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          Chelsea turn focus to landing Peter Crouch from Stoke City

          • ESPN staffJan 19, 2018, 12:38 AM

          The transfer window is heating up! Transfer Talk brings you live updates on all the latest rumours and done deals. Check out all the confirmed January moves so far on our transfers page.

          Chelsea eye Crouch

          Chelsea's search for a target man continues after Andy Carroll's proposed move from West Ham was scuppered by the striker's ankle injury.

          According to the Telegraph, Peter Crouch has emerged as an alternative for the Blues, with Antonio Conte hoping to find a Plan B to ease the pressure on Alvaro Morata.

          Crouch signed a one-year contract extension at Stoke in November, and it's thought new boss Paul Lambert is keen to hold on to the 36-year-old for the Potters' relegation battle.

          Crouch was a boyhood Chelsea fan, however, and often appeared as a ball boy at Stamford Bridge before joining the youth teams at Tottenham.

          Meanwhile, the Independent says Conte wants to try again for Fernando Llorente, who rejected the Blues to join Spurs in the summer.

          And according to reports in Italy, Edin Dzeko is another name on Chelsea's shortlist, with the former Man City striker lined up for a part-exchange deal involving Michy Batshuayi.

          LIVE BLOG

          23.00 GMT: Alright, that's another fun edition of Transfer Talk completed for the day. Check ESPNFC.com later for Saturday's edition and a fresh batch of rumours! Goodnight!

          22.50 GMT: Sky Sports drops a late bit of news about Borussia Dortmund, saying the Bundesliga club is interesting in out-of-favour Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.

          The young forward has yet to make his mark at Stamford Bridge but does have 10 goals in 23 appearances for the Blues this season in all competitions. According to Sky, the move would only be contemplated if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaves in January.

          22.39 GMT: Talk is heating up in Spain that Aleix Vidal will be returning to Sevilla this month.

          Vidal, 28, left the club to join Barcelona in 2015 for €28m but has failed to really settle at the Camp nou, starting just 14 games since the move and falling down the pecking order at right-back behind Dani Alves (now at Juventus), Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo.

          22.22 GMT: Borussia Dortmund are playing a game on Friday night against Hertha Berlin but there's one notable who isn't taking part... Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

          The Gabon striker was omitted from the matchday squad for the second game in a row, which will only add further fuel to the speculation over his future at the club. Will he be heading to Arsenal after all?

          22.08 GMT: A shift to Spain next as reports in Spain suggest that Deportivo La Coruna are on the verge of signing Stephane Mbia.

          Mbia, 31, is out of contract with his club in China, Hebei China Fortune, and is looking to return to La Liga, where he spent time in midfield for Sevilla.

          21.51 GMT: Reports in Italy suggest that hotly touted Atalanta midfielder Bryan Cristante will be finding a new club... after the current season ends.

          Said his agent, Beppe Riso, to Top Calcio 24: "I have to evaluate the path that Bryan will take, dealing with the clubs capable of improving him... we'll discuss numbers when the time is right."

          The 22-year-old has been linked with Juventus, Roma and Inter in the past. Just don't expect a decision any time soon.

          21.30 GMT: In case you missed it earlier, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that the club is open to more January transfers but he'll happily focus on his current squad if the right players aren't available.

          Read the full story here.

          21.16 GMT: Time for a video! Today's edition of Rumour Rater has info on Peter Crouch to Chelsea, Emre Can to Manchester City(!) and Edin Dzeko to Stamford Bridge.

          Watch the latest here.

          20.59 GMT: Miss the Robin van Persie news earlier? The legendary striker is heading back to the club where it all began, Feyenoord, on a free transfer.

          Read the full story here.

          20.41 GMT: Done Deal! Brighton & Hove Albion fans will be happy today...

          That's Jurgen Locadia swapping the Dutch Eredivisie for the Premier League on a club-record deal. Some reports indicate a fee in the region of £14m but one thing's for certain: this lad can score. Locadia, 24, has scored 67 goals in 176 games for PSV Eindhoven and has been capped at the Dutch U-21 level.

          20.22 GMT: One player who will not be on the move this January is Santos Laguna defender Gerardo Arteaga.

          According to ESPN FC's Tom Marshall, the 19-year-old left-back has been attracting attention but his club say that as of yet, no European clubs have been in touch.

          Arteaga had been linked to Galatasaray, Barcelona, Valencia and Porto in recent weeks.

          20.02 GMT: Done Deal! From Barco to Bell as Blackburn go out and announce the signing of defender Amari'i Bell, formerly of Fleetwood Town.

          19.44 GMT: Sound the DONE DEAL alarm! Huge news in Major League Soccer as Atlanta United have finally made their long-awaited announcement...

          Read more here about a record signing in MLS.

          19.26 GMT: Sky Sports sources suggest that Tottenham have expressed interest in signing Lucas Moura.

          Moura, 25, has been out of favour at Paris Saint-Germain since the arrival of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, giving him little in the way of meaningful opportunities at the club. Ergo, a move away in January -- and playing time -- could be the key to him regaining form and confidence, as well as the outside chance of a Brazil call-up for the World Cup. (Moura hasn't featured for the Selecao since 2016.)

          19.02 GMT: Sources tell ESPN FC that there's a big trade happening in MLS as the Chicago Fire send David Accam to the Philadelphia Union.

          You can read more here but in short, the Fire are set to receive over $1m in allocation money (a mixture of general and targeted allocation funds) for the Ghana international, who has 33 goals and 15 assists in the past three MLS seasons.

          Wow.

          18.40 GMT: In an update to our TT snippet at 10.05 this morning, reports in Italy now suggest that Inter have agreed terms for Barcelona midfielder Rafinha. The prognosis was not thought to be good earlier given Barca's terms but things have shifted: Inter will take the 24-year-old on loan until the end of the season and then have the option for a permanent move for €35m with €3m in bonuses.

          What a difference a few hours makes!

          18.24 GMT: Reports in Italy confirm that former Montreal Impact midfielder Blerim Dzemaili, who left the MLS club last week, is back in Serie A.

          A statement on Bologna's club website said that yes, the 31-year-old midfielder is back with the club after his loan was cut short.

          18.08 GMT: It's time for a DONE DEAL! This one's in America, too.

          That's El Salvador captain and former San Jose Earthquakes mainstay Darwin Ceren trading the West Coast for Texas as he joins the Houston Dynamo.

          Read the full story here.

          17.51 GMT: Here's another tidbit in the Premier League, arguably a knock-on effect of the Theo Walcott move to Merseyside...

          It would be great to see Aaron Lennon getting regular playing time.

          17.31 GMT: Done deal! Reigning Eredivisie champions Feyenoord have confirmed Robin van Persie's return on social media. The forward started his career at the Dutch club before moving to Arsenal.

          17.27 GMT: Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino said the club "did everything" to try and resign Theo Walcott before the winger completed his £20 million move to Everton.

          17.11 GMT: Crystal Palace's striker search has brought them to Inter Milan forward Eder. The Italy international is the subject of a £9.75 million bid from the Eagles, TalkSport reports, as Roy Hodgson looks to bolster his attacking options.

          16.49 GMT: Tottenham are considering a swoop for Bordeaux winger Malcom, a source has told ESPN FC. The Brazilian is also a target for Arsenal, and could make the switch to north London in the summer. Full story.

          16.43 GMT: West Ham striker Diafra Sakho could be heading to Besiktas on loan, says football.london. The Turkish champions originally hoped to sign Islam Slimani, but a deal for the Leicester forward has apparently hit a snag.

          16.20 GMT: Lassana Diarra is closing in on a move to Paris Saint-Germain, a source has confirmed to ESPN FC. Unai Emery wants further depth in defensive midfield given concerns over Thiago Motta's fragility.

          16.05 GMT: Christian Benteke is the latest target man to be linked with Chelsea after Roma distanced themselves from a deal involving Edin Dzeko, reports the Daily Mail.

          15.35 GMT: Sunderland are chasing Derby striker Chris Martin, according to the Northern Echo. The 29-year-old is also a target for Norwich as he looks set to leave the Rams this month.

          15.22 GMT: Done deal in the Championship, where Barnsley have snapped up Cordoba full-back Dani Pinillos on a two-and-a-half year deal.

          15.03 GMT: Leicester are ready to rival Manchester City and Arsenal for West Brom defender Jonny Evans, the Daily Mail reports. Evans is thought to be available for £23.5 million this month as Alan Pardew looks to raise funds to strengthen other areas of his squad.

          14.39 GMT: Stoke have offered €16 million for Galatasaray midfielder Badou Ndiaye, according to Turkish outlet Sabah. The Senegal international signed a four-year contract when he joined the Turkish giants in August 2017.

          14.22 GMT: Pep Guardiola has congratulated Alexis Sanchez and Manchester United ahead of the Chilean completing his switch to Old Trafford. Full story.

          14.12 GMT: The Alexis Sanchez-Henrikh Mkhitaryan swap deal hinges upon Mino Raiola's approval, as per the BBC's David Ornstein. The Dutch agent, who represents Mkhitaryan, made a whopping £41 million when he brokered Paul Pogba's move to Manchester United in 2016.

          13.58 GMT: Ross Barkley is in line to make his Chelsea debut from the substitutes' bench against Brighton on Saturday, head coach Antonio Conte has confirmed. Read more here.

          13.54 GMT: Jurgen Klopp says Sunderland target Ben Woodburn won't be leaving Liverpool on loan in January. "There's no rush in it. It's nice that clubs are asking for him already, but Ben had enough games so far," said the Reds boss in his press conference.

          13.47 GMT: Mourinho also confirmed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan isn't part of the United squad for Saturday's trip to Burnley, but added that the midfielder is "in very good condition" (just in case Arsenal were listening...).

          13.34 GMT: Jose Mourinho has been talking about Manchester United's move for Alexis Sanchez and says the deal is "not done, not done at all". Full story.

          13.23 GMT: Southampton are plotting a move for Monaco forward Guido Carrillo, L'Equipe has reported. The Argentine has scored eight goals this season despite starting just six matches, and has two-and-a-half years left on his contract.

          12.45 GMT: Chelsea plan to make Thibaut Courtois the highest paid player at the club to fend off interest from Real Madrid, according to The Sun. Real want the 25-year-old to replace Keylor Navas at the Santiago Bernabeu, but it looks as though he'll now extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

          12.35 GMT: Former France international Jérémy Toulalan has been released by Bordeaux after asking for his contract to be terminated. The 34-year-old, whose deal with Les Girondins expired in June, could now announce his retirement, L'Equipe reports.

          12.23 GMT: Sergi Roberto has followed Gerard Pique in committing his future to Barcelona until 2022. The full-back has made 15 appearances in La Liga this season.

          12.11 GMT: Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario is torn between joining West Ham or Sevilla, according to Sky Sport Italia. The Hammers want the Portugal international on loan to boost their Premier League survival bid.

          11.59 GMT: According to Marca, Manchester United will end their interest in bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford when Alexis Sanchez's transfer finally goes through. Ronaldo is currently at loggerheads with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez over a bumper new deal, with the La Liga champions hoping to use the forward as a makeweight in a move for Neymar next summer.

          11.43 GMT: Done deal! Ipswich have snapped up Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers on loan until the end of the season. The USA international spent the first half of the campaign at Sheffield United.

          11.30 GMT: The BBC's David Ornstein says no developments are expected in Alexis Sanchez's move to Manchester United on Friday. Arsenal are still negotiating with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but have ended their interest in Bordeaux winger Malcom.

          11.15 GMT: West Ham and Crystal Palace are chasing Bologna's Adam Masina with a view to signing the left-back this month, claims The Sun. There could be a sticking point, however, with the Serie A club valuing the 24-year-old at £15 million.

          10.58 GMT: Manchester City have joined Juventus and Bayern Munich in the battle to prise Emre Can from Liverpool, according to the Mirror. The midfielder's contract expires in the summer, with Arsenal also listed as potential suitors for the 24-year-old.

          10.44 GMT: Alexis Sanchez is training with the Arsenal youth team as he waits to complete his move to Manchester United, it has been reported. The Chilean's transfer must be wrapped up by midday today if he's to be eligible for United's trip to Burnley on Saturday.

          10.31 GMT: Borussia Dortmund want Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud as part of any deal taking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Emirates Stadium, the Mirror claims. Giroud has been forced to accept a substitute role with the Gunners this season and could be keen on a switch to Germany.

          10.17 GMT: Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Bayern Munich on July 1st, it has been confirmed. The Germany international had been a target for Arsenal, Liverpool and Juventus.

          10.05 GMT: Inter Milan may have to turn their focus elsewhere after being quoted €35 million for Rafinha by Barcelona. Axel Witsel has emerged as a possible alternative, according to tuttomercatoweb.com.

          09.51 GMT: "[Wayne] said all the golf courses are great!" -- Theo Walcott has revealed he asked Wayne Rooney for advice before completing his move to Everton. Full story.

          09.44 GMT: Former Chelsea striker Loic Remy hopes to leave Las Palmas in January after falling out with coach Paco Jemez. "We arrived one minute late to a dinner and we were left out of the team," Remy told La Provincia newspaper. "The coach treated me like a piece of s***. I'm not going back because what happened was a total lack of respect from the coach. I'm not saying I'm a key player but I was at the time the leading scorer and suddenly he takes me out."

          09.30 GMT: Former Liverpool striker Fabio Borini has dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from AC Milan, saying there would be "no reason to think that". The 26-year-old is on loan at the Rossoneri from Sunderland, with a permanent deal set to go through at the end of the season.

          09.15 GMT: If at first you don't succeed... Aberdeen will try to fend off a third Hull bid for defender Scott McKenna, according to the Aberdeen Press and Journal.

          09.05 GMT: Alexis Sanchez will have to wait a fortnight to make his Manchester United debut if the deal to sign him from Arsenal cannot be done by midday on Friday, says the Mail.

          United play Burnley on Saturday, but Sanchez "will only feature if the deal is done by midday."

          08.55 GMT: Championship leaders Wolves could add to their defensive ranks with a move for West Ham's Jose Fonte this month, according to reports.

          08.45 GMT: Now, could a Cristiano Ronaldo return to Manchester United be moving closer? Spanish TV channel La Sexta says Jose Mourinho "has given the green light," while United have reportedly looked at the economics of a deal and concluded that it is "viable."

          08.40 GMT: Could Tottenham gazump Manchester United and snatch winger Lucas Moura from Paris Saint-Germain? Reports in France suggest they could, saying Spurs have made contact over a potential switch.

          08.30 GMT: Roma forward Edin Dzeko could be on his way back to the Premier League, with Chelsea interested, according to Sky Sport Italia.

          It suggests that a bid of €50 million could tempt Roma to part company with Dzeko, while Michy Batshuayi could also be offered to Roma as part of the deal.

          08.20 GMT: David De Gea has deflected questions about signing a new deal at Manchester United, but said he is still very happy at Old Trafford. Earlier this week, United boss Jose Mourinho suggested United were ready to offer the 27-year-old goalkeeper a new contract that could keep him at the club for the rest of his career.

          08.15 GMT: Leicester City boss Claude Puel says there has been no progress on transfers at the club -- either in or out. The Foxes have been linked with several players including Marseille full-back Bouna Sarr, for whom they have reportedly had two bids turned down.

          08.00 GMT: Southampton are keen to sign Spartak Moscow's Quincy Promes, Sky Sports reports - but they may have to pay up to £30 million to do so.

          Que Seri, Seri (he's going to Man City)

          Jean-Michael Seri's agent has been busy this week, with Manchester City believed to be leading the race for the midfielder, according to the Guardian.

          City's interest is supposedly rivalled by Manchester United, and Arsenal and Liverpool are also monitoring the 26-year-old's situation at Nice.

          Seri is eager to quit the French club after seeing a move to Barcelona collapse in the summer, and this sudden rush of speculation suggests some long hours are being put in behind the scenes to make a move happen this month.

          Seri caught the eye last season with seven goals and nine assists in Ligue 1 but has struggled to replicate that form in the current campaign.

          Dybala must ask to leave Juve

          Paulo Dybala must ask to leave Juventus if he wants to join Manchester United, the Italian champions' CEO Beppe Marotta has warned.

          Dybala has been linked with a big-money move to Old Trafford in the coming summer, with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona also listed as admirers.

          La Gazzetta dello Sport quotes Marotta as saying the Argentina international will stay at Juventus unless he requests a transfer.

          There have been rumours suggesting Dybala isn't happy under coach Max Allegri, having been questioned over his efforts in training and struggling for form since an explosive start to the season.

          Tap-ins

          -- Alexis Sanchez has been made to train with the youth team at Arsenal as he waits to complete his protracted move to Manchester United, reports The Times. It was claimed Thursday that the Gunners are looking for an additional £10 million, along with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, to allow the Chile international to move to Old Trafford.

          -- Arsenal have been handed encouragement in their pursuit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the striker was left out of Borussia Dortmund's squad for Friday's clash with Hertha Berlin. Full story here.

          -- Brighton are closing in on a move for Jurgen Locadia, reports Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. The PSV Eindhoven forward will cost around €20 million after scoring nine goals in 15 Eredivisie matches this season.

          -- Newcastle are eyeing loan deals for Aaron Lennon and Islam Slimani, according to the Shields Gazette. With takeover talks dragging on at St. James' Park, Rafa Benitez has been forced to work to a shoestring budget this month.

          -- And West Brom have offered a 3½-year contract to Basel defender Michael Lang, claims the Daily Mail. The 28-year-old scored the winner against Manchester United in November's Champions League group stage clash.