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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole‘s live coverage of the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world of football on Saturday, January 20.
Stick with us below to keep up to date with all of today’s transfer rumours and done deals.
Today’s key events
Al Ettifaq eye Everton’s Doucoure as Henderson replacement?
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Al Ettifaq have reportedly identified Everton‘s Abdoulaye Doucoure as their top target to replace Jordan Henderson in midfield this January.
The former Liverpool captain left the club just a matter of months after making the switch to the Saudi Pro League, signing for the Dutch giants earlier this week.
In their hunt for a replacement, Al Ettifaq may seek to reunite Doucoure with his former Everton team mate Demarai Gray, who joined in the summer.
Fabrizio Romano claims that the club have made contact with Everton stating they would like to sign Doucoure this month, with them also believed to have reached out to Doucoure’s camp.
Newcastle ‘rebuff Bayern approach for Kieran Trippier’
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Newcastle United have no interest in parting ways with Kieran Trippier despite receiving an approach from Bayern Munich, according to a report.
Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel is keen to recruit a new right-back before the January transfer window closes in Germany on February 1, and Trippier has recently emerged as a possible target.
The Bundesliga champions are understood to be pushing to sign Nordi Mukiele on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, but that move appears to have stalled and their focus has since shifted towards their pursuit of Trippier.
Sky Sports in Germany reports that Bayern have made contact with Trippier and have reached a verbal agreement with the 33-year-old for him to move to the Allianz Arena.
Man United ‘told it would take at least £215m to sign Vinicius Junior’
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Manchester United have reportedly been told that Real Madrid would not consider an offer of under €250m (£215m) for Brazilian attacker Vinicius Junior.
There has recently been speculation surrounding the 23-year-old’s future, with Man United believed to be exploring the possibility of bringing him to Old Trafford.
Vinicius is one of Real Madrid’s most important players, and despite some injury problems this season, he has still managed to contribute nine goals and four assists in 17 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign.
The Brazilian is playing in a front two this term, largely alongside Rodrygo, but it is believed that head coach Carlo Ancelotti will switch back to a 4-3-3 for next season, with Paris Saint-Germain‘s Kylian Mbappe potentially arriving on a free transfer.
Transfer rumours: Sesko to Milan, Marseille return for Tavares, Andre to Fulham
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AC Milan have reportedly identified Benjamin Sesko as their long-term replacement for veteran striker Olivier Giroud.
The 20-year-old scored 18 goals with Red Bull Salzburg last season, earning him a move to sister club RB Leipzig over the summer.
However, Sesko has struggled for game time behind Lois Openda and Yussuf Poulsen, starting just four Bundesliga games this season.
With Giroud turning 38 in September and hinting at an exit, Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Milan are looking at Sesko as a younger, like-for-like replacement.
Manchester United ‘keeping an eye on Ivan Toney situation’
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Manchester United are reportedly in the running to sign Ivan Toney, with the forward widely expected to leave Brentford during this summer’s transfer window.
The 27-year-old will make his return to football in Saturday’s clash between Brentford and Nottingham Forest, having been absent since May due to a suspension for breaching Football Association betting regulations.
Toney scored 21 goals and registered five assists in 25 appearances for the Bees last season, including 20 in the Premier League, and he is believed to be wanted by both Arsenal and Chelsea.
The striker recently said that he has a desire to “play for a top club” and refused to rule out a move away from Thomas Frank‘s side during the January transfer window.
7h ago DONE DEAL
Hull sign goalkeeper Ivor Pandur
We are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper 𝗜𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿 from @FortunaSittard for an undisclosed fee! ✍️
Welcome, Ivor! 🤝#hcafc | Realtor Global
— Hull City (@HullCity) January 20, 2024
“Ivor is a player with really good pedigree. The scouting team and I have watched him for a long time and he’s someone we feel can learn and develop in our first team environment,” said manager Liam Rosenior.
“He’s got a lot of potential and many qualities. He’s an outstanding shot-stopper with agility and plays with personality.
“Ivor’s already a leader at such a young age and made a big impression with Fortuna Sittard and their fans during his time in the Netherlands.”
Liverpool to rival Newcastle for Ederson?
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Liverpool are reportedly interested in a potential move for Atalanta BC midfielder Ederson, but they could face competition from Newcastle United, who are also believed to be keeping an eye on the Brazilian.
Ederson joined Salernitana in January 2022, but his stint at the club lasted just six months before he made the move to Atalanta in July of the same year.
The 24-year-old has been a key figure in Gian Piero Gasperini‘s side and has notched up six goals and an assist in 27 appearances so far.
According to Italian news outlet La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Liverpool have now joined the likes of Newcastle, Barcelona and Manchester United in a race to sign the Brazilan in the current transfer window.
Liverpool ‘enter race for Momodou Sonko’
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Liverpool are reportedly preparing to battle the likes of RB Leipzig and Bologna for the signature of Hacken‘s Momodou Sonko in the current transfer window.
Sonko, who turns 19 at the end of the month, has already amassed 44 appearances and 14 goals at the senior level for the Swedish club.
In the current season, Sonko has made 13 appearances for the Allsvenskan side, and has already scored four goals and provided an assist.
The striker won the league with Hacken in 2022 and lifted his first-ever Swedish Cup with the club last year.
Viktor Gyokeres plays down Chelsea speculation
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Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has downplayed speculation surrounding a potential £73m transfer to Chelsea in an interview with Portuguese media this week.
In the lead-up to the January transfer window, the Blues had been linked with several potential new signings, including the likes of Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen.
Although manager Mauricio Pochettino has not made any additions to his squad just yet, there is still time to finalise deals before the deadline on February 1.
According to Portuguese news outlet Record, Chelsea were lining up an offer believed to be in the region of £73m for Gyokeres this month.
Brighton announce Valentin Barco signing from Boca Juniors
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Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the signing of Argentine teenager Valentin Barco from Boca Juniors.
The 19-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract until June 2028 and becomes Roberto De Zerbi‘s first signing of the January transfer window.
Brighton have allegedly triggered the $10m (£7.9m) release clause in Barco’s deal and are understood to have fended off competition from a number of top Premier League clubs to win the race for his signature.
Barco revealed earlier this week that he was grateful for his time at Boca Juniors, but he found it difficult to turn down a switch to Brighton where he can fulfil his “dream” of playing in Europe.
Transfer rumours: Onana to Newcastle, Kean to Atletico, Rodon to Leeds
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Newcastle United have reportedly joined the race for in-demand Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
The Belgium international’s future is currently the subject of much speculation, with both Arsenal and Manchester United believed to be keen on his signature.
According to The Telegraph, there is also firm interest from Newcastle, with the Magpies looking to boost their midfield department this year.
The report claims that Everton would want around £50m for Onana, and Eddie Howe‘s side would be prepared to pay that fee during this summer’s transfer window.
Inacio ‘holding out for Liverpool, Man United or Real Madrid’
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Sporting Lisbon‘s Goncalo Inacio will reportedly reject the chance to leave his Portuguese club in January, with the centre-back holding out for a summer move to Liverpool, Manchester United or Real Madrid.
There is currently a host of speculation surrounding Inacio’s future, with a number of teams believed to be interested in signing him in 2024.
Inacio, who has scored three times in 27 appearances for Sporting during the 2023-24 campaign, has a €60m (£52m) release clause in his current deal.
According to O Jogo, Newcastle United have made an offer for him this month, but the centre-back has rejected the chance to move to the Magpies, as he is holding out to join either Liverpool, Man United or Real Madrid.
Man United ‘interested in Swedish wonderkid Bergvall’
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Manchester United are reportedly keen on signing Djurgardens IF midfielder Lucas Bergvall.
The 17-year-old has already made 29 first-team appearances for his Swedish club, scoring three times and registering one assist in the process.
There has been a host of speculation surrounding the youngster’s future in recent weeks, with Barcelona believed to have scouted him ahead of a potential move.
Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund are also among the clubs to be credited with an interest in the midfielder, but according to Fussball News, Man United are also firmly in the race.
16h ago
