<
        >

          Coquelin, Debuchy to join Alexis Sanchez in Arsenal exodus

          • ESPN staffJan 8, 2018, 07:04 PM ET

          The transfer window is heating up! Transfer Talk brings you live updates on all the latest rumours and done deals. Check out all the confirmed January moves so far on our transfers page.

          TOP STORY: Arsenal's fire sale

          Arsenal could include Mathieu Debuchy in a deal to sign West Brom defender Jonny Evans, the London Evening Standard reports.

          West Brom rate Evans, also a Manchester City target, at £25 million and the Standard says the Baggies "are keen to include Debuchy as part of a possible deal." Arsenal, for their part, "are hopeful of tempting Evans to the Emirates Stadium with an offer of first-team football as opposed to probable rotation at City." Debuchy would consider staying in England despite his preference being to return to France.

          Meanwhile, Gunners midfielder Francis Coquelin could be on his way to Valencia, according to the Mail. It reports that Arsenal are prepared to sell Coquelin, who has been on the fringes of Arsene Wenger's squad, with West Ham also interested but boss David Moyes fearing that he "would prefer a move to Spain." Debuchy and Coquelin aren't the only ones heading for the Emirates exit -- with Alexis Sanchez's protracted move to Manchester City apparently close to being resolved.

          Sources have told ESPN FC that the two clubs have opened talks over a deal, and the Chile international could join by the weekend.

          LIVE BLOG

          22:58 GMT: Right, that's it for Tuesday's live edition of Transfer Talk. Check back at ESPNFC.com soon for Wednesday's edition!

          22:37 GMT: Our final entry of the day is a DONE DEAL in Liga MX as Leon complete the signing of former Derby County and Orlando City SC forward Giles Barnes.

          Read the full story here.

          22:17 GMT: Here's a rumour in Italy as AS Roma defender Leandro Castan is reportedly close to completing a loan move to Genoa until the end of the 2017-18 season.

          22:02 GMT: Another DONE DEAL in MLS?

          21:40 GMT: Hey, a DONE DEAL in Scotland!

          That's Celtic forward Nadir Ciftci moving to Motherwell on loan until the end of the 2017-18 season. Ciftci, 25, had failed to make an impact at the Scottish champions, notching just four goals in 12 appearances since 2015 and faring little better on loan at Eskisehirspor, Pogon Szczesin or Plymouth Argyle.

          Here's hoping a stint at Fir Park can get him back on track.

          21:14 GMT: Right, back to the Premier League we go and some potentially big news involving Manchester United...

          ... Globoesporte reports that they're negotiating with Paris Saint-Germain for out-of-favour Brazil international winger Lucas Moura as a January signing. Wow. The report states that United would be willing to offer €25m but the Ligue 1 giants will hold firm for a price of €40m.

          Would United fancy bridging that gap or is this just the dancing before the deal is done?

          Moura, 25, is in need of first-team football given the upcoming World Cup and given that he's not getting it at the Parc des Princes, a move to Old Trafford might suit him to a tee if he's to make it into Tite's squad.

          Sky Sports had the following to say, according to their sources: "We are told Man United are interested but no agreement has been reached between the clubs. It is understood PSG would look at doing a permanent deal to comply with Financial Fair Play Rules. Perhaps one to watch for the remainder of this window."

          20:59 GMT: Final MLS tidbit for now as Real Salt Lake announce a DONE DEAL for Adam Henley.

          Henley, 23, is a versatile defender who comes to the U.S. from Blackburn Rovers, where he worked his way through the academy before making 80 appearances in the Premier League and Championship over six seasons.

          20:44 GMT: Staying in MLS, Metro reports that the New York Red Bulls are close to getting former academy product Amando Moreno back from Club Tijuana.

          Moreno has been in Liga MX for four seasons and is looking to return north, where he previously featured for the U.S. U-18 and U-20 national team.

          20:29 GMT: Here's a DONE DEAL in Major League Soccer, the first of a few small entries coming up, as Columbus Crew SC have added Eduardo Sosa to their ranks ahead of the 2018 season.

          Sosa, 21, hails from Venezuela, where he racked up 59 appearances (38 starts), eight goals and six assists for FC Zamora since making his debut on Nov. 10, 2013.

          Sosa joins as a Discovery Signing (we don't know either) and will officially join the squad "pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa" (yep). He'll occupy one of Crew SC's international roster slots.

          Gregg Berhalter, the Crew SC's Sporting Director and Head Coach, had this to say about Sosa href="https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2018/01/09/crew-sc-adds-venezuelan-midfielder-eduardo-sosa/" target="_blank">on the club website: "Eduardo is a player who at an early age has already proven he can compete at a high level.

          "Zamora FC is known for developing players and the club has been great to work with. We believe Eduardo has high potential and will fit well into our playing style. We look forward to working with him."

          20:14 GMT: It's time for another episode of ESPN FC's Rumour Rater as Steve Nicol looks over the latest whispers surrounding Joe Hart, Riyad Mahrez and more.

          Watch Rumour Rater here.

          19:54 GMT: Not a done deal, per se, but some important news out of Chelsea as 21-year-old defender Andreas Christensen has signed a new four-and-a-half year deal that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2022.

          Christensen has made 22 appearances this season and continued to impress manager Antonio Conte, prompting the contract extension. The Denmark centre-back had previously been on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach.

          What makes this news intriguing is that it could cement a move out of Stamford Bridge for David Luiz. One to watch as the January window ticks on...

          19:31 GMT: And now, a DONE DEAL in League One as Rochdale announce the permanent signing of Ryan Delaney, previously of Burton Albion.

          Delaney, 21, is a versatile defender and has committed to The Dale with a two-and-a-half year deal.

          19:12 GMT: Here's a DONE DEAL in the National League as Norwich City midfielder Ebou Adams is heading on loan to Leyton Orient.

          18:58 GMT: There's a DONE DEAL in Liga MX as former Rangers and Chivas midfielder Carlos Pena is heading to Cruz Azul.

          The Mexican side announced the move late on Monday night -- Rangers have since confirmed the year-long loan -- but the 27-year-old has reconnected with his former boss in Scotland, Pedro Caixinha, who brought Pena to Ibrox before being sacked in October.

          18:41 GMT: Need some updates from Ligue 1? Julien Laurens' Tuesday column has you covered as he runs through what promises to be a busy January for Paris aint-Germain, AS Monaco, Bordeaux and more.

          18:29 GMT: Click through to watch Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane talking about his January transfer plans -- or rather, the lack thereof.

          Zidane is insistent that his squad doesn't need enhancing this month despite the significant gap between them and rivals Barcelona in La Liga's title race.

          18:11 GMT: Hey, here's a DONE DEAL in Major League Soccer!

          That's a new contract for free agent A.J. DeLaGarza, who joined the Dynamo in January of 2017 before suffering an injury at the end of the season.

          Said Houston Vice President and General Manager, Matt Jordan: "A.J. has been an outstanding addition to our club since joining us last year. He brings a winning mentality to our group every day, and his professionalism has made a significant impact on and off the field."

          DeLaGarza is still recovering from a torn ACL but having successfully undergone surgery on Nov. 1 of last year, all signs point to the veteran defender being fit and ready for the start of the 2018 season.

          17:55 GMT: Some news involving the other team on Merseyside up next, as the Daily Star (via Marca) reports that Everton are among the Premier League teams hoping to sign Nicolas Gaitan before the end of January.

          Gaitan, 29, is a versatile attacker but has played just 12 games for Atletico Madrid this season, prompting him to worry about securing a place in this summer's World Cup squad for Argentina.

          According to Marca, Everton are in the chase along with Watford, West Ham and Southampton with word that Gaitan will make his choice in the next week or two.

          17:32 GMT: Talksport think the money from selling Philippe Coutinho is burning a hole in Liverpool's pockets and they believe that Kevin Strootman might be their next signing.

          Via a report by Premium Sport, the 27-year-old Roma and Netherlands midfielder could be an ideal, all-action midfield option for the Reds given Coutinho's exit and the reportedly imminent departure of Emre Can to Juventus when his contract expires this summer.

          17:11 GMT: The top story is about Manchester City today but are they also making moves beyond Alexis Sanchez?

          The Manchester Evening News reports that manager Pep Guardiola has picked out the successor for Fernandinho in his midfield: Shakhtar Donetsk and fellow Brazil teammate, Fred. The 24-year-old box-to-box player won't be easy to get but MEN believes that City have started laying a foundation for a summer move, working with intermediaries ahead of a hopeful £30m move.

          Fernandinho turns 33 in May and Yaya Toure will soon be out of contract at the Etihad, making midfield reinforcements a genuine priority.

          16:51 GMT: Are Stoke about to get January reinforcements from a player they sent on loan?

          Reports in Spain suggest that Bojan could be heading back to the Premier League earlier than planned due to his underwhelming loan spell so far at Alaves.

          The 27-year-old forward has made just three league starts since heading back to La Liga and with Alaves signing John Guidetti, a recall might suit the loanee club every bit as much as the loaner.

          16:19 GMT: An insightful read, this. Virgil van Dijk cost Liverpool £75 million and former Groningen technical director Henk Veldmate, now head of scouting at Ajax, talks about how he came to sign the Dutchman for a fraction of that nearly eight years ago. How's that for spotting a bargain?

          16:10 GMT: Here's a little more from our Barcelona man Sam Marsden on reports Arda Turan could be on the way out at Barcelona.

          16:04 GMT: Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been tipped to move to Real Madrid but the switch may have to be put on hold, according to Spanish outlet Onda Cero. The 23-year-old has a foot problem that may need surgery, meaning any deal would have to wait until the summer.

          15:53 GMT: West Ham boss David Moyes has previously hinted at being active in the window and according to a report in The Independent, he's after Burnley's Scott Arfield.

          15:49 GMT: Where's D.C. United prospect Eryk Williamson off to? According to the Washington Post he's heading abroad. The USMNT forward, part of their Under-20 World Cup team last year, has decided not to sign for D.C. and is free to go elsewhere.

          15:36 GMT: Anyone up for Ganso? He has no future at Sevilla apparently, with Vincenzo Montella open to selling him. Marca reckon Besiktas are among those interested in the 28-year-old.

          15:30 GMT: DONE DEAL -- Stoke have a new signing. No new manager, yet, but Austrian international Moritz Bauer has joined on a free from Rubin Kazan. Not quite the blockbuster we were hoping for but hey, it's a transfer. The 25-year-old right-back has joined the Potters on a four-and-a-half year deal.

          15:24 GMT: While we wait for that, have a read: Francis Coquelin is not the top-class defensive midfielder Arsenal so badly need and could be on the way out. But will anyone come in?

          15:22 GMT: Only EIGHT minutes until Stoke's big announcement ... what could it be?

          15:19 GMT: Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now appears unlikely to be the subject of a bidding war between Chinese Super League (CSL) sides Guangzhou Evergrande and Beijing Guoan. Reports suggested he was off to the CSL but our man Michael Church can tell you what's going on here.

          15:18 GMT: Ooooh Stoke, you BIG TEASES.

          15:15 GMT: DONE DEAL -- Luke Hendrie is leaving Burnley to join Shrewsbury on an 18-month deal.

          15:14 GMT: The Canaries won't be singing for that amount ... (sorry)

          15:09 GMT: News from Duncan Castles and Manchester United are planning for life without Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede is expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer -- or possibly even before -- and Torino forward Andrea Belotti is a target to replace him, while Lucas Moura is said to be of interest in this window.

          15:05 GMT: An incoming at Crystal Palace? Roy Hodgson will have to beat competition to sign Vicente Guaita from Getafe, though.

          14:34 GMT: A new name in the frame at Arsenal. It says here Arsene Wenger could pay Cristian Pavon's $37 million release clause to land the Boca Juniors forward this month. Does that mean Alexis Sanchez is on his way?

          14:18 GMT: Remember this guy? Well, he's a man in demand. The Gazzetta dello Sport believes Benevento hero Alberto Brignoli is the subject of loan interest.

          14.05 GMT: Paris Saint-Germain chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi has dismissed speculation that that they could move for Juventus forward Paulo Dybala. Story here.

          13.51 GMT: DONE DEAL Burnley have signed Tottenham winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou on loan until the end of the season. Story here.

          13.31 GMT: Barcelona haven't quite agreed a deal with Palmeiras for Colombian defender Yerry Mina yet, but there are indications a deal could be done today in the region of €11.5 million.

          13:16 GMT: Could this be the start of the exodus at Barcelona? Arda Turan linked with a move:

          12:49 GMT: Liverpool fans, you're probably going to want to look away now ...

          12:36 GMT: A Crystal Palace fan tweeted that he thought Patrick van Aanholt could leave the club but the man himself has cleared up any confusion. Why couldn't everyone be this helpful?

          12:29 GMT: Could this be it? Could the saga really be over? Could Alexis Sanchez be a Manchester City player by the weekend? Here's our City correspondent Jonathan Smith to tell you the latest.

          12:27 GMT: OK, Manchester United fans, it's not Antoine Griezmann or Mesut Ozil but they have handed teenage midfielder Aliou Traore his first professional contract. He's a promising player who has been on Juventus and PSG's radar in the past. More here.

          12:01 GMT: After PSV sporting director Marcel Brands told ESPN that striker Luuk de Jong will not be leaving the Dutch club this January to join Liga MX's Club America, it appears the Mexican giants are now focusing on other targets. One of those is Newcastle United's Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to multiple reports in Mexico, while struggling Guangzhou Evergrande striker Jackson Martinez is another option.

          11.44 GMT: DONE DEAL Schalke have agreed the signing of Hoffenheim forward Mark Uth. He'll join in the summer when his contract expires. Story here.

          11.20 GMT: Arsene Wenger says Arsenal could end up being "second best" to Manchester City in a bidding war for Jonny Evans and did not rule out a January exit for Alexis Sanchez. Story here.

          11.08 GMT: Everton don't want to let Spanish forward Sandro leave the club in January, according to Celta Vigo sporting director Felipe Minambres. Celta are looking for a striker to strengthen their attack in the winter transfer window and asked Everton about the possibility of getting Sandro in on loan.

          "For the time being, Everton is transmitting that he is not leaving," Minambres said, as reported in AS.

          Sandro, who scored 16 goals for Malaga last season, has struggled to make an impact since arriving to Goodison Park in the summer, scoring just one goal in 13 appearances in all competitions.

          10.49 GMT: Nantes coach Claudio Ranieri says he would be interested in PSG forward Lucas Moura. "I know Lucas since my time at Inter," he said. "I know him and his family. If Lucas comes, I will be happy but if he does not, I will still be happy."

          Le Parisien reports that PSG want a minimum of €40m for Lucas, who has also been linked with a move to Manchester United or the Chinese Super League.

          10.37 GMT: The Daily Mirror says Bojan Krkic wants to cut short his loan at Alaves and return to Stoke now Mark Hughes has left the Premier League club.

          10.19 GMT: Dani Ceballos not played as much as he would like since joining Real Madrid from Real Betis, and his former club are not ruling out a potential loan return. "In football it is difficult to say if something can happen or not," Betis president Angel Haro said. "Anything can happen."

          09.54 GMT: "El Transistor" claims Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was not happy at all with Zinedine Zidane publicly questioning need to sign Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, and that training was replaced by a team meeting yesterday. There's also a suggestion that Kepa will be out for three months as he needs surgery, allegedly to correct a problem picked up during a secret Madrid medical last week, so perhaps Zidane was right.

          09.37 GMT: Arsene Wenger is currently speaking at his news conference and says Arsenal have received no offers for Alexis Sanchez so far this month. He also says there have been no offers for Francis Coquelin, but is not ruling out an exit for the midfielder.

          09.26 GMT: New Barcelona man Philippe Coutinho has sent a farewell message to Liverpool fans. Story here.

          08.50 GMT: Burnley are keen to bring in a reinforcement from Tottenham in the shape of Georges-Kevin N'Koudou. Story here.

          08.32 GMT: Wesley Sneijder has spoken for the first time since signing for Al-Gharafa from Nice and he hopes to make his Qatar Stars League debut soon.

          Speaking on the club's official Twitter account, Sneijder said: "Hopefully Friday is going to be my first game [against Al Ahli], I hope you all come to the stadium to see me there.

          "I'm really excited, so I hope it's going to be a great season and we have a great time together."

          08.10 GMT: Liverpool and Arsenal have both been heavily linked with Monaco's Thomas Lemar. But what are the chances of him being sold in the January transfer window?

          Here's what Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim has had to say on the matter: "We don't usually sell in winter, but the transfer window is open until the end of the month, and you have to prepare yourself for anything and everything. With the exception of two or three youngsters who could leave to get some playing time, we are counting on all the rest."

          07.49 GMT: Philippe Coutinho's move from Liverpool to Barcelona is still the biggest story in town, but Steven Gerrard has backed his former side to move on and replace the Brazil international with another potential star.

          "Liverpool will go on," he said. "They've got big money for him and I'm sure they'll replace him with the right people.""Liverpool will go on. They've got big money for him and I'm sure they'll replace him with the right people." Read more here.

          07.25 GMT: Tuesday's Transfer Talk live blog kicks off with news that Chelsea are being put off Juventus left-back Alex Sandro because the asking price is too high. The Telegraph reckons Juve want £60m.

          'Reduced Coutinho fee' claim denied

          Liverpool sources have hit back at a claim that they paid "a reduced fee" to bring Philippe Coutinho to the Camp Nou, the Telegraph reports.

          The paper says Barca vice-president Jordi Mestre's suggestion that the club paid less than they would have done last summer -- even though that is still a not-so-modest £142 million -- has been flatly denied.

          It adds: "Liverpool sources familiar with the negotiations are adamant that is not the case because no price was ever proposed by the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group."

          The suggestion of a lower-cost deal "does not tally with Liverpool's firm position that there was no fee which would have forced Coutinho's sale last summer."

          And the Telegraph stresses that talks over the size of the fee "were only concluded shortly before the 25-year-old's exit."

          Juve name Alex Sandro's asking price

          Chelsea have been hoping to sign Juventus defender Alex Sandro for a while, but their latest attempts seem set to encounter yet more frustration.

          The Telegraph says efforts to bring the left-back to Stamford Bridge "have stalled because of Juve's inflated asking price."

          It claims the Italian giants "are demanding around £60m for Alex -- more than Chelsea are prepared to spend."

          The Blues "backed away from a deal in the summer after Juventus demanded almost £80m, with a similar scenario unfolding this month."

          Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the Brazil international, but Conte remains eager to bring him in as support for Marcos Alonso.

          Tap-ins

          - Three Premier League clubs are in the hunt for Everton striker Oumar Niasse, the Guardian reports -- and with all three of them willing to pay the £13m asking price, the player will have a choice to make.

          He can select from Brighton, Crystal Palace and West Brom "and will make the decision based on where he is most likely to play."

          - Liverpool hope to loan winger Ryan Kent to a Championship club after cutting short his spell with German side Freiburg, the Liverpool Echo says.

          Kent has returned to Anfield after making only six Freiburg appearances and is now likely to return to England's second tier, where he played for Barnsley last season.