Chelsea’s move for former Manchester City man Edin Dzeko is proven too complicated than expected and the Blues have set a deadline to make the deal happen. According to Sun Sport, the Blues have resumed talks with the Italians and they would be willing to walk away from negotiations if their latest effort doesn’t yield positive results by Monday. Chelsea have been looking to sign Dzeko and his teammate Emerson Palmieri this month, while the move for Palmieri has been concluded, Dzeko’s is proving too hard. The deal is reportedly held back by outrageous demands from the Bosnian, and Roma have also told the Blues that they have no problems keeping him at the Stadio Olimpico. The Blues are desperate to sign a new attacker before the transfer window closes next week and they would now turn their attention to other targets. Leicester City’s Islam Slimani, Burnley’s Ashley Barnes and Peter Crouch of Stoke City have attracted the interest of the defending champions this month. However, Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is Conte’s preferred alternative to Dzeko. The French man has been offered to Borussia Dortmund this month, but the Germans are unable to meet Arsenal’s demand.

Tottenham seems to have stolen a march on other Premier League clubs interested in signing PSG’s Lucas Moura. Reports in France are claiming the 25 years old Brazilian winger has jetted into London to meet Daniel Levy today. Moura was the first superstar PSG bought in 2012 as they fought off competition from Manchester United to sign him from Sao Paolo. However, he has failed to get enough opportunities this season having played less than 90 minutes of football for the French league leaders. Liverpool and Manchester United were keen on Moura with the Red Devils reportedly agreeing on personal terms with his representatives. However, the lure of playing under a younger and more progressive Mauricio Pochettino was enough to tip the scales in Tottenham’s favour. PSG gave their players Thursday off after their win over Guingamp, Moura is hoping they can make significant progress before he returns to the French capital. Tottenham are believed to be looking for a loan deal with the option of making the move permanent after this season, but PSG want a permanent transfer and they have brought down their asking price to £22 million.

Antonio Conte’s Chelsea future continues to look in doubt and the Italian gaffer has not been helpful. His latest outburst about the club’s transfer policy after their 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semifinal has angered the Blues hierarchy. The Italian claimed in his post-match conference that he had no say in the club’s transfer dealings and only try to improve the players he is given. This is a very contrasting admission to that of the club’s board members who have always claimed that their managers have the final say in transfers. Conte would have just one year left after this season as he failed to sign a long-term deal with the Blues last summer, but it looks so much as though this would be his last season at the club. The Italian has always moaned about his squad size despite spending over £200 million last summer. The Blues are currently working on bringing another two of his transfer targets in Edin Dzeko and Emerson Palmieri. The uncertainty surrounding his future was the major reason why the Blues wanted to sign a striker on-loan rather than permanently as they fear their next manager may have a very different approach to the game.

Chelsea are prepared to sign Olivier Giroud on loan this month if their move for Edin Dzeko fails. The Blues are looking for a new attacker, and they have been trying Edin Dzeko from AS Roma over the past couple of days. However, a deal for the Bosnian is taking too long and the Londoners are beginning to make alternative plans. Olivier Giroud is wanted by Borussia Dortmund if the Germans sell Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to the Gunners. However, the Germans want to offer only  £1.3 million for a six-month loan despite demanding £56 million from Arsenal for Aubameyang. Giroud has just returned to full training following a spell on the sidelines and he is open to a move away for first team action. Chelsea are hopeful of signing Dzeko this week, but if they fail to complete the transfer soon enough, Antonio Conte has asked them to sign Giroud. One of Giroud’s key attribute is his heading ability, and hold up play. Having also spent the last couple of years in the EPL, Conte believes he can help the Blues with goals.

Manchester United are not satisfied with the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal. The Red Devils snatched the Chilean from under the noses of Manchester City by offering him a mouth-watering £450,000 per week deal. However, the Red Devils are not done with raiding the Gunners yet and they could go back for Mesut Ozil. Ozil is in a similar situation as Sanchez, the German has refused to sign a new deal and has only 6 months left on his current deal. Unlike Sanchez, Ozil has not attracted many takers this month, but the Gunners know his suitors are choosing to stay under the radar and sign him for free. One of such suitors is Manchester United. Jose Mourinho had a good rapport with Ozil when they were both at Real Madrid, and they are both keen to work together again. Reports are claiming that the Red Devils are planning to make Ozil an irresistible offer this month. Arsenal are hoping Ozil would sign a new deal worth £275, 000 per week, but Manchester United are happy to offer him more as well as a huge signing on bonus and image rights fee. Arsenal want to wrap up the signing of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang before returning to the negotiations table with Ozil and his representatives.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.