Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal's striker meeting, Ronaldo confusion plus Chelsea, Liverpool latest

Tottenham have begun talks with Wolves regarding a £20m deal for Adama Traore.

Antonio Conte employs a wing-back system and is seeking new arrivals.

ESPN report that the north Londoners are confident of completing a deal for the Spaniard.

Ross County have made their first signing of the January transfer window after recruiting defender Declan Drysdale on loan from Coventry.

The 22-year-old centre-back joins the Staggies until the end of the season after struggling to get game time at his parent club.

Malky Mackay is pleased to bring Drysdale to County after seeing Harry Clarke – who had shone on loan in the first half of the season – recalled by Arsenal last week.

He told County’s website: “We are delighted to have Declan joining us. He is somebody we have tracked and scouted, and we have been keen to try and bring him to our football club for a period of time.

“Declan has some fantastic attributes, as well as being a modern defender, and we were really eager to get him here.”

Arsenal have reportedly completed the signing of West Brom teenager Lino Da Cruz Sousa

The Brazilian left-back has caught the eye of Mikel Arteta for WBA's Under-18s side this season.

And the Gunners have snapped up the 16-year-old, according to football.london.

Craig Halkett has expressed his delight after extending his contract with Hearts until the summer of 2024.

The 26-year-old centre-back’s deal was due to his expire at the end of this season, but he has now committed himself to the club for a further two seasons after impressing for the Tynecastle side this term.

Halkett told Hearts TV: “Staying here was something I always had in the back of my mind.

“These things always take some time to sort out, but I’m really happy to get it done and I’m looking forward to progressing my career at Hearts.”

Halkett has made 88 appearances for Hearts since arriving in 2019 and has been at the heart of a strong defence which has helped Robbie Neilson’s team to third place in the cinch Premiership.

Philippe Coutinho has completed his move from Barcelona on loan to Aston Villa for the rest of the season.

The Brazilian playmaker will link back up with former teammate Steven Gerrard at Villa Park after a difficult spell in Spain.

Villa have the option to buy Coutinho at the end of the season included in the agreement between both clubs.

Coutinho will wear the No.23 shirt at Villa.

Barcelona have officially confirmed Ferran Torres' transfer from Man City.

The Spanish star was unable to be immediately registered despite terms being agreed between both parties.

El nostre nou número pic.twitter.com/H9EZTuirWq

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) January 11, 2022

Newcastle are 'closing in' on a move for Burnley striker Chris Wood.

The New Zealand international is on the verge of sealing a switch to the Magpies as he travels north to complete a medical, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Newcastle are closing in on the signing of #BurnleyFC forward Chris Wood. New Zealand international is expected to travel up to Newcastle for a medical tonight. Set to be Eddie Howe's second January signing #nufc

— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) January 11, 2022

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte says the club will have the “last word” over any potential activity in the January transfer window.

Conte, who arrived in north London in November, has met with chairman Daniel Levy and managing director of football Fabio Paratici to provide his assessment of the squad following his first two months in charge.

And, given the Italian has said there is an “important gap” between Spurs and the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, it seems likely that he will have asked for reinforcements.

“I spoke with the club and I had my thoughts about the situation and this is the most important thing,” he said ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea.

“Then the club has to decide the best way to go. I don’t have expectations. I am a coach and I know that we have to solve many problems.

“For me, the most important thing was speak to the club. I did this and now the club has to decide what we have to do.

“We’ll see the decision of the club, if we want to improve in other aspects or not. If there’s the possibility or not.

“It was a good meeting. A good meeting because the owner and Paratici, they started together this season from the start. I arrived in the middle of the season and for sure they know the situation much better than me.

“A good meeting, a good meeting to speak and tell them my thoughts about after two months I spent in Tottenham. It’s OK.

“Now I am working in the present. I can give this and then the decisions are for the club, not for me because the last word is always for the club.”

Dusan Vlahovic has identified two clubs in Italy as his preferred destinations in a damaging blow to Arsenal's hopes of securing the high-profile transfer, according to reports.

The Gunners have made the Fiorentina striker, 21, their priority target and they are willing to pay north of £70million to beat a host of European rivals to his signature.

Mikel Arteta is fully aware he needs a new No.9 to lead the line for years to come as Alexandre Lacazette is out of contract this summer and the exiled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is nearing an exit.

Vlahovic's form this season has been too good to ignore with the Serbia international scoring an astonishing 18 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions.

Those numbers suggest he would be a hit in the Premier League, but the in-demand youngster would favour a switch to Fiorentina's Serie A rivals.

That is according tofootball.london, which claims Vlahovic has told his close friends he would like to join Inter Milan or Juventus when he decides to leave the Tuscan club.

Full story here

Former Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross has announced his retirement.

The 34-year-old sustained a season-ending back injury playing for David Beckham’s Inter Miami in August and has decided to call time on his 16-year playing career.

Shawcross, who made more than 400 appearances for Stoke having joined them from Manchester United in January 2008 after a previous loan spell, told intermiamicf.com:

“Despite stepping out of my playing career due to injury, my passion for the game is still intact, and after having secured my coaching licences, I am looking forward to pursuing a career in coaching.

“I would like to thank the whole Inter Miami CF organisation and fan base for the opportunity they’ve provided me to come here, I would also like to thank the Stoke City fans for their support.

“Last but not least, thank my wife and my kids for being a pillar throughout my life.”

Real Madrid midfielder Isco has no interest in leaving the Bernabeu this month according to Marca.

The 29-year-old instead wants to run down his contract in Spain which would open up more options in the summer.

Leeds have changed their minds and agreed to let Cody Drameh join Cardiff on loan for the rest of the season.

Leeds were initially reluctant to let Drameh leave Elland Road because of their injury crisis and the young right-back came on as a substitute during Sunday’s FA Cup defeat at West Ham.

Drameh, 20, is keen to take the next step in his development by playing regular first-team football and Marcelo Bielsa has decided he has enough cover at right-back in Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas.

Drameh had his medical yesterday evening with Cardiff and is in line to make his Bluebirds debut against Blackburn on Saturday.

Leeds feel their injury crisis is finally beginning to ease and Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo should both be back for Sunday’s return trip to West Ham.

Swansea have signed goalkeeper Andy Fisher from head coach Russell Martin’s former club MK Dons.

Fisher has joined the Sky Bet Championship club on a four-and-a-half year contract through to June 2026.

The 23-year-old began his career in the Blackburn academy and had loan spells with FC United of Manchester and Northampton in 2019.

He joined Martin’s MK Dons on a permanent basis in October 2020 after an initial loan spell at the League One club.

Fisher made 64 appearances for MK Dons and will challenge Ben Hamer for the goalkeeping spot at Swansea.

Arsenal technical director Edu has met with Lille striker Jonathan David's agent as an alternative to signing Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.

While Vlahovic remains the Gunners' top target, football.london report that the Brazilian hasn't solely been focussed on the 21-year-old, meeting with David's representatives last month.

The Canadian is expected to leave the French champions within the next six months, having helped Lille to winning the Ligue 1 title last season.

Read more.

Cristiano Ronaldo has caused confusion at Manchester United fan base after missing their FA Cup clash on Monday.

The Red Devils ran out 1-0 winners when Aston Villa came to Old Trafford, thanks to Scott McTominay's early winner.

Ronaldo was not included in the matchday squad, nursing what is believed to be minor hip problem.

United's interim manager Ralf Rangnick declared: "I spoke with Cristiano yesterday before training, he told me that he’s had some problems for the last couple of days," Rangnick said pre-match.

"Minor problems, but in the end, we decided that it made more sense to not take any risks in a game that could easily last 120 minutes, so we just decided to rest him, not play him at all."

However, supporters were not expecting to see Ronaldo post an image of himself on social media on Tuesday morning in the sun and beside a lake, a move which has led to confusion over his whereabouts.

Read the full story here.

Sevilla are reportedly ready to end their chase to sign Anthony Martial from Manchester United.

Spanish outlet Marca claim that the La Liga side want to sign a striker in January but prising the Frenchman away from Old Trafford is proving to be too difficult of a task.

It was reported at the start of the month that the Red Devils had rejected a loan offer from Sevilla which didn't contain an option to buy or covered Martial's full wages.

After months of speculation, Flamengo vice-president Marcos Braz has confirmed that the club intends to sign Manchester United loanee Andreas Pereira on a permenant basis.

The midfielder, 26, is keen on staying in Brazil and the Red Devils inserted a €20million option to buy when Pereira left Old Trafford last summer.

But the Rio-based side want to try and bring United's asking price down after appointing Paulo Sousa as their new manager and losing the Copa Libertadores final to Palmeiras.

"It is already known that Flamengo will try, at the right time, at the right time, to sign the player permanently," Braz said, via Goal Brasil.

"We have to proceed slowly, carefully, so that it’s the best for Flamengo."

Crystal Palace have opened talks with Arsenal regarding Eddie Nketiah, a player whom they had interest back in the summer, according to The Times.

The Eagles were in the market for a striker and could still add more firepower.

Nketiah's deal is winding down and he will be able to leave for free in the summer.

Memphis Depay has no interest in returning to the Premier League despite his situation at Barcelona, claims El Nacional.

The Dutchman has faced a difficult start to life at the Nou Camp having moved from Lyon on a free.

Depay, who struggled previously at Man Utd, rebuilt in reputation in France but won't be seeking a move to England.

Luka Modric has agreed a contract extension at Real Madrid for a further, reports AS.

The Croatian, now 36, is working on rolling 12-month deal in the Spanish capital.

The two parties have opted to continue their relationship though as Los Blancos sit top of LaLiga

Tottenham have rejected a £15m bid from Ajax for Steven Bergwijn, reports The Telegraph.

The winger, signed by Jose Mourinho, looks as if he could be surplus to requirements.

Ajax remain confident a deal can be struck before the window closes however.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has made his feelings clear about his future at the club as he enters the final 18 months of his contract, insisting he wants to continue his career at Anfield and denying suggestions he is making "crazy" demands.

The Premier League top scorer has been with the Reds since 2017, scoring more than 100 league goals in four-and-a-half seasons, but could end up leaving for nothing in 2023 if he fails to agree terms on a new deal.

Read the full story here.

Man City will not be signing Gavi from Barcelona, despite contact with the player's agent.

He has told City that he wants to remain at the Camp Nou after breaking into the senior team according to El Nacional.

Gavi's reputation is on the rise but he is looking to establish himself under Xavi in Catalunya.

Chelsea have emerged as shock contenders to sign Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele.

The Frenchman, who will be a free agent in June if he doesn't sign a new contract at the Camp Nou, has been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool in recent weeks but the Blues are 'especially pushing' for his signature.

L'Equipe report that Thomas Tuchel is keen to reuinite with Dembele after working together at Borussia Dortmund, before the 24-year-old's £135.5million transfer to Barcelona in 2017.

But now Chelsea are 'at the front of the queue' and could land the winger this month or in the summer.

There's more bad news for Newcastle on the transfer front.

Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has reprotedly agreed to sign a contract extension at the San Siro until 2026, with an announcement imminent.

La Gazzetta dello Sport say the Croatian - whose current deal expiries at the end of this season and emerged as a target for the Magpies - has committed his future to the Italian champions, who are on course to win Serie A once again this season.

Brozovic has reportedly agreed to put pen to paper on a new €6m-a-year deal plus add-ons.

Inter President Steven Zhang flew into Milan last week and is said to have given the green light.

The reports adds that the 29-year-old snubbed an €8m-a-year offer from Newcastle on the basis that he wants to play at a high level.

Liverpool goalkeeper coach John Achterberg has told Loris Karius to head out on loan.

The shotstopper is now fourth choice at Anfield and struggling for minutes.

He told The Athletic: “In the end it’s down to him, his agent and the club to try to find a solution. Hopefully there will be one this month.

“It doesn’t help anyone to sit for another six months without the feeling that you are really fighting for something. That’s not going to improve him.”

PSG could make a sensational move for Cristiano Ronaldo which would see him link up with Lionel Messi.

The Man Utd star only returned to Old Trafford in the summer but has endured a difficult period thus far.

Now reports in France claim PSG are ready to swoop in if the forward signals it’s time to move on which would make a Ronaldo-Messi partnership a reality.

Erling Haaland will undergo showdown talks with agent Mino Raiola and father Alf-Inge as Borussia Dortmund look to iron out his future.

The striker is in huge demand across Europe having enjoyed a rapid rose.

According to German outlet Sport Bild, the club want a decision from the striker by the end of February.

Hamilton teenager Jamie Hamilton is attracting plenty of interest, with Liverpool among those keen.

Several other Premier League outfits are also traking the defender.

TeamTalk reports that the Reds are leading the chase and see him as a replacement for Nat Phillips.

Tottenham will listen to any offers for Dele Alli and Matt Doherty - according to Sky Sports.

Alli has been unable to recapture his best form under several managers and could finally be let go.

Doherty meanwhile, signed from Wolves, has been unable to establish himself and could leave this month.