Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea in advanced Thuram talks, Felix to Blues CONFIRMED, Liverpool want Bellingham, Messi latest

Sar it coming

Wolves are in talks to sign Paris Saint-Germain ace Pablo Sarabia.

According to The Athletic, Julen Lopetegui’s side have entered negotiations to sign Sarabia this month.

It’s not yet known whether they are hunting a permanent deal, or merely a loan with possible obligation to buy the winger.

The 30-year-old has just 18 months remaining on his contract at Parc des Princes.

Therefore, PSG are not expected to demand a large fee for the Spain international

Everton’s American dream

Everton are interested in signing Lille star Timothy Weah, who stood out in the 2022 World Cup with USA.

But Weah has struggled for form in front of goal in Ligue 1 this season, with no goals in 10 games.

Despite that, Toffees’ manager Frank Lampard is seriously considering a move for the winger, according to L’Equipe.

There are several clubs linked with the 22-year-old, who missed the early part of the campaign with a foot injury.

The same report suggests there could be a Premier League transfer battle with Fulham and Brighton also monitoring the American situation.

Sevilla are also taking a look at the forward who could cost around £13.25million

Ham the man

Fulham are pushing to sign Rennes captain Hamari Traore in the January transfer window.

According to Foot Mercato, the Cottagers are interested in the services of Traore, who has been started all-but one Ligue 1 match this season.

But the right-back’s contract expires in the summer and he isn’t set to sign an extension.

The Mali international will therefore be available on a free transfer in July, but the report claims that Fulham want to beat the rush and sign him this month.

Roma are also in the race, but Macro Silva’s side have launched a bid of around £3million

Ramos and Kudus targeted

Manchester United have turned their focus on Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos and Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus ahead of the summer transfer window.

United are set to sign Burnley star Wout Weghorst on loan until the end of the season after Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious exit.

But the Red Devils will need a new permanent striker at the end of this season with manager Erik ten Hag looking to do business early.

According to the Manchester Evening News, United are already eyeing moves for both Ramos and Kudus.

Both are more “attainable” than other options such as Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Oshimen, who would command large prices

Harzard is Mudryk’s alternative

Arsenal are in talks to sign Real Madrid star Eden Hazard during the January transfer window. 

According to Media Foot, ex-Chelsea star Hazard could return to the Premier League after struggling at Real. 

The Gunners will turn their focus to the winger if they fail to sign top target and Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo Mudryk.

The North Londoners have made contact with Los Blancos to see if signing the Belgian would be possible

Al-Hilal target Messi

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi is being eyed up by Al-Hilal in a deal worth £245MILLION per year.

Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in the Middle East earlier this month after agreeing a staggering £173m-a-year transfer to Al-Nassr.

It makes Ronaldo the highest-paid sports star in the world by some margin as he prepares to finish his career with the club.

But according to Mundo Deportivo, Messi could be given the opportunity to dwarf the Manchester United legend’s wage packet in the coming months.

The 35-year-old is out of contract in the summer but reports have claimed he has a “verbal agreement” with PSG to extend his stay in Paris.

But the star forward is now being linked with a lucrative move to Al-Hilal – Al-Nassr’s bitter rivals – in a deal that would see him earn around £70m MORE than Ronaldo each year

Jude Bellingham latest

Liverpool have been accused of offering Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham’s father a job with the club amid their bid to sign the England international.

According to Nacional (via the Mirror), the Reds are prepared to offer Bellingham’s dad Mark a scouting job with the club.

The Merseysiders are also said to be keeping tabs on the midfielder’s younger brother Jobe, who still plays at Birmingham.

The Spanish outlet claims that plan aims to blow Real Madrid out of the bidding war

Joao Felix debut

Chelsea completed the loan signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid until the end of the season.

The Blues take on Fulham at Craven Cottage tonight, with Felix having the potential to make his debut then.

Speaking after the forward’s signing, as quoted by Absolute Chelsea, manager Graham Potter discussed the potential date of his debut.

Potter said: “It was nice to get him training today, but we are still waiting on confirmation [of registration] for him to play [against Fulham].”

If Felix doesn’t play then he could make his bow against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday

Chelsea target Thuram

Chelsea have now turned their attention to Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram after signing Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid.

That is according to 90Min, who claim the Blues have even spoken to Thuram’s representatives.

The striker is out of contract at the end of the season and has attracted plenty of interest from Europe’s biggest bidders.

The West Londoners have also been trying to land RB Leipzig superstar Christopher Nkunku but there has been a delay and they now want Thuram for some immediate help.

With the France international refusing to extend his Gladbach contract, the Bundesliga side are keen to agree to a sale this month and have welcomed Chelsea’s interest.

But the 25-year-old wants to explore all his options before making a final decision as he would attract a more lucrative contract as a free agent in the summer

Wolves want PSG star

Wolves are keen on signing PSG star Pablo Sarabia, reports say.

The 30-year-old has worked with Julen Lopetegui twice in the past.

Sarabia was captain of Spain’s under 19s when Lopetegui was the coach back in 2011.

They also worked together briefly in 2019 at Sevilla.

And The Athletic say they could reunite for a second time.

Man Utd will struggle to seal top striker

Manchester United will find it tough to seal their top striker and midfield targets in the summer without a squad overhaul, according to reports.

The club will need to spend big to bring in their preferred players at the end of this season and they could face financial challenges in doing so.

Many first-team stars could be sold to balance the books and allow for manager Erik ten Hag to continue his re-build of the squad.

The Telegraph report that even if the Glazer family sell the club it will not lead to a major boost in transfer funds for the summer.

This is because Man Utd still owe other sides £307million in unpaid transfer instalments and UEFA’s new financial rules could prevent them further.

The governing body are set to restrict spending to 70 per cent of total revenues by 2025/26 with it dropping ten per cent each time over the next three seasons.

Delap has Stoke loan transfer cancelled

Rory Delap’s son Liam has ended his loan with Stoke to join Preston from Manchester City.

The forward, who has been with City since youth level, spent the first six months of the season on loan with Stoke.

Delap scored three goals for The Potters, where his dad made his name for his famous throw-ins.

But the 19-year-old will spend the remainder of the season with rivals Preston.

Delap said: “I’m buzzing. It’s such a great club and I’m really excited to meet the boys and play in front of the fans. I’ve spoken to the manager and I’m really happy with what he’s got to say and the style of football he plays, so I can’t wait to get playing under him.

“As a striker at the end of the day, the manager wants goals so that’s what he’s said to me. I trust myself in front of goal. I trust myself to get in the right positions so if I get the opportunity then hopefully I can bring that.”

Reus open to joining Ronaldo 

Marco Reus is open to a move away from Borussia Dortmund – and is refusing to rule out joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.

Reus has been with the German outfit since 2012, but his contact is set to expire this summer.

He will be available as a free agent at the end of the season and the Daily Mail have reported that Al-Nassr are hoping to lure the attacking midfielder to Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Pro League side have already shocked the world by signing Cristiano Ronaldo this season after his time with Manchester United was cut short.

Reus hasn’t ruled out a move away from the Signal Iduna Park after 11 years with the club.

He said to German outlet BILD: “Of course you look ahead. I only have six months left on my contract. I think if you didn’t think about it, that would be wrong too.”

Mudryk hugs team-mates

Arsenal target Mykhalio Mudryk was seen hugging a team-mate as he continues to train with his Shakhtar despite his ongoing transfer saga.

The Ukraine international is currently in the middle of a tussle between London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

But in the mean time, Mudryk is in Turkey with the rest of the squad for their mid-season training camp.

Shakhtar don’t play again until they face Rennes in the Europa League 16 February.

And they’ll be hoping the 22-year-old will be able to feature in the play-off tie.

But he was recently spotted talking to chief Darijo Srna and it’s unclear whether he’ll still be at the club by the end of the month.

How Chelsea could line up against Fulham

Chelsea are faced with an injury crisis as they head to Fulham for a London derby.

Graham Potter’s side make the short trip to Craven Cottage on Thursday hoping to bounce back from two defeats in four days to Manchester City.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will return to the squad after missing the trip to the Etihad, but Chelsea are still without several other key players.

Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling will also miss the game.

Going forward, it’s touch and go whether Joao Felix has been registered in time to play.

The Portugal star is set to have a work permit meeting on Thursday, while Potter said: “It was good to get him in training today and we will see about playing on Thursday.”

Knockaert joins Huddersfield

Former Leicester City ace Anthony Knockaert has joined Huddersfield Town.

The 31-year-old has joined Huddersfield on loan for the remainder of the season.

Head Coach Mark Fotheringham said: “We’re delighted to have a player of Anthony’s calibre join the group, and I’m really looking forward to working with him between now and the end of the season.

“He has been a pleasure to deal with to date, and has shown a real desire to buy in to what we’re trying to achieve as a team which is a real positive.

“This is the type of signing that shows our ambition and commitment to getting out of our current predicament, with Anthony giving us a completely different point of attack in an area of the pitch that we’ve been badly hampered by injury.

“You cannot underestimate someone with the track record and experience Anthony has, and that will be invaluable in such an important stretch of the season.

“He’ll be getting involved with training straight away, and we’ll hope to have him up to speed and available as soon as possible.”

Messi EQUALS Ronaldo record

LIONEL MESSI has equalled newlySaudi-based Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally of 696 goals for clubs in Europe’s top five leagues.

The Argentine bagged his latest strike in Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-0 victory over Angers last night.

Messi, 35, achieved the feat on his return to club action following his World Cup triumph last month.

Europe’s top five leagues are the Premier League, LaLiga, Ligue 1, the Bundesliga and Serie A.

He netted 672 goals in 778 appearances for former club Barcelona.

And he has since added a further 24 strikes in 54 PSG outings.

Forest in for Tete

Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Brazilian winger Tete, according to reports.

talkSPORT reckon that Nottingham Forest are at the front of the queue to sign Tete.

He has bagged eight goals and eight assists in 28 games for Lyon since joining them in March.

West Ham also hold an interest in the 22-year-old.

Aubameyang wants Barcelona transfer return

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wants to return to Barcelona just FOUR months after he left to join Chelsea.

The Gabon international has endured a nightmare return to the Premier League and is out of favour under Graham Potter.

He’s hasn’t started a game since lining up against his former club Arsenal in November and has scored just three goals.

And ex-Arsenal captain Aubameyang has looked a shadow of his former self in recent weeks, highlighted by the fact he was subbed off after being subbed on against Manchester City last week.

As a result, AS claim the 33-year-old is unhappy at Chelsea and wants to go back to Spain.

The report states that Aubameyang is so desperate that he would be willing to return to any cost.

Leeds agree Rutter deal

Leeds have agreed a deal to sign Hoffenheim forward Georginio Rutter, reports say.

Rutter is set to become their new £35.5million club record signing, Sky Germany reports.

The 20-year-old will fly to England to undergo medical once the finer details of the deal are sorted.