Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea ‘agree’ swap deal, Arsenal set to make bid, Man Utd, Liverpool | Football | Sport

Transfer news LIVE

• Chelsea star Eden Hazard has an agreement to join Real Madrid
• Real winger Marco Asensio could head to Stamford Bridge in a shock swap deal
• Christian Pulisic has no intention of quitting Borussia Dortmund
• Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho is open to returning to Real Madrid

Wanted: Mauricio Pochettino

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to spend as much as £40million to poach Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as a replacement for Jose Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho’s men sit eighth in the league and eight points off the Champions League spots after the entertaining draw with Arsenal.

And now according to The Sun, United chiefs have decided the Argentine is the only man they want to succeed Mourinho.

The report suggests it could cost the Red Devils as much as £40m to prise Pochettino from north London.

United would also likely face competition from Real Madrid, who are seeking a long-term replacement for Julen Lopetegui, although Santiago Solari is currently in the hot-seat.

Matteo Darmian to Inter Milan

Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian is wanted by Inter Milan on loan, according to reports in Italy.

Gazzetta dello Sport reckon the Serie A heavyweights are eyeing up a January deal having had a £3.5m loan offer rebuffed in the summer.

The Italy international has struggled for regular match action since joining United from Torino in 2015.

He made only his third start of the season against Arsenal on Wednesday night.

United are expected to shuffle their squad in the New Year and Darmian could be deemed surplus to requirements.

Paul Pogba swap deal

Barcelona offered Manchester United two players in return for Paul Pogba this summer, it’s been claimed.

The Spanish giants were desperate to sign Pogba with their captain Gerard Pique even publicly appealing for the midfielder to sign.

Mina Raiola was keen to find Pogba a way out of Old Trafford and journalist Duncan Castles says he was ‘offered to all the big clubs’.

Only Barcelona showed any interest and they came to the table with a double swap deal.

But the bid didn’t cut it with Old Trafford chiefs who ‘laughed’ at Barcelona’s offer.

“The best offer that was proposed was Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes in exchange for Paul Pogba by Barcelona, which Manchester United understandably laughed out of court,” Castles told the Transfer Window podcast.

Ousmane Dembele update

Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat has lauded Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele amid transfer links to the player.

“I saw him, he had not even played for Stade Rennes in the first team,” he told Zeit. “I bet he did not know which foot he used in certain situations because he just did not think about it.

“I felt this is a really special player.

“Shinji Kagawa was one of those. We were in Japan ten times, but actually I was safe after the first 30 minutes of play. Nobody could grab it. With one move, he changed the entire direction of the game.”

Neymar open to Premier League move

Neymar has sensationally opened the door to moving to the Premier League.

“It is a big competition, one of the greatest in the world,” he said when asked about moving to England by Manchester City star Benjamin Mendy.

“We don’t know what will happen tomorrow but I believe that every great player, at least one day, has to play in the Premier League.

“If you’re playing there, I hope you can keep enjoying the Premier League, because you deserve only the best.”

West Ham eye Man Utd deal

West Ham are eyeing a move for Manchester United star Antonio Valencia.

The Sun claim the Hammers are hoping to land the 33-year-old next summer for free.

Valencia is out of contract at the end of the season and would be a free agent.

Jose Mourinho axed the defender from his line-up this season after a bust-up.

Jose Mourinho sends Ed Woodward message

Jose Mourinho has fired another shot at Ed Woodward, insisting his Manchester United side lack quality following their draw with Arsenal.

“We shoot ourselves so many times during the season. That is really difficult,” Mourinho told BT Sport.

“And when sometimes people speak about quality… [sighs].

When asked if it’s positive the United players are sacrificing themselves, Mourinho added: “Yes, positive but there are things that I cannot get from them and I cannot say much more than this.”

Chelsea open Kovacic talks

Chelsea have opened talks with Real Madrid over signing Mateo Kovacic on a permanent deal.

The Evening Standard say the Blues have been given the green light to land the Croatia international.

Kovacic is currently on loan from Real Madrid and has impressed under Maurizio Sarri.

And the Standard reckon Kovacic could stay at Stamford Bridge long term if Sarri gets his way.

Eden Hazard agreement

Eden Hazard has reached a “total agreement” with Real Madrid, with Marco Asensio and Mateo Kovacic potentially going the other way, shock reports in Spain claim.

Spanish outlet Telemadrid claim Real have an agreement with Hazard, with talks with Chelsea at an advanced stage.

They add that Kovacic, currently on loan at Chelsea, and Asensio could head to the Blues on a permanent basis in a swap deal.

Real are willing to fork out £89m (€100m) and include the two players in the part-exchange to sweeten the deal.

Christian Pulisic decision

Christian Pulisic has no intention of leaving Borussia Dortmund, The National claims.

The USA international is a target for both Liverpool and Chelsea, while Manchester United have also been linked with the winger.

However, The National say the 20-year-old is grateful to Dortmund for handing him his big break in Europe.

The news will come as a big blow to Liverpool and Chelsea who are big admirers of Pulisic.

Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid update

Jose Mourinho is open to returning to Real Madrid, the Evening Standard claim.

The Manchester United boss is aware of Florentino Perez’s interest – and he’s keen on a return to Madrid.

Mourinho is under contract until 2020 at Old Trafford.

However, his United future is up in the air with the Red Devils struggling to find form.

Arsenal readying striker bid

Arsenal have joined the race for Club Brugge striker Wesley Moraes.

The Sun claim Unai Emery is a big admirer of the 22-year-old and is weighing up a £15m bid.

The Gunners are keen to spend in January following Danny Welbeck’s horror injury.

Welbeck has played his last game for Arsenal after breaking his ankle last month.

Mourinho out?

Manchester United could sacrifice Jose Mourinho to keep hold of Paul Pogba, according to transfer expert Ian McGarry.

“There’s clearly a dysfunctional relationship between Mourinho and Pogba. It’s not going to wait,” McGarry told the Transfer Window podcast.

“It’s worsened for that dressing room dressing down to be given and there’s a massive decision to be made.

“At this moment in time the Glazers, from what I’ve heard, not even [Ed] Woodward for that matter, are willing to part company with Jose Mourinho on the basis of a resolution with Pogba.

“However, parting with Paul Pogba may still be the best case scenario for the club.”

Hazard transfer prediction

Chelsea will lose Eden Hazard one day, says former Blues captain Dennis Wise.

“He’s obviously an ambitious guy and if he wants to be a top top world-class player then he probably needs to go on and win lots of different things,” Wise told Express Sport.

“You’ve got Barcelona and Real Madrid – those are where top players want to end up.

“But at the moment it’s important that we’ve still got him at Chelsea and I think he loves the place.

“I’m sure in time he’ll make his decision about what’s best for him.

“At the end of the day, he’s a world-class player and has made such a difference at the start of this season.

“Do you want to lose him? Of course you don’t. He’s irreplaceable, if I’m being honest.

“One day, unfortunately, when he wants to go he will.

“Hopefully we get a couple more seasons out of him – at least.”

Rodrygo update

Rodrygo insists he will not be quitting Santos for Real Madrid until next summer.

“It’s agreed that I’m going in July,” Rodrygo explained to Brazilian newspaper Gazeta Esportiva.

“[There is an] agreement between Santos and Real Madrid, so I do not think there is a possibility of going before.

“[Real’s situation] may be different, I’ll know when I get there.

“I do not think much about there, my focus is here, and when I get there I think.

“Now I want to stand out for Santos.”