Monday, January 20

LIVE Transfer News: Man Utd prepare double deal as Arsenal 'hold talks' over Chelsea hijacking

Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag

Express Sport brings you all the latest news (Image: Getty)

With pre-season tours underway and the start of the Premier League season just three weeks away, clubs are beginning to accelerate their transfer plans ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Manchester United and Chelsea have both been the busiest clubs of the 'Big Six' so far, and Erik ten Hag and Enzo Maresca are expected to continue spending money until the window closes.

Liverpool and Manchester City, on the other hand, have yet to really set foot in the transfer market. Arsenal kicked off their transfer plans on Monday by announcing the signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.

Express Sport provides LIVE transfer updates and gossip below…

Brighton hero set to return to Bundesliga

Brighton have accepted an offer worth £8.4million from Borussia Dortmund for Pascal Gross, Sky Sports Germany reports.

Negotiations have been going on for weeks but an agreement has now been reached between the two clubs.

Gross will complete his medical with the Signal Iduna Park team as soon as possible before signing with Nuri Sahin's team.

Chelsea negotiate loan for Victor Osimhen

Napoli and Chelsea are reportedly in negotiations over a deal for Romelu Lukaku.

The Athletic report that the Belgium international is set to leave the Blues permanently this summer and that Antonio Conte's side are keen to acquire his services.

During talks between the clubs, Chelsea also discussed the possibility of signing long-term target Victor Osimhen.

Enzo Maresca's side are understood to have centred discussions around an initial loan deal for the former Lille forward, with the club having the option to make the transfer permanent.

Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen has been heavily linked with Chelsea in recent months (Photo: Victor Osimhen)

Chelsea identifies 'exceptional' teenage target

Chelsea's spending spree is set to continue with defender Patrick Dorgu reportedly in the pipeline.

Despite retaining left-backs Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell at the club and Levi Colwill's ability to play at full-back, the Blues have been impressed by Lecce ace Dorgu.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea's “aggressive global youth recruitment drive” has led them to shortlist the 19-year-old as a target and they view him as an “exceptional” talent for the future.

Chelsea star moves closer to exit

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are now reportedly in negotiations over Conor Gallagher.

The midfielder has already made it clear he wants to fight for his future at Stamford Bridge, although his plea appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Atletico are now in “direct talks” with Chelsea and a deal in the region of £29million is being discussed.

An agreement is said to be getting closer, with the Blues' asking price being studied by Diego Simeone's team.

Man Utd prepare double deal

Manchester United remain in talks with Bayern Munich over deals for Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, Sky Sports reports.

Both players are keen to join the Red Devils this summer and are represented by the same agent.

The Red Devils are closing in on signing Mazraoui and the deal for the Morocco international is expected to be fast-tracked once Aaron Wan-Bissaka leaves.

De Ligt is also admired by United and the Netherlands international is keen to reunite with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.

Bayern are reportedly keen to sell De Ligt in the coming weeks to fund their own transfer window, while United are biding their time in their pursuit as they would like to offload some of their own players before bringing in another centre-back.

Julian Alvarez discusses Manchester City exit

Julian Alvarez has revealed he intends to consider his future at Manchester City once he has finished representing Argentina at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The forward has been linked with a number of European clubs after it became clear he was unhappy with how last season went for him personally.

Discussing the future, Alvarez said: “Last season I was one of the players with the most minutes at City.

“But in the end, you don't like to be left out of important matches, you want to make your contribution. I'm going to take my time to think about what I want for myself. We'll see. We'll see, I'll think about it after the Olympics.”

Arsenal 'make contact' over Chelsea hijacking

Arsenal have reportedly held talks with Napoli over Victor Osimhen recently.

The forward wants to leave Serie A this summer, but talks between Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain are on hold due to a valuation gap.

Chelsea have also been heavily linked with the Nigerian striker and a deal that would see Romelu Lukaku used as a lightweight to lower his price tag has been mooted in conversations.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Arsenal have now contacted Napoli to inquire about the situation of the ex-Lille star.

The Gunners insist they will not activate Osimhen's £110million release clause, although they remain in the race to secure his signature and any move for the 25-year-old would be a major blow to Chelsea.

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1929640/Transfer-news-LIVE-Man-Utd-Arsenal-Chelsea-Victor-Osimhen

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