Transfer News LATEST: LIVE Julian Draxler, James Rodriguez, Romelu Lukaku, Virgil van Dijk and more
- Manchester City set to offer £50million for Southampton's Virgil van Dijk
- Romelu Lukaku could still leave Everton despite bumper new contract
- What will Victor Lindelof's move to United mean for the club's other CBs?
- Sportsmail brings you all the latest news and rumours throughout the day
With the January transfer window just days away, Premier League clubs are ramping up their efforts to bolster their squad.
Manchester City are set to break the bank for Southampton's Virgil van Dijk, while Romelu Lukaku's Everton future is still one to watch.
Follow the latest throughout the day with Sportsmail, as we bring you all the news and rumours.
We're back!
I'll take over the transfer news from here into this evening!
So that's all for now folks! This afternoon has largely been dominated by the news of Alan Pardew's sacking at Crystal Palace.
However, a number of key transfer lines have emerged throughout the course of the day.
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku will not have a buy-out clause in his new contract, while Manchester City are preparing to move for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
The January transfer window is drawing ever closer so check back with us tomorrow for all the latest developments from clubs up and down the country.
Have a great evening!
SIMON JONES: Rotherham and Sheffield United are checking on Southend United's Anthony Wordsworth.
The 27-year-old has scored seven goals in 17 games from midfield this season and at 6ft 2ins tall offers physical presence.
Wordsworth has had spells at Ipswich and Rotherham previously.
SIMON JONES: QPR midfielder Brandon Comley is wanted by MK Dons, Peterborough and Northampton.
The 21-year-old Londoner, who had an international call-up from Montserrat in 2015, has impressed while on loan at Grimsby Town this season and has drawn attention from a number of clubs.
His loan finishes on January 7 and QPR manager Ian Holloway is open to letting him go on a permanent deal. Comley, an athletic central midfielder who is good on the ball, had a spell on loan with Carlisle United last season.
Meanwhile, Holloway is ready to give his squad a boost at Loftus Road by welcoming back Michael Petrasso from injury.
The 21-year-old Canada international has been troubled by a thigh injury but is returning to training for the Christmas period and Holloway hopes he can make an impression on the first team.
SIMON JONES: West Ham have expressed interest in Brentford striker Scott Hogan.
The 24-year-old has been impressing with his performances and goals at Griffin Park and Brentford will sell for around £10million.
Reading, Brighton, Norwich and Derby have all shown keen interest in the former Rochdale forward but Hogan is eager to step up a level should he leave Brentford, saying: 'I think the teams I’ve been linked with are Championship teams. I don’t want to play Championship football all my career.
'I wouldn’t leave for a Championship club unless Brentford do it. That’s not my problem.'
Hogan is understood to have already checked out accommodation closer to West Ham's training ground with a move to the London Stadium appealing to him.
SIMON JONES: Fulham's combative midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe is ready to leave Craven Cottage in January with QPR and Glasgow Rangers among the clubs keen to take him.
The 23-year-old former Manchester United trainee has slipped out of favour under Slavisa Jokanovic and is eager to gain more regular game time.
Ipswich Town and Preston North End are also keen on the box to box midfielder who is free in January as he is out of contract in the summer.
Rangers' priority is an attacking midfielder but they see Tunnicliffe as someone who could help fill the void left by Joey Barton's departure. Tunnicliffe has the workrate and is ambitious to kickstart his career. QPR boss Ian Holloway is also a confirmed fan.
SIMON JONES: Ipswich Town are facing a battle to hold on to Leicester City's Tom Lawrence.
The 22-year-old Wales international has impressed on loan but that has prompted enquiries from Championship rivals Derby County, Norwich City, Reading, Cardiff and Wigan.
Lawrence, who has been utilised in midfield and attack by Mick McCarthy, has scored two goals in 17 appearances this season and his versatility is an added attraction for other clubs.
Ipswich, who sit 15th in the table, have already been hit by the news that another loanee, Jonathan Williams from Crystal Palace, will be out for three months after having shoulder surgery.
Crystal Palace F.C. have today asked Alan Pardew to step down as Manager of the Club.
Club Chairman Steve Parish said: 'I would like to put on record our sincere gratitude for the tremendous service Alan has given us, both in his time here as Manager and previously as a player.
'Following a fantastic second half of 2014/15, the 2015/16 season culminated in only narrowly missing out on winning the FA cup as well as securing our Premier League place for a record breaking fourth time.
'During his tenure Alan’s hard work and dedication were without question, he has improved so many areas of the Club and we wish him the very best for the future.
'With games now coming thick and fast over the holiday period the Club are hoping to put someone in place as quickly as possible but have nothing to say about a replacement at this time.'
SIMON JONES: Chelsea have yet to make an official offer for Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez.
The Colombian is desperate to escape the Santiago Bernabeu and play regular football but Madrid have still to determine whether they will definitely sell in January rather than summer.
Juventus have an interest too in the 25-year-old but fear Madrid will demand a distorted fee in this window and would prefer an initial loan.
SIMON JONES: Liverpool want a loan fee for Mamadou Sakho as West Bromwich Albion and West Ham make enquiries for the France international.
The Anfield club are commanding around £500,000 from clubs who wish to take the 26-year-old centre-back for the rest of the season but, combined with wages of around £80,000 a week, that could prove too much for some.
Sakho has interest from abroad too with Lille, AC Milan and Inter looking at options.
Albion and West Ham may come to the fore again as January develops in the hope Liverpool drop their fee.
Both clubs are looking to add forwards and a midfielder this window. Albion also want another winger while Slaven Bilic wants a right-back too.
SIMON JONES: Talks have been ongoing with the Portuguese club, who are eager to get the optimum price for the 22-year-old.
Agent Jorge Mendes has been acting as a mediator on Benfica's behalf but United insist no deal has yet been struck. Benfica want £38m plus add-ons for the Sweden international.
Jose Mourinho is wary of losing Eric Bailly to the African Cup of Nations at such a crucial stage and is keen to add a new defender.
One of Lindelof's representatives, Hasan Cetinkaya, told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet: 'I can only comment that there is a bid on Benfica's table, they can consider it. And I'll be meeting with Benfica also.
'He knows that there is a concrete bid and is happy about it - this is proof that he has done very well.'
United maintain though that there is no bid on the table yet.
SIMON JONES: Stoke City could scupper Aston Villa's attempts to sign Sam Johnstone after making their own enquiries for the Manchester United goalkeeper.
Manager Mark Hughes wants a new goalkeeper with Jack Butland out for another three months following further ankle surgery.
Stoke want a short term option as they still see Butland as their long-term number one and have asked Derby County about signing Lee Grant on a permanent basis.
However, Derby want £2.5million rising to £4.5m for Grant who would likely revert to being an understudy next season. Orjan Nyland at Ingolstadt has also been discussed and would cost at least as much.
Villa have held talks with United about Johnstone as have Bristol City but the prospect of joining Premier League Stoke would appeal to Johnstone.
The 23-year-old is highly regarded by Jose Mourinho and tipped for a bright future but has been short on competitive action with Sergio Romero and David de Gea ahead of him.
SIMON JONES: Romelu Lukaku's new contract at Everton will not include an exit clause.
The Belgium striker is close to agreeing a four to five year deal worth more than £110,000 a week as Everton protect their asset.
Everton were resolute last summer that he would not be sold and scared suitors off by saying it would take over £70million to prise the 23-year-old away.
The fact he has agreed to a new contract has come as a surprise in many quarters with Everton stuttering to deliver on promises they can make a step up in level under Ronald Koeman.
The Goodison Park club know Lukaku wants to play Champions League level football and Europe's elite have him on their list of options but rather than have a ready-made escape clause in his deal, all parties have agreed to simply maintain open communication with each other.
Lukaku's agent Mino Raiola did not have a clause with Paul Pogba and is happy to work in a similar fashion on Lukaku.
AC Milan will demand at least £4million for striker Luiz Adriano in January, according to Football Italia.
Russian club Spartak Moscow are at the front of the queue for the Brazilian but Milan want to recoup the majority of the £6m they paid to Shakhtar Donetsk last year.
Adriano has barely featured under Vincenzo Montella this season and is keen to leave the San Siro in January.
JONNY SINGER: Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2022.
The France No 1 has been a key player for the north London side since joining in the summer of 2012.
Lloris has now extended his stay with the new five and a half-year deal.
PSV Eindhoven sporting director Marcel Brands has confirmed the club want to sign Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel.
Van Ginkel joined the Blues from Vitesse in 2013 but has made only a handful of senior appearances for the Stamford Bridge club.
The Dutchman spent part of last season on loan at PSV, where he scored eight goals in 16 games.
‘We need to check with Chelsea,’ Brands told Dutch broadcaster Omroep Brabant.
‘Of course he's on our list, but we must also see if there is a spot for him at this time in our team’
PETE JENSON: If Manchester United sign Paul Pogba's international team-mate Antoine Griezmann next summer they will give themselves a French connection that would be the envy, not just of the rest of the Premier League, but of the rest of Europe.
Jose Mourinho would solving two problems with one transfer. Bringing the Frenchman to Old Trafford would be a huge coup – they would be signing Europe's most complete young striker and an heir apparent to Wayne Rooney.
RB Leipzig defender Emil Forsberg is currently in talks with a number of 'big clubs' over a possible January transfer, according to the player’s agent Hasan Cetinkaya.
Leipzig are the surprise challengers for the Bundesliga this season and Forsberg has impressed with his assured performances in midfield.
Liverpool and Arsenal are both rumoured to monitoring the Swede’s situation and Cetinkaya has confirmed he has held talks with a number of clubs.
'I have already been in major meetings with big clubs for Forsberg. I do have a picture in front of me," Cetinkaya told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
'I cannot comment [which clubs I have met with]. I will have to meet RB Leipzig as well. One must not forget that they are also becoming a big club.'
Alberto Aquilani has not been called-up for Pescara’s upcoming match with Palermo, and is set to be released by mutual consent, according to Football Italia.
The former Liverpool, Roma and Juventus midfielder has managed just one goal and one assist in nine appearances for the Serie A club.
Pescara are keen to get Aquilani off the books and the 32-year-old will be allowed to join another club in January.
LAURIE WHITWELL: West Bromwich Albion are rivalling Everton’s move for Morgan Schneiderlin by making a formal bid for the Manchester United midfielder.
Tony Pulis is determined to add quality to his squad during the January window and is pressing ahead with a move worth up to £20million for Schneiderlin.
Everton and United have been in talks over a transfer and it was believed Ronald Koeman’s past history with the France international at Southampton would hold sway.
OLIVER TODD: West Ham will step up their search for a striker in January after Diafra Sakho was ruled out until March following back surgery.
Manager Slaven Bilic admits he ‘can’t see’ loan moves for Manchester United pair Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford coming off — but he will try to dip into the market.
The Hammers have suffered striker woe this season, with Sakho, Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew suffering significant injuries and Simeone Zaza misfiring.
BEN NAGLE: Marco Verratti has reassured Paris Saint-Germain fans he has no plans to leave the club, despite recent comments from his agent raising speculation about his future.
The midfielder's agent Donato Di Campli revealed this week that he has had offers from Serie A, while Chelsea have also been linked with a big-money move for the 24-year-old.
Despite Di Campli noting that Verratti wouldn't finish his career in the French capital, the player himself has now moved to encourage the fans.
John Mikel Obi looks certain to leave Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window after falling out of favour under new Blues boss Antonio Conte.
The Nigerian’s agent, John Shittu, says a number of clubs in Italy are interested in the midfielder.
Mikel could also follow Oscar to the Chinese Super League after Shittu confirmed there had been interest from the Far East.
‘It’s very likely he will leave Chelsea in January. There are many teams interested in the player,’ Shittu told The Sun.
‘In the past we spoke with Inter Milan but now there are a lot of Italian clubs that want him. I will not reveal the names, but there are other Italians teams on his trail.
‘And beware: even in the UK, Spain, Germany and even in China, they know the value of the player and have requested information about him.’
Paris Saint-Germain striker Jese Rodriguez could join La Liga club Las Palmas on loan in January, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
The former Real Madrid forward has failed to impress since signing for the French champions in the summer.
AC Milan are also interested in the 23-year-old’s services but the striker is thought to favour a return to his native Spain.
SIMON JONES: Crystal Palace and Swansea have both expressed interest in Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The Premier League duo are weighing up offers of around £15million for the Serbian, who has scored eight goals for club and country this season.
The North East club bought the 22-year-old last summer for the same fee from Belgian club Anderlecht and the forward scored nine times in his debut season, but could not save the Magpies from relegation
Jerome Sinclair could join Brentford on loan after finding first-team opportunities hard to come by at Watford.
Sinclair joined the Hornets on a five-year deal from deal from Liverpool in the summer but has failed to secure a first-team place under new boss Walter Mazzarri.
A number of Championship clubs are thought to be interested in the 20-year-old forward.
MATTHEW SMITH: Liverpool fans have received an early Christmas present after one of their best players so far this season said he plans to stay at Anfield for the long term.
Roberto Firmino has formed a key part of Liverpool's front three under Jurgen Klopp, and with fellow forwards Phillippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane either injured or set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations, his importance has increased.
'Being really honest, I love it here and plan to stay for many years in the future as the Premier League is really competitive and tests you all the time,' he said.
JACK BEZANTS: Real Madrid are lining up a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, according to reports in Spain.
AS report that Zinedine Zidane has identified the Chelsea No 1 as a top priority and add that Courtois is likely to favour a return to the Spanish, despite previously playing for their fierce city rivals, Atletico Madrid.
Their front page on Thursday reads 'Objective Courtois' and says that 'Madrid have him in their project of summer transfers.'
SIMON JONES: Manchester City have told Sevilla that Samir Nasri will cost £21million if they wish to make his loan permanent.
The French midfielder has been outstanding for the Spanish side since moving in August after failing to impress Pep Guardiola in pre-season.
The 29-year-old cost City £24m when they signed him from Arsenal in 2011 but the club are willing to take a small hit to get him off the books.
Liverpool have joined the race to sign Germany international Julian Draxler, according to reports.
Draxler is keen to leave struggling Wolfsburg in January and has been linked with both Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
However, Jurgen Klopp is considering a shock move for the 23-year-old, who has confirmed he is in discussions with a number of different clubs.
‘I am in talks with a couple of clubs, but so far no decision has been made,’ Draxler told Bild.
‘We will all sit down and make a sensible decision that is suitable for us.'
SAMI MOKBEL: Manchester City are planning a £50million swoop for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
Discreet talks over a move for the Holland star have taken place over the last two weeks as City position themselves to get a deal done next month.
Van Dijk, 25, is aware of City's interest and would find it difficult to resist the lure of Champions League football.
Premier League leaders Chelsea are considering an audacious swoop for Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
Rodriguez is unhappy with his lack of game time since joining Madrid from Monaco two years ago and is reportedly looking for a way out of the Bernabeu in January.
Chelsea will have money to spend, with Oscar set to join Shanghai SIPG for £60million, and Antonio Conte may be considering a move for the highly-rate Colombian.
ADAM CRAFTON: Manchester United are understood to have held preliminary talks with Benfica over the £38million signing of Swedish centre-back Victor Lindelof and a move is likely in January.
Sportsmail can reveal that Lindelof had a secret trial with Stoke City when he was 17 years old — only for the club to pass up the chance to sign him for £260,000.
Ligue 1 club Nice are preparing a move for Porto midfielder Yacine Brahimi in the January transfer window, according to reports in France.
The attacking midfielder was heavily linked with Everton last summer and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is also rumoured to interested in the Algeria international.
French newspaper L'Equipe claims Nice are prepared to offer Brahimi a six month loan in January, with a view to making the deal permanent at the end of the season.
JACK BEZANTS: Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes Arjen Robben could sign a contract extension by January.
The 32-year-old has been the subject of transfer speculation with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
But after Bayern surged to a 3-0 victory over Bundesliga title rivals RB Leipzig on Wednesday, Rummenigge delivered some further good news to supporters.
JOE BERNSTEIN: Highly-rated Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane has shelved contract talks at Oakwell until the summer to give encouragement to Celtic, Rangers and Aston Villa who have all been strongly linked with the 25-year-old midfielder.
Hourihane has been a driving force behind Barnsley's surprise run into the top half of The Championship following promotion last season via the play-offs.
The Irishman has scored four goals and provided nine assists this season and with only six months left on his current deal has decided not to consider an extension until the end of the season.
We're edging ever closer to the start of the January transfer window and clubs up and down the country will be looking to do business.
Stick with us throughout the day as we bring you all the transfer news from the Premier League, Football League and across Europe.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could be lining up a number of transfers in January
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