Top transfer round-up – January 14th: One Chelsea winger wants to stay and one wants out

 

Here we run through the latest rumours and round-up the possible movers dominating today’s gossip columns.

 

Willian doesn’t want to leave Chelsea for Barcelona

 

Willian insists he is happy at Chelsea and is not thinking about joining Barcelona this month.

 

The Spanish side have rekindled their interest in Willian and even had a player-plus-cash deal rejected.

 

Chelsea are currently in the processing of overhauling their midfield and offensive options but Willian wants to stay.

 

The Brazil international, who has only scored three league goals this season, is also keen to extend his current Chelsea deal, which is due to expire in 18 months.

 

Guardiola rules out £100m move for Ruben Neves

 

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he will not spend £100m on a new defensive midfielder amid reported interest in Wolves ace Ruben Neves.

 

Guardiola will finally look to sign Fernandinho’s long-term replacement next summer and Neves is being considered.

 

Neves has been a revelation for Wolves over the last 18 months but Guardiola insists City will not be held to ransom for the Portugal international.

 

The 21-year-old has scored eight league goals since joining Wolves from Porto and seven have been netted from outside the box.

 

Chelsea’s loan bid for Higuain rejected

 

Chelsea have had an opening offer for Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain rejected.

 

Higuain is keen to cancel his loan stint with AC Milan this month in order to reunite with Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.

 

Juventus are willing to send Higuain to Chelsea but only if the Premier League giants match the terms Milan agreed to.

 

While Chelsea want to loan Higuain, Juventus are adamant there must be an option to buy for £32m.

 

Higuain has only scored twice in his last 14 outings for Milan but Sarri got the best out of the 31-year-old during their one season at Napoli together.

 

Doucoure confirms desire to leave Watford for Champions League side

 

Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has confirmed he wants to leave the club in order to play in the Champions League.

 

Paris Saint-Germain have earmarked Doucoure as a top transfer target this month, as Thomas Tuchel seeks midfield reinforcement.

 

Doucoure is arguably one of the best midfielders in the Premier League outside the top-six and has confirmed there is interest from PSG.

 

Since the start of last season, Doucoure has won possession in the middle third the most in the Premier League (288).

 

Chelsea submit bid for Fabregas replacement

 

Chelsea have lodged a £26.8m bid for Zenit midfielder Leandro Paredes.

 

The west London outfit confirmed Cesc Fabregas’ move to Monaco on Friday and are now looking to sign his replacement.

 

Chelsea are also interested in Cagliari starlet Nicolo Barella but appear to be prioritising Paredes.

 

The 24-year-old moved to Russia from Roma in 2017 but Chelsea hope to prise him back to one of Europe’s top leagues with a four-and-a-half-year deal.

 

Since the beginning of last season, only two players have won possession in the middle third more times than Paredes in the Russian Premier League (155).

 

 

West Ham join Chelsea in race for England international

 

West Ham will make a move for Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson if Marko Arnautovic leaves for China this month.

 

The Hammers have already turned down a £35m bid from an unnamed Chinese side and are bracing themselves for an improved offer.

 

Given Arnautovic’s age, West Ham may consider selling the Austria international for the right price this month.

 

If Manuel Pellegrini’s side decide to cash-in on the forward, they will try to make Wilson his replacement.

 

The England international will, however, cost well in excess of £50m this month, as Bournemouth are desperate not to sell.

 

Wilson has scored nine league goals for Bournemouth this season and provided five assists in what has been a great campaign for the 26-year-old.

 

Hudson-Odoi determined to join Bayern Munich

 

Callum Hudson-Odoi wants to join Bayern Munich at all costs and will even run down his contract to force through a move.

 

The 18-year-old has failed to break into Maurizio Sarri’s first-team plans this season and is now keen to leave.

 

Chelsea are desperate to secure his long-term future but Hudson-Odoi, who turned down a new deal in the summer, has no interest in renewing.

 

With only 18 months left to run on his current deal, Hudson-Odoi is willing to run down his contract in order to force through a move to Bayern.

 

Of players to have made at least three appearances in the Europa League this season, only one player is completing more dribbles per 90 than Hudson-Odoi (5.8).

Top transfer round-up – January 14th: One Chelsea winger wants to stay and one wants out