Arsenal close to signing French centre back as Arsene Wenger vows to keep spending

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger is set to add another player to his team this month. The Gunners have had one of their most busy winter transfer windows this year. They have already signed Greek wonder-kid Konstantinos Mavropanos, Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United, and they are closing in on a deal to sign Pierre Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund. However, defence is an area of the Arsenal’s team that obviously needs strengthening. The Gunners have been linked with Johnny Evans of West Brom but the former Manchester United defender is waiting on Manchester City. Sun Sport is reporting that Arsene Wenger has identified Mainz centre-back, Abdou Diallo as a good addition to his team. The French man was the captain of his country’s Under 21 team and starred for AS Monaco last season. He left the French league to further his development with first team opportunities in Germany. He has impressed in the Bundesliga in the small time he has spent there, and Arsenal want to beat his other suitors to his signature. He joined Mainz for just £4.3 million last season, the Germans would be looking to at least double their money when he finally leaves them.

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Liverpool flop finally set to leave Anfield as Spartak Moscow declare their interest in signing him

Liverpool flop, Lazar Markovic is finally set to leave Anfield after failing to impress Jurgen Klopp. The Serbian joined Liverpool from Benfica in 2014 for  £20 million. At the time he joined, he had helped Benfica win the Portuguese league and reach the Europa League final. However, his Liverpool career failed to kick on and he scored just 3 goals in 34 games for the Reds in his very first season. He had a series of loan moves to Fenerbahce, Sporting Lisbon, and Hull City but still failed to reignite his career. He has not played for Liverpool since May 2015, and the closest he has come to play for the Reds this season was being named as a substitute in their Carabao Cup game against Leicester City. A couple of teams wanted to sign him last summer, but Liverpool’s  £16 million demand put them all off. The youngster would have just a year left on his current contract after this season, and Liverpool are desperate to cash in on him. Spartak Moscow are preparing to sell Quincy Promes this month, with Southampton prepared to pay  £30 million for the Dutchman. The Russians believe Markovic can be revived by a spell in a less physical league like the Russian league.

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Liverpool open talks with Philippe Coutinho’s replacement

Liverpool’s loss to Swansea on Monday has made the club return to the transfer market. The Reds were not planning to sign a replacement for their departed Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho this month, but the lack of creativity they witnessed in their game against Swansea has made them change their mind. Reports are claiming that the Reds have returned for Brazilian attacking midfielder, Luan. The Gremio man was just named the best player in South America after his 8 goals and inspirational performances helped Gremio win the Copa Libertadores. Luan had previously claimed it was not yet the right time for him to move to Europe, but the source is claiming he is in fact currently in talks with the Reds. He has a £15.7 million release clause written into his current deal, a figure that would small for the Reds to pay after they sold Philippe Coutinho for £145 million. Although Liverpool are still interested in Thomas Lemar of Monaco and Christian Pulisic of Borussia Dortmund, the Reds believe Luan is the only target they can land this month. Luan is attacking midfielder who is always happy to score the goals, and while he may need some time to settle in Europe, the Reds would be glad to make do with some of his creativity.

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Sergio Aguero set for shock return to Atletico Madrid, with Antoine Griezmann heading to the Etihad

Sergio Aguero’s representatives have been contacted over a possible return to the Wanda Metropolitana. The Argentine attacker joined Manchester City from Atleti in 2011 for £38 million. He has been unhappy whenever he has had to share the goal scoring responsibilities with Gabriel Jesus. Although Aguero has been returning the faith shown in him with goals, Pep Guardiola considers Jesus the future of Manchester City. According to Sun Sport, Pep Guardiola is also admiring Antoine Griezmann and the two clubs could discuss a swap deal. Antoine Griezmann’s release clause would be worth £85 million after this season, a  figure that would not be too much for the Cityzens to afford. Manchester United are also interested in Griezmann, and the French man who is good friends with Paul Pogba has told them he would sign for them if they can pay him £400,000 per week. Aguero has been enjoying a run in the first team in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, but he knows when the Brazilian fully recovers he would have to fight to play. Manchester City currently value Aguero at £60 million. Diego Simeone wants the Argentine to Partner Diego Costa next season as they look to win another La Liga title.

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Liverpool and Everton eye shock move for West Brom striker

Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool are set to battle for the signature of West Brom attacker, Salomon Rondon. The attacker has scored 23 goals for the Baggies in the 2-and-half years he has spent at the Hawthorns. The Baggies are currently not looking to sell, but with the Venezuelan having 18 months left on his current deal, they could be tempted to listen to offers for him. Rondon was involved in a nasty on-field accident with Everton’s McCarthy, which left them Irish man injured and even stretched out of the field. Liverpool are considering selling Daniel Sturridge this month as the England attacker is looking to play his way into Gareth Southgate’s plan for the world cup. Rondon is a fast a very strong center-forward, and Jurgen Klopp believes he can help reduce the burden on Roberto Firmino. Everton are also looking to send Sandro Ramires on loan to Newcastle, but they want cover first and Sam Allardyce thinks Rondon would be a good addition to his squad. Rondon has netted 3 league goals in 22 appearances this season.

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Arsenal given ultimatum to sign Pierre Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal will complete the signing of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang within the next 24 hours or forget about signing him at all. The Gunners are looking to replace Alexis Sanchez with the attacker this month, but negotiations are taking too long. Arsenal have initially proposed a £44 million, but Borussia Dortmund rejected the offer as they are looking for £53 million plus Olivier Giroud. The Germans are adamant that Aubameyang would only leave when they find a replacement. However, the German club’s manager, Peter Stoger has indicated he wants the issue to be sorted out before the end of today. The Gabonese attacker returned to first team training yesterday, but a deal is close. Dortmund are also considering a move for Michy Batshuayi, but they would only sign another attacker if Arsenal do not include Giroud in their move for Aubameyang. Henrikh Mkhtaryan has joined the Gunners and the Armenian is keen to be reunited with his former teammate at the Emirates Stadium. If Arsenal want a straight cash offer, they would have to pay at least £60 million for the attacker.

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Chelsea close to completing £50 million move for two Roma players

Chelsea have reached a breakthrough in their bid to sign Edin Dzeko and Emerson Palmieri from AS Roma. The Blues have been looking for an attacker all through this month and they have not been so lucky. Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch, and Ashley Barnes have all been touted for moves to Stamford Bridge, but they have settled for the Bosnian. Edin Dzeko was initially not keen on returning to the Premier League as he knows he would have to play second fiddle to Alvaro Morata. However, Antonio Conte has assured the former Manchester City attacker that he would play a major role for them this season. Emerson Palmieri is being brought in as a back up to Marcos Alonso. The Brazilian has played only once for Roma this season, but Conte believes he can thrive in the EPL. His move has opened the door for Kennedy to move to Newcastle, as Rafael Benitez remains keen on the young Brazilian. These transfers are expected to expected to be the last of a busy window for Chelsea who have also signed Ross Barkley from Everton this month.

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Manchester City eye stunning move for £60 million rated defender

Manchester City are still trying to fix their defensive issues, and the Cityzens have taken their search for a new defender to Spain. Sun Sport is reporting that Pep Guardiola is interested in signing Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte. The French defender is one of the stars of the Basque team and his performances have attracted the interests of some of the biggest teams in Europe. He become only the second non-Basque player to play for Bilbao when he signed for them in the summer of 2010. He made his debut two years later and has not looked back since that time. Manchester City have the chance to win about four trophies this season, but their defence is being rocked by the persistent injuries to Vincent Kompany and lack of alternatives with only the poor Eliakim Mangala available to replace any injured centre back. Guardiola wanted to sign Virgil van Dijk, but the Dutchman joined Liverpool instead. Laporte has a £60 million release clause written into his current deal, and City are considering triggering it. Guardiola is also looking at Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez, but Laporte is his first choice.

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Chelsea turn to Leicester attacker in search for new striker

Chelsea have turned their attention towards the signing of Islam Slimani of Leicester City. The Blues are currently in the market for a new attacker, and the Algerian has emerged as a target. Antonio Conte has asked the club to sign him a big front man who is able to score headers since he came to Stamford Bridge. However, despite losing Diego Costa to Atletico Madrid last summer and missing out on signing Fernando Llorente, Chelsea are yet to land a new frontman. Alvaro Morata is obviously out of form and short of confidence at the moment Conte wants a new attacker to help the Spaniard share the goalscoring burden. Slimani has been frustrated by the lack of trust his managers at Leicester City have shown in him since he moved to the King Power Stadium, and wants a move away. He has netted 8 times in 25 games since joining at the start of the 2016/2017 season. Leicester City wants to take him off their wage bill permanently, but Chelsea are looking for a temporary move, which Leicester City are objecting. The two clubs are still negotiating and the Blues hope that a loan fee would persuade Leicester City to allow Slimani join them.

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