Arsenal have made an opening bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Gunners have offered around £55million for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger after making him their top January transfer target. With that formal bid for Mudryk expected to be rejected, reports claim that Arsenal have set out their maximum offer for the 21-year-old Ukraine international.
Chelsea are targeting a loan deal for Joao Felix but face strong competition from Manchester United for the Portugal and Atletico Madrid winger. The Blues are also in advanced talks to sign Benoit Badiashile from Monaco and continue to be linked with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
Elsewhere, Cody Gakpo has agreed to sign for Liverpool. Tottenham are keen on Pedro Porro and Adrien Rabiot, while Lionel Messi is set to stay at Paris Saint-Germain and Cristiano Ronaldo looks to be off to Saudi Arabia. Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours below!
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Man United ‘have advanced’ Fernandez move
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was one of the breakout stars of the World Cup and Premier League clubs could be set for a transfer battle to sign the 21-year-old.
Fernandez returned to Portugal today following his World Cup break but he might not be at Benfica for long.
According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, Manchester United “have advanced” a move for Fernandez with “new contacts and approaches” to convince Benfica to sell him in January.
The report claims Liverpool have made similar contact but that their deal to sign Cody Gakpo could end their move for Fernandez, given they are about to spend an initial £37million on Gakpo. Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in him.
The front page of Record claims Benfica are now waiting for an offer to arrive.
Arsenal set out maximum Mudryk bid
Arsenal have reportedly decided their maximum bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk, with their opening offer of around £55million expected to be rejected.
Shakhtar Donetsk have previously said they want £88m for the Ukraine winger and are notoriously tough negotiators.
But, according to CBS Sports, Arsenal insist they will not pay over the odds for Mudryk and have set a maximum total package, including add-ons, at £61.6m.
Talks are expected to continue.
Gakpo agrees six-year Liverpool deal
After Liverpool agreed to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for an initial £37million, the Netherlands forward is set to sign a six-year contract at Anfield.
Fabrizio Romano says Gakpo has agreed a deal with Liverpool until 2028 and that “contracts are being prepared” ahead of his switch to the Premier League.
PSV said last night that Gakpo was travelling to England to complete the deal.
Manchester United had been heavily linked with a move for Gakpo but Liverpool have made a move with forwards Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota facing lengthy spells out injured.
Ajax target Brentford goalkeeper
Brentford goalkeeper David Raya is a target for Ajax, according to reports in Spain.
AS claim Ajax have contacted Raya over a potential January move.
The 27-year-old has been in good form for Brentford this season and has 18 months left on his contract at the west London club.
Chelsea target Rafael Leao has said he would like to test himself in the Premier League in the future.
The Blues have targeted a move for Leao, who is in the final 18 months of his contract at AC Milan and has been linked with a move.
But the Portugal star insists “now I’m 100 per cent focused on AC Milan”.
Leao, who helped Milan win the Serie A title last season, was asked by radio station RDP Africa whether he wants to test himself in the Premier League.
He responded: “Yes, in the future. But now I’m 100 per cent focused on Milan. I’m at a top club and I’m under contract. I also like the city of Milan.”
Leao also revealed his admiration for Arsenal, saying: “I’ve seen a lot of games this year. “I like Arsenal, I think they play very well.”
Premier League interest in Spurs defender
Sticking with Tottenham, Djed Spence is attracting plenty of interest ahead of the January transfer window.
ESPN report a host of Premier League and Championship clubs are interested in the 22-year-old right-back, who has been marginalised under Antonio Conte since joining from Middlesbrough in the summer.
Spence was not in the Spurs squad for their 2-2 draw at Brentford on Boxing Day and could seek a move elsewhere in January.
Spurs eye swap deal
It is no secret that Antonio Conte wants Tottenham to make moves to strengthen his squad in January.
Spurs are targeting a move for France midfielder Adrien Rabiot and, according to reports in Italy, they are open to letting Emerson Royal go in a swap deal with Juventus for Rabiot.
Royal has struggled at Spurs this season and was dropped for their 2-2 draw at Brentford on Boxing Day.
CalcioMercatoWeb says Spurs are eyeing a swap deal involving Royal and Rabiot, but the report claims Juventus only want a cash deal for Rabiot.
Chelsea suffer blow in Felix pursuit
It emerged yesterday that Chelsea are preparing a loan move for Joao Felix as they bid to bolster their attack to help them climb back into the Champions League places.
Felix is available when the transfer window opens on January 1 but this morning Chelsea appear to have been dealt a blow in their bid to sign the Portugal star.
Reports in Spain claim Manchester United are leading the race to sign Felix after they missed out on Cody Gakpo to Liverpool.
Spanish outlet Relevo say United are ahead of Chelsea in the fight for Felix, with Atletico willing to accept around £114million for the 23-year-old.
Mudryk to Arsenal latest
Mykhaylo Mudryk wanted the world to know he was watching Arsenal last night when he posted a picture of himself viewing their 3-1 win over West Ham.
Arsenal have made an opening bid of around £55million for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger as they bid to strengthen their Premier League title bid.
Shakhtar have yet to respond publicly to the bid but they have previously stated they want closer to £85m and Fabrizio Romano claims they are holding out for “way more”.
Talks are set to continue. Mudryk is keen on a move to Emirates Stadium and Arsenal hope Shakhtar will soften their stance.
Mikel Arteta was asked about the bid for Mudryk after his side went seven points clear at the top.
Asked about the bid for Mudryk, Arteta said: “You know I never speak about players who are not with us. We said that we will try and find ways to strengthen the team if we find the right players and that is what I can say.”
On Mudryk watching the West Ham game, Arteta said: “The good thing in England is that you don’t have many other matches in other countries, we are the only ones playing through Christmas! So hopefully a lot of people watched our game and we gave them a good show.”
Mudryk tunes into Arsenal win
Mykhaylo Mudryk watched on as Arsenal faced West Ham on Boxing Day, having reportedly been the subject of a first transfer offer from the Gunners.
A bid of £55m has been launched, as confirmed by Standard Sport.
Later the same evening, the 21-year-old posted footage of his entertainment to Instagram – watching Arsenal on his tablet.
