The winter football transfer market in Europe is not bubbling as expected yet. However, the rumours wouldn’t soft pedal.
Here are some top transfer rumours for today:
Celtic, Rangers lead chase for Awoniyi
Rivals Celtic and Rangers are ready to compete for the transfer of Liverpool forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who is currently on loan at Bundesliga side Union Berlin.
Awoniyi has made 14 Bundesliga appearances so far this season and has five goals and two assists to show for his 10 starts, with Union currently in Champions League contention just outside of the top four as the halfway stage of the campaign approaches.
The 23-year-old’s form has caught the attention of a number of clubs.
90min has learned that there is Premier League interest, although it is Celtic and Rangers who are leading the chase.
Awoniyi joined Liverpool in 2015, although failure to secure a work permit for the Nigerian talent has meant he has never made an appearance for the Reds.
Instead, he has spent the last five-and-a-half years on loan at various clubs in continental Europe and Union Berlin are his sixth different team.
Arsenal tipped to sign Grealish
Arsenal have been told to sign Aston Villa star Jack Grealish, according to Football London.
That is the view of Piers Morgan and Harry Redknapp believe the Gunners should chase Grealish, even if the England international ends up costing £100 million.
“I think they have to spend,” Redknapp said to Morgan while speaking on the Harry Redknapp Show.
“They are way off it, at the moment. They need to bring a bit of quality. Arsenal is a massive football club – Take a Grealish.
Morgan agreed, adding that he would break the bank for the midfielder.
Previously, Morgan said on Twitter: “Arsenal should break the bank for @JackGrealish in January.
“If we don’t get some creative flair into the team, we’re going nowhere – and he’s the most creative player in the country.
“Offer Villa £100m for him or £50m + [Mesut] Ozil, [Shkodran] Mustafi & [Granit] Xhaka. I’m deadly serious.”
‘Declan Rice will choose Chelsea’
Rio Ferdinand has insisted West Ham Declan Rice will choose Chelsea over Manchester United in the transfer window, according to Mirror.
“I don’t think he goes this window, I think he stays there for the remainder of the season.
“I don’t think he’s the kind of kid who is going to push to leave right now,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
“If it happens, it will be between the clubs.
“I don’t think he’s going to be the person that instigates it.
“I think he’s quite a laid-back kid in that sense but he’s a driven kid.
“He’s someone who wants to achieve, better himself and improve.”
He added: “Good luck to him. I think it’s inevitable he will go but I think – if I’m being realistic – he will go in the summer and I think it would be to Chelsea if he had his wish.”
Balogun to join RB Leipzig
Arsenal sensation, Folarin Balogun, has agreed in principle to join RB Leipzig, Football Insider exclusively reveal.
The Bundesliga big hitters are in line to win the race for the striker, 19, in what is a huge blow to the Premier League club.
An Arsenal source has told Football Insider that Balogun is set to sign a pre-contract with Leipzig and will join them in the summer on a free transfer.
He is out of contract at the Gunners at the end of the season.
Manager Mikel Arteta claimed last week that Arsenal had offered Balogun a long-term contract and that the youngster was keen to sign him.
But he is now set to become the latest young player to swap a Premier League club for one of the Bundesliga giants.
Tomori to AC Milan
Chelsea defender Tomori is being eyed by AC Milan on loan and Lampard has admitted the England international could leave, reports Mirror.
He said: “The situation with Fikayo is open about the moment.
“There is a possibility he could be going on loan to get games somewhere else.
“So, that would have to be the solution for him and the club.
“That was part of my thinking of not starting him today.”
According to the Guardian, AC Milan are interested in signing him on loan for the rest of the season, as are Newcastle and Leeds United.
Garcia agrees terms with Barcelona
Manchester City defender Eric Garcia has reached an agreement regarding personal terms with Barcelona, Goal has confirmed, but there is still a fair way to go before a return to Camp Nou can come to fruition.
It is understood that Carles Alena’s loan move to Getafe has freed up enough funds for the Catalan giants to wrap up a deal for Garcia, with the problematic centre-back position seen as a top priority as Barca look to close the gap on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Before an official bid is made, however, interim president Carles Tusquets will ask all four presidential candidates their opinion ahead of the vote on January 24 and, if all give the green light, the club will make their move.
It is also understood that Barca will offer only €5 million for Garcia, whose contract with City runs out in the summer, but that Pep Guardiola’s side had hoped to receive a larger fee for a player who has been at the club since 2017.
Still, City are reluctant to lose the 20-year-old on a free transfer and are more relaxed about their centre-back situation as Ruben Dias has slotted seamlessly into Guardiola’s plans alongside a rejuvenated John Stones, who appears to have returned to his best form.
In addition, Aymeric Laporte remains an option for the heart of Guardiola’s defence, with Nathan Ake also available for selection.
Chelsea eye Upamecano
With the defence still an issue for Lampard, the Blues are ready to up their interest in the highly-rated Upamecano.
A long list of clubs are interested in him, including Premier League rivals Liverpool and United.
And the Frenchman will be available for £40m this summer due to a release clause in his contract.
However, RB Leipzig will not be letting the defender leave this month no matter what and are prepared to wait until the summer, with the German club still in the Champions League.
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