Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea eye Perisic, Arsenal's Vlahovic bid, Eriksen set for Premier League retu

Welcome to the 90min Sunday live blog. Games may be taking centre stage across Europe this weekend, but that doesn't stop the rumour mill from churning out transfer story after transfer story.

The gossip seems to be getting more and more zany as the days pass. The latest example is former Chelsea hot-head Diego Costa being linked with Arsenal (!). Elsewhere, Manchester United wantaway Anthony Martial is embroiled in a war of words with his manager Ralf Rangnick, Liverpool's Roberto Firmino has been touted as an option for Barcelona, and Chelsea have continued to be linked with Blaugrana defender Sergiño Dest.

It was a pretty wild Saturday on and off the pitch. Tottenham expressed surprise that their north London derby with Arsenal has been postponed, Rafa Benitez is on the brink of the sack after Everton's defeat to Norwich, and Philippe Coutinho - one of the more high profile movers this window - scored on his debut as Aston Villa came from behind to draw with Manchester United.

The drama is never-ending, so follow our live blog below to make sure you don't miss any updates from the Premier League and around the world.


Today's top stories


Transfer live blog

13:53PM - XAVI PREPARED TO SELL DEMBELE IN JANUARY

Bit of a bombshell coming out of Spain this afternoon.

According to AS, Barcelona boss Xavi is not happy with contract rebel Ousmane Dembele and is prepared to sell him this month.

The Frenchman's current deal expires in the summer and he has so far failed to renew with his demands deemed too high.

The report claims Xavi would rather sell now to generate some income and create space on the wage bill for a new signing, rather than ostracising the winger for the rest of the season. Bomba.


13:33PM - LIVERPOOL & MAN UTD CONTACT ARAUJO

Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United are said to have contacted Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo.

A product of La Masia, the Uruguay international has 18 months left on his current deal, so the English giants have apparently been on the blower to sound him out over a possible future move.

This is probably not one to get too excited over for either set of supporters, though. Barcelona are currently working on a new deal for the defender, and you'd imagine it'd take some convincing for him to reject it.


13:11pm - CHELSEA PONDER PERISIC

Veteran Inter wide man Ivan Perisic has emerged as a potential target for Chelsea as the Blues root around for a replacement for long-term injury absentee Ben Chilwell.

The Croatian's contract at San Siro expires in six months and a renewal is not yet forthcoming. The Mirror report that Chelsea are therefore considering a move this month, with the Nerazzurri willing to listen to reasonable offers rather than lose the player for free in the summer.

Formerly an attacking winger, Perisic is capable of operating up and down the left flank and can also provide cover on the right. He is still a regular starter for the Scudetto holders at left wing-back.


12:39pm - DORTMUND CHIEF ADMITS SURPRISE AT HAALAND COMMENTS

Borussia Dortmund chief Michael Zorc has admitted the club were surprised by Erling Haaland's comments on Friday night.

The Norwegian claimed BVB have been pressuring him into making a decision on his future, with Europe's biggest clubs interested in signing him.

Zorc said: "I did not expect Haaland's comments. His remarks surprised us a bit. At the moment, there is no deadline, there haven't been any talks yet. But it's understandable, of course. You have to talk about it at some moment."


12:14pm - BARCELONA INTERESTED IN ROBERTO FIRMINO

Is Roberto Firmino nearing the end of his time at Liverpool?

El Nacional claim Diogo Jota's spell with the Reds so far has been so good that they are willing to depart with Firmino should they receive a respectable bid.

The Catalan outlet says €20m could do the trick for Barça, with Firmino's contract expiring in 2023.


12:06pm - ATLETICO NOT CONSIDERING FELIX DEPARTURE

Atletico Madrid are not interested in letting Joao Felix leave the club, despite reported interest from Premier League champions Manchester City.

The Portugal international, who has scored two La Liga goals this season, is seen as 'untouchable' by Atleti, according to Marca. Barcelona have previously been linked.


11:47am - ARSENAL LODGE CASH PLUS PLAYER BID FOR VLAHOVIC

Italian outlet Corriere della Sera say Arsenal have offered Fiorentina €60m plus midfielder Lucas Torreira for the in demand Dusan Vlahovic.

The Gunners are on the lookout for a new striker and Vlahovic has been heavily linked, though 90min understands the Serbian will not be rushed into deciding his future.


11:02am - LEEDS CLOSING IN ON 'PITBULL' MIDFIELDER

Leeds have agreed a fee of around £6m with Standard Liege to sign midfielder Nicolas Raskin.

United need depth in midfield with Kalvin Phillips' injury issues and The Sunday Mirror say a fee has been agreed.

He's been described as a 'pitbull' of a midfielder in the past, so hopefully the transfer gets completed and we can watch Mr Worldwide strut his stuff in the Premier League.


10:44am - SOUTHAMPTON TARGET PERMANENT BROJA TRANSFER

Southampton are in talks with Chelsea over the permanent signing of Armando Broja.

The forward has scored five Premier League goals in his first top flight season for the Saints, having joined on loan from the Blues.

The Guardian claim other clubs are interested in the 20-year-old, though he could be given a chance at Chelsea if he's there next term.


10:34am - NEWCASTLE TARGET TO STAY IN FRANCE

Defender Sven Botman has been linked with a move to Newcastle this window, but it looks like he'll be staying in France until at least the end of the season.

The Magpies have made a few bids for the Dutchman but Lille president Olivier Letang has revealed the club don't intend to let him leave any time soon.

“We had enquiries last summer for Sven but we were clear in saying that we needed Sven this season. We had a run in the Champions League and we managed to finish first in our group. We have big objectives for the end of the season so Sven will stay with us until the end of the season to help us achieve these objectives.”


10:27am - WOLVES REACH AGREEMENT FOR 21-YEAR-OLD WINGER

Wolves are close to finalising their first signing of the winter window, with numerous reports indicating that Estoril winger Chiquinho will sign for around £3m.

The 21-year-old is set to pen a long term deal with the Wanderers and The Athletic say he will come into Bruno Lage's first team squad. He isn't, however, expected to be a direct replacement for Adama Traore, who scored against Southampton on Saturday and has been linked with a move to Tottenham.


10:17am - NEWCASTLE CONTACT PSG FOR KEYLOR NAVAS

Newcastle have been linked with every footballer under the sun since their takeover and now they're said to be keen on a move for PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

The Costa Rican looked to have little future in Paris when Gianluigi Donnarumma was signed in the summer but has still played regularly enough this season, making 12 Ligue 1 appearances.

RMC Sport claim the Magpies have contacted the French champions over Navas, though PSG 'closed the door to a departure'. No need for Martin Dubravka to worry just yet, then.


9.25am - CHELSEA TOLD TO INCREASE DE JONG OFFER

Frenkie de Jong was the most wanted central midfielder in the world in 2019 when he starred in Ajax's run to the Champions League semi finals, but these days he's not the flavour of the month at Barcelona.

The emergence of Pedri, Gavi and Nico has seen De Jong drop down the Camp Nou pecking order and El Nacional claim Chelsea are keen to bring the Dutchman to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues - who took Saul from Atletico Madrid on loan at the start of the campaign - will need to up their bid to €60m if they want to sign the 24-year-old, according to the report.


9:19am - €350m FOR BARÇA AND REAL MADRID TARGET HAALAND?

Marca say Barcelona and Real Madrid will have to pay €350m if they want to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

That figure would include the €75m release clause fee, on top of commissions to agent Mino Raiola and the Norwegian's father.

That really is crazy money.


9:11am - NEUER CLOSE TO NEW BAYERN CONTRACT

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is close to securing a new contract with the German giants.

He said: "Bayern is an outstanding club - we made history during my time here and we keep trying. Of course I want to be part of that."

A three year deal is said to be on the table.


8:57am - ERIKSEN LINING UP PREMIER LEAGUE RETURN

Christian Eriksen is closing in on a return to the Premier League, having suffered a cardiac arrest last year at Euro 2020.

The Dane was released by Inter last month and The Times claim he has had approaches from several English clubs and wants to finalise a deal by the end of the week.


8:53am - MARTIAL REJECTS RANGNICK CLAIM

Martial has denied Ralf Rangnick's claim that he refused to be in the squad to face Aston Villa on Saturday night.

The Frenchman wants to leave United and hasn't played for them since early December. On Saturday, Rangnick said Martial "didn't want to be in the squad", but Martial has now rejected that statement.

On social media, he said: "I will never refuse to play a match for Man Utd.

"I've been here for seven years and I never disrespected and will never disrespect the club and the fans."


8:30am - GOOD MORNING!

It's Sunday morning - time to get that kettle on and sprawl across the sofa while devouring the latest transfer rumours.

We start with a little snippet on Anthony Martial, who wasn't included in Manchester United's squad in their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa....


Source : 90min