Football transfer news

Arsenal have pulled out of the race to sign Bordeaux winger Malcom in the January window, although would be willing to discuss a transfer in the summer, Goal understands.

The 20-year-old was earmarked as a future replacement for Alexis Sanchez following his impressive performances in Ligue 1 this season but the Gunners have now backed away.

Goal understands Arsene Wenger’s side are not willing to pay the French club’s £44 million asking price for the Brazilian but do remain confident they could strike a deal in the summer.

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Malcom is unsettled with his future up in the air and is keen to play under Wenger, but with Bordeaux, who find themselves a disappointing 13th in the Ligue 1 table, wanting to keep one of their star names it would seem a January transfer is unworkable.

Tottenham, meanwhile, have also emerged as a potential option for the player, with Malcom’s representatives open to the possibility of discussions over a switch to Arsenal’s north London rivals.

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The Gunners have prioritised the signings of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with both players having now agreed personal terms, and believe that the experience the duo possess can push them further up the Premier League table in the chase for a top-four spot.

Malcom has scored seven goals and laid on five more for his team-mates in the French top-flight in 2017-18, with Manchester United, as well as Spurs, having shown an interest in bringing him to the Premier League.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Wenger revealed that he didn’t believe a January move for the Brazilian youngster was likely.

“I don’t think we are close to [signing Malcom],” said Wenger. “I don’t think [that it will happen in January], no.”

Bordeaux president Stephane Martin, meanwhile, has said there was no formal contact between Malcom and Arsenal, with much of the early talks being conducted between the player’s representatives and Arsenal officials.

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Alexis Sanchez will not make his Manchester United debut at Burnley on Saturday after the club failed to register him with the Premier League before the 12pm deadline on Friday.

The Chilean attacker is due to leave Arsenal for the 20-time English champions in a £35 million deal which will see him earn up to £350,000 a week, but he will not be able to play for United this weekend when they head to Turf Moor.

Under Premier League rules, teams must register a transfer and all supporting documentation with league representatives before midday on Friday in order for a player to be eligible to play in that weekend’s fixture.

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But Sanchez’s switch has been held up due to the delay in the completion of talks regarding Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s part-exchange move to Arsenal, and both players were subsequently seen training with their existing clubs on Thursday as they awaited a final agreement.

While Mkhitaryan was photographed with his United team-mates at the club’s Carrington training ground, Sanchez was left going through the motions with Arsenal’s development side as manager Arsene Wenger attempted to focus his squad’s efforts on Saturday’s clash with Crystal Palace.

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Sanchez’s imminent arrival comes after a dramatic couple of weeks, with the 29-year-old having originally seemed destined to sign for Manchester City. But the Blues, who had agreed a £60m deal with Arsenal for Sanchez last summer, were outbid by United and eventually withdrew their interest in the attacker .

And, despite some talk of late interest from Chelsea, United have moved quickly to wrap up a deal with Sanchez but have been denied the chance to give him a first appearance this weekend. Instead, he will not be able to make his United debut before next Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round trip to Yeovil Town.

He will, though, be eligible for the cup match at Huish Park thanks to his absence from Arsenal’s 4-2 third-round defeat to Nottingham Forest, while he can also be registered to play in United’s Champions League campaign thanks to UEFA rules which allow clubs to nominate one player who has played in the Europa League for inclusion in their squad during the knockout stages.

Arsenal are set to add a second new name to their squad after finalising their purchase of Mkhitaryan, with Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having also agreed personal terms with the Gunners this week.

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Inter are in pole position to recruit Daniel Sturridge on loan this month, but the striker is hoping Sevilla will also present a solid formal offer to Liverpool.

The Liga side are the England international’s first-choice option, but have only put in a check over his availability.

Inter, however, have submitted a “serious” proposal to sign the 28-year-old until the end of the season, which includes a substantial loan fee, the full assumption of his salary and a path to making the deal permanent.

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The Serie A outfit have made it quite clear in their professional handling of matters that they are resolute in securing Sturridge’s services, which has encouraged the forward.

Sevilla’s interest in Sturridge is further complicated by their pursuit of Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea .

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The 24-year-old had seemed certain to switch to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for the rest of the campaign, but the London club’s difficulty in the transfer market is hampering that move.

Blues boss Antonio Conte wanted to bring in Andy Carroll before letting the Belgium international, who is also on Borussia Dortmund’s radar, leave Stamford Bridge.

But the West Ham target man has suffered an ankle injury, which has left Chelsea scrambling and Sevilla frustrated.

Vincenzo Montella’s side, who have conceded more than they have scored in La Liga this season, are now considering making an official submission to Liverpool for Sturridge’s services.

They have been made aware it would need to match what Inter have put on the table.

Sturridge, who has previously revealed his fascination with Spanish and the intention to increase his vocabulary in the language, was an unused substitute during the 3-3 Champions League draw at Sevilla in November.

He has been handed just five starts for Liverpool this season, and following a muscle issue, as well as illness which he has shaken off, he has not featured in a matchday squad since the 7-0 victory over Spartak Moscow on December 6.

The former Chelsea and Manchester City man is desperate to secure regular minutes in order to make England’s World Cup squad, with West Ham and Southampton also monitoring his situation.

Liverpool were initially unwilling to countenance a loan move for Sturridge, placing a £30 million valuation on the marksman.

However, having only received approaches over a temporary arrangement thus far, the Merseysiders are looking to settle on the best deal for the club and player before the window closes.

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Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has warned the club that to compete for the Premier League title they must aim higher than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Goal revealed that the Borussia Dortmund striker has agreed personal terms with the north London club and they are increasingly confident of completing a transfer before the end of the window.

Arsene Wenger had also pushed for a move for Bordeaux forward Malcom in attempt to soften the blow of Alexis Sanchez leaving for Manchester United, though a deal for the Brazil Under-20 star failed to materialise.

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Aubameyang has scored 13 goals in 15 league starts this season for Dortmund after 31 in 31 last term, but former Gunner Petit believes that it’ll take more than the Gabon international to transform the club into Premier League title candidates.

“There has been a lot of speculation about the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malcom coming in – but Arsenal should be aiming higher,” he told the Metro.

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“Because they are not competitive on the pitch at the moment, they need to be more competitive with wages.

“If you can’t guarantee trophies – or at least compete to win them – then you must offer players more in order to come to the club. That’s the way it works.”

Arsenal are also on the verge of completing a deal to bring Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan to the Emirates, having missed out on the Armenian before his move to United in 2016.

Wenger remains a fan of the 28-year-old and is keen to reunite him with Aubameyang at the Emirates before the end of the month, with the club’s new head of recruitment, Sven Mislintat, heavily involved in the moves.

Mislintat, who arrived from Dortmund in November, has played an integral part in the transfers and has referenced his experience spent working with them at Westfalenstadion as reason to pursue both players in the January transfer window.

Again, though, Petit isn’t sure whether Mkhitaryan is the man Wenger should be signing, comparing his lacklustre work-rate to that of Mesut Ozil’s.

“Since he signed for United, he hasn’t been involved enough, and I’m not sure he has a winning mentality,” he added.

“Sometimes he reminds me of Mesut Ozil – you really have to push him to show his character, and put him under pressure to display his best qualities.

“There’s no doubt he has great skill, but I’m not sure he’s the kind of footballer Arsenal need. They should be focussed on other positions.”

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Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has signed a two-year contract extension to keep him with the Premier League leaders until June 2020.

The Brazil international has been a mainstay of Pep Guardiola’s side as City have established a 12-point advantage in England’s top flight this term.

Former Barcelona boss Guardiola has labelled the 32-year-old as “one of the best three holding midfielders in the world” and insisted he would not have got into this City team during his playing days due to Fernandinho’s quality.

As Yaya Toure moves towards an expected exit when his deal expires in June, City have been linked with moves for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred and Nice’s Jean Michael Seri to bolster an area of Guardiola’s squad where Fernandinho reigns supreme.

“This is a club with a fantastic future and I want to be a part of it for as long as possible,” Fernandinho said, having joined City from Shakhtar in 2013.

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“With Pep in charge, I feel sure we can win significant silverware and, importantly, we will try to do it playing attractive, attacking football.

“It’s a pleasure to be a part of this club and I look forward to seeing what the next few years bring.”

Fernandinho won the Premier League and EFL Cup during his debut season in England under Manuel Pellegrini, scoring in the final before City regained the latter competition on penalties against Liverpool in 2016.

He has featured in all 23 Premier League games this season, starting 22, and has racked up 212 City appearances overall – scoring 19 goals.

“We’re delighted Ferna has signed his new contract,” said director of football Txiki Begiristain, with the club having also tied down centre-back Nicolas Otamendi to extended terms earlier this week.

“He is a senior member of the squad and his professionalism and work ethic are second to none.

“His form has been fantastic this season and we’re happy he’s extended his deal for a further two years.”

City host Newcastle United on Saturday having suffered a first Premier League defeat of the season at Liverpool last time out.

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