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LIVE Transfer Talk: Chelsea, West Ham battle for Benfica star Gedson Fernandes

It's go time as the January transfer window is open. Find out when it closes across Europe, view the latest transfers as they happen and keep up to date with the newest gossip below.

TOP STORY: Chelsea make offer for Fernandes

Chelsea have put forward an offer to try and sign Benfica star Gedson Fernandes, Sky Sports News reports.

The offer in question is believed to be a loan deal for 18 months, with the obligation to buy in the future for a fee of around £55 million.

The Blues will need to battle it out with a series of clubs in order to try and get the deal over the finish line, with the most notable being West Ham -- who Fernandes was said to be favouring not so long ago -- and Manchester United, who are looking to rebuiild their midfield.

The Hammers' latest offer was also for an 18-month loan but with a lower obligation to buy for £33m and has been accepted in principle. Of course, the player will also be thinking about where he has the best chance of playing regularly.

LIVE BLOG

23.38 GMT: That will do it for the latest edition of our LIVE Transfer Talk blog. We hoped you enjoyed following along with us and remind you to check back shortly for the latest transfer rumours, reports and completed deals. Goodnight!

23.10 GMT: Tottenham will be without Harry Kane until April but help could soon be on the way,

Multiple reports claim that Spurs are closing in on a replacement in AC Milan frontman Krzysztof Piatek. The Sun have gone as far as to say that Spurs have agreed to a £23.8 million fee with Milan for the Pole. According the the report, the struggling striker (four goals in 18 games) is set to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract and will complete a medical in the next 48 hours.

As well as the initial fee, Spurs will reportedly pay a further £4.2 million in add-ons for the 24-year-old, who last season scored 30 goals in 42 games split between Genoa and Milan.

22.36 GMT: Everton have missed a true No.9 since losing Romelu Lukaku in 2017 but have reportedly made an audacious bid for a prolific Italian striker.

Tuttomercatoweb claims that Everton have enquired and are prepared to make a heavy bid on in-form Lazio frontman Ciro Immobile. The 29-year-old, who has already won the Italian goalscoring title twice, has 21 goals in 22 games this season and is in the best form of his career.

While it makes sense for Everton to be interested and enquire about Immobile, it would be extremely unlikely that Lazio would sell their red-hot forward. The Eagles have won nine straight in Serie A and are only six points behind co-leaders Inter Milan and Juventus.

22.05 GMT: Speaking of reunions... could Antonio Conte soon be reunited with one of his ex-Juve charges?

Inter general manager Beppe Marotta has confirmed that Barcelona and Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal is, as previously reported by many outlets. one of the club's January targets. The 32-year-old combative midfielder would provide leadership and steel to the Scudetto hopefuls and has a previous relationship with Conte, whom he played for from 2011-14.

"Vidal is one of our targets. As for [Tottenham playmaker Christian] Eriksen, the market closes at the end of January.

"We're working hard, but to improve the quality of our squad, important signings are needed and it's for this obvious reason that there are difficulties," Marotta told reporters.

21.32 GMT: Chelsea set to buy Bournemouth's Nathan Ake back at huge price?

The Sun writes that the Blues are considering choosing to activate their £40 million buy-back clause on Ake, who was sold to the South Coast club back in 2017. The report also adds that the key to getting Ake back is first finding a taker for centre-back Andreas Christensen, who the club want to offload from the wage bill.

Christensen, who Chelsea want £35m for, has fallen behind Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori at Chelsea and is currently making a lofty £80,000-a-week.

20.46 GMT: Leicester have punched above their weight all season long and could be set to continue that trend in the winter transfer window.

Leicestershire Live recently suggested the club are targeting Juventus and Turkey central defender Merih Demiral. Leicester might have company though as Turkish newspaper Sabah claim that Pep Guardiola is "crazy" about the former Sassuolo man and that the two-time defending champions are prepared to offer €45 million for the player.

Demiral, who Juve only signed in the summer for €18 million, has made six appearances for the Bianconeri and also been linked with Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.

20.10 GMT: Shifting to MLS for a moment where FC Cincinnati have signed a new international striker.

The club, which will play its second season in MLS this season, has announced they have signed Japanese striker Yuya Kubo from Belgian side Gent. The 26-year-old, who joined Gent from Swiss giants Young Boys in 2017, scored 25 goals in 72 games with Gent, and also spent a season on loan in the Bundesliga with Nurnberg.

Having been capped 13 times for Japan at international level, Kubo becomes the first Japanese Designated Player in league history.

19.38 GMT: David Moyes is back in the Premier League and if a report from Sky is to be believed so could one of his former charges.

Sky Sports is reporting that Moyes and West Ham are interested in signing midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who Moyes previously coached at both Everton and Manchester United. The 32-year-old central midfielder left United for Chinese club Shandong Luneng last January, and is under contract in China for two more seasons.

Could Fellaini, who has 87 caps for Belgium, seek a reunion with his former boss in England? Stay tuned...

19.07 GMT: With their transfer ban over, Chelsea are expected to open up their coffers this month to strengthen Frank Lampard's squad.

Spanish publication Sport claims that Chelsea are interested in Dinamo Zagreb and Spain winger/attacking midfielder Dani Olmo. The 21-year-old, who came through the ranks at Barcelona before moving to Croatia, is a man in-demand after a breakout season in the Champions League.

The report adds that Chelsea have made a "firm offer" for the Spanish international who has scored eight goals and added seven assists this season. Barcelona are reportedly considering a move to bring Olmo back to the Camp Nou, with Zagreb looking for more than €40 million for the player.

18.52 GMT: Tottenham are in the market for a new full-back in January and Barcelona's Nelson Semedo has been added to the club's wishlist.

Spurs reportedly have Norwich teenager Max Aarons as their No. 1 target but have identified Semedo, 26, as an alternative. The 26-year-old teenager recently made his debut for Brazil but could be expendable as Barca monitor Real Betis' Emerson.

Right-back is a priority for Spurs, who lost Kieran Trippier this offseason and are set to loan Kyle Walker-Peters out to Crystal Palace this month.

18.21 GMT: PSG and Marquinhos are close to confirming a contract extension tying the Brazil international to the French champions beyond 2022, sources have told ESPN FC.

Marquinhos, 25, is a key figure under coach Thomas Tuchel in both defence and midfield and has risen to the rank of vice-captain since his 2013 arrival at Parc des Princes.

According to ESPN FC sources, the two parties -- in talks over a new deal for months -- have finally reached an agreement to add multiple years to his current deal.

The news should be made official by PSG at some point over the next week or so.

17.54 GMT: Harry Wilson to Leicester City? Not so fast according to WalesOnline.

The outlet writes that despite recent rumours, Brendan Rodgers and Leicester have yet to make an official attempt to sign the Liverpool youngster. Wilson, 22, has six Premier League goals this season while on loan at Bournemouth and is valued at over £20 million.

Rodgers played it close to the vest but didn't rule out a move for the Wales international: "I know Harry [Wilson] very well. He's a fantastic talent. I don't speculate or gossip on other players, especially other players from other teams."

Wilson reportedly is keen on returning to Liverpool to fight for his place at Anfield.

17.31 GMT: Wolves have reportedly entered the race for £17 million-rated RB Leipzig attacker Matheus Cunha.

Sky Sports claims that Wolves -- and Brighton -- have joined a host of European clubs in the pursuit of the 20-year-old. Cunha, a Brazilian Under-23 international, is understood to be available on a permanent basis this January. Cunha, who scored nine goals in all competitions last season, has yet to score this season in 13 appearances.

17.00 GMT: Brazilian teenanger Yan Couto is on Arsenal's radar, with Bayer Leverkusen also interested, says Globoesporte.

Couto is a right-back at Coritiba, despite never having made a first-team appearance, who helped Brazil win the U17 World Cup in November.

However, he wouldn't move until the summer when he turns 18 and his contract expires.

16.06 GMT: Norwich full-back Max Aarons has plenty of admirers, including Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton, West Ham and Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig. But now you can add Borussia Dortmund to the party.

Aarons, 19, only broke into the first-team last year but is now a fixture and worth a reported £30m. Sky Sports reports that Dortmund are keen to make the English teenager their next big success story with a bid this month, though Tottenham will also be keen to move before the summer.

15.58 GMT: La Repubblica says that Inter striker Mauro Icardi wants to return to Italy after his PSG loan expires this summer, while his agent and wife Wanda Nara spent the recent holiday period trying to open up an avenue to join Juventus.

15.45 GMT: Update again! Sergio Dipp told ESPN AM this morning that he spoke with Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and that the striker wants to stay at Sevilla amid rumours that LA Galaxy are ready to make a move.

Manu Martin reported Wednesday on SportsCenter Mexico that representatives with the LA Galaxy will travel to Sevilla next week to meet with the Mexico international to hear from Hernandez and discuss the option of the Mexico forward potentially replacing Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the Los Angeles club's talisman.

15.32 GMT: Benfica's Chris Willock (brother of Arsenal's Joe) is keen to pursue a permanent move back to England, sources have told ESPN.

Barnsley and Charlton Athletic are interested in Willock, who is on loan at West Brom, and he is keen to return to England for good in the hope of securing regular first-team football.

Meanwhile, Brighton's Archie Davis, 21, is open to a move away from the Premier League club, with sources telling ESPN both Crawley and Bolton Wanderers are keen on a deal for the midfielder.

15.23 GMT: Norwich have agreed a six-month loan deal to sign Slovakia midfielder Ondrej Duda from Hertha Berlin, reports the Telegraph.

14.53 GMT: Chelsea have found great success this season blooding their young players and Reece James is one.

The 20-year-old full-back has impressed in the Premier League and, though his contract doesn't expire until the summer of 2022, he's reportedly set to sign a new five-year deal, says the Daily Telegraph.

14.34 GMT: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that he is "not expecting big things" to happen for the club during this transfer window.

The Gunners have been linked to several players including RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano and Atletico Madrid's Thomas Lemar but Arteta reiterated that his main focus was the players he already has.

"If we can find something to help us go through the season in a more balanced way in certain areas, and is helpful, we'll look at the options," Arteta told a news conference. "I'm not expecting big things. I'm expecting big things from the players I have now to get through the season in a more balanced way."

Arteta also reiterated that he was keen to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but that no contract negotiations had started yet.

Last year's golden boot winner had been linked with a move away from the club but wrote in the club's recent matchday programme that he is "committed" to Arsenal.

"My intention is to keep Auba obviously because I know that if we keep Auba with us, we're going to be stronger and closer to winning football matches. That's the only thing," Arteta said

14.15 GMT: Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has said he had trials with Manchester United as a youngster but always knew he wanted to play at Anfield.

Gerrard spent the majority of his playing career at Liverpool before leaving in 2015 to play for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer.

14.00 GMT: Sky Sports News has an update on Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen, claiming Man United are not interested in signing him anymore.

It adds: "Eriksen sees his future away from the Premier League and is likely to be on his way to Inter Milan."

13.25 GMT: Update on Chicharito. The Mexico striker has been approached by some MLS clubs, but sources have told ESPN that he wants to remain in Europe for now.

The 31-year-old only joined La Liga side Sevilla from West Ham in the summer after signing a three-year deal and is not ready to leave yet despite having only played 782 minutes in all competitions.

Chicharito's situation under Julen Lopetegui is unlikely to change, with Sevilla looking to bolster their attacking line further during the January transfer window, but sources close to the player have told ESPN that the striker is still not yet considering a move away.

13.09 GMT: Manchester United have recalled defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson from his loan spell at Tranmere.

Is he United's saviour? Or will he just be sent on loan somewhere else?

12.35 GMT: Could Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez be on his way to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic at LA Galaxy?

11.53 GMT: Ryan Babel has signed a six-month loan deal to join Eredivisie champions Ajax from Galatasaray, sources have told ESPN.

Babel, 33, started his career at Ajax and now returns amid reported interest from Newcastle United, after spells with Liverpool, Besiktas and Fulham.

11.49 GMT: Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic says the club won't move for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane this month.

Bayern want Sane, 23, but the Germany international suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury before a summer deal could be done. Reports had suggested Bayern could try again in January, but that won't happen.

"No, it is not an option in winter," Salihamidzic told German outlet Bild.

11.20 GMT: Lille's Boubakary Soumare is now on the radar of Arsenal, alongside Manchester United and Chelsea, reports Sky Sports.

Soumare, 20, has been attracting plenty of interest this window and Real Madrid and Valencia are also keen on the defensive midfielder, who could cost around €50m to sign.

11.05 GMT: Fabio Borini has agreed to a move from AC Milan to Hellas Verona, sources have confirmed to ESPN.

Borini, 28, will join Verona on a deal until the end of the season, having barely featured for Milan this term. The former Liverpool forward had previously attracted interest from England and other teams in Serie A.

10.59 GMT: Liverpool midfielder Allan Rodrigues de Souza has signed for Atletico Mineiro on a permanent deal for £3.2m, having failed to secure a work permit for the UK.

10.45 GMT: Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is not interested in a move to play in Major League Soccer, his agent has told ESPN.

Jonathan Barnett said the Wales international, who has won four Champions Leagues, is "going nowhere" in the January transfer window and is "very unlikely" to leave Madrid in the summer.

10.20 GMT: RB Leipzig midfielder Diego Demme is set to join Napoli for €12m.

Named after Napoli legend Diego Maradona, 28-year-old Demme has in the past called new coach Gennaro Gattuso his footballing idol. The Leipzig vice-captain's departure could lead to more playing time for United States international Tyler Adams, who returned from injury late last year.

10.04 GMT: Carles Alena has risked the ire of Barcelona supporters by saying he would never rule out crossing the Clasico divide and signing for Real Madrid.

Luis Figo remains despised to this day at Camp Nou for quitting the club for Madrid 20 years ago but Alena, who is currently on loan at Real Betis, won't rule out making the same move.

"A lot of things happen in football, you never know," he told Cadena Ser when asked if he would sign for Madrid if the opportunity were to arise in the future.

"Obviously they're a rival. I've been a Barca fan all my life, so it would be tough, but I've been taught that you never say never because so many things go on in the game. But obviously they're a big rival and I have never been a Madrid fan."

Alena left Barca for Betis earlier this month in search of regular top-flight football. He said he made the decision to move in October due to a lack of game time under Ernesto Valverde.

09.40 GMT: Raul De Tomas becomes the most expensive signing in Espanyol's history as his €20m move from Benfica has been confirmed.

09.32 GMT: West Ham's Issa Diop is Chelsea's top defensive target this month, according to the Daily Express.

Diop, 22, has also attracted interest from Tottenham and Man United in the past, but Chelsea "are preparing an imminent £40m offer" for the Frenchman.

09.11 GMT: Tottenham and Newcastle want a new striker and have been linked to AC Milan's Krzysztof Piatek, but Aston Villa are front of the queue with reports they are set to bid €30m for him.

Piatek, 24, was being linked with Chelsea and Man United not long ago. Here's the FC TV take.

08.54 GMT: Arsenal striker Tyreece John-Jules is set to depart on loan to League One side Lincoln City.

John-Jules, 18, is highly rated but won't break through into the first-team this season and Football.London reports that Mikel Arteta has sanctioned a loan move.

08.36 GMT: Cadena Cope reports that AC Milan and Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina will sign a six-month contract with Aston Villa.

Reina, 37, is tied to AC Milan until June 2021 but will join Villa until the end of the season, with an option to remain for the 2020-21 campaign should the club remain in the Premier League.

The Spaniard has made one league appearance for the Rossoneri this season.

08.19 GMT: Globo Esporte reports that Barcelona have made a €6m offer to Palmeiras for Brazilian midfielder Matheus Fernandes.

Barca reportedly made an initial approach regarding Fernandes in recent days and, according to the Brazilian outlet, the offer also includes performance-related bonuses.

However, Palmeiras needs the approval of Fernandes' former club Botafogo to sell the player as they acquired 75% of his sporting rights for €3.5m last season.

The 21-year-old is under contract through 2023 but, while he lacked opportunities under coaches Luiz Felipe Scolari and Mano Menezes, he ended the season as a starter under interim coach Andrey Lopes. It's not the first time Barca have shown an interest in the Brazilian with the Catalan outfit having monitored the player in 2017 when he was doing well at Botafogo.

08.00 GMT: ICYMI - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is considering a January move for Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, sources have told ESPN, with the Norwegian pushing executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to secure reinforcements for his Manchester United squad this month.

PAPER TALK (by Harry Kettle)

Manchester United eye Serie A defender

Manchester United are interested in a new defender in the January transfer window, with the Daily Star saying Hellas Verona's Marash Kumbulla is on their radar.

A recent injury setback for £80m defender Harry Maguire has opened the door for a potential deal for the Red Devils.

That would open the door for Albania international Kumbulla, who could come with a £13m pricetag. Other Serie A sides reportedly interested in Kumbulla are Atalanta, Inter Milan and Napoli.

With other alternatives also on the shelf or out of form, desperate times call for desperate measures as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer attempts to get United's season back on track.

Ahead of the game against Norwich City, there's a very real chance that Victor Lindelof could be the only fit natural centre-back.

Dembele agrees personal terms with Chelsea

As reported by Daily Record, Lyon forward Moussa Dembele has agreed to personal terms with Chelsea.

The Blues aren't wasting any time in the January transfer window as they attempt to take advantage of the fact that they're able to purchase players once again.

Frank Lampard has clearly been interested in Dembele for a while, and now he's looking to act on it. Celtic will receive a transfer windfall if the €40m deal does indeed go through, with a sell-on fee of around 10%.

Mbappe, Icardi defer contract talks

Paris Saint-Germain duo Kylian Mbappe and Mauro Icardi are firmly focused on the season and are not interested in talking about contract extensions.

Mbappe has been linked with a move to Real Madrid but the World Cup winner said on Wednesday that he doesn't want to distract Les Parisiens, who are vying for four trophies this term.

"I am ready to play football at present. It is January and it is the start of the sprint finish with the title in play. I do not think it is the moment to make waves. The club is calm and serene, with everybody pulling in the same direction. Talking about things away from the pitch is not very realistic and not very beneficial for the team," Mbappe said after PSG's 6-1 thrashing of Saint-Etienne in French Cup action.

Meanwhile, on-loan Icardi is hoping for a permanent move to the French capital from Inter Milan. But his stellar PSG form -- 17 goals in 19 games -- could see the Serie A leaders call the Argentine back to San Siro at the end of the season.

"We will sit down at the end of the season, but I would be happy to stay here -- if that is ultimately the case," Icardi said.

Tap-ins

- The Telegraph is reporting that Chelsea face a battle to keep youngster Tariq Lamptey on their hands. The teenage sensation is in the last year of his contract with the club, and while the Blues want him to sign a new contract, French club Nice are willing to make a cash offer in order to bring him over to Ligue 1.

- Manchester United will not pursue the signing of James Maddison in January but remain confident of their ability to get a deal done in the summer, Manchester Evening News reports. The popular Leicester star has been turning heads since the start of the campaign, and United have been keeping tabs along the way as they look ahead to the summer transfer window.