LIVE! Transfer news and rumours: Werner close to Spurs move, Arsenal want Tomori
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world of football on Saturday, January 6.
Stick with us below to keep up to date with all of today's transfer rumours and done deals.
Today's key events
Man United considering move for Tottenham's Ryan Sessegnon?
Manchester United have reportedly targeted Tottenham Hotspur full-back Ryan Sessegnon after the opening of the January transfer window.
Erik ten Hag has suffered defensive injuries throughout the season, and that has been compounded by the fact that Sergio Reguilon has been recalled by Spurs this week.
Sessegnon himself has struggled with injury problems, and only made his first appearance of the season in Friday's FA Cup win over Burnley.
The 23-year-old came on as a 83rd-minute substitute in that third round tie, but seems unlikely to break into Ange Postecoglou's side, given the emergence of Destiny Udogie this season.
Ivan Toney scores hat-trick ahead of Brentford return
Brentford striker Ivan Toney prepared for his return to competitive action with a hat-trick in Saturday's appearance for the B team.
Toney has not played a competitive match since May after he was handed an eight-month suspension for breaching the Football Association's betting regulations.
The 27-year-old missed Friday's 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup third round, but he will be eligible to play in the club's next Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on January 20.
With his lengthy ban set to expire, Toney warmed up for his return to action with an impressive display for Brentford's B team on Saturday.
Leverkusen 'unwilling to sell Premier League-linked Frimpong'
Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly revealed that Jeremie Frimpong, or any of their current first-team players, are up for sale this January.
Xabi Alonso's side are currently four points clear of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga, following the club's best start to a season in their history.
The club's form has sparked rumours about the futures of some of their key players, including Frimpong, as well as Florian Wirtz and Exequiel Palacios in particular.
However, Leverkusen look set to stand firm against interest in their players, by refusing to let anybody leave during the winter window.
Welcome!
Good morning and welcome to another day of transfer news and rumours!
Before we get started with a look at all of today's biggest transfer talk, let's first have a quick recap of what happened yesterday.
Yesterday's top stories
Click here to read full details of all yesterday's transfer news and rumours
Shirt numbers available to Timo Werner at Tottenham
An unforeseen return to the Premier League is about to materialise for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, who is believed to be on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur on a six-month loan deal.
The ex-Chelsea man will provide a versatile attacking option for Ange Postecoglou in the absence of Asian Cup representative Son Heung-min and Alejo Veliz, who has been ruled out for a couple of months with a knee injury.
Tottenham are also believed to have negotiated an option to make Werner's stay permanent, as the 27-year-old aims for a shot at redemption in the top flight of English football following a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge.
Ahead of Werner's arrival in North London, Sports Mole takes a look at which shirt numbers could be on offer to the Germany international for the second half of the season.
Transfer rumours: Guimaraes to PSG, Aguerd to Roma, Summerville to Villa
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly prepared to bid £99m for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in this month's transfer window.
The 26-year-old has been a major hit in the North-East since securing a switch from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon in January 2022, when the Magpies were embroiled in a relegation battle in the Premier League.
Fast-forward two years and Eddie Howe's men have battled with the likes of PSG and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, finishing fourth in the top flight last term.
With Sandro Tonali banned due to him breaching betting rules, the Brazilian has been a key man in the engine room for Newcastle this campaign, missing just one Premier League match.
Barcelona 'offered chance to sign Raphael Varane for £17m'
Manchester United have reportedly offered Barcelona the chance to sign Raphael Varane for €20m (£17m) during the January transfer window.
Varane has entered the final six months of his contract at Old Trafford, meaning that he is free to hold discussions with foreign clubs over a pre-contract, including Barcelona.
However, Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag said last week that the club were in discussions with the ex-France international over a new deal.
Man United decided against activating a 12-month extension in his existing agreement, allegedly due to the fact that they want to reduce the experienced centre-back's wage packet.
Man United's Hannibal Mejbri 'set to join Sevilla on loan'
Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri is reportedly heading for Sevilla on loan, with the La Liga outfit believed to have beaten a number of clubs to his signature.
Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag said last week that the club had taken up an option to extend Hannibal's contract at Old Trafford for a further 12 months, with his deal now running until June 2025.
The 20-year-old has been regularly involved with the first team this season, featuring on nine occasions in all competitions, including five appearances in the Premier League.
Hannibal has benefitted from injuries to the likes of Casemiro and Mason Mount, and he has featured in two of his side's last four league outings.
RB Leipzig confirm Werner is heading for loan move with Spurs deal 'agreed'
RB Leipzig have confirmed that Timo Werner "is in talks with another club" over a January move, with Tottenham Hotspur said to be close to confirming his signature on loan.
Werner's future has been the subject of speculation over the last few weeks, with Manchester United thought to be considering making a move for the ex-Chelsea attacker during the winter transfer window.
However, Tottenham have recently moved to the head of the queue for the Germany international, and according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a deal has now been agreed.
"Tottenham will cover 100% of Timo Werner salary until June as part of the agreement with RB Leipzig," Romano posted on his official X account.
Six Man United players Ratcliffe should look to build around
Manchester United's incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe visited the club's Carrington training complex last week alongside Sir Dave Brailsford, with the INEOS sporting director set to play a leading role in the redevelopment of the football department at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe's deal is yet to be officially ratified by the Premier League, and it could potentially take another four weeks for that to happen, but the 71-year-old's work at the club has already started.
The British billionaire must sign off on any transfer business which occurs this month, and it will be fascinating to see the club's plans for the summer transfer window and indeed how much money is available, as Ratcliffe's arrival will boost Man United's ability to spend while remaining within the parameters of Financial Fair Play.
Ratcliffe is not expected to make sweeping changes before the summer, with the owner and founder of INEOS set to take his time when it comes to assessing the football department.
Unai Emery provides Aston Villa transfer update
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has hinted at a quiet January transfer window for the club.
The team's form this season has been one of the stories of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign, with Villa sitting second in the table, boasting 42 points from their opening 20 matches.
Emery's side are only three points behind division leaders Liverpool, while they sit two points clear of both third-placed Manchester City and fourth-placed Arsenal.
There have been claims that the club could be active in January, as there is an opportunity to push for a Champions League position for the 2024-25 campaign.
Villarreal 'keen on permanent deal for Man United's Pellistri'
Manchester United attacker Facundo Pellistri has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Villarreal.
The 22-year-old has been a regular for the Red Devils during the 2023-24 campaign, making 13 appearances in all competitions, but is yet to score and has only contributed one assist.
Pellistri made the move to Old Trafford from Penarol in 2020, and he has featured on 23 occasions for the club, with 13 of those outings coming in the Premier League, but he is still waiting for his first goal.
The Uruguay international only has a contract with Man United until June 2025, and there has recently been a host of speculation surrounding his future with the club.
Sancho 'not ready to completely give up on Man United career'
Jadon Sancho is reportedly not ready to 'completely give up' on his Manchester United career, with the attacker open to a fresh start at Old Trafford at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
The 23-year-old has not played for the 20-time English champions since the end of August, as his relationship with head coach Erik ten Hag broke down after the forward was left out against Arsenal at the start of September.
Ten Hag said that Sancho had been dropped from the matchday squad at the Emirates Stadium due to some poor performances in training, but the ex-Manchester City youngster insisted that was not the case, claiming that he had been made "a scapegoat" in a post on social media.
Sancho has not been involved in the first team since, and he is now on the verge of re-joining Borussia Dortmund on loan for the second half of the season.
Arsenal 'express interest in Fikayo Tomori'
Arsenal have reportedly earmarked AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori as a potential transfer target.
Despite failing to make the grade at Chelsea, Tomori has gone from strength to strength at San Siro since first joining the Rossoneri on loan for the second half of the 2020-21 campaign.
Tomori's switch to the Rossoneri was made permanent for £27.2m that same summer, and during his first full season at San Siro, the England international helped Milan win their first Serie A title in 11 years.
From 129 appearances in the famous red and black strip, Tomori has scored six goals and provided one assist, including three goals from 22 matches in all tournaments in the 2023-24 season.
Napoli looking to hijack Spurs move for Radu Dragusin?
Serie A champions Napoli are reportedly hoping to hijack Tottenham Hotspur's move for Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin.
The Romania international is believed to have emerged as Spurs' top defensive target for the winter transfer window as Ange Postecoglou seeks solutions to his side's rearguard injury crisis.
Tottenham recently lost Cristian Romero to a hamstring injury which will keep the Argentine out for a number of weeks, while Micky van de Ven has not played since sustaining a similar problem at the start of November.
Van de Ven was back on the bench for Friday's 1-0 FA Cup win over Burnley, but he was an unused substitute throughout as Ben Davies and Emerson Royal were forced to play out of position again.
Tottenham 'on verge of signing Timo Werner on loan'
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly closing in on the shock signing of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 27-year-old burst onto the scene with Die Roten Bullen before making the move to Chelsea in 2020, although he often struggled for consistency under Thomas Tuchel.
Werner nevertheless won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with the Blues, amassing 23 goals and 21 assists in 89 games, but he was shipped back out to Leipzig on a permanent deal in the summer of 2022.
The Germany international's first season back in Germany saw him amass a respectable 16 goals and six assists in 40 games last term, but since the arrival of Lois Openda from Lens, Werner's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse.
Noelle Maritz leaves Arsenal for Aston Villa on permanent deal
Aston Villa Women have signed Swiss defender Noelle Maritz from Arsenal Women on a permanent deal.
The 28-year-old has joined the Lions on a two-and-a-half-year contract until the end of the 2026-27 season, and Villa also possess the option to extend her stay for an extra 12 months.
Maritz, who is Villa Women's first signing of the January transfer window, leaves Arsenal after a three-and-a-half year spell in North London, having joined from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2020.
The California-born full-back came up with two goals in 92 appearances for the Gunners - netting both of those efforts in a 9-0 FA Cup annihilation of Crystal Palace in the 2020-21 season - but she struggled for starts in the run-up to Christmas.
Sevilla 'closing in on Chelsea forward Fofana'
Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana is reportedly expected to sign for Sevilla on loan in the coming days.
At the start of 2023, Fofana departed Molde to sign for Chelsea in a £10.6m deal, the player immediately finding himself thrust into the limelight with an appearance against Manchester City in the FA Cup.
However, just 68 minutes in the Premier League followed during the remainder of the campaign, and it came as no surprise when the Ivorian was allowed to go out on loan in the summer.
Union Berlin won the race for the 21-year-old's signature and have since provided him with regular game time in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.
Rotherham duo extend Gainsborough Trinity loans
READ | Hamish Douglas and Joel Holvey have both extended their loan stays with Gainsborough Trinity until the end of the 2023/24 campaign. 🤝
Good luck, lads. 👊 #rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud — Rotherham United (@RotherhamUnited) January 6, 2024
"Rotherham United can confirm that young duo Hamish Douglas and Joel Holvey have extended their loan stays with Northern Premier League outfit Gainsborough Trinity until the end of the 2023-24 campaign," read a statement from the club.
"Both Holvey and Douglas are into their first full seasons as professionals and spent the first half of the campaign at the Northholme.
"Rotherham United would like to wish Joel and Hamish all the best during the remainder of their loan spells with the Holy Blues."
Transfer roundup: Villa consider Duran bids, Wolves set Jonny price, Bournemouth want Zambrano
Aston Villa are reportedly ready to part ways with forward Jhon Duran during the January transfer window.
Having initially impressed in MLS, the Colombian was expected to make an impression in English football, particularly with Villa participating in Europe.
However, the form of Ollie Watkins has left the 20-year-old cutting a frustrated figure, scoring three goals from his five starts and 14 substitute outings in all competitions.
According to the Daily Mail, teams in Italy and Spain are both contemplating whether to make a formal approach.
Barcelona 'interested in re-signing Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara'
Barcelona are reportedly keen to bring former midfielder Thiago Alcantara back to the club from Liverpool in the January transfer window.
The 32-year-old previously represented the Catalan giants for eight years between 2005 and 2013, coming through their La Masia ranks to make 100 appearances for La Blaugrana in all tournaments.
Thiago became a Champions League, La Liga and Club World Cup winner with Barcelona before being sold to Bayern Munich for £21.5m, and he established himself as one of Europe's most technically gifted midfielders while at the Allianz Arena.
Since leaving the Bundesliga behind for Liverpool in 2020, the Spain international has consistently struggled with injuries but has been a vital player for Jurgen Klopp's side when fit, banking three goals and six assists in 97 games.
Fenerbahce 'make opening bid for Anthony Martial'
Turkish giants Fenerbahce have reportedly come forward with an opening bid for Manchester United striker Anthony Martial.
The France international is now free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with teams outside of England after entering the final six months of his deal at the Theatre of Dreams.
Martial's terms do include the option to extend until the end of the 2024-25 season, and the Red Devils have exercised their right to keep Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Hannibal Mejbri at the club for another 12 months.
However, neither Martial nor compatriot Raphael Varane saw their options triggered, and while talks are occurring with the former's camp behind the scenes, a new contract is believed to be off the table.
Man United, Dortmund 'reach broad agreement over Jadon Sancho loan'
Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have reportedly reached a 'broad agreement' over a deal to loan Jadon Sancho back out to the Westfalenstadion for the remainder of the season.
The 23-year-old's Old Trafford career has been in tatters ever since he publicly hit back at Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag over his omission from the squad to face Arsenal in September.
Ten Hag told the media that poor performances in training were to blame for Sancho's absence, accusations which the England winger vehemently denied with a bombshell social media post, in which he claimed that he had been made a "scapegoat".
Sancho pinned the post to his X profile for a short while before removing it, but he has been banished from the first-team picture ever since, and neither he nor Ten Hag appear to be backing down in the stand-off.
Ange Postecoglou makes angry "integrity" claim over Eric Dier transfer
A miffed Ange Postecoglou warned the media not to question his "integrity" when asked about Eric Dier's absence through injury from Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 FA Cup win over Burnley on Friday.
The England international - who has now entered the last six months of his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - was not named in the squad to face the Clarets while speculation over a move to Bayern Munich heats up.
Dier is believed to have agreed terms over a switch to the German champions, whose move for the 29-year-old has been endorsed by his former Tottenham teammate Harry Kane, and the Bavarians now intend to push through with a January deal.
However, Tottenham still have the right to demand a nominal fee for the soon-to-be free agent while he remains under contract in North London, and the two clubs are yet to reach a full agreement over a mid-season transfer.
Leroy Sane 'makes U-turn on Bayern contract extension'
Leroy Sane has reportedly changed his mind about signing a new contract with Bayern Munich amid links of a possible return to the Premier League with current league leaders Liverpool.
The 27-year-old has been excellent for the Bundesliga champions this season, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists across all competitions.
The German international joined The Bavarians from Manchester City back in 2020 and signed a five-year contract worth in the region of £40m that would keep him at the club until 2025.
Sane entered the final 18 months of his current deal with Bayern this month, and due to his excellent form this season, it is understood that the Bundesliga giants are keen to extend his stay in Germany.
Welcome!
Good morning and welcome to another day of transfer news and rumours!
Before we get started with a look at all of today's biggest transfer talk, let's first have a quick recap of what happened yesterday.
Yesterday's top stories
Click here to read full details of all yesterday's transfer news and rumours
