Football transfer news and rumours: 'Arsene Wenger could be open to selling Alexis Sanchez this month'  

As Storm Eleanor batters Britain's coastline, there is a rising tide of transfer speculation to keep us sated before Arsenal's match against Chelsea at the Emirates. 

Once again, Alexis Sanchez is centre stage with The Mirror reporting Arsene Wenger is softening his stance over the Chilean's future and could be open to a January sale. 

That would depend on Arsenal procuring a replacement of remotely comparable quality, with Monaco's Thomas Lemar the player they lined up last summer. 

Wenger said: “We are open in any position for the exceptional player who can give us a plus.

“Of course it depends a little bit on the injuries as well and on the other hand I must say it depends on if we manage to extend the contracts of the players who are on the end of their contracts in June.

“It will depend on that as well because we will have to take the consequences of these decisions and respond to it." 

Manchester City is Sanchez's preferred destination though Arsenal would rather sell to a foreign club such as Paris Saint-Germain - but they have lost control of the situation with only six months left on his contract. 

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte described Sanchez as 'one of the best in the world', while John Aldridge used his column in the Irish Independent to urge former club Liverpool to make a 'cheeky' £40 million bid. Perhaps £40 million and one pound would do the trick. 

Speaking of Liverpool, they too could be preparing for a major departure with The Times reporting Philippe Coutinho believes he has played his last game for Liverpool. 

Chris Bascombe reported earlier this week that the Anfield club will only sell for an astronomical fee, and it could take an offer in excess of £130 million to make Liverpool budge. 

Our own Matt Law reports that Chelsea could be willing to let David Luiz and Michyi Batsuayi leave this month, but only if they have a strong desire to leave Stamford Bridge. 

Luiz has been demoted in favour of Andreas Christensen, while Michy Batshuayi has never quite gained his trust despite scoring the odd crucial goal from the bench. 

The Mirror say Chelsea are keen to push through £50 million move for Juventus left-back Alex Sandro, who was their first choice left wing-back target throughout last summer. Completing a move of that stature in January could prove difficult though. 

Everton's move for Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun is already threatening to drag on, but The Guardian report they hope to wrap up a deal at a meeting on Wednesday.  

Elsewhere, West Ham retain their interest in Stoke midfielder Joe Allen according to Sky Sports while Spanish newspaper AS report that West Ham, Everton, Crystal Palace and Southampton want to sign Atletico Madrid's Nicolas Gaitan. 

In the Midlands, Championship leaders Wolves could be about to sign Real Madrid target and Valencia forward Rafa Mir according to the Express and Star, while Grzegorz Krychowiak could be free to leave West Brom - so say TalkSPORT. 

And the rest...

Ahead of schedule

Jose Mourinho was not supposed to reach this stage until mid-way through next season, but the Daily Mail report that he is walking a fine line with the Manchester United hierarchy after saying their investment in the transfer market was 'not enough. 

Round of applause for 

The Burton Albion supporter who gave CPR to one of his fellow fans during their trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and saved his life. Derek Wainwright started a Twitter search for the hero, and 5,000 retweets later he was identified as Rob Wakelin. Bravo, that man. 

Blast from the past 

Man United and PSG have made contact with free agent Lassana Diarra, according to various sources. The former Chelsea, Arsenal, Portsmouth and Real Madrid midfielder was released by UAE side Al Jazira, and reportedly favours a move to Paris. Is it 2018 or 2008?