Transfer news LIVE! Rice to Chelsea update; West Ham eye Dembele; Arsenal Brandt blow; Man United latest today

(AFP)

Welcome to Standard Sport’s latest LIVE coverage of the January transfer window as the rumour mill continues to gather pace.

The Covid-19 pandemic is causing financial uncertainty throughout football, though deals are still expected to go through this month amid a relentless schedule in the Premier League and elsewhere. The window slams shut at 11pm on Monday, February 1.

Resurgent Arsenal’s main priority appears to be to trim a bloated squad under Mikel Arteta, who says Mesut Ozil’s future could be resolved in the coming days. The Gunners are on the lookout for midfield reinforcements with Julian Brandt, Emi Buendia and Yves Bissouma among the latest players linked with the Emirates amid fresh doubts over Folarin Balogun, while teenage defender Omar Rekik has completed his move from Hertha Berlin.

Liverpool are said to be battling with Real Madrid for the signing of Bayern Munich stalwart David Alaba, while Sergio Ramos is also being touted for a move to Anfield along with Red Bull Salzburg forward Patson Daka.

Manchester United have finally completed their deal for Atalanta winger Amad Diallo as Donny van de Beek is urged to consider his Old Trafford future, while Fikayo Tomori’s hopes of leaving Chelsea this month may now have been ruined by an injury to Andreas Christensen.

Tottenham are confident of agreeing a new contract with Heung-min Son and Manchester City are believed to remain the front runners to sign Lionel Messi.

Meanwhile, West Ham’s record signing Sebastien Haller is closing in on a €25million move to Dutch giants Ajax as the Hammers eye Bournemouth striker Josh King and are linked with Moussa Dembele, with Robert Snodgrass set to become Sam Allardyce’s first signing at West Brom.

Check out the latest January transfer window news, rumours and gossip on our LIVE blog below.