The January transfer window is starting to keep up the pace as we enter the second week of its operation. Europe’s best are eager to bolster their strengths, given the return of cup competitions, and we dig into the latest happenings in the English Premier League.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah to join Bayern Leverkusen
Manchester United’s Timothy Fosu-Mensah is currently in advanced talks to join Bundesliga side Bayern Leverkusen in a £1.5million deal. The Netherlands player, out of contract at the end of the season, has made only three starts for United in nearly four years and has rejected an offer of a three-year deal to find more first-team opportunities elsewhere. Fosu-Mensah wished to return to AFC Ajax, but that looks unlikely.
Bayer Leverkusen are in advanced talks to sign Timothy Fosu-Mensah from Man Utd, as per @samuelluckhurst. There are ‘positive feelings’ to complete the deal soon, personal terms have been agreed - there are still some details to be sorted between the two clubs. 🔴 #mufc
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 11, 2021
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently confirmed that two-three players would be leaving the club. When asked about the 23-year-old, he stated, “It’s difficult when you have good players, talented players, and you can’t give them game-time. He’s now at the stage where he needs to go and play again. It might be the end of January, or in the summer where he finds somewhere else, he’s working hard, so he’s ready for a move for any club he feels ready for."
The other players Solskjaer has hinted out are Argentine duo Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo. Both players are out of contracts and are looking for a club to buy them. Odion Ighalo, on loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, is expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of January.
Eddie Nketiah not leaving Arsenal this month
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, confirmed in a press conference that Eddie Nketiah will not leave the club in January. The youngster was linked with a move to West Ham, who are on the hunt for a replacement as Sebastien Haller left the Hammers for Ajax. The 21-year-old, and French forward Alexandre Lacazette, are in the last months of their contracts and are awaiting fresh terms.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce are still pushing for a Mesut Ozil deal. When asked about the player’s future, Arteta said he is still waiting for the right solution. “There’s no update. We still have to try to find the right solution for the player and the club.” he quoted.
In other news, Rob Holding is set to sign a new contract with Arsenal. Matteo Guendouzi, on loan at Hertha Berlin, seems unlikely to make the deal permanent and could return to north London this month. On the flip side, Genoa has confirmed their intent to sign Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
Stuttgart winger Nicolas Gonzalez entrancing Tottenham
The Athletic has reported a deal for VfB Stuttgart’s Nicolas Gonzalez to Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur. The Argentinian forward has also caught Juventus and Leeds United’s attention, but Gonzalez is seemingly on course to sign up for Jose Mourinho’s Lilywhites.
The 22-year-old has recently signed an extension to his contract that keeps him at the club until 2024, but Stuttgart seeks around €27 million for him to depart. The winger has been in fine form, scoring for both club and country in the past few games, and is likely to see his market value skyrocket if he continues to perform in this manner.
Nuno Mendes continues to be linked with Liverpool
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp suggested earlier that the Premier League champions would have a relatively quiet transfer window, despite their ongoing defensive dilemma.
On the rumored £60m bid for RB Leipzig center-back Dayot Upamecano, Klopp asserted that the club couldn’t pay such an amount for a player in the winter transfer window.
Reports strongly suggest that the Reds have submitted a higher bid for Nuno Mendes after Sporting CP have rejected an initial €25 million offer for the 18-year-old. Georginio Wijnaldum’s future hangs in the balance after he rejected an offer by Liverpool. The club faithful is eager to see a positive development in the contract talks with the Dutch international.
Feature Image courtesy: AFP / ANDREAS GEBERT
