January transfer window news: Arsenal closes in on Juve midfielder, Man United wants ex-Chelsea man

Arsenal and Man United are dominating the transfer gossip, with the top-four rivals looking to both buy and sell. 

The Gunners are on the lookout for a new striker, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of favor and Folarin Balogun leaving on loan. 

Mikel Arteta has responded to the Dusan Vlahovic links, while the manager is also reportedly on the verge of signing a midfielder. 

MORE: Man United , Arsenal , Newcastle transfer roundups

For the Red Devils, meanwhile, there are suitors emerging for Jesse Lingard and Eric Bailly, while Tariq Lamptey has been linked as a new arrival. 

Stick with Sporting News throughout the day for the latest transfer news, with the biggest stories for January 12 below. 

Arsenal closing in on Arthur

Arsenal is in advanced negotiations to sign Arthur, according to RMC. 

The 25-year-old has failed to nail down a starting spot at Juventus, and now looks set to join the Gunners as a short-term fix on loan until the end of the season. 

Arthur, who joined Juventus as part of a blockbuster swap deal involving Miralem Pjanic, has started just three Serie A games this season.

Mikel Arteta was also interested in Bruno Guimaraes, but it appears Arthur is first-choice, as the Arsenal manager looks to solve his central midfield issues. 

Sevilla agrees deal for Mexican star

According to Spain-based reporter Jose Manuel Garcia, Sevilla has agreed to sign 29-year-old Mexico international and Porto winger Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona, who is out of contract in the summer. That would make for a manageable transfer fee.

The teams are now in the process of exchanging documents.

Corona has been a bit-part player for Porto this season, starting just seven matches across all competitions. He has just as many starts for the Mexican national team since September.

Rangnick keen on Lamptey

Tariq Lamptey is the subject of interest from Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail. 

Ralf Rangnick believes Lamptey is the versatile option the Red Devils need on the right-hand side of defense, with the former Chelsea youngster able to play as both a full-back and wing-back. 

The transfer fee could be a stumbling block, though, with Brighton’s valuation of $55 million being $14 million more than United’s. 

Zakaria receives United offer

Manchester United has made an initial offer to Denis Zakaria, according to Bild. 

Ralf Rangnick has identified Zakaria as a target, though no talks have taken place with Borussia Monchengladbach as yet. The midfielder is out of contract this summer, 

Defoe wants out

Jermain Defoe is close to leaving Rangers in the current window, according to The Athletic. 

The accomplished center forward is a player-coach with the Scottish giant – and he doesn’t want to give up playing yet, despite the 39-year-old appearing in the Premiership for just nine minutes this season. 

Coman pens new Bayern contract

One man who won’t be going anywhere is Kingsley Coman. 

The winger – who scored the winning goal in the 2019/20 Champions League final against hometown club PSG – has committed to Bayern Munich for the next five years. 

Digne heading for Villa medical 

According to multiple reports, Everton full-back Lucas Digne is on his way to Birmingham for a medical with Aston Villa. 

Digne has been linked with a move away from Merseyside since falling out with new manager Rafa Benitez. 

Now, the France international has agreed to join Villa, with the two clubs reportedly agreeing a $34 million transfer fee. 

A Ligue 1 and La Liga champion, Digne racked up 30+ league appearances in each of his three full seasons with Everton, and now has a chance to be a key man in Steven Gerrard’s Villa revolution. 

Done deal: Balogun leaves Arsenal in loan move

Middlesbrough has completed the signing of Folarin Balogun on loan. 

The striker began this season in Arsenal’s starting XI in the opening-day defeat to Brentford, but has since struggled for opportunities, with an 11-minute cameo against Chelsea being his only other Premier League gametime. 

Balogun is now set to play a key role for Boro in its Championship promotion push, under new manager Chris Wilder. 

Arteta responds to Vlahovic links

Mikel Arteta refused to be drawn into the rampant Dusan Vlahovic speculation at his Wednesday morning press conference, telling reporters: “I’m really sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not going to be discussing any rumors.”

However, the Arsenal manager went on to speak about the club’s pulling power in the market: “Historically, this club has always been targeting the best players in the world, and the best players in the world were always interested to come here.

“I can say that situation hasn’t changed. So any time I have spoken to any player, they were so willing to come. I haven’t faced any other situation. That’s one of our biggest powers. 

“Our capacity to get the attention of people to come and join our club is a big advantage for us.” 

Gunners fans will be hoping Fiorentina striker Vlahovic is one of those players, having scored 16 goals in 19 league games this season. 

Mourinho to raid Arsenal again?

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is still wanted by Jose Mourinho, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

Mourinho tried to bring Xhaka to Roma last summer, when the Swiss star’s relationship with Arsenal (and particularly the fans) seemed to be over. 

The 29-year-old has since recovered and hit some good form alongside Thomas Partey, while Roma has addressed its midfield needs by bringing in another midfielder from Arsenal, Ainsley Maitland-Niles. 

However, Mourinho is set for more talks with his old friends in North London this coming summer. 

Dortmund sets up Haaland talks

Borussia Dortmund and Erling Haaland are set for talks next week, according to German newspaper Bild. 

The star striker has been the subject of constant transfer rumors over the past two windows, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both seemingly keen on his signature. 

Father Alf-Inge and agent Mino Raiola are now scheduled to meet Dortmund chiefs, who want to resolve what is fast becoming a crisis situation for the Bundesliga giant, given the 21-year-old has a summer release clause of just $85 million. 

Spurs to wait for Lingard

Jesse Lingard is a target for Spurs, but not in the current window, according to the Evening Standard. 

The Manchester United winger is a long-standing target of the North London club, rather than specifically manager Antonio Conte, with an approach made last summer. 

Rather than go back in for the England international this month, Spurs will wait until he becomes a free agent come June. 

Lingard shone during his loan spell with West Ham last season, racking up 14 goal contributions (five assists and nine strikes of his own) in just 16 games, as the Irons sealed a Europa League spot. 

Mourinho calls Ndombele

Jose Mourinho didn’t seem to be Tanguy Ndombele’s biggest fan when the pair were together in North London, but that isn’t an obstacle in Roma’s transfer strategy. 

Ndombele has personally received a phone call from Mourinho, according to French outlet Telefoot, in a bid to convince the midfielder to join him in the Italian capital. 

Roma is eyeing the 25-year-old on an initial loan deal, with an option to make the move permanent in the summer. 

Rashford uncertain ahead of contract talks

Manchester United and Marcus Rashford are preparing for contract negotiations ahead of the summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Rashford is currently earning $270,000-per-week and has 18 months left to run on his deal. 

The England international is said to be worried about his form and future prospects at Old Trafford, so the discussions won’t be smooth sailing. 

AC Milan makes Bailly approach

Eric Bailly is the subject of an approach from AC Milan, according to Sky Italia. 

The Serie A giant is keen on signing a new center back in the January window, with both Manchester United’s Bailly and PSG’s Abdou Diallo on the radar. 

Bailly has played in just four Premier League games this season, with a grand total of 217 minutes. 

Conte wants three signings

Spurs have set their sights on making a trio of moves in the January window, according to The Times. 

In a frank meeting with chairman Daniel Levy, new manager Antonio Conte demanded a wing-back, a midfielder and a forward. 

Arsenal defender Mari set for exit

Udinese is closing in on a deal for Pablo Mari, according to Sky Italia. 

The Serie A club lost another Brazilian defender to Watford this month, in Samir. Mari has been identified as a temporary replacement, with a loan move until the end of the season. 

Mari has not been seen in the Premier League since matchday two of the campaign, when he simply couldn’t cope with Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.