With deadline day fast approaching, Arsenal’s pursuit of Moises Caicedo looks set to go down to the wire. The Gunners, Chelsea and Tottenham are among the clubs still looking to cut some big deals in the final days of the January window. Caicedo has been told to stay away from Brighton training after he asked to leave the club and Arsenal have now submitted a fresh bid for the 21-year-old, but it may cost a huge £80million. They are also said to have agreed a deal to sign Declan Rice in the summer.
Over at Chelsea, they have now signed Lyon’s Malo Gusto, with the player staying on loan in France for the rest of the season. The Blues remain keen on Caicedo and the name Enzo Fernandez still refuses to go away, with another massive swoop planned. Amadou Onana and Matheus Nunes are also on the radar.
Tottenham have finally agreed a deal with Sporting Lisbon to sign Pedro Porro, and are now interested in a surprise move for Jobe Bellingham, younger brother of Jude. Follow all the latest January transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Live updates
Absent Caicedo ‘badly advised’
As expected, there is no Moises Caicedo in the Brighton squad today.
The club insist they have no intention of selling the Ecuador midfielder despite his public plea to be sold in light of bids from both Arsenal and Chelsea.
Seagulls owner Tony Bloom has the final say, has no need to sell with the club in a healthy financial position and, according to BBC Sport, has informed Arsenal of the same.
Caicedeo has been told to stay away from the club until Wednesday and then they will hope the matter calms down.
BBC Sport add that Brighton believe Caicedo has been badly advised.
Spurs launch Bellingham bid
Tottenham want to sign Jobe Bellingham, the youngster brother of England star Jude, according to Football Insider.
Jobe has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Birmingham, making 15 appearances since turning 17 years old in September.
Spurs expect a chase for his signature come the summer and, the report claims, are already working on beating any competition with a package to lure him to north London at the end of the season.
Brother Jude, meanwhile, is also expected to be at the centre of a huge transfer tussle.
Martinelli to sign new Arsenal contract
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has agreed terms on a new contract with the club that will run until 2027.
Martinelli’s previous deal had been due to expire in 2024, but the Gunners had the option to extend it by a further two years.
The Brazilian has now, however, agreed terms on a new contract to extend his stay for another four years. The process is in the final stages and could be all wrapped up next week.
Casadei set for Reading
Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei is set to join Championship side Reading on loan.
The 20-year-old Italian joined Chelsea from Blues from Inter Milan last summer and has impressed for their Under-21s.
Casadei is now set to go on loan to gain experience and, according to the Daily Mail, will join Reading on a deal until the end of the season.
Chelsea back in for Enzo
Chelsea are ready to launch a fresh swoop for Enzo Fernandez.
The Blues failed with a move for Fernandez earlier this month but remain keen on a move for the Argentina midfielder.
According to the Daily Express, Chelsea are preparing a late move for Fernandez in the final days of the window and are willing to offer Benfica “a few players” in return.
Zaniolo holding out for Spurs
Nicolo Zaniolo is pushing to leave Roma, amid interest from Tottenham and Bournemouth.
Jose Mourinho has confirmed the Italian wants a January move, though it’s believed Zaniolo is not willing to move to Bournemouth and is instead holding out for a bid from Spurs.
“Zaniolo has been saying for a month that he wants to leave,” Mourinho said. “Unfortunately, it looks like I was right.
“I say unfortunately, because the player has been saying for a month that he wants to leave. If a player tells everyone he no longer wants to wear the Roma jersey, I have to say unfortunately.”
Arsenal lodge second Caicedo bid
Arsenal second bid for Moises Caicedo is reportedly worth £60m plus a further £10m in bonuses.
According to various reports, it’s not too much of an increase of their £60m bid rejected on Friday but the club are confident of success in the deal.
Caicedo has gone public with his desire to leave, as detailed below, and Mikel Arteta has made the player his key midfield target.
Brighton expect to sell stars
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber says the club’s business model means looking for replacements for star players in an ongoing aim in the transfer market.
Having sold the likes of Ben White, Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma and Leandro Trossard in recent windows Moises Caicedo could be the next. Arsenal are looking to sign their third player from the Seagulls after White and Trossard.
Brighton have rejected a £60million bid from the Gunners, but are expected to received another with Caicedo publicly confirming his desire to leave.
“We identified years ago that if we want to be successful we have to accept change is a permanent state,” Barber told the Daily Mail. “It’s about having a plan to replace people.”
Done deal! Chelsea sign Gusto
Chelsea have announced the signing of Lyon right-back Malo Gusto.
The 19-year-old defender has signed a seven-and-a-half-year contract to join on a deal worth around £26million.
He will spend the rest of the season back on loan at Lyon.
ICYMI: West Ham reject bid for Harrison Ashby
West Ham have rejected a bid from Newcastle for right-back Harrison Ashby.
According to Sky Sports News, the Hammers turned down a bid for the 21-year-old earlier this month but would be open to doing business.
Ashby is out of contract in the summer and Newcastle want a player who can learn from Kieran Trippier before developing as a potential first-choice.
