Wolves discover January deal for Kalvin Phillips, MLS membership be a part of summer time struggle for Bernardo Silva… and Chelsea shut in on touchdown highly-rated Championship star: TRANSFER WINDOW WATCH
The transfer window is open and here are today’s developments from Daily Mail Sport’s Simon Jones, including the West Ham star wanted by Turkish giants Galatasaray and the latest on Aston Villa’s midfield options. For all of yesterday’s updates click here.
Forest agree deal for Napoli’s Lucca
Nottingham Forest have agreed terms with NapoIi for striker Lorenzo Lucca.
The 25-year-old Italy international is heading to England tonight for his medical and is joining on loan with an option to buy at £34.8million.
Earlier this week we reported that talks had progressed and they will hope to wrap up the deal soon.
Lorenzo Lucca in action for Napoli against Verona earlier this month
Luiz of interest to Blues
Chelsea are exploring a loan move for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz.
The 27-year-old who would need to cut short his loan at Nottingham Forest first, has also been discussed by Aston Villa following Boubacar Kamara’s injury, as Daily Mail Sport reported.
Luiz joined Forest from Juventus over the summer but has struggled for consistent game time under manager Sean Dyche.
Chelsea recognise the Brazilian could add experience to Chelsea’s squad and provide cover in midfield where Romeo Lavia is again injured.
Juventus are keen for Luiz to gain more game time also to generate interest for a potential sale.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are very close to signing Sheffield Wednesday full-back Yisa Alao, 17, for an initial £600,000 rising to £6m.
Rennes’ 20-year-old defender Jeremy Jacquet remains a target for the January window as the club look to strengthen their defensive options.
Paqueta will not play
Lucas Paqueta will not feature in West Ham United’s game against Sunderland on Saturday.
Paqueta’s long-term future remains uncertain after West Ham rejected a bid in the region of £30million from Brazilian club Flamengo.
West Ham have said in discussions they would consider a sale if Paqueta was loaned back for the season.
The 28-year-old midfielder asked not to play in West Ham’s FA Cup third-round game against Queens Park Rangers and missed the 2-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur with a back injury.
Talks between Burnley and West Ham over James Ward-Prowse are likely to resume after this weekend.
Lucas Paqueta will not feature for West Ham when they play Sunderland on Saturday
Chelsea close to agreement with Wednesday wonderkid
Yisa Alao is very close to reaching an agreement to join Chelsea from Sheffield Wednesday in a £600,000 deal that could rise to £6million with performance related add-ons.
As Daily Mail Sport reported, the left back had interest from Manchester United and Liverpool, who both made offers to Wednesday for the teenager, who has yet to sign a professional contract.
There remains a couple of aspects of the deal to iron out between the clubs, but the expectation is the deal will go through.
He made his full debut for Wednesday earlier this month.
Wrexham willing to pay club-record fee to bolster promotion bid this month – and are looking to France
Wrexham have opened talks about Crystal Palace target Sidiki Cherif as they look for a goalscorer to push them into the Championship promotion places.
Palace had offered a loan with fee of £2.7m plus option to buy the Angers forward at £13.6m but the French side want close to £20m for the versatile 19-year-old.
Wrexham have put aside a transfer kitty for a top striker this window which would outstrip the club-record £10m they spent on Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich last summer.
After three straight promotions the Welsh club sit ninth in the Championship, just two points off the play-off places.
Sidiki Cherif (right) has scored four goals for Angers this season and interest is growing
Chicago to fight Euro giants for Bernardo this summer
Chicago Fire have thrown their hat into the ring for Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, who will be a free agent this summer – and the ambitious MLS club are also keen on Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski. Read the full story here.
West Brom take goalkeeper search to the Max
West Bromwich Albion are exploring a deal for Bristol City goalkeeper Max O’Leary.
Albion lost 5-0 to Norwich City this week as new boss Eric Ramsay took charge and he is looking to remedy defensive frailties immediately.
Republic of Ireland international O’Leary is viewed as someone who can bring competition and experience to the squad.
He returned for five games over Christmas while Vitek was injured but coach Gerhard Struber admitted: ‘He is, of course, with his last season and with his performance, he knows that he normally is a Championship goalkeeper with game time, and he’s not happy with that, that he’s in the end the No2 here.’
Max O’Leary played against West Brom in Bristol City’s 2-1 win over Christmas
Derby say no-go on Zetterstrom… until summer at least
Daily Mail Sport’s Tom Collomosse reports: Derby are unwilling to consider offers this month for goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, who they value at minimum £15million.
Zetterstrom has been outstanding for the Rams this term and has attracted interest from a host of top-level clubs but Derby are extremely reluctant to consider a sale before summer at the earliest.
Wolves eye experience of Phillips
Wolves have revived their interest in Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips and are exploring a deal for this month.
The two clubs face each other this weekend. Wolves had discussed a move for the fit-again 30-year-old last month and believe his experience can help as they brace themselves for late interest in Joao Gomes and Andre.
Wolves, who are allowing attacking midfielder Fer Lopez to return to Celta Vigo on loan, have asked about signing FC Basel winger Philip Otele, 26, on loan with an option to buy.
Kalvin Phillips, 30, joined Manchester City in 2022 and Wolves have come back in this month
Villa hopeful of deal for Loftus-Cheek
Aston Villa are pressing ahead in attempts to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek from AC Milan. Daily Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that Villa had been offered the opportunity to sign the 29-year-old and talks are continuing over the structure of a potential deal.
Douglas Luiz, on loan from Juventus at Nottingham Forest, and Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika have also been offered to Villa.
Crystal Palace’s £35million-rated striker Jean Philippe-Mateta has underlined his desire to leave the club this month following enquiries from Juventus and Aston Villa Both clubs have also asked about Youssef En-Nesyri at Fenerbahce.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek in action for AC Milan this month, with Aston Villa hoping to bring him in
Spurs rebuffed in Summerville approach
Tottenham have explored a move for West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville but have been told he is not for sale. Galatasaray, meanwhile, have expressed interest in West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek.
Nwaneri seals Marseille move
Arsenal winger Ethan Nwaneri has completed his loan move to Marseille.
The 18-year-old has made 12 appearances for Arsenal this season but has not featured in the Premier League since a late cameo off the bench against Tottenham in November.
The French side, who lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool in the Champions League last night, sit third in Ligue I.
United’s Amass heads to East Anglia – while Barca eye Norwich teen
Manchester United left-back Harry Amass is to join Norwich City on loan. He spent the first half of the season at Sheffield Wednesday, where he played 21 Championship games.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are pushing to agree terms to sign Norwich’s Ajay Tavares, 16.
Ajay Tavares has represented England at Under 15, Under 16 and Under 17 level and now a huge move to Barcelona could be on the cards
Bournemouth close on £30.6m Rayan
Bournemouth have agreed a £30.6m deal in principle with Vasco da Gama to sign forward Rayan, following hot on the heels of the Cherries selling Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City.
The 19-year-old is expected to travel to the UK later this week and has agreed a five-and-a-half-year contract.
Rayan, 19, is set to swap Brazil for Bournemouth in a £30.6m move to the Premier League
Obafemi swaps Burnley for Blackpool
Burnley striker Michael Obafemi, 25, has joined League One side Blackpool on loan after being recalled from his loan spell at German side Bochum.
Garner close to new Toffees deal
Everton midfielder James Garner, 24, is close to agreeing a new contract.
The midfielder, signed for £9m from Nottingham Forest in 2022, has played 25 games for the Toffees this season and scored two in his last five appearances.
James Garner has enjoyed an impressive season so far at Everton
Watford seal deal for Bove
Watford have completed the signing of Edoardo Bove from Roma. The 23-year-old midfielder has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal.
Stoke and Celtic looking at Rak-Sakyi
Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, 23, has interest from Stoke and Celtic. Since making his Palace debut in 2021 he has had three loan spells at Charlton, Sheffield United and this season at Turkish side Caykur Rizespor. He also also represented England Under 21s.
Stoke are in talks over a £4m deal for Dutch striker Milan Smit, 22, from Go Ahead Eagles.
Liverpool’s Chambers heads to Charlton
Liverpool left-back Luke Chambers, 21, is joining Charlton on loan.
Manager Nathan Jones said: ‘It’s no secret that we’ve been working hard to bring in a player that can come in and contribute on our left side, including at left wing-back, so I’m delighted that Luke has joined us.
‘He’s a talented, young, hungry player of real pedigree, having come through the Liverpool youth system and represented their first team, so I’m looking forward to working with him.’
To catch up on all the moves and stories so far this week, go to:
WEDNESDAY: Mathys Tel seeks clarity over Spurs future after Euro snub
TUESDAY: Chelsea join PSG in race for Alvarez
MONDAY: Palace hold out for £35m for Jean-Philippe Mateta
SUNDAY: Man United midfielder heads out on loan
