Everton defender John Stones finds himself at the centre of a £50m tug of war with some of the continents biggest clubs. Meanwhile, Liverpool target Alex Teixeira has told Shakhtar Donetsk that he wants out.
Cole heading to a Galaxy far far away
JOE BERNSTEIN: Former England defender Ashley Cole is expected to end speculation about his future by signing a contract to play alongside Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane for MLS franchise LA Galaxy.
Despite late interest from Manchester United due to their injury problems at full back, negotiations between 35-year-old Cole and the American club are already at an advanced stage with an official announcement likely to take place soon.
Cole’s contract at Serie A side Roma was terminated by mutual consent earlier this month with the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea player choosing to end his career in sunny California rather than returning to the Premier League.
Ashley Cole is set to join LA Galazy, despite interest from Manchester United
12:24
Victor Valdes leaves Manchester United… on loan
Manchester United misfit Victor Valdes has finally left the club, after failing to play a single minute this season.
Valdes, the former Barcelona goalkeeper, joined United last season, but has found himself behind both David de Gea and Sergio Romero in the pecking order.
He has now joined Standard Liege on a loan until the end of the season.
The Belgium club said: ‘We are very proud and happy that we can receive such a professional. We would like to give a warm welcome to Victor Valdes and we wish him all the best at our club.’
12:20
How much???
Chelsea can buy Radamel Falcao at the end of his season-long loan – if they pay £38m!
RICHARD ARROWSMITH: Details of Radamel Falcao’s loan agreement with Premier League champions Chelsea have been revealed by whistle blowing website Football Leaks.
The Colombia international joined the Blues from Monaco until the end of the season after Manchester United rejected an option for a permanent transfer following an unsuccessful loan spell at Old Trafford last term.
According to documents published by Football Leaks, Chelsea have a similar option to buy the striker, who has again struggled for form and fitness during what has been the worst title defence in Premier League history, for £37,844,328.
Chelsea can sign Radamel Falcao permanently at the end of his loan for a huge £38m
12:15
McCormack wants out
Away from the top flight, here’s some news on Fulham’s wantaway striker Ross McCormack.
The Scot has told Fulham he wants to leave and believes he has played his last game for the club and is keen to push through a move to Middlesbrough.
He was left out of Saturday’s team to face Hull after complaining about feeling unwell and has not trained all week.
Middlesbrough have proposed a £9million offer plus striker Kike on loan for McCormack and will increase their bid.
12:01
Top clubs fight for Stones
ROB DRAPER: John Stones will be at centre of a £50m transfer scramble in the summer, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea all keen to sign him.
Everton turned down the opportunity to sell their highly-rated centre half last summer, rejecting a £38million bid from Chelsea.
But the interest in Stones has intensified since then, with Rafa Benitez having asked Real Madrid to sign him when he was manager at the club.
11:45
Jose on the move?
Where else to start than with Jose Mourinho? It may not be a player transfer, but it’s still the big story of the day.
The news last night was a report that Mourinho had directly contacted Manchester United to offer his services with a six-page letter.
However, this morning, Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, blasted the report as ‘absurd’, and said there was no truth to it at all.
What do you think?
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been linked to the Manchester United job
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea set for £50m battle to sign Everton’s John Stones
24/01/16 13:52
John Stones will be at centre of a £50m transfer scramble in the summer, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea all keen to sign him. Everton turned down the opportunity to sell their highly-rated centre half last summer, rejecting a £38million bid from Chelsea. But the interest in Stones has intensified since then, with Rafa Benitez having asked Real Madrid to sign him when he was manager at the club. …read
Manchester United outcast Victor Valdes completes loan move to Standard Liege
24/01/16 12:55
Manchester United have confirmed that goalkeeper Victor Valdes has joined Belgian side Standard Liege on loan until the end of the season. The Spain international made just two appearances for United
Chelsea loan deal for Radamel Falcao includes option to buy misfiring striker for £38m in details revealed by Football Leaks
24/01/16 12:10
Radamel Falcao joined Chelsea from Monaco until the end of the season after Manchester United rejected an option to buy the striker on a permanent deal. The Colombian has managed just one goal for the Blues.
Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool latest plus more from Premier League and rest of Europe
24/01/16 11:39
As we enter the final week of the January transfer window, clubs in the Premier League and Europe are making their moves before it closes.
Ross McCormack wants out of Fulham with Middlesbrough launching £9m bid for striker
24/01/16 07:48
Ross McCormack has told Fulham he wants to leave. The Scotland international believes he has played his last game for the club and is keen to push through a move to Middlesbrough.
Matteo Darmian injury leaves Manchester United looking for reinforcements as Italian becomes FIFTH full-back to be sidelined
24/01/16 01:52
Darmian was hurt in a collision with Southampton’s Shane Long and was spitting blood as club physios went to his aid. It has been confirmed he has a broken rib and punctured lung.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino: ‘I only want good guys after Dani Osvaldo mistake’
23/01/16 19:18
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino refuses to be rushed into signing a striker after having his fingers burned with Dani Osvaldo at Southampton.
Manchester United close in on £60m Renato Sanches as they step up plans to sign Benfica starlet following interest from rivals
23/01/16 13:10
SIMON JONES AND CHRIS WHEELER: Renato Sanches has a buy-out clause of nearly £60m but Manchester United are negotiating hard to get the price down.
Chelsea midfielder Ramires could be set for January move away from Stamford Bridge
23/01/16 13:00
EXCLUSIVE: The 52 cap midfielder has attracted interest from European heavyweights including Bayern Munich and PSG but there is also interest from further afield.
Crystal Palace eyeing summer swoop for Brighton defender Lewis Dunk
23/01/16 00:22
Crystal Palace are monitoring Brighton defender Lewis Dunk ahead of a possible summer move. The 22-year-old has played 24 times for the Seagulls this season.
Sunderland sign Newcastle stalwart Steve Harper until the end of the season
23/01/16 00:03
Sunderland have completed the signing of former Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper. The 40-year-old has penned a short-term deal until the end of the season at the Stadium of Light.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp not looking for quick fixes in the January transfer window as he refuses to discuss Alex Teixeira bid
22/01/16 23:26
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would dip into the January transfer market if he could sign a player for his long-term plans but he will not look for a quick-fix to the lack of goals.
Tottenham offered Jackson Martinez but have doubts over Atletico Madrid striker
22/01/16 22:52
Tottenham have been offered Jackson Martinez as their search for a new striker drags on ‒ but there is major reservation at White Hart Lane about a swoop for the the Colombian.
Transfer news LATEST: Alex Teixeira, Saido Berahino, Steve Harper plus more stories from the Premier League and Europe
22/01/16 19:09
With ten days of the January transfer window remaining, the player carousel among clubs from the Premier League and the rest of Europe is well and truly under way.
Liverpool prepared to increase £24.5m offer for Chelsea target Alex Teixeira as club send delegation to Florida to negotiate with Shakhtar Donetsk
22/01/16 17:06
Liverpool are prepared to increase their £24.5m bid for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian striker Alex Teixeira. A delegation from the Premier League club are currently in negotiations
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic says ‘there is no other place I would rather play’ after signing new deal until summer 2017
22/01/16 16:52
Branislav Ivanovic is determined to help Chelsea reproduce the successes of his past eight years at the club after signing to stay at Stamford Bridge for at least one more year.
West Brom manager Tony Pulis admits Saido Berahino ‘circus’ could go the distance with Spurs yet to make approach
22/01/16 16:14
West Brom boss Tony Pulis insists the club have yet to receive a bid for striker Saido Berahino during the January transfer window. Berahino handed in a transfer request at the start of the season.
Dundee United to bring in teenage West Ham United defender Kyle Knoyle on loan
22/01/16 14:42
Dundee United have moved to replace the departing Ryan McGowan by bringing in 19-year-old West Ham full back Kyle Knoyle on loan. McGowan is to join Chinese Super League’s Henan Jianye.
Bournemouth ready to offload Lee Tomlin in loan move with Hull and Leeds ready to offer forward first-time opportunities
22/01/16 13:45
Bournemouth are to allow forward Lee Tomlin to go out on loan this month – with Hull City and Leeds United leading the chase for the 27-year-old who has scored just once since moving to the south coast.
Roberto Martinez not fussed by losing out to West Ham for Sam Byram… as Everton boss warns Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku are going nowhere in January
22/01/16 13:02
Everton moved to the front of the queue to sign the highly-regarded 22-year-old last Thursday before he chose the prospect of more playing time under Slaven Bilic at West Ham United.
Liverpool and Arsenal dealt blow as transfer target Inaki Williams commits future to Athletic Bilbao
22/01/16 12:04
The highly-rated 21-year-old, who has been linked with a host of English clubs, has extended his deal until 2021. The club confirmed the release clause in the new contract would be £38.1million.
Robert Lewandowski’s agent refuses to rule out Bayern Munich exit as striker continues to be linked with a move from the Allianz
22/01/16 12:02
Robert Lewandowski’s agent has insisted the striker is happy at Bayern Munich despite continued links with a move away from the Allianz. Cezary Kucharski refused to be drawn reported interest.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan hoping manager Thomas Tuchel can convince him to stay at Borussia Dortmund once again
22/01/16 11:54
Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel convinced Henrikh Mkhitaryan to stay with the club in March last year and the Armenian star is hoping to continue turning out for the Bundesliga outfit.
Newcastle rival Swansea for signature of Aston Villa winger Scott Sinclair
22/01/16 11:08
Newcastle United have expressed an interest in signing Aston Villa’s Scott Sinclair, who has an offer from Swansea City. The 26-year-old has made 16 appearances this season.
West Ham striker Mauro Zarate completes £1.6m move to Fiorentina after sending farewell message to club’s owners and fans
22/01/16 10:53
The Argentinian striker, who joined the Hammers in the summer of 2014, had fallen out of favour with Hammers boss Slaven Bilic. He has joined Fiorentina for a fee believed to be £1.6million.
Leeds ready to reinvest Sam Byram money after making ‘two written bids’ for players
22/01/16 10:45
Byram was sold to West Ham for an undisclosed fee, understood to be £3.7million, and head coach Steve Evans has revealed club president Massimo Cellino’s bid to strengthen is on-going
Liverpool hopeful that Alex Teixeira will qualify for work permit via points system
22/01/16 10:33
Liverpool believe Alex Teixeira will qualify for a work permit based on the new points system despite not being a Brazil international. Shakhtar Donetsk are considering the Reds’ £24.5m offer.
Premier League transfer window: Club-by-club guide to all the January 2016 moves
22/01/16 10:22
Keep up to date with all the deals being done involving Premier League clubs in the January transfer window with our club-by-club breakdown of EVERY move as it happens.
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel wanted by Sven Goran Eriksson at Shanghai SIPG
22/01/16 09:42
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is wanted by Shanghai SIPG. Sven Goran Eriksson’s club are willing to offer £6million for the Nigerian plus wages of £60,000 a week after tax.
Liverpool make £23m offer for Chelsea target Alex Teixeira as club send delegation to Florida to begin talks with Shakhtar star
21/01/16 22:30
A Liverpool delegation, led by chief executive Ian Ayre, met Shakhtar officials in Miami on Wednesday to discuss a £23million move for the Brazilian forward who has been linked with Chelsea.
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Transfer news LATEST: Alex Teixeira, Alexandre Pato, Nicklas Bendtner plus more stories from around Europe
21/01/16 20:25
Clubs from the Premier League and rest of Europe are beginning to show their hand in the January transfer market with the player carousel well and truly under way.
Chelsea facing an uphill battle to convince midfielder Nemanja Matic to stay at Stamford Bridge
21/01/16 19:59
TRANSFER COLUMN: Chelsea face a battle to convince Matic he has a future at Stamford Bridge. Question marks are hovering over several players such as Pedro, Costa, Oscar and Hazard.
Crystal Palace weighing up ‘big player’ move for Arsenal flop Nicklas Bendtner, admits Alan Pardew
21/01/16 19:35
Pardew admits he wants to buy a ‘big player’ before the January transfer window shuts and it could mean a return to English football for Bendtner who left Arsenal for Wolfsburg last year.
Chelsea defender Papy Djilobodji joins Werder Bremen on loan until end of season
21/01/16 19:33
Werder Bremen have signed Papy Djilobodji on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season. The 27-year-old managed only one minute of action for the Premier League champions.
Claudio Ranieri ‘very confident’ of signing new striker as Leicester City focus on Premier League title challenge
21/01/16 19:32
Claudio Ranieri is ‘very confident’ of signing a new striker to support Jamie Vardy after letting Andrej Kramaric leave on loan to Hoffenheim. Leicester are after an athletic centre forward this month
Chelsea plan further talks with Ezequiel Lavezzi’s representatives in bid to sign out-of-contract PSG forward in the summer
21/01/16 19:31
Chelsea will meet again with Ezequiel Lavezzi’s agents as they look to sign the Argentine in the summer on a free transfer after his Paris Saint-Germain contract runs out.
Sam Vokes pens new three-and-a-half year deal with Championship side Burnley
21/01/16 18:34
Burnley striker Sam Vokes has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the club that will keep him at Turf Moor until the summer of 2019.
Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo was very close to joining Chelsea with £2million deal for former MK Dons trainee agreed
21/01/16 17:30
Chelsea came within a whisker of signing Liverpool’s new kid on the block Sheyi Ojo in 2011. The 18-year-old had a night to remember on Wednesday, scoring his first Liverpool goal.
Alex Teixeira is one of Europe’s most deadly forwards, but is Shakhtar Donetsk hitman the answer to Jurgen Klopp’s problems as Liverpool steal march on Chelsea?
21/01/16 17:26
OLIVER TODD: Jurgen Klopp has settled on the free-scoring forward as the man to transform his attacking fortunes with Anfield officials in Orlando looking to wrap up a deal.
Tottenham could stop Manchester United move for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale as ‘club have first refusal on former midfielder’
21/01/16 17:22
The Welshman left White Hart Lane for La Liga in 2013 in a world-record deal, and Manchester United are just one of the teams keen on bringing him back to England.
Mark Warburton insists Rangers won’t end up with a panic buy in the transfer window
21/01/16 17:06
Mark Warburton insists Rangers will steer clear of frenzied panic buys in the final hours of the transfer window. Moves for Michael O’Halloran and Toumani Diagouraga continue to rumble on.
Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner will not be deciding on new transfers as the board take bigger responsibility for January signings
21/01/16 17:04
Aston Villa’s January transfer spending will be decided by the club board rather than just owner Randy Lerner, new chairman Steve Hollis has confirmed.
Arsenal’s new signing Mohamed Elneny posts picture of his son dressed in a Gunners shirt to Instagram
21/01/16 17:01
He may only just have moved to England, but Arsenal’s new midfielder Mohamed Elneny is already endearing himself to the club’s fans.
Chelsea lining up summer swoop for Ezequiel Lavezzi with PSG star’s contract set to expire
21/01/16 17:00
Chelsea have held positive talks with the representatives of Paris St Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic signs new one-year deal worth £120,000-a-week
21/01/16 17:00
Branislav Ivanovic will stay at Chelsea for at least one more year after signing a new deal on Thursday, putting an end to speculation about his immediate future.
Ronaldinho says he’ll decide on his future after Rio Carnival but insists he has no plans to retire just yet
21/01/16 16:57
Ronaldinho will decide on his future after celebrating the Rio Carnival, but the former Barcelona and AC Milan forward has every intention of carrying on his playing career a little while longer.
Chelsea fans’ view: Alexandre Pato is past his prime – why are we signing him and watching Charlie Austin go for £4million?
21/01/16 16:36
Chelsea fans’ view: The impending move of Alexandre Pato to Chelsea has an air of familiarity about it. A player long past his prime is being touted to reverse Blues’ failings this season.
Alexandre Pato to Chelsea? ‘Brazilian Messi’ was tipped for the top at AC Milan before rebuilding his career back home… it’s a £7m risk, but perhaps one worth taking
21/01/16 16:32
CRAIG HOPE: Alexandre Pato is in talks with Chelsea. He’s the boy prince of Brazil who was supposed to inherit Ronaldinho’s crown but instead made a royal mess of his career.
West Ham forward Mauro Zarate ready to end Boleyn stay by accepting pay-cut on £40,000-a-week wages to join Fiorentina
21/01/16 14:03
West Ham striker Mauro Zarate is set to complete a January switch to Fiorentina – and is ready to accept a pay-cut to leave Upton Park. The Italian club are in talks with about the Argentine forward.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic denies bid for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge joking, ‘I would also like to sign Lionel Messi’
21/01/16 13:59
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has denied making a move for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge. But the Croatian is keen to bolster his attacking options in the transfer window.
Victor Valdes says his goodbyes as Spanish goalkeeper’s Standard Liege loan move nears completion
21/01/16 13:27
Victor Valdes’ Old Trafford nightmare is set to come to a close as he posted a farewell message to fans. Standard Liege are ready to offer the goalkeeper an escape route out of Manchester United.
MK Dons interested in bringing in Crystal Palace midfielder Jonny Williams on loan
21/01/16 13:22
MK Dons have enquired about taking Crystal Palace youngster Jonny Williams on loan. The Welsh midfielder is back at Selhurst Park after an earlier loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
Victor Valdes set to end Manchester United nightmare as Spanish goalkeeper edges closer to Standard Liege loan move
21/01/16 12:46
The former Barcelona goalkeeper signed an 18-month contract at Old Trafford a year ago but has been frozen out following a dispute with manager Louis van Gaal.
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