paris St Germain in the summer. City liked him at PSG and have monitored his progress as they look to strengthen their options in defensive midfield.

Soumare is 6ft 2ins tall and technically very good. City see him as one for the future while they have also discussed Fred of Shakhtar Donetsk and Jean-Michael Seri of Nice. Both players have also been targeted by Manchester United.

City scouts were not alone as Lille lost 2-1 to Rennes on Wednesday night.

Crystal Palace, who have made offers for Ibrahim Amadou, Everton and Leicester City were also represented City forward Olarenwaju Kayode is in talks to join Amiens on loan. Kayode has been on loan at Girona.

16:19

Tests have reportedly shown that Andy Carroll faces up to six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury, scuppering his mooted transfer to Chelsea.

The striker is a target for Chelsea, who wanted to take him on loan, but West Ham are only willing to sell for £20m. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

15:57
Everton hit snag in their pursuit of Bernat

Everton have made an enquiry for Bayern Munich left-back Juan Bernat but the Bundesliga side do not wish to lose the Spaniard this month.

The 24-year-old has been restricted to just two appearances this season but Bayern want to keep him as cover for David Alaba with the Champions League still to play for.

Bayern are 13 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and face Paderborn in the quarter finals of the German Cup.

Everton have considered a number of options for left-back with Manchester United's Luke Shaw, Porto's Alex Telles, Aaron Cresswell of West Ham and Crystal Palace's Patrick van Aanholt among the names discussed.

15:47
Swansea ask after Ajax's Younes

Swansea City have made an enquiry for Ajax winger Amin Younes.

The Germany international also has interest from Napoli though wants to play regularly should he leave Amsterdam.

The 24-year-old left winger has been targeted by Swansea as they look to balance their attack. He can also play on the right or behind the striker.

Swansea have also considered West Ham pair Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew plus Kevin Gameiro at Atletico and Andre Silva at AC Milan.

15:37
HE'S A KEEPER! Carson extends Derby stay
15:34
DONE DEAL: Naismith heads to Hearts
15:28
Dortmund in talks with Arsenal over Giroud

Borussia Dortmund are in contact with Arsenal over Olivier Giroud.

The France international has been a target for the Bundesliga side since the summer and they remain keen on signing him.

The differing valuations of the 31-year-old and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang mean there will be no direct swap but the deals are entwined as Dortmund want a replacement for the Gabon international. Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi has also been discussed.

Giroud wants to play regularly to stand a chance of making France's World Cup squad.

More talks are planned on Friday between Arsenal and Dortmund over Aubameyang's departure.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have dismissed he prospect of Danny Welbeck going to Besiktas after the Turkish club showed interest in the England striker.

Arsenal are keeping Mesut Ozil for January as he contemplates signing a new contract. It's understood the Germany international does not have too many feasible alternatives at this stage.

15:18

The latest from Old Trafford thanks to Simon Jones

Manchester United are ready to open contract negotiations with Marcos Rojo and finalise a new deal for David de Gea.

Argentina international Rojo has been one of the club's outstanding defenders under Jose Mourinho and the Portuguese coach wants the 27-year-old rewarded with a new deal as his current one runs until to 2019.

De Gea, who also has 12 months left plus a year's option, has also pledged to stay at Old Trafford with Real Madrid focusing on Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea and Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga.

De Gea's agent Jorge Mendes was at United's Carrington training ground on Wednesday with Ed Woodward as he also looks to extend terms for Mourinho.

Meanwhile, Rojo and compatriot Sergio Romero met up with Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli at Carrington on Wednesday also. Sampaoli was understood to be over to take in training as well as meet up with members of his projected World Cup squad from both United and City.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan trained at Carrington on Thursday morning ahead of his proposed move to Arsenal.

Agent Mino Raiola is in London to finalise terms for the swap deal to take place involving Alexis Sanchez going in the opposite direction. Sanchez has agreed a contract with United until 2022.

Spanish side Valencia are the latest club to enquire about United full-back Matteo Darmian. The Italy international is wanted on loan but United are understood to want around £17million for the 28-year-old.

Juventus, AC Milan and Napoli have also shown interest in Darmian.

15:09

Chelsea are desperate to bolster their squad in the January transfer window, and Emerson Palmieri has been identified as a target.

The Blues have already made enquiries about Palmieri, who is valued in the region of £20million by Roma.

Here's a guide to the attacking wing back who could soon by plying his trade at Stamford Bridge.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

15:02
DONE DEAL Bournemouth man Dobre heads to Rochdale
14:32

Theo Walcott passed his Everton medical with flying colours on Wednesday morning - and then pretended to fall down the stairs at Finch Farm.

The 28-year-old's £20million move from Arsenal was officially announced at 5pm after he signed a three-and-a-half-year contract worth over £110,000 a week.

And despite making the tough decision to leave his comfort zone and head north to Merseyside, Walcott proved he has not lost his sense of humour earlier in the day.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

14:07
REVEALED: The stats that show why Arsenal want Aubameyang

Arsenal transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has the stats to show why the Gunners need the Borussia Dortmund striker.  

Aubameyang will have to wait to finalise his anticipated move to Arsenal as he has been included in the Dortmund squad to face Hertha Berlin on Friday.

But Arsene Wenger will be keen to tie down the forward as he has scored more goals, has more expected goals and is joint top for assists in comparison to Arsenal's current attack of Alexandre Lacazette, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi. 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

13:55
DONE DEAL: Stoke sign Kostas Stafylidis until end of the season
13:28
Borussia Dortmund slam 'disrespectful' Arsene Wenger

Borussia Dortmund have slammed 'disrepectful' Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for claiming Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would 'fit in' at the Premier League club.

The Gabon forward has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, who are eyeing replacements for Manchester United-bound Alexis Sanchez.

Dortmund have hit back at the Arsenal boss, claiming there is 'no contact' between the clubs over a transfer for the 28-year-old.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

13:01

Stoke boss Paul Lambert has indicated he will look to add further signings this month to the loan capture of Kostas Stafylidis that is set to be completed imminently.

The Potters announced on Wednesday evening that they expected to complete the signing of FC Augsburg and Greece left-back Stafylidis on loan for the rest of the season within 24 hours.

The 24-year-old is poised to become the second new addition to Stoke's squad of the current transfer window, with right-back Moritz Bauer having already joined from Rubin Kazan, and the first since Lambert's appointment as manager on Monday.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

12:56

Arsenal transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has the stats to show why the Gunners need the Borussia Dortmund striker.

Aubameyang will have to wait to finalise his anticipated move to Arsenal as he has been included in the Dortmund squad to face Hertha Berlin on Friday.

But Arsene Wenger will be keen to tie down the forward as he has scored more goals, has more expected goals and is joint top for assists in comparison to Arsenal's current attack of Alexandre Lacazette, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

12:35

Sportsmail columnist Martin Keown answers your questions as we take an in-depth look at the crisis engulfing his former club Arsenal.

Alexis Sanchez is set to leave for Manchester United with the club looking like missing out on Champions League football once more.

There is also a full set of Premier League fixtures this weekend. 

Follow all of Martin's answers to your questions by CLICKING HERE.

12:20

West Ham have made enquiries about taking the Inter Milan forward Joao Mario on loan.

The Portuguese midfielder cost the Italian giants £39.8m when he arrived from Sporting Lisbon on 2016 but has grown frustrated by a lack of opportunities.

Watford have also expressed an interest.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

12:07
CAMERON HEADING NORTH: Newcastle man joins Queen of the South
11:44

The Chilean was pictured arriving at Arsenal's London Colney training base this morning as he moves closer to signing for Manchester United.

His manager Arsene Wenger revealed earlier that Sanchez rejected Arsenal's 'maximum' offer to stay at the club and is poised to sign a £450,000-a-week deal with United.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

BETTING: Alexis Sanchez is 1/20 to move to Manchester United with LeoVegas Sport. CLICK HERE for all their transfer specials. 

11:33

German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has signed a one-year contract extension with MLS side Chicago Fire.

He joined from Manchester United in a free transfer last March and helped them to a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

11:16
LOAN MOVE: Burnley's Agyei off to the seaside
10:59

Everton are weighing up a January move for the Bayern Munich left-back Juan Bernat.

Manager Sam Allardyce, who has already completed moves for Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott this month, has identified the position as a problem area.

And the Spaniard is one of the names in the frame, especially given his limited playing time this season.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

10:45

Gerard Pique has signed a new deal with Barcelona that will keep him at the club until 2022.

The 30-year-old defender joined the Catalan giants in 2008 after a short spell at Manchester United.

Barcelona said a buy-out clause was in the contract for 500million euros.

10:41

Liverpool have conceded that Bayern Munich have beaten them to the signature of Schalke star Leon Goretzka.

The Reds did make contact with the player but haven't received any encouragement that he is willing to leave Germany.

So the 22-year-old appears to be on his way to the reigning champions Bayern, most likely in the summer.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

10:19
DONE DEAL: Pique extends Barcelona contract until 2022
10:13

Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has pledged to throw the proverbial kitchen sink at Liverpool in an effort to sign Emre Can this month. 

The 24-year-old midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and can sign a pre-contract agreement with European clubs this month.

'Emre Can is a player whose contract is running down, so it allows us to approach him for negotiations and that is the course we have taken,' Marotta told Sky Sport Italia on Wednesday.

'I can't say if he could sign a new contract with Liverpool, but I can say we will try all we can to get the player.'

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

10:05

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to make the move to Arsenal in a deal worth £53m, with personal terms agreed.

But the transfer won't be finalised before the end of this week, with the Gabon forward included in the Dortmund squad for Friday's Bundesliga match with Hertha Berlin.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

BETTING: Aubameyang is now 3/5 to join Arsenal, having been evens last night, according to LeoVegas Sport. CLICK HERE for more of their transfer markets.

09:39

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the press this morning and has confirmed that Sanchez's move to Man United is 'likely to happen'.

Asked whether the deal, which is worth £20m to the Gunners and another £15m to Sanchez's agent could be completed within 24 hours, Wenger added: 'I have worked on transfers for 30 years.

'It is likely to happen but any minute things can break down. As long as it's not over the line you can accept it might not happen.

'I left him out of Bournemouth because the transfer was quite advanced. It’s now in the next 24 or 48 hours it will happen or not.'

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

09:31

Inter Milan have expressed an interest in taking Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge on loan - but the Reds will only entertain a £30m permanent deal.

The 28-year-old England international is keen to leave Anfield in pursuit of more regular first-team football. 

He has only played 14 matches for Liverpool this season and not since the start of December through a combination of illness and injury. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

09:19

Chelsea have joined Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri.

Antonio Conte is keen to further strengthen his midfield and has identified the Ivory Coast international as a potential target.

Seri has a £35m buy-out clause and three years to run on his current deal with the Ligue 1 club.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

09:10

Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal with Arsenal to sign Alexis Sanchez. Here's what we know:

- United have agreed to make Sanchez the club's highest-ever earner and the highest paid player in Premier League history.

- Chilean will earn a staggering £450,000-a-week at Old Trafford. That comprises a basic wage of £350,000 and an additional £100,000 in image rights.

- He will be paid a £7.5m signing-on fee every year for the four years of his contract.

- His deal will run until 2023.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS

09:05
Good Morning and welcome to transfer news live!

Hello and welcome to Thursday's edition of Transfer News Live, our rolling coverage of all the latest moves, gossip and rumours from around the world.

On the agenda today: Will Alexis Sanchez wrap up his megabucks move from Arsenal to Manchester United? Will Henrikh Mkhitaryan conclude his transfer the other way? 

Can the Gunners make progress in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang? And is Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge set to move to Italy?

All that and so much more coming up for you. Don't go anywhere!

Will the Alexis Sanchez deal be completed today?

The January transfer window is hotting up, with Premier League clubs at both ends of the table looking to do business before the end of the month. Sportsmail brings you all the latest news. 

Manchester United will be hoping to wrap up their signing of Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, who is set to be handed a mega-money £450,000-a-week deal at Old Trafford.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is set to move in the opposite direction, with the finer points of his deal still to be worked out.


The Gunners are also closing in on the signature of Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

If you are viewing this live blog on the MailOnline app, click HERE for full coverage.