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LIVE Transfer Talk: AC Milan see Chelsea's Fikayo Tomori as January defensive target

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Why Bayern Munich need to drastically alter their approach (1:26)

Kasey Keller questions if Bayern's defence is suited to playing a high line after giving up 24 goals in 15 games. (1:26)

The transfer window opened in early January, and speculation is heating up about potential deals. Check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.

TOP STORY: AC Milan interested in Tomori

AC Milan are interested in signing Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori, Fabrizio Romano reports.

Romano says that Tomori is eager to leave Stamford Bridge in January as he has slipped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge after the arrival of Thiago Silva this summer. And, with Milan making contact over a potential deal, Tomori is reportedly happy with the idea of a switch to the San Siro.

Mohamed Simakan of Strasbourg is still the primary target for Milan, as they are negotiating a €15m deal, but if that falls through after his injury, Tomori will be next in the queue as the Serie A leaders look to bolster their defence.

However, Chelsea would likely only let Tomori leave on loan, with Leeds United, Newcastle United and Rennes also interested in the 23-year-old.

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LIVE BLOG

21.56 GMT: Jose Mourinho made it clear earlier in the day that Tottenham Hotspur won't be allowing Harry Winks to move to Valencia this month, and Los Che's other midfield target isn't looking likely to arrive either, with 24-year-old Marc Roca determined to break through at Bayern Munich, according to AS.

21.19 GMT: Marca writes that despite Barcelona's need to raise funds, Junior Firpo is expected to remain at the club because of his value as backup to Jordi Alba and because Granada have not met the Blaugrana's valuation with their offer.

20.42 GMT: Marseille have announced that they've signed 23-year-old Fiorentina right-back Pol Lirola on loan for the remainder of the season.

20.05 GMT: The Portland Timbers have announced that they have traded 31-year-old left-back Jorge Villafana and the 16th overall pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft to the LA Galaxy in exchange for the 8th overall pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft and potentially additionally allocation money depending on the United States international's performances in Los Angeles.

19.28 GMT: Amid reports linking Manchester United and Liverpool with moves to sign Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos on a free transfer this summer, the Athletic reports that there is "no chance" of the 34-year-old joining the two clubs on top of the Premier League table, and is instead expected to sign a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

18.51 GMT: Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic, who's struggled mightily in the Spanish capital since his €60m move from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2019, is set to return to his former club in Germany on loan for the remainder of the season, Marca's Jose Felix Diaz reports.

18.14 GMT: USWNT and North Carolina Courage centre-back Abby Dahlkemper is closing in on a move to Manchester City, according to the Athletic's Meg Linehan, where the 27-year-old will sign a two-and-a-half-year contract.

17.37 GMT: Real Madrid have grand plans for France forward Kylian Mbappe, and AS has detailed how Los Blancos intend to get their man.

First, they need to raise between €100m and €150m through player sales, with Gareth Bale, Isco, Marcelo, Dani Ceballos, Luka Jovic and Brahim Diaz all said to be available. Then, they'll need to agree a fee with Paris Saint-Germain, who are said to want an amount greater than the world-record €222m they paid Barcelona for Neymar, while Madrid prefer to pay closer to €150m for a player who will only have 12 months remaining on his contract come the summer.

17.00 GMT: Sky Sports reports that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is considering bringing former manager Avram Grant back to Stamford Bridge

Not as the man to replace Frank Lampard as boss, though. As a backroom staff member.

The report says: "The Russian billionaire believes Grant's experience could provide invaluable support to manager Lampard and his staff... Grant believes his strengths lie as a team manager rather than behind the scenes, so potentially the 65-year-old's return to Stamford Bridge could be on a short-term basis."

Chelsea have won only one of their last six Premier League matches and are ninth in the Premier League table, so they need something.

16.22 GMT: Bayern Munich have to start doing something different in defence, don't they?

16.12 GMT: Catarina Macario, who elected to forego her last year of eligibility with Stanford University in the NCAA last week, has signed her first professional contract with Lyon, putting pen to paper with the European champions until 2023.

ESPN reported on Monday that Lyon led the race for the Brazilian-born midfielder ahead of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. She is now set to join Lyon after the USWNT training camp which ends Jan. 22.

Macario said: "It's an honor for me to have signed with such an amazing club. I am really looking forward joining the team and continuing to build on the legacy of success."

16.00 GMT: Rob Holding has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, running until 2024 with an option for a further year.

Holding, 25, has made 16 starts this season having recovered from a long-term knee injury suffered at Old Trafford two years ago.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: "Since I started as manager, I have been hugely impressed with Rob's contribution to the club and the dressing room, on and off the pitch. The quality of his work every day on the training pitches is excellent and he is translating this into consistently high performances in matches.

"We all know Rob's quality, which he has shown in his displays during the intense moments of those two FA Cup final victories. We are all very happy that Rob has signed a new contract, he is very popular with all the players and staff, and we're looking forward to watching him continue to grow with us in the coming years."

15.44 GMT: Lionel Messi to PSG? Julien Laurens explains how the Ligue 1 club plan to woo the Barcelona star to join Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

If Messi does leave, can PSG really recruit him this summer? Of course. Is it likely or realistic? That's uncertain. The priority in Paris is to extend the deals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. They both expire in June 2022, and new long-term contracts for both forwards would mean continuing to build a very competitive team around them, as well as securing their values in the event they want to leave in the future.

Sources have told ESPN that the recent talks with both entourages were positive and there is certainly a quiet confidence within the club that they will both sign the extension. "They want to stay," said PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi a month ago. More talks are planned for later this month, according to sources. Now that Mauricio Pochettino is the manager, the club is hoping that clarity over the club's direction in terms of management and having the Argentine in charge could help Neymar and Mbappe decide to commit to a future in Paris.

Even if the two superstars wanted to leave and not extend, who could buy them this summer? Barcelona don't have any money for the Brazilian, while neither Real Madrid or Liverpool seem to have the financial package for Mbappe. Everyone has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and financially, it will be very difficult for any club to splash around €250 million in total (transfer fees, wages, commissions) on Mbappe.

14.55 GMT: The Daily Telegraph reports that Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho is waiting to be offered a new contract.

Fernandinho, 35, has a deal which expires at the end of the season and is expected to head back to Brazil to play for his first club Atletico Paranaense in the summer. However, the versatile Brazilian is yet to make a final decision over his future and could yet sign a new contract if City are willing to put one in front of him at this stage of his career.

14.15 GMT: VfB Stuttgart's Nicolas Gonzalez is a target for Tottenham, says AS.

Gonzalez, 22, has five goals and two assists in 10 league appearances, with the Argentina forward attracting attention from Jose Mourinho.

14.00 GMT: Lyon striker Moussa Dembele is closing on a loan move to Atletico Madrid, with a reported purchase option of around €35m.

13.19 GMT: Everyone wants RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano and Bayern Munich have been in contact as they seek to replace Real Madrid-bound David Alaba, says Sport1.

Upamecano, 22, has caught the eye of Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, PSG and virtually every other big club in Europe with his performances in the Bundesliga. The France international reportedly has a €42m release clause in his contract which comes into effect next summer, with Bayern already looking to make their move.

12.53 GMT: Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho was in fine form today.

On Harry Winks: "What do I have to say to stop with this talk? I told already, he is going nowhere. So when I say he is going nowhere, what do you want me to say? If someone is speaking with other clubs, my reaction is 'don't lose your time.'"

And on Mesut Ozil:

12.41 GMT: Fenerbahce president Ali Koc says the club could be set to sign Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil.

Ozil's agent Dr Erkut Sogut told ESPN last week that the player's future is expected to be finalised in the next 10 days with the midfielder undecided over his next move.

The 32-year-old is free to talk directly to overseas clubs after entering the final six months of his £350,000-a-week contract with Arsenal and has attracted interest from the United States, Turkey, Asia and Qatar.

Ozil himself tweeted in a Q&A on Monday that: "I grew up as a Fenerbahce fan as a kid in Germany. Every German-Turkish person supports a Turkish team when they grow up in Germany. And mine was Fenerbahce. Fenerbahce is like Real Madrid in Spain. The biggest club in the country."

And, speaking to reporters Koc said: "Let me tell you the latest on Mesut Ozil. We've said it would be a dream for Fenerbahce. The club knows what the coach wants and our transfer policy is guided by that. There hasn't been an official announcement.

"What I can say is we are closer than before. There may be a resolution, there may not be a resolution. Fenerbahce SK will make the announcement when the time comes."

12.31 GMT: Some reports had suggested that Arsenal might recall midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from his loan at Hertha Berlin.

However, Fabrizio Romano says that Hertha will keep him until the end of the season.

12.25 GMT: In only his third start for the club, Schalke's American striker Matthew Hoppe became an overnight sensation with a hat trick against Hoffenheim this weekend, so here's the lowdown on the Bundesliga's newest star from Tor-Kristian Karlsen.

Hoppe's enthusiasm is contagious; no ball ever seems lost and his off-the-ball running is executed with conviction that, along with his ability to time runs on the right side of the offside line, proved vital against Hoffenheim. Unlike many strikers, he's happy to close down opponents, tackle and do his pressing duties.

Whereas many 19-year-olds appear gangly and skinny, Hoppe is neither. His body strength appears well-developed, though it will be interesting to see if his potential to dominate in the air can be backed up with good heading technique.

On the evidence of the Hoffenheim game, Hoppe looks to have rediscovered his finishing skills from youth football. The opening goal -- a delightful chip with his weaker left foot (he also scored another with his left) -- was not only exquisite in its execution, but a bold and confident way for a teenager to finish off an attack.

12.01 GMT: Lyon lead the race for USWNT prospect Catarina Macario with a contract on the table for the former Stanford player, sources have told ESPN's Kathleen McNamee.

The Brazilian-born midfielder announced on Friday that she was going to forgo her senior season for a professional career.

Sources said that Macario has an offer on the table from Lyon but both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are still chasing her and the final decision is now in her hands.

Macario became a United States citizen in October and is part of the USWNT's roster for their January camp despite the fact she is still waiting for approval from FIFA to play in a game for the national side.

11.34 GMT: Real Madrid's €100m outlay on Eden Hazard doesn't look great right now.

11.11 GMT: Foot Mercato says that Steven Nzonzi could be on the move, despite only arriving at Rennes in January 2020.

Nzonzi, 32, has been on loan at the French club from Roma since a failed stint at Galatasaray, but he has now attracted interest from Arsenal and Everton.

The defensive midfielder was first tracked by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery and could be available this window.

10.52 GMT: Valencia are making a concerted effort to sign Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks on loan, sources have told ESPN's James Olley.

The 24-year-old has made 16 appearances this season but speculation has mounted over a possible departure as he failed to start a Premier League game between Sept. 27 and Dec. 27.

Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is open to keeping Winks and hinted at a more prominent role of late, starting him in three of the club's last five games in all competitions.

Valencia have already had one loan bid rejected due to an insufficient loan fee but are expected to return with an improved offer.

Winks is not pushing to leave but if the two clubs reach an agreement, he will seek clarification from Mourinho over his likely involvement during the second half of the season before deciding whether to move. One important factor for Winks is retaining his place in the England squad ahead of this summer's delayed Euro 2020 finals.

10.30 GMT: Martin Braithwaite says there is no chance he will leave Barcelona this month, despite rumours the club could look to move him on if an offer arrived.

Braithwaite, 29, joined Barca from Levante in February for €18m. He has scored five goals in 19 appearances this season for Ronald Koeman's side.

However, it has been suggested in the Catalan press that Barca could look to move the Danish striker on if it helped fund a move for Lyon's Memphis Depay.

"There is no way that I will leave in the winter transfer market or even at the end of the season," Braithwaite told TV3. "Next season, I will keep on fighting for my goals."

On the possibility of Depay arriving, he added: "I like that the club is looking for other players in the market. It is meant to be like that at a club like Barcelona, which aims to have the best players in the world. You need to have internal competition. It does not frighten me, it motivates me. You need the best players to motivate everyone."

09.37 GMT: Manchester United are expecting Timothy Fosu-Mensah to join Bayer Leverkusen this month, sources have told ESPN.

The defender is set to turn down a return to former club Ajax to join Leverkusen because of his desire to play in the Bundesliga. The fee is expected to be around £1.5m and United are also hopeful of negotiating a sell-on clause and possibly a buy-back option.

The 23-year-old is a senior Dutch international but has struggled to break into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first team this season and asked the club to sanction a move away in order to find more first team football.

09.15 GMT: Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has said the club would be happy to open talks with Paris Saint-Germain over striker Moise Kean joining them on a permanent basis in the summer.

Kean, 20, has reinvigorated his career since joining PSG on loan this season, scoring nine goals in 13 Ligue 1 appearances. The Italy international struggled last season in the Premier League following his £25m move from Juventus, and Ancelotti said he wants what is best for the player.

"He is having a really good experience at Paris Saint-Germain," the Everton manager told Sky. "He is scoring a lot of goals, he shows his quality. He is our player and he will be back in June.

"All the time we have to take into consideration what the player thinks because the players are human. If the player wants to come back we will be happy to have him, if the player wants to stay with Paris Saint-Germain, we have to talk with Paris Saint-Germain.

"Whatever the player likes, I don't want a player back who is not happy to come [back]. If the player is happy to come, he is welcome back."

- Laurens: How PSG plan to woo Messi to join Neymar and Mbappe

08.30 GMT: Chicago Fire FC have signed 17-year-old Colombian forward Jhon Jader Duran from Envigado FC.

Duran, the youngest international signing in MLS history, will remain with Envigado this year and move to the club when he turns 18.

"Jhon is a very special and highly rated young talent, who will be an excellent addition to our club," sporting director Georg Heitz said in a club statement. "We're extremely excited that Jhon has decided to take the next step in his career with the Chicago Fire, as he received interest from numerous clubs from around the world. His signing is a testament to our ownership's vision to become a top destination for talented young players."

08.00 GMT: Melbourne City have signed Norwegian midfielder Noor Eckhoff as they attempt to turn around their stuttering start to the W-League season.

The Norway youth international has signed for the remainder of the W-League season after previously spending three years in the Norwegian Toppserien competition.

Eckhoff, 21, joins a City team that has slumped to one draw and two losses, including a 6-0 derby hammering from Melbourne Victory.

Eckhoff will link with fellow new signing and fringe Australia international Alex Chidiac in City's midfield.

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PAPER TALK (by Harry Kettle)

Juventus pursue Scamacca signing

Italian champions Juventus are ready and willing to fight it out over the signing of Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca, Tuttosport reports.

At just 22 years of age, Scamacca is viewed as having a big future ahead of him in European football, and while he may be on loan at Genoa, the Old Lady are prepared to push on with a deal -- especially after the recent injury to Paulo Dybala.

AC Milan are reported to be in talks with Scamacca's agent, says the Italian outlet, but they add that won't deter Juventus from joining the pursuit of the Italy U21 international.

Slimani set for Lyon medical

Leicester City striker Islam Slimani is set to undergo a medical with French club Lyon ahead of a proposed move, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

Slimani has failed to cement a regular place in the starting XI at the King Power Stadium and, as a result, his departure from the former Premier League champions has seemed almost inevitable in recent months.

With Lyon looking for a Moussa Dembele replacement when the French striker leaves for Atletico Madrid, Slimani is being pinpointed as the man to fill the void.

Tap-ins

- Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Newcastle United have thrown their name into the hat as the pursuit to sign Moises Caicedo continues. The teenage sensation, who is a rising star for Independiente del Valle, has been the subject of advanced negotiations between his club and Brighton & Hove Albion, who recently surprised everyone by jumping to the front of the line in the battle to sign him. However, there may be a spanner thrown into the works as the Magpies have been attempting to make some noise of their own in the last few hours.

- Estadio Deportivo says that Sevilla FC have reached a deal to sign goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic during the summer transfer window. He is in the last six months of his contract and an arrangement has been put in place that will see him make his way over from fellow Spanish club Eibar when the season comes to an end.