Welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Wednesday, January 21.
There are now less than two weeks to go before the mid-season window closes for business, meaning that teams up and down the land are fast running out of time to complete their purchases.
While big-name moves remain few and far between thus far, there has been plenty of speculation linking the Premier League elite with an array of players over the past couple of days.
Will we see the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea join Manchester City in splashing the cash on a large scale? Be sure to sick with us throughout the day as we keep you fully up-to-date with all the latest goings on.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog. We no doubt have another busy day of transfer activity ahead of us as the days continue to tick down towards the February 2 deadline. Speculation has emerged overnight linking former Chelsea star Michael Essien with a move to West Bromwich Albion, while Paul Lambert has ruled out a move away from Aston Villa for Christian Benteke.
We will be sure to keep you updated with all the latest goings on throughout the day, both at home and abroad, right here with our dedicated transfer service.
Managerless Newcastle United have been quiet so far this month, and if Lee Charnley's comments this morning are anything to go by then that does not look like changing any time soon.
The club's managing director revealed that he does not anticipate any movement during the mid-season window - both incoming and outgoing. Read his comments in full right here.
It's just gone 8am which means that it's time for our morning Transfer Talk Update, which includes all the latest on Christian Benteke, Mario Balotelli and Cheick Tiote.
Another day and another transfer rumour claiming that Manchester United could break the bank to land a star player this month.
Paris Saint-Germain youngster Marquinhos is said to have been on the radar for a long time, but The Sun reports that the Red Devils will have to pay a fee in the region of £112m to land the centre-back. Read more on that potential record-breaking move right here.
Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista has been linked with both Manchester United and Arsenal this month, and it has now been reported that the Brazilian is locked in talks with the Gunners.
That brings to an end my short stint on transfer watch, but Joe Fish will be on hand to take you through the next few hours with all the latest goings on as the mid-season window continues to heat up.
Thanks Dan. Kevin Mirallas has already made a lot of headlines this week, and here is another one. Everton have reportedly rejected an offer to swap the Belgian for Tottenham Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon, who is free to leave White Hart Lane this month. The Toffees are believed to be interested in Lennon, but are still hopeful that they can persuade Mirallas to extend his contract, which expires in 18 months.
Another transfer line concerning Roberto Martinez's side now, and Chelsea are ready to recall Christian Atsu from his loan spell at Goodison Park. The Londoners are unhappy that the winger has played only three league games for Everton and reportedly want to send him to Championship promotion hopefuls Derby in order for him to play more regularly over the rest of the season.
Reports earlier this week claimed that Winston Reid had asked West Ham to sanction a move to Arsenal this month. The defender has taken to Twitter to insist that these rumours are "not true". Reid's contract expires at the end of the season, but the Hammers are apparently intent on keeping him until the summer as they aim for Europe this term.
Wilfried Zaha is currently on loan at Crystal Palace from Manchester United and the 22-year-old winger has hinted that he would jump at the chance to rejoin his former club on a permanent basis in the summer. His Old Trafford career seems to be over before it ever really started. He has not started a Premier League game since signing for United in 2013 and Louis van Gaal is happy to sell.
Another loanee who has his eyes on staying put is Brighton's Joe Bennett. The left-back has hinted that he would be keen to join the Seagulls permanently if a deal with Aston Villa can be agreed.
DONE DEAL! Arsenal have completed the signing of 17-year-old midfielder Krystian Bielik. The Pole joins for an undisclosed fee from Legia Warsaw. Here's him in a Gunners shirt for the first time!
BREAKING NEWS! One deal that looks no closer to completion is Callum McManaman to West Brom. Reports are claiming that the Baggies have had an improved offer, believed to be in excess of £4m, rejected for the Wigan winger. The Latics are apparently holding out for £6m.
Swansea are understood to have already agreed a £5m deal with Tottenham for full-back Kyle Naughton, and now Spurs have apparently told the Welsh outfit that they will have to stump up the same fee to sign Tom Carroll on a permanent basis. The 22-year-old midfielder has made 15 appearances on loan with the Swans this season, and Garry Monk has liked what he has seen.
That's it from me for now, but Matt Law is taking over to keep you up to date with the latest transfer news and gossip over the next few hours. He's got big arms, and even bigger transfer rumours...
Thank you Joseph, you are very kind. Right, let's get to it. A bit of news from St James' Park and according to BT, Newcastle United want to sign Celta Vigo forward Michael Krohn-Dehli this month.
Micah Richards is almost the forgotten man, but the England defender reportedly wants to return to the Premier League this summer. The right-back is currently on loan at Fiorentina from Manchester City, but he will be a free agent at the end of the season. I suspect that the powerful defender will not be short of interest.
Leroy Fer to Napoli? Reports in Italy seem to think so. More here.
Athletic Bilbao are reportedly interested in signing Asier Illarramendi on loan for the remainder of the season. The 24-year-old joined Real Madrid from Real Sociedad in 2013, but has largely struggled to secure regular football at the Bernabeu. Bilbao's room for movement in the transfer market is extremely limited due to their Basque-only policy, but the midfielder falls in that category.
Monaco have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Bernardo Silva from Benfica for £12m. More here.
PSV Eindhoven midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed that he turned down the chance to join Paris Saint-Germain last summer. Read what the Dutch international had to say here.
Respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague says that Darren Fletcher to Valencia is off...
That is just about it from me this afternoon, but be sure to remain with us as I pass the baton onto a certain Liam Apicella. He is hoping to report that Manchester United have signed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo...
Thanks Matt! Can either of those two play at centre-back?! Sadly, I can't see either of those transfers happening, but one that has gone through is Steven Gerrard's to LA Galaxy. The talk was that he could return to Liverpool on loan next winter, but the MLS side have played down that speculation.
Staying in the Premier League and Man United, who are said to be struggling to find a buyer for Brazilian midfielder Anderson. According to a report, despite making it known that the 26-year-old is available for a nominal fee, United are yet to receive a bid.
Meanwhile, down in the Championship, Joe Mason has ended his loan stint with Bolton Wanderers and returned to his parent club Cardiff City. And staying in the second tier, Reading have reportedly handed a trial to Polish goalkeeper Jakub Slowik.
Over in Italy, Lazio have been busy. Find out which two players they've signed this afternoon here.
Staying in Italy, AC Milan striker Mbaye Niang has confirmed that he is on the move. The 20-year-old has claimed that he will be linking up with Genoa on loan for the remainder of the season.
There are not many defenders that Man United haven't been linked with this month, but here's a new name. According to one report, Louis van Gaal is an admirer of Aleksandar Dragovic, who plays for Dynamo Kiev in the Ukraine. More here.
Harry Redknapp has not made a move this month yet, but could that be about to change? According to the agent of Inter Milan midfielder Yann M'Vila, Queens Park Rangers are eager to snap up his client. Would he be a good signing R's fans?
Right, that's my stint on the blog done for today, but fear not because coming up for the next couple hours is Jack Prescott. Over to you, Jack...
Hello there! Right, let's crack on with some news coming out of Hull City, who have agreed a compensation deal with Blackpool over the transfer of Tom Ince. The Premier League club will pay their Championship counterparts up to £2.3m following the 22-year-old's move to the KC Stadium in the summer.
Former Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is reportedly a summer transfer target of Manchester United. The Belgium international joined the Blues in 2012, but he made just nine appearances in all competitions before he was sold to Wolfsburg 12 months ago for a reported £18m.
Chelsea are believed to be in discussions with Fiorentina over the potential signing of Juan Cuadrado. The Colombian winger was linked with Manchester United and Barcelona after impressing at the 2014 World Cup, but stayed in Italy over the summer.
Hamburger SV could reportedly be prepared to take £9m misfit Brown Ideye off West Bromwich Albion's hands this month. Sacked Albion boss Alan Irvine signed the Nigerian striker from Dynamo Kiev for a club-record fee in the summer, but has scored only one Premier League goal.
Real Sociedad boss David Moyes reportedly wants to bring Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar to Spain on loan this winter. The South African enjoyed a close relationship with Moyes when the Scot was in charge at Goodison Park, with Pienaar a regular in the team during their time together.
AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien has reportedly rejected interest from the Premier League to agree a deal with MLS side FC Dallas. The former Chelsea midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and is unlikely to sign an extension with the Italian outfit.
That's all from me for tonight, but Alex Meyers will be with you for the next four hours to guide you through all of the latest news and gossip. Enjoy!
Hello everyone! I'll start with the news that Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Naughton will reportedly complete his switch to Swansea City tomorrow afternoon having undergone a medical with club.
There were plenty of reports earlier today linking Juan Cuadrado with a move away from Fiorentina, but his manager Vincenzo Montella has said that there is "no possibility" he will be sold.
Here's some news that will concern Manchester United fans. A report today has claimed that David de Gea has agreed terms with Real Madrid over a move to the European champions.
Well, that's all from me. Seeing you through the rest of the evening will be Shane Callaghan, with all of the big transfer news and rumours.
BREAKING!!!!! Real Madrid have announced the signing of 16-year-old Norwegian wonderkid Martin Odegaard. You can find more on this here!
From Real Madrid to the equally glamorous Hull City now and the Tigers have reportedly contacted Spurs over a potential loan move for out-of-favour winger Aaron Lennon.
We're heading back to Spain now and, according to reports, Valencia will join Liverpool in the race to sign James Milner, whose Manchester City contract expires in the summer. Click here for more on that.
Some Arsenal/Newcastle news now and, according to reports, the Magpies will rival their North London counterparts over Ipswich Town's Tyrone Mings.
One more story tonight then folks, and it's another Arsenal one as Villarreal boss Marcelino admits that he will sell Gabriel Paulista to the Gunners if it makes financial sense. More on this in here. Anywho, that's about all we've got time for, my friends. However, our transfer blog is back online at 7am so tune in at some point for further updates then. Cheers.
