Transfer news LIVE: Luis Diaz to Liverpool EXCLUSIVE, Aguero Man City role, Lewandowski to Prem, Trippier Newcastle deal

Defensive duo to leave Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp is reportedly ready to offload Nathan Phillips and Neco Williams this month.

The Anfield pair have struggled for minutes this term.

And Sky Sports claims both look set to depart for new opportunities elsewhere.

TWO TARGETS

Manchester United have prioritised Wolves star Ruben Neves and Marseille player Boubacar Kamara in their hunt for a new midfielder.

That is according to Sky Sports, who claim that Kamara and Neves are United’s top targets in the January transfer window.

The Red Devils have been keeping tabs on Neves since the summer and are still in contact with the Portugal international’s representative Jorge Mendes.

Newcastle and Roma are also keeping tabs on Kamara, who is able to discuss terms of a pre-contract agreement

Power serg

Chelsea have made the signing of Barcelona ace Sergino Dest their “number one” transfer target.

That is according to Sport, who claim that Dest is now the hierarchy’s top target for the January transfer window.

The USA international plays predominantly at right-back, but can also operate on the other side.

And the Blues are looking for a left-back to offer cover for the injured Ben Chilwell, who has been sidelined for the rest of the season

Being Franck

Tottenham have joined the transfer war for AC Milan star Franck Kessie, who is also linked with Manchester United.

That is according to the Evening Standard, who report that Spurs manager Antonio Conte has identified Kessie, whom he remembers from his time in Serie A with Inter Milan, as a top target.

United are also immensely interested in the midfielder as he could come rather cheap because of his contract expiring in June.

The north Londoners need a spark in the middle of the park following a poor start to the season

Four real

Newcastle are keeping tabs on four Arsenal aces during the January transfer window, according to Football London.

Among them is out-of-favour ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has been frozen out of the squad and stripped of the captain’s armband after another disciplinary issue.

The Magpies are also targeting Eddie Nketiah, Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny.

The Toon have started strong this month as they are set to announce the arrival of Kieran Trippier

LUC OUT

Everton’s out-of-favour star Lucas Digne won’t join Newcastle during the January transfer window.

That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that Chelsea are also biding their time.

Romano tweeted: “Again. Lucas Digne is not gonna join Newcastle in January, he has different plans. No way.

“Chelsea are still taking time to decide on LB [left-back] situation, other Premier League clubs moving on Digne. He’s leaving Everton this winter”

Ed’s gone

Ed Woodward has stepped down as Manchester United executive vice-chairman.

Woodward’s exit will take effect from February 1 and Richard Arnold is set to replace him.

The 50-year-old executive announced in April he would leave his role in the wake of United’s failed bid to join the controversial European Super League.

Today ends nearly nine turbulent years as the Red Devils’ most powerful executive had a fractured relationship with a large chunk of the fans

City outbreak

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Friday night’s FA Cup tie at Swindon after a massive outbreak in the squad.

Guardiola and his right hand man Juanma Lillo are both isolating at home after testing positive for coronavirus.

They are among 21 cases at City with seven of those affected understood to be players.

However as things stand, the Citizens want the tie to go ahead and are not currently planning to request a postponement.

Coach Rodolfo Borrell will carry out media duties on Thursday to preview the game and take charge of the team at the County Ground

Diaz-zling

Liverpool are close to completing an estimated £60million deal for Porto star Luis Diaz.

SunSport understand that Diaz is close to a move to Anfield and is seen as the perfect stand-in for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as they head off to the African Cup of Nations this month.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp saw the winger shine in both Champions League group stage games against the Portuguese giants in September and November – and is said to have been impressed.

Klopp would prefer to wait until the summer, but the absence of his top attackers – as well as several injury issues – sees him tempted to fast-forward the procedure.

The Colombia international has a reported £67m release clause but the Merseysiders are hoping to get him for slightly less

Nat good enough

Liverpool have rejected a £7million offer for Nat Phillips from an unnamed Premier League team.

According to Sky Sports, the Reds deem a bid in the region of £15million as more ‘acceptable’.

Serie A clubs have also enquired about the centre-back as he has attracted interest from across Europe.

The 24-year-old has struggled for game time at Anfield with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate ahead of him

Pain in the Arsenal

Arsenal have been fined £20,000 for losing their heads after Gabriel Magalhaes’ red card against Manchester City.

Gabriel was given his marching orders in the 2-1 loss against the Citizens after receiving two quick bookable offences.

The north Londoners were hit with an FA charge for ‘failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion’.

The FA statement read: “Arsenal FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following its Premier League game against Manchester City FC on Saturday January 1.

“It is alleged that Arsenal FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 59th minute.

“The club has until Friday January 7 to respond”

Guimaraes battle

Arsenal, Newcastle and Everton are set for a transfer battle over Lyon star Bruno Guimaraes.

That is according to the Evening Standard, who report that the Gunners have been following Guimaraes for a few years now.

In fact, the north Londoners scouted the midfielder when he was playing at his previous team Athletico Paranaense in Brazil.

The Brazil international, though, won’t come cheap and sources in France believe he could cost at least £40million

Next Trip

Kieran Trippier has been spotted leaving his hotel in Newcastle as he approaches a move to the Magpies.

Trippier is set to become the new regime’s first ever signing as the Toon are embarking on a new era.

The full-back is joining from Atletico Madrid following a £12million deal between the two clubs.

The England international is set to become Newcastle’s highest earner on £100,000 a week

End of the Pierre show

Arsenal’s out-of-favour star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reportedly been made available for a transfer to Europe’s biggest hitters.

Aubameyang has been frozen out of the team by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta following another disciplinary breach last month as he returned late from a visit to France.

According to the Mail, clubs across the continent have been informed they can sign the centre-forward as early as this month as the north Londoners are happy to offload him.

The Gabon international has been previously linked with a move to Barcelona, who are desperate to bolster their attack following Sergio Aguero’s shock retirement.

Juventus are also keeping tabs on Aubameyang and so are Newcastle, who are looking to get him on loan

Vlahovic latest

Arsenal and Chelsea seem set for a bidding war over Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.

That is according to CBS’ Ben Jacobs, who reports that the Gunners have made a £45million bid, that includes Lucas Torreira who is already on loan at the Artemio Franchi.

However, Vlahovic is happy to bide his time and the Viola are keen to assess other offers.

This looks like it will drag out throughout the January transfer window, while the Blues have entered the race and Barcelona have been linked.

The centre-forward’s agent is busy talking to several clubs while the Serbia international is not completely sold on a move to the Emirates

Erl’s court

Borussia Dortmund will make one lasteffort to persuade Erling Haaland to extend his stay with them beyond the summer.

Dortmund say they want a decision over Haaland’s future to come in the next few weeks rather than dragging on indefinitely.

Director Sebastian Kehl said: “We will sit down with Erling and his team over the next few weeks and discuss the situation.

“It would be good if the situation does not drag on forever

“He is in very good hands at Dortmund and we as a club can continue to be a good option for him.”

Haaland has been linked with Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Real Madrid

A long tripp

Kieran Trippier arrived at Newcastle’s training ground on Wednesday to undergo a medical with his new club.

Trippier is set to complete a £12million move from Atletico Madrid with the teams having agreed a fee on Tuesday night.

The full-back is set to become the Magpies’ highest earner on £100,000 a week.

And the Toon will cough up £12m plus add-ons for the England international’s services

Serg back

Manchester City are ready to offer their record goalscorer Sergio Aguero an ambassadorial role.

Aguero, who signed with Barcelona last summer, was forced to hang up his boots last month at the age of just 33 due to a previously undetected heart condition.

SunSport understand City are keen to get the legendary striker back on the payroll and are exploring ways to make it happen.

The Argentine great is currently on holiday back at home soon after announcing his agonising decision to retire in Barcelona on December 16

Carabao Cup reminder

Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool has been postponed after a COVID-19 outbreak at the Merseyside club.

The Reds appealed to the EFL for the game to be called off following a surge in coronavirus cases.

Manager Jurgen Klopp and his assistant Pep Lijnders both tested positive and are currently in quarantine.

And as many as 14 new cases are understood to have emerged within their ranks.

Liverpool confirmed that their training ground at Kirkby had been closed for the next 48 hours as a result of the outbreak, which also saw Alisson, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino making the list

On the Lewk out

Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski has his heart set on a summer transfer to England or Spain and has put Premier League clubs on alert.

That is according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Marc Behrenbeck, who claims that Lewandowski and his agent Pini Zahavi will push for a move at the end of the season.

Behrenbeck said: “What we know about Lewandowski and his agent Pini Zahavi…

“Lewandowski really wants to have this one big move, to Spain or the Premier League. Really great markets for players.

“So Lewandowski and his agent will try to get this move in the summer.

“But until this time Bayern want to extend his contract. So what is happening at Bayern at the moment?

“The first point of contact is Lewandowski to extend his contract and if this doesn’t work they will be back in the game around Erling Haaland.

“But at the moment, they want to extend his contract. But Lewandowski is dreaming of Spain and the Premier League”

Good morning football fans

Arsenal’s League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool has been postponed after a significant Covid outbreak at the Merseyside club.

Jurgen Klopp’s side yesterday appealed to the EFL for the match to be called off following a surge in cases.

The German is currently self-isolating and missed Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

Klopp’s No2 Pep Lijnders was on the touchline at Stamford Bridge.

But he will now also be missing after testing positive himself.

And as many as FOURTEEN new cases are understood to have emerged within the club.

Meanwhile, Chelsea moved one step closer to the Carabao Cup final with a 2-0 first leg win over Tottenham in their semi-final clash at Stamford Bridge.
Kai Havertz netted an early opener before Ben Davies unfortunately turned into his own net to hand Chelsea a two-goal advantage ahead of the return fixture in North London.
The winner of the tie will face either Arsenal or Liverpool in the final which will take place on Sunday, February 27.

Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham

Chelsea still lead Spurs 2-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge.

But a goal for the visitors could change a great deal as they look to give themselves the best possible chance in the return fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Can Antonio Conte’s men conjure something up in the final 10 minutes?