After a month of craziness, the January transfer window is just hours away from closing.
Clubs across Europe have been busy doing business to both bolster their squad and get rid of unhappy players for the remainder of the season.
But, with every deal completed comes more rumours, whether through agents trying to drum up some final interest or ex-players giving their opinions on dream moves. So what are the hottest rumours as we approach the deadline?
Read on for the key stats, facts and quotes behind the latest transfer rumours.
Youri Tielemans (from Monaco to Leicester)
What’s the story? With Leonardo Jardim returning as Monaco manager, Tielemans’ time at the club appears to be up. Tielemans has since been linked with a move to Leicester, with the latest reports claiming the Belgian is about to undergo a medical for a loan deal which would see Adrien Silva go the other way.
Key stat: Youri Tielemans has averaged 38.8 completed passes per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 this season.
Key quotes: As expected, Leicester manager Claude Puel recently played down links with Tielemans.
He told the Belfast Telegraph: “For the moment, I am happy about the squad. It is difficult to have a good opportunity in the transfer window. We have a situation to keep others.”
Could it happen? This one is almost a certainty for Leicester to be done on Thursday, subject to whether he passes his medical – with Silva having already passed his according to reports.
Ivan Perisic (from Inter Milan to Arsenal)
What’s the story? Unai Emery has remained insistent on his desire for a winger this month with Denis Suarez also coming in. Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic is another to have been linked, with the Italian club said to be willing to let the Croatian leave for £35m – though Arsenal are only looking for a loan move.
Key stat: Ivan Perisic has created 22 chances in Serie A this season, recording two assists.
Key quotes: Arsenal fans will undoubtedly have been buoyed by Perisic expressing his desire to leave.
Inter director Giuseppe Marotta said: “We have to live with a situation that many clubs have in this period, which is players who express their desire for a transfer.
“We listened to the player, he has this desire. We want to make him happy, but also have to consider what is best for us. So far, no suitable offers have arrived, so we will wait.”
Could it happen? With Inter remaining firm on their permanent transfer fee being paid in January and not the summer, Arsenal’s move for the Croatian appears set to end in failure.
Yannick Carrasco (from Dalian Yifang to Arsenal)
What’s the story? Just like Perisic and Suarez, Yannick Carrasco has been linked to fill Emery’s winger needs. The Belgian is reportedly unhappy in China having moved last year and is hoping for a move to Europe, with Arsenal among the clubs mentioned as potential destinations.
Key stat: Yannick Carrasco was directly involved in 12 goals in the Chinese Super League last season (seven goals, five assists).
Key quotes: While many Arsenal fans will be hoping for a move to go through, Carrasco’s agent told Inter Dipendenza it would be tough: “Everything is possible but it seems difficult to do so because it would take decisive and rapid movements by the interested clubs to discuss and strike a deal with his current club.”
Could it happen? As his agent said, there remains a lot to be done for this move to go through before Thursday’s transfer deadline. It may be the case of Arsenal settling for Suarez alone.
Idrissa Gueye (from Everton to Paris Saint-Germain)
What’s the story? With Adrien Rabiot’s future in doubt and having missed out on Frenkie de Jong, Paris Saint-Germain are in the market for a good defensive midfielder. According to reports, they have set their sights on Everton’s Idrissa Gueye, who has also reportedly expressed his desire to join the French club.
Key stat: No Everton player has made more tackles than Idrissa Gana Gueye in the Premier League this season (83).
Key quotes: It’s not often clubs publicly speak about transfer dealings but Everton boss Marco Silva was clear in his views on Gueye when he told reporters: “My reaction is the same as our reaction as a club. We reject the offer. He is a really important player for us.
“We do not put players in the market for clubs to buy. I can’t see the value of Gana in this offer. He is a player we do not think of losing at this moment. He is important for us.”
Could it happen? Marco Silva is remaining firm on this one but Everton’s board, and Gueye, may look to push the move through with the midfielder keen on Champions League football.
Marouane Fellaini (from Manchester United to Shandong Luneng Taishan)
What’s the story? The first major signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Marouane Fellaini’s time at Manchester United may be running out. A favourite of Jose Mourinho, the Belgian is one of the few not enjoying life under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has brought an attacking brand of football back to Old Trafford.
Key stat: Marouane Fellaini (5.79) has won more aerial duels per 90 minutes in the Premier League than any other Manchester United player this season.
Key quotes: Despite his impressive start as Man Utd interim manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he is not on top of everything at the club, unsure on whether Fellaini will stay or go. When asked about having updates on Fellaini, the Norwegian told the Daily Mail “To be honest, no. I’ve been busy all day, so I don’t know the latest update on that one so just wait and see.”
Could it happen? This will be a case of when rather than if it happens after the midfielder posted a picture of himself at an airport on Thursday morning. Fellaini has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Chinese club and is expected to be out of Old Trafford before the Chinese transfer window ends on February 28.
Vincent Janssen (from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Betis)
What’s the story? Vincent Janssen is yet to feature for Tottenham this season due to a mixture of injury problems and having fallen out of favour with Mauricio Pochettino. The Dutchman has since been linked with a loan move away from the club, with La Liga side Real Betis particularly keen.
Key stat: Vicent Janssen has not played for Tottenham since August 2017, when he had a one-minute cameo in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
Key quotes: Speaking in December about his client’s future at the club, Janssen’s agent told ESPN: “We don’t know what will happen. His focus is first to get 100 percent fit and then we will see what happens. There’s not much more to do right now, he wants to be fit and play but we will see.”
Could it happen? Janssen, 25 in June, is wasting away at Tottenham and needs to move on for the good of his future. With Mauricio Pochettino clearly having no faith in the forward, there should be no stopping this move – unless Real Betis opt for a different path.
Lucas Perez (from West Ham United to Real Betis)
What’s the story? Real Betis may have a busy transfer deadline day. Already linked with Janssen, the Spanish club are also reportedly in for West Ham forward Lucas Perez. The Spaniard had also been linked with a loan move to Schalke, though West Ham reportedly want rid of Perez instantly – to free up wages for potential new arrivals.
Key stat: Lucas Perez has scored five goals in 14 games for West Ham this season.
Key quotes: According to Sky Sports, West Ham are close to agreeing a £3.5m for Perez to join Betis permanently.
Could it happen? Perez is yet to really take off at the London Stadium since joining last summer and, with West Ham linked with Maxi Gomez, the Hammers may look to shed any underachievers.
Shinji Kagawa (from Borussia Dortmund to Monaco)
What’s the story? Although Borussia Dortmund are storming in the Bundesliga this season, not everyone is enjoying life at the club. Dortmund hero Shinji Kagawa has made just four appearances for the club this season and, as a result, looks set to join Monaco on loan until the end of the season – helping their fight against relegation.
Key stat: Shinji Kagawa has played just 98 minutes in the Bundesliga this season.
Key quotes: With his time at Dortmund looking up, in November Kagawa spoke of thoughts about leaving the club. However, the Japanese focused on Spain as a potential next destination. “I don’t want to end my career without having played in Spain,” he said. “That’s what I want to do. “I want to find a solution for the situation. One is to change clubs.”
Could it happen? If reports are to be believed, the Japanese is set to undergo his medical ahead of the move to Monaco, becoming their sixth signing of the transfer window.
Abdoulaye Doucouré (from Watford to Chelsea)
What’s the story? Doucouré has proven himself to be a key figure in Watford’s side and is no stranger to speculation regarding his future.
The Frenchman has been strongly linked with a move to PSG this month, having admitted that he is keen to test himself in the Champions League in the future, but new reports suggest Maurizio Sarri could make a late dash for his services.
Key quotes: Doucoure told Canal Plus in mid-January: “I think I am going to leave Watford. The club know my ambitions and want to help me get to the next level.
“My goal is to play well for Watford and then maybe join a Champions League team. This winter we’ll study all possibilities on offer. The most important thing for me is to continue to progress and with my performances.”
Key stat: Abdoulaye Doucoure (126) has made more tackles than any Watford player in the Premier League since the start of last season.
Could it happen? Watford will be desperate to retain the midfielder’s services given that such a late departure would leave them with no time to source a replacement. However, the pull of Stamford Bridge could be difficult for Doucouré to resist.
The post Deadline day transfer rumours: Doucoure to Chelsea? Key stats, facts & news appeared first on Squawka News.
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