Transfer news live: Liverpool and Chelsea battle for French centre-back and Arsenal want ‘unhappy’ Alvarez – UK Times

Aston Villa have verbally agreed a deal to re-sign Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus says Sky Sports.

He will join Villa on loan with an option to buy in the summer and the midfielder is reported to have had his heart set on returning to Villa despite interest from Chelsea.

Villa wanted to sign a midfielder because of injuries to Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans.

Juventus could move for Randal Kolo Muani, reports Tuttosport.

The French striker is on loan at Tottenham, from PSG, but without regular gametime, the Old Lady are considering a move and agreement with the Premier League and Ligue 1 club to cut short that deal.

It would send Kolo Muani back to Turin, where he enjoyed a fine loan spell last year, scoring eight in 16 Serie A games.

Spurs are reportedly open to ending the loan deal prematurely, while Kolo Muani is also thought to be “fine” after being involved in a minor car accident.

West Ham are interested in signing goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Tottenham.

Kinsky is second choice to Guglielmo Vicario at Spurs and has hardly played this season.

Spurs are waiting to determine their qualification for the Champions League knockout stages before progressing with further transfer activity.

Celtic striker Shin Yamada has joined Preusen Munster on loan until the end of the season.

The Japanese international had failed to score in 12 appearances for the Hoops in all competitions this season.

Patrick Dorgu is set for up to 10 weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring problem after Manchester United were dealt the worst case scenario for the player’s injury.

Could this lead to United dipping into the market with Champions League football on the line after Michael Carrick’s positive start as interim boss?

Juventus are unlikely to make a move for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta despite talks over Youssef En Nesyri collapsing over the weekend.

Palace value Mateta at £35m and that is too much for Juve to consider at the time being.

Palace are highly unlikely to let Mateta go on loan given their current predicament. They are eight points above the relegation zone and trying to ensure Oliver Glasner stays until the end of the season.

Celtic have entered the race to sign striker Kasper Hogh as they look to bring in reinforcements for manager Martin O’Neil.

The 25-year-old forward has 20 goals in 37 games and scored twice in Bodo/Glimt’s victory over Man City last week.

Norwich are also reportedly interested in his services and he looks set to make a move before the window closes on February 2.

But while Liverpool considered Tottenham’s offer out of respect for Robertson, they have concluded that, as things stand, they need him at Anfield.

Liverpool have long been admirers of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton and remain interested in his services.

However, the club will not actively be pursuing him in January due to an alleged price tag of £80m.

Rumours of a five-year contract for the midfielder have also been ‘shot down’ and, should this switch progress any further, it is likely to be a summer move at best.

West Ham United have verbally agreed a deal for Flamengo to sign Lucas Paqueta.

The £35.8m (€41.25m) transfer will be formalised in the next 24 hours and Paqueta will join Flamengo straight away.

That’s according to Sky Sports.

Paqueta had wanted to leave England to return to his home country of Brazil and now it seems as though the move is happening.

Nuno Espirito Santo said that Paqueta was the best player at the club so for the Hammers to let him leave it will be a blow to West Ham’s hopes of avoiding relegation.