Arsenal now appear to be in pole position for the £45m-rated forward as the Slovenia international prefers moving to the Emirates after finding himself at the centre of a transfer battle
RB Leipzig striker Sesko is being monitored by a host of clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United while there is strong interest from Italy. But Arsenal now appear to be in pole position for the £45m-rated forward as the Slovenia international prefers moving to the Emirates after finding himself at the centre of a transfer battle.
Sesko only joined Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg last summer after just two years with the Austrian side. He scored 14 times in 31 Bundesliga matches as well as two in eight Champions League appearances. The forward impressed in more than just his goal tally, though, as he put in a stellar display as his team came close to causing an upset against Real Madrid in European competition this term.
Arsenal are aiming to sign Amadou Onana but while Everton are willing to do business, the club may have to wait until the summer to do business. At Stamford Bridge, Conor Gallagher may have to consider his future at Chelsea amid interest from Tottenham, while wonderkid David Oduro is on trial with the club, and defender Ian Maatsen is likely to be sold in the summer.
The Mirror reports that Arsenal will find it tough to sign Everton midfielder Amadou Onana this winter. That is despite Everton’s willingness to sell despite their own financial problems in recent years, because Arsenal need to balance the books themselves.
“Arsenal are yet to open talks with Everton over a potential deal for Amadou Onana,” the paper explains. “While the 22-year-old midfield powerhouse is a player that has been tracked by the Gunners, there has been no active movement regarding a January transfer at this moment in time. Reports in Belgium have been peddling that discussions are now underway between the two clubs but Mirror Football understands that is not the case. “It is no secret that Arsenal have been hamstrung by Financial Fair Play regulations following a £208million transfer spree last summer and their net spend has amounted to nearly £400million in the past three calendar years. They are therefore operating diligently this month. “As such, a big-money transfer for Onana does not currently seem feasible – even if he would immediately improve their options in the middle of the park.”
The 18-year-old midfielder has been part of the Ibrox side’s B team ranks last season – although he was an unused sub in three of the club’s SPFL Trust trophy matches.
But it’s being reported on various outlets that he has now agreed to move to the City Ground, where former Ibrox sporting director Ross Wilson now has a similar role with Forest.
It’s claimed that a two-year deal has been offered, and the move could be pushed through this week.
The likes of Rory Wilson and Billy Gilmour have all been cherrypicked away from Ibrox to top English clubs recently before making a top team breakthrough at Ibrox.
Meanwhile, young Ibrox goalkeeper Jay Hogarth has joined Dumbarton on-loan.
Chelsea hope to sign Benfica defender Antonio Silva, with £87 million set as his release clause.
The Sun says they would be rivalling Manchester United for the player.
Chelsea are eyeing a move for Benfica’s Antonio Silva after scouting the defender,” the paper writes. “The 20-year-old is a target for the Blues as they look to bolster their defensive options this month. “Silva was watched by Chelsea during Benfica’s 3-0 win over Famalicao on Friday, having been scouted by the club for several weeks. “SunSport understand that the West London club see Silva as a potential new pillar in their defence. “Talks have already taken place with Benfica, with an initial £52m proposal including Armando Broja rejected by the Portuguese side. “Chelsea have instead been told they must meet Silva’s £87m release clause in order to sign him.”
Former Chelsea forward Timo Werner had been linked with a move to Man Utd in the January transfer window but now is set to join Tottenham this month; Werner has scored two goals in eight Bundesliga appearances this season and is under contract with RB Leipzig until the summer of 2026
The forward will join on an initial six month loan with the option for Tottenham to buy Werner in the summer for between £13million and £17m.
The forward is expected to have a medical at Hotspur Way on Sunday.
RB Leipzig’s official account earlier confirmed that he had been left out of the squad to arrange a transfer.
Werner enjoyed a middling first season back at the club where he once shone, scoring nine and registering four assists in his 29 Bundesliga appearances.
But this season he has fallen down the Leipzig pecking order behind Lois Openda and Yussuf Poulsen.
Tottenham appear poised to make a fresh proposal to sign Radu Dragusin. Spurs had reportedly made an earlier offer which might have fallen short of Genoa’s asking price of €30 million in fixed fees, as talks will continue between the two clubs.
Tottenham had identified Radu Dragusin as their ideal defensive target for January and had opened direct talks with Genoa in the past few days. The two clubs had begun negotiations with personal terms already agreed with the Romanian defender.
Tottenham made a €25 million opening offer after careful considerations, but Genoa had then wanted €30 million in fixed fees. The Italian side have stuck to their stance and in the process knocked back the first proposal, but kept the channels open.
Now, as per Rudy Galetti, Spurs are ready to make a second offer to sign Dragusin and hope that Genoa will accept this new bid. The fresh proposal could come close to the Serie A side’s asking price, although there are chances it could still fall short.
Dragusin remains open to the move as Ange Postecoglou seeks a defender as early as possible. Fabrizio Romano had reported the Australian boss wanted the signing wrapped up this week, and it appears Spurs are on course to fulfil that requirement.
Tottenham had set sights on a number of options during the last few weeks. Central defender remains a priority for Postecoglou as the team has already suffered with the regular absences of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.
The pair had established themselves as Postecoglou’s preferred partnership since the campaign began, but their injury-led absences have cost them points. Now, with Dragusin arriving, there are doubts about whether Spurs will chase another defender.
They had sights on Jean-Clair Todibo earlier, but with OGC Nice likely to prolong negotiations, Postecoglou swiftly turned his attention towards Dragusin. Hence, the chances of another defender after the Romanian seem unlikely, as Tottenham will focus their efforts on bringing the Genoa man at the earliest.
Chelsea have joined the clubs to express interest in defender Jean-Clair Todibo but his club Nice remain reluctant to sell in January.
Mail Sport reported back in December that Tottenham had held talks to sign Todibo from the Ligue 1 outfit.
The 23-year-old is valued at around £35m with his contract set to expire in 2027, having arrived at Nice from Barcelona in 2021.
A graduate of the Toulouse youth system, the France international has enjoyed spells with the Catalan giants, Benfica and Shalke, before moving to the south of France.
Having also made two caps for the French national team, Todibo has been attracting plenty of attention from clubs around Europe of late for his excellent performances in the backline of the Ligue 1 side.
He has started fourteen of the games this season that he’s been available for in the French top-flight, having also made 46 appearances last season for Nice across all competitions.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are eyeing up a potential move for the centre-back, with Mauricio Pochettino keen to bolster his defensive options amid the Blues’ recent misfortunes with injury.
Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah are both currently sidlined, while full-backs Reece James, Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell are all out of action with injuries.
Pochettino has previously been open that he expects Chelsea to be active in the January transfer window.
‘Some movement,’ he said when asked about what fans can expect in January. ‘That’s a thing to analyse with the sporting director and the owner and see what we can do to change the dynamic and improve the second half of the season.
‘Our reality now is mid-table and if we want to go up we have to push ourselves. When the transfer window opens (we will) see what we can do.
‘I’m not saying I’m going to ask for more players or less players but it is to see if perception matches reality.
‘If perception here (indicating one point on a line) and reality is here (indicating another point) then we are missing something in the middle. Sometimes it’s good, a reality check.’
Victor Boniface is emerging as a key transfer target for Arsenal as they seek to bolster their striker options. The Nigerian forward made a move to Bayer Leverkusen in the last transfer window and has impressed in the German Bundesliga.
Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Boniface has developed into one of the standout players in the German top flight, with Bayer Leverkusen potentially contending for the Bundesliga title this season.
The striker’s performances have attracted attention from several top clubs in Europe, including Juventus. Fichajes reports that Boniface is prominently featured on Arsenal’s list of transfer targets. According to the report, the Gunners have identified several players they wish to sign, and Boniface is among their top choices.
If Boniface continues his impressive form and potentially helps Bayer Leverkusen secure the Bundesliga title, he will likely attract interest from various clubs in the summer transfer window, with Arsenal being one of them.
Tottenham and Chelsea are negotiating a £40million deal for Conor Gallagher.
The academy graduate has captained the Blues this season and Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan.
But transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio claims the London rivals are in advanced talks as reports of a January exit refuse to die down.
Gallagher, 23, has featured in all but one of Chelsea’s Premier League games this season and plays an important role in midfield.
But modest returns in terms of goal contributions have reportedly led to long-standing doubts about his ability to produce at the highest level among Stamford Bridge chiefs.
Chelsea have invested heavily in midfield with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo both arriving in £100million-plus deals.
Pochettino, 51, is under pressure to deliver with an expensively-assembled squad sitting 10th in the Premier League after a dire start to the season.
But he has insistedhe is not desperate to dive into the market this winter, despite needing to fix issues at both ends of the field.
Jason sancho is set to part ways with the red devils this January as his rift with Erik Ten Hag Intensifies
The winger has not played since August and so is in desperate need of game time. The Reds manager has indicated that an apology may heal the wounds but it doesn’t look like Sancho will cede his stance.
His exile is something Sir Jim Ratcliffe will have to sort out when he gets his feet under the desk at Old Trafford but it seems likely Sancho leaves on loan next month, buying Ratcliffe time to decide his long-term future. Sancho’s former side Borussia Dortmund are one club who have been linked with the 23-year-old.
He arrived at Old Trafford from the Germans in 2021 for £73million but has struggled to live up to that price tag. If Dortmund do lodge an official enquiry, then United would likely have to still pay his wages with the Bundesliga job not in as strong a position to cater for big salaries. United could also ask for someone in return in a loan swap deal and there a few options who would fit the bill for Ten Hag.
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BY ISAAC JOHNSON
16:30, 31 DEC 2023
Sancho has not played since August(Image: Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
The winger has not played since August and so is in desperate need of game time. The Reds manager has indicated that an apology may heal the wounds but it doesn’t look like Sancho will cede his stance.
His exile is something Sir Jim Ratcliffe will have to sort out when he gets his feet under the desk at Old Trafford but it seems likely Sancho leaves on loan next month, buying Ratcliffe time to decide his long-term future. Sancho’s former side Borussia Dortmund are one club who have been linked with the 23-year-old.
Giovanni Reyna has only played 11 times this season but at 21 still has potential. The America international is of a similar ilk and physique to Sancho. He would be a direct replacement and fill the gap he leaves behind. Reyna would likely only be a rotation player for United but he could be a useful addition. Having begun the season with an injury, Reyna – who was born in Durham – has started just one Bundesliga match this term.
In an ideal world, United would be eyeing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. The 19-year-old Londoner has started the last two matches and scored against Milan in November in the Champions League. Dortmund would be reluctant to allow the teenager to leave given his form over the last two months. Bynoe-Gittens can play on either wing but prefers the left where Ten Hag is well stocked with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho preferring that position.
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