Transfer news: Man Utd eye £250m Saudi deal as Chelsea favourite put up for sale

Kendry Paez was at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea's win over Newcastle on Tuesday.

The Ecuadorian starlet will join the Blues in July 2025 after he turns 18.

He was pictured in the stands as Mauricio Pochettino's side won a dramatic Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Barcelona want to sign a midfielder in January similar to Edgar Davids.

Barca president Joan Laporta wants a deal akin to that of 2004 when Davids joined on a six-month loan from Juventus.

Laporta said: "If we manage to have ‘fair play’, the idea is to have a midfielder who in some way compensates for Gavi’s loss.

"It would be a loan until the end of the season, like many years ago we did with Edgar Davids, for example.

"We have margin, I think that until the end of the year we can generate ‘fair play’, due to a series of operations that we have underway and if they are confirmed, we would have options."

Radu Dragusin is set to sign a new contract at Genoa.

The defender has been linked with a move to both Tottenham and Arsenal.

But he is set to commit his future to the Italian club.

Genoa sporting director Marco Ottolini said: "He’s the next one to sign new deal until June 2028."

Jorg Schmadtke is reportedly set to step back from his role at Liverpool.

Schmadtke only joined the Reds as their new sporting director in the summer.

But Sky Sport Germany says their collaboration will end after the upcoming January transfer window.

Schmadtke and Jurgen Klopp are still said to be friends and he will help the club in January before leaving.

Brazilian sensation Endrick has explained why he snubbed a move to Chelsea.

The 17-year-old admits he always wanted to join Real Madrid despite the attraction of playing in England.

He told The Athletic: "I was attracted by Premier League, London, obviously Chelsea is a strong brand that has won two UCLs.

"But I always made it clear to my agent that my dream was Real Madrid."

John Murtough says Manchester United won't be busy in January.

The Red Devils chief admits Financial Fair Play rules will limit what the club can do next month.

He said at a fans' forum: "We have seen this season that FFP rules have real teeth, so we have to be very careful to ensure that we remain compliant, and we will."

"We don't expect it to be particularly busy. There will always be opportunities."

Arsenal and Chelsea have been sent a very clear message by Brentford chief Lee Dykes regarding Ivan Toney.

The England international is wanted by both clubs ahead of his return to football in January and could cost anywhere upwards of £80million.

Brentford want to keep the striker and are digging their heels in as speculation around his future intensifies. And now Arsenal and Chelsea have been sent a stern warning.

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Manchester United and Tottenham are reportedly set for a January transfer battle for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, according to The Mirror.

Both clubs are interested in the Frenchman while there has also been reported interest from Chelsea.

The 23-year-old is expected to cost in the region of £35million.

Raphael Varane reportedly wants to stay at Manchester United and extend his contract.

The Frenchman, whose deal expires in 2024, is hopeful the club will trigger the one-year extension clause in his contract.

Varane only made his eighth start of the season in the 0-0 draw against Liverpool, having fallen down the pecking order under Erk ten Hag.

Despite rumours of an exit to Saudi Arabia, the Manchester Evening News claims he remains keen to stay at Old Trafford.

Chelsea have reportedly put £50million-rated star Conor Gallagher up for sale despite the midfielder being highly valued by Mauricio Pochettino.

According to Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are keen to sell Gallagher in January and they are willing to entertain bids in the region of £50m.

Pochettino could be left angered if Gallagher ends up leaving, having played him in all bar one Premier League game this season and captaining him on numerous occasions.

Chelsea rejected bids for him in the summer and were planning on offering him a new contract with his current deal expiring in 18 months' time. However, there has been little progress and club chiefs now want to cash in.

Tottenham and West Ham - who were in for him in the summer - are expected to revive their interest in him when the January window opens.

Arsenal will reportedly rebuff any approaches for defender Jakub Kiwior but will look to move Cedric Soares on.

Kiwior is attracting interest from several Italian clubs, including AC Milan.

However, Arsenal have no intention of letting him leave despite reducing the defender to just seven Premier League games this term, according to The Evening Standard. 

The same publication claims the Gunners are open to selling Cedric though, with Villarreal showing interest. The right-back has started just one Premier League game all season and is out of contract in the summer.

Manchester United youngster Dan Gore could follow the same path as David Beckham by joining Preston North End on loan.

The 19-year-old has only featured once for the first team, making his senior debut in a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace earlier this year. He has been part of several Premier League and Champions League squads this term but Erik ten Hag has not yet given him a second appearance.

Gore is tipped for a bright future with his former coach Lewis Craig recently likening him to Roy Keane and claiming he is 'captain material'.

The teenage sensation could be cutting his teeth in the Championship with Preston soon just like Beckham did in 1995 before cementing his place in the United first team.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Preston have expressed interest in taking Gore on loan for the second part of the season. United are yet to receive any offers but will likely entertain any bids they get for him with Gore expected to benefit from more first-team exposure.

Arsenal and Liverpool target Andre has admitted he is desperate to play in the Premier League.

"I watch the Premier League and it's a big dream to play there. I'm focused on finishing the season with Fluminense and realising our own dream of winning the Club World Cup. But my dream is clear, to be a Premier League player," he said this week.

The midfielder has attracted huge interest around Europe for his impressive performances over the past 12 months and is expected to cost somewhere between £20m and £30m.

Chelsea reportedly may have to pay £86million to sign striker target Viktor Gyokeres.

The Sporting CP star is on their shortlist after netting 17 goals in just 20 matches since joining them in the summer.

Rumours in recent weeks claimed he could be available for around £70m due to his release clause. However, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that his release clause stands at a whopping £86m, meaning Chelsea could have to pay £17m more than they initially thought.

Manchester United have reportedly watched Serhou Guirassy again as Erik ten Hag eyes attacking reinforcements ahead of the January window.

United aren't expected to spend much next month due to FFP restrictions but may be able to get some deals over the line if they can raise some funds in sales, with a number of string players set to be offloaded.

Guirassy, who has netted an incredible 18 goals in 15 games since joining Stuttgart in the summer, is said to have a release clause of just £15m, which is understandably catching the interest of several European clubs.

90min claim United scouts have watched him on numerous occasions already this season and were in attendance at the weekend as Bayern Munich thrashed Stuttgart 3-0.

Reported Liverpool and Arsenal target Andre Trindade has reaffirmed his dream to play in the Premier League.

The Brazilian was monitored by Jurgen Klopp's side during the summer, as Liverpool set about a full midfield rebuild.

At the time, Andre's club Fluminense refused to do any form of business due to their participation in the Copa Libertadores, which they would go on to win with the player himself an intergral part.

Speaking to Brazilian media this week, when asked about his future, the youngster said: "I'm focused on finishing the season with Fluminense and realising our own dream of winning the Club World Cup.

"But my dream is clear, to be a Premier League player."

Chelsea are reportedly looking for a buyer for Conor Gallagher, despite the midfielder starting all but one Premier League match this season.

The Blues are looking to bring in around £50million for their academy graduate, with it deemed that the club have too many midfielders.

Manchester United chief John Murtough has reportedly flown to Saudi Arabia to try and offload four players. Chelsea were successful in selling their fringe stars for high fees this summer and the Red Devils are hoping to follow suit.

It is claimed that Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial were put on the table during negotiations with Saudi Pro League clubs. It is hoped that up to £250m could be raised from the quartet.

However, Murtough returned to the UK without a deal and he is now on the lookout for new buyers.

Good morning and welcome to Express Sport's updates as transfer rumours build ahead of the January window.

Manchester United and Chelsea are the two clubs most in need of reinforcements but all Premier League sides will be on the lookout for improvements.