Transfer news live updates: Diaz liked Barcelona, two Chelsea targets, Arsenal close in
Posted Wednesday, January 09, 2019 by Express.co.uk
Transfer news LIVE - Tuesday, January
Manchester United target Kalidou Koulibaly is keen to move to Old Trafford
Chelsea are closing in on deals for midfielders Nicolo Barella and Leandro Paredes
Barcelona ace Denis Suarez is set to join Arsenal
New Real Madrid signing Brahim Diaz supported Barcelona as a child
Leeds send defender Paudie O'Connor to Bradford
Diaz liked Barcelona
Real Madrid have signed Brahim Diaz from Manchester City - but a video from 2011 shows the Spaniard was a Barcelona fans and idolised Lionel Messi!
The then-youngster told interviewer Quim Domenech seven years ago that Barcelona was his dream side.
"Which team do you like the most: Barca or Madrid?" Domenech asked.
Diaz replied with a smile: "Barca."
Domenech then said: "Who is your idol, the player that you like the most?"
"Messi," was Diaz's reply.
Domenech then asked: "Messi? Do you compare to him?"
To which Diaz said: "Well, I do not care but if I'm Messi, that's very good."
Transfer news LIVE updates: Real Madrid signing Brahim Diaz liked Barcelona as a kid (Image: GETTY)
Callum Hudson-Odoi bid accepted
Callum Hudson-Odoi looks set to leave Chelsea after Bayern Munich's fourth bid of £31.5million was accepted.
Bayern Munich have aggressively been pursuing a transfer for Hudson-Odoi this January window and it seems they have finally got their man.
And Sky Germany claim Chelsea have now accepted Bayern's fourth bid, worth roughly £31.5million.
He only has 18 months left on his contract and Hudson-Odoi reportedly has no interest in taking up Chelsea's latest offer.
Transfer news LIVE: Callum Hudson-Odoi has been urged to join Bayern Munich (Image: GETTY)
Hudson-Odoi urged to move
Callum Hudson-Odoi must leave Chelsea for Bayern Munich, reckons Arsenal legend Alan Smith.
"Bayern are desperately keen on him aren't they judging by the transfer fee that is mooted to be paid," Smith said.
"It's a big decision for the lad, it's not an easy one to turn down, a club of Bayern Munich's stature.
"We've seen what Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson have done over in Germany.
"He's going to have to weigh up what kind of game time he's going to get at Chelsea and what he'd get at Bayern. It would be a great opportunity I think.
"I do actually [think he should go].
"I know Chelsea fans would love to see him stay, they want to see an academy lad come through the ranks.
"But what an experience for him, at a young age, go over there, learn a new language, a new style of living and playing for a club of that stature.
"You don't get many chances like that in your career."
Transfer news LIVE updates: Manchester United target Kalidou Koulibaly is keen to join (Image: GETTY)
Leeds done deal
Leeds United have confirmed Paudie O'Connor has joined Bradford City on loan.
O'Connor, 21, will join former Whites midfielder David Hopkin at Valley Parade.
The defender had only just ended a six-month loan spell at Blackpool.
He made 17 appearances for the Seasiders.
Transfer news LIVE: Paudie O'Connor (left) has joined Bradford on loan from Leeds United (Image: GETTY)
Carrasco update
Yannick Carrasco is unlikely to join Arsenal or Manchester United this month, according to Belgium football expert Kristof Terreur.
He wrote on Twitter: "Yannick Carrasco linked with Arsenal by Sky Italia, just like in January 2018, before he moved to China.
"Man United mentioned too - cheap name dropping.
"A transfer will be expensive (wages & fee) and is he physically ready to make an immediate impact in the PL?"
Transfer news live updates: Callum Hudson-Odoi (Image: GETTY)
Kalidou Koulibaly wants Man Utd move
Manchester United transfer target Kalidou Koulibaly is open to moving to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are long-term admirers of the Napoli centre-half, with Jose Mourinho trying to sign the defender in the summer.
And ESPN claim Koulibaly is keen to join United.
However, the Red Devils are expected to wait until the summer to sign the Senegal international, 27.
Transfer news live updates (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea double deal
Chelsea are closing in on deals for midfielders Nicolo Barella and Leandro Paredes.
The pair will come in as Cesc Fabregas departs for Monaco after agreeing a three-year deal.
The Fabregas deal is on hold until Chelsea find a replacement.
And Sky Sports reckon they are close to making a double signing for Barella and Paredes.
Transfer news LIVE updates: Chelsea are closing in on deals for Nicolo Barella and Leandro Paredes (Image: GETTY)
Denis Suarez to Arsenal update
Arsenal are close to signing Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
"As for arrivals at the Emirates," he said on the Sky Sports Transfer Centre.
"What a signing this could be. Sky in Italy claim Barcelona winger Denis Suarez is close to joining.
"Arsenal boss Unai Emery indicated at the weekend that the club are after a player who could operate on the right or left wing and he's worked with Suarez before. The player spent a season on loan at Sevilla in 2014 when Emery was in charge.
"Interestingly Suarez travelled for yesterday's game with Getafe but he didn't make Barcelona's 18-man squad."
Transfer news LIVE updates: Kalidou Koulibaly (Image: GETTY)
Tammy Abraham snubs Wolves for Villa stay
Aston Villa star Tammy Abraham will not join Wolves this month.
The Chelsea striker, currently on loan at Villa, was tipped to join Wolves before the end of the month.
Wolves wanted the 21-year-old on loan, with the newly-promoted Premier League side willing to pay £19m for the striker in the summer.
However, the Guardian claim Abraham is going nowhere and he's snubbed a move to Molineux.
Transfer news LIVE updates: Aston Villa star Tammy Abraham will not join Wolves (Image: GETTY)
Newcastle update
Miguel Almiron wants £100,000 a week to join Newcastle and could miss out on a move because of his huge demands.
The Atlanta United star is Rafa Benitez's top target this month but time is running out to secure a deal.
Newcastle are hopeful of adding to their squad this month as they try to avoid relegation.
But the player's wage demands, which amount to in excess of £100,000 a week, and agent fees are major stumbling blocks.
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