Transfer news LIVE: Newcastle bid £33.5m for Guimaraes, Spurs ‘in Luis Diaz talks’, Chelsea ‘negotiating Dembele deal’

Juve chief on Martial transfer

Juve director Maurizio Arrivabene has revealed the Serie A side won’t be making a move for Martial unless they can agree on a price with United.

Football Italia report that United want the Old Lady to pay an exorbitant fee for Martial and cover the Frenchman’s wages while he’s in Italy.

But Arrivabene has no intentions of meeting United’s demands.

When asked about Martial by Football Italia, he said: “Not at those figures, no. We aren’t even going to discuss it at certain figures.”

Diego Carlos wants Toon transfer

Newcastle target Diego Carlos has asked Sevilla to let him go.

The Toon have already had one bid rejected for the Brazil centre-back, 28, who reportedly has a £67million release clause.

Now Sky Sports say the ex-Nantes ace is handing in a written transfer request.

Burnley to make improved Harry Vaughan bid

Burnley are going back in with an improved offer for Oldham whizkid Harry Vaughan.

Sean Dyche’s side will offer north of £200,000 for the 17-year-old after having an initial bid rejected in the summer.

QPR are also chasing the youngster as well as European sides Borussia Monchengladbach, Real Sociedad, FC Twente and FC Utrecht. 

The attacking midfielder has broken into the Latics first-team this season, scoring two goals and two assists in 16 appearances. 

Vaughan made was handed his Oldham debut at the age of 16 by former boss Harry Kewell in February 2021.

He has twice represented Republic of Ireland’s U19's.

'We want to make history'

Brentford boss Thomas Frank is hoping he can lead his side to a historic win over Man United.

Frank's side face the Red Devils in the Prem tomorrow and he wants the club's fans to help inspire them to a valiant victory.

Speaking before the game, Frank said: "I expect us to come out with a performance. I will do my best to have a team that comes out aggressive and plays with intensity.

"Our fans need to be bang on it; I hope we can create another magic moment in Brentford’s history. That’s our aim."

Ousmane Dembele given contract ultimatum

Ousmane Dembele has reportedly been given 48 hours to sign a new Barcelona contract.

But the winger will have to accept reduced wages if he is to remain at the Nou Camp.

 claims Xavi Hernandez wants Dembele, 24, to stay put this summer.

But boss Xavi was left ‘speechless’ when Dembele reportedly demanded an eye-watering £700k-a-week to extend his stay in Catalonia.

It’s now claimed Barca have put forward a take-it-or-leave it offer to Dembele, which would instead see him take a pay cut.

And the ace has been told he has just two days to sign otherwise it will be taken off the table.

Sunderland sign Danny Batth

Sunderland have signed Stoke City's experienced defender Danny Batth.

The 31-year-old central half joined the Potters from Wolves in January 2019 and went on to make more than 100 appearances, scoring six times.

Batth's recruitment comes just days after Black Cats boss Lee Johnson has revealed he is considering an ambitious move to bring Jermain Defoe back to the club.

The 39-year-old striker’s contract with Glasgow Rangers was terminated this week and the former England star is currently a free agent.

Barca women sell-out Nou Camp tickets

Barcelona could be set to break the world record for crowd numbers at a women’s club game in their Champions League duel with Real Madrid.

The club says 85,000 tickets for the March 30 semi-final second leg fixture were purchased by fans in just THREE days.

And Forbes reports this will see them surpass the average gate number for fans at the Catalan side's men's games this season.

In 2019, Atletico Madrid set a new world record for the highest number of spectators attending a women’s club match with their duel with Barca at the Wanda Metropolitano.

In March that year, 60,739 watched Atletico lose 2-0 with Everton’s Toni Duggan and Asisat Oshoala on target for the visitors.  

The attendance figure exceeded the previous crowd record of 53,000 who watched Dick Kerr Ladies take on Helen’s Ladies in a charity match at Goodison Park on Boxing Day, 1921.

Should every single ticket buyer turnout for Barca’s March 22 game, it will see the Catalan side exceed the record set by Atletico three years ago.

Sam Allardyce offers to take charge of Everton

Sam Allardyce says he would be happy to step into the vacant managerial hot-seat at his old club Everton.

But he thinks the ideal man for the job is already at the Toffees - in the shape of loyal club servant and caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson.

Former England boss boss Allardyce has thrown his hat in the Goodison Park ring after Rafa Benitez was sacked on the weekend.

Allardyce, who was Everton boss for six months in the 2017/18 season,  “If they needed me to help them out, or felt they needed me, yes I would."

McManaman wants Saka at Liverpool

Liverpool legend Steve McManaman would love his former side to sign Bukayo Saka although he can’t see Arsenal letting the youngster go.

McManaman told : “He brings you something different. He attacks down the right, takes people on and gets to the byline.

“A bit different to Mo Salah, who likes to cut inside, Saka is more of a winger but a winger that likes to chip in with goals and Liverpool do need a winger like him.

“However, there’s no way on earth that Arsenal will let him go unless it’s a case of his contract running out.

“He’s such a young lad but still a leading figure in that Arsenal side and he’s improving every single year, so there would be riots if Arsenal let him join Liverpool.

“I can’t envision that move happening. He’s one of Arsenal’s star men.

“I’ve seen a lot of Arsenal this season and Bukayo excites me more than any other player in their side. Would I love Liverpool to get him? Definitely.”

Fellaini enjoys holiday with girlfriend

Ex-Man United ace Marouane Fellaini is clearly enjoying his holiday in St Barts with former Playboy model Victoria Alex.

Fellaini frolicked in the sea with Alex and even shared a kiss with the stunning Russian.

Fellaini has been seeing Bonya, 42, for a number of years, first being spotted on an intimate date back in 2018.

The towering Belgian is enjoying a break from football after winning the Chinese Super League and Cup with Shandong Taishan.

And to let his hair down in the off-season, Fellaini has opted for a cool new hairstyle.

The target man has gone to and 'fro - ditching the mesmerising afro for braids.

'Duncan Ferguson should replace Benitez'

Everton legend Neville Southall reckons club icon Duncan Ferguson is the right man to fill Rafael Benitez's shoes at Goodison Park.

And if the colossus Scot does well until the end of the season, the Toffees should give him the role full-time, according to Southall.

He told Liverpool Echo: “Duncan is the only one I’d look at for the manager’s job.

“There are two reasons. One, he knows the club inside out and he knows what’s going on in there and he’ll have seen that.

“He worked under a few Champions League winners now so something must have rubbed off on him from them.

“Duncan will be sat in his house thinking ‘I do a good job every time but they never give me a chance’ so if they turn him down this time I think there are questions for Duncan to ask himself in terms of whether he’s actually wanted at the club and whether he’s always going to be the bridesmaid, never the bride.

"I’d give it him until the end of the season and if he does well then keep him there.”

Newcastle ‘have second Diego Carlos bid rejected'

Sevilla have reportedly rejected an improved bid from Newcastle for Brazilian defender Diego Carlos.

Eddie Howe is desperate for more defensive reinforcements following the £12million signing of Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid.

But a centre-back is what Howe is craving the most, with one offer for Carlos already rebuffed by Sevilla.

And now a second and improved bid has been rejected, as only a 'great' offer from Newcastle would tempt them into a sale, according to  in Spain.

A £25million offer is understood to have already been turned down by the Spaniards.

Sevilla also want a replacement already lined up before allowing Carlos to move on.

But club aren't keen on sanctioning a deal in the winter market, as they know a replacement would be difficult to source midway through the season.

They are insistent that a move for Carlos will be 'on their terms' or not at all, with Newcastle continuing to press for a transfer.

'You can only learn from Gerrard'

Aston Villa starlet Caleb Chukwuemeka has revealed that Steven Gerrard wanted to bring him to Rangers when the ex-Liverpool star was in charge at the Ibrox.

But now fate's brought the pair together at Villa, Chukwuemeka is over the moon to finally be working with footy legend Gerrard.

Speaking to Birmingham Mail, the striker said: “I remember my agent saying to me that Rangers were interested in me in the summer.

“It was a crazy coincidence that Steven Gerrard came to Villa as the manager.

“You can only learn from a guy like him. Everyone knows what he has done in the game and I was excited when he came to Villa.”

Christensen will reject Prem offers

Andreas Christensen has reportedly been approached by other Premier League clubs but will reject them out of respect for Chelsea.

The 25-year-old defender is out of contract in June and looks increasingly likely to leave, despite the Blues’ best efforts.

A host of clubs are interested in the Danish international, but Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has offered an update on his future via Twitter. He said that several Premier League clubs have approached Christensen regarding a summer move.

However, the centre-half wants to respect Chelsea so will not consider a proposal for any English clubs as Bayern Munich and Barcelona lead the chase for his signature.

Bayern are said to be keen on Christensen and view him as a potential replacement for their towering centre-back Niklas Sule.

Barcelona are struggling to meet La Liga’s financial fair play rules and will be tantalized by the prospect of a quality young centre-back for free. Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid have also been linked with a swoop.

Ferdinand doubts Rangnick's United impact

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes almost every player at the club is ‘a shadow of their former self’ as he questioned Ralf Rangnick’s management.

Speaking on the  podcast, he said: “The manager talked in his first press conference about improving players and I’m still yet to see. Has he had enough time on the training ground will be his argument I’m sure. But these players need improvement because they’re not doing it.

“Almost every player, to a man, is a shadow of their former self. I don’t see anyone going best the levels they were at before as yet.

“Great managers improve people. We’ve seen what Thomas Tuchel’s done at Chelsea in that short space of time. We saw players elevate and become better players, consistently for a sustained period of time.

“Rudiger, before Tuchel came in, wasn’t even getting stripped. They were trying to sell him, his confidence couldn’t be any lower. He’s rejuvenated. Alonso has come while Chilwell has been injured. Rejuvenated. Playing well. Reece James went another level.

“He created an environment where the players felt comfortable. You do need the results but you’ve got to start getting it from somewhere.”

Derby delight

Derby County were handed a 21-point deduction earlier this season after entering administration, and given the near impossible challenge of staying in the Championship.

But things could have been very different for Wayne Rooney and Co had they not been so far behind almost every other team.

Reading too were punished with a six-point deduction after breaching spending rules.

Rooney's Rams are currently eight points off safety, but a supercomputer at has predicted that they would finish as high as NINTH had they not been slapped with the mammoth deduction.

The prediction, in a world without deductions, has Derby just three places outside the play-offs - and nowhere near the threat of relegation.

Rangnick reveals conversation with Martial

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has revealed the dispute over whether or not Anthony Martial refused to be selected for the Aston Villa game has now been resolved.

He said: "I've been here for six weeks. All the things that need to be said, I said after the press conference.

"I had a conversation with him on Sunday, a personal conversation about what happened and how I saw the whole situation.

"The matter is now resolved. He didn't train yesterday and before yesterday.

"He will probably train today and after training I will then take the decision if he is nominated or not."

Martial has been heavily linked with a loan move to Juventus until the end of the season.

Benfica prepared to sell Taarabt

Benfica are reportedly ready to sell Adel Taarabt after dropping the ex-Queens Park Rangers star from their squad.

The maverick moved to the Portuguese giants in 2015 but only made his debut for them in March 2019 following several loan stints away.

Former Tottenham and QPR ace Taarabt went on to remain in Portugal after taking a 30 per cent pay cut.

Now Portuguese news outlet Record claims the 32-year-old Moroccan is available for transfer.

Taarabt was left out of the squad for the recent clash with Moreirense under instruction of boss Nelson Verissimo.

He remains under contract until 2023 but this report states he can leave this month if Benfica receive an acceptable proposal.

Arsenal pressurised Gabon over Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was allegedly sent back to Arsenal due to ‘pressure’ from the club after his heart scare, according to Gabon manager Patrick Neveu.

Ahead of their final group match with Morocco tonight, Neveu told Sky Sports: “What I know is that they’ve been Covid free for the last 72 hours.

“We couldn’t arrange an MRI for them, as a result they couldn’t train.

“It was really annoying for them to stay in their rooms. We made the decision yesterday with the president and under pressure from the clubs too, because they’re worried, so that [Aubameyang] should go back to Arsenal and Mario back to Nice.”

On Aubameyang, Neveu added: “As you know he’s a key player for Arsenal, although he’s going through a tough period at the moment. We still have to report to clubs.

“And when a player’s health is affected and as you know they are paid by the club, we have to be reasonable at some point.”

Rooney to raid Man Utd as Everton boss?

Wayne Rooney is in the running to replace Rafa Benitez at Everton.

The Spaniard was sacked after he saw his side slump to a 2-1 defeat against relegation strugglers Norwich at the weekend.

Should Rooney replace Benitez, he could look to raid Derby and former club Manchester United in January to turn Everton's season around.

United have a number of fringe stars who could do a job for the Toffees.

Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones and Donny van de Beek have all seen limited game time this term...

Newcastle and Leicester eye Eriksen

Newcastle and Leicester are ready to try and pip Brentford in the chase for Christian Eriksen.

It has emerged that Brentford are ready to offer him a deal until the end of the season and bring the ex-Tottenham man back to the Premier League.

Now The Times state that rivals Newcastle and Leicester are also keen on the star.

And despite Antonio Conte throwing open the door to Eriksen returning to Spurs, they also claim that is ‘not a possible destination’ at the moment.

Telles added to Barcelona shortlist

Barcelona have reportedly added Manchester United star Alex Telles to their shortlist of potential defensive recruits.

The left-back has been named alongside four other suitable targets for the Catalans in a report by Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona are apparently also keeping tabs on Juventus’ Alex Sandro, Ajax’s Nicolas Tagiafico, Villarreal’s Alfonso Pedraza and Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro.

Mundo say the Spanish giants are keen to find a versatile new defender who can play at centre-back and full-back.

The new recruit would be brought in help strengthen their defence down the left-hand side alongside Spain star Jordi Alba.