Premier League transfer news: Mbappe tipped for a move to Newcastle, Barcelona consider Chelsea duo as an alternative to Sterling, latest on the Man United manager hunt, Arsenal contract talks on hold

The January transfer window is fast approaching and Premier League clubs are busy making their plans to get through this winter.

The mid-season market is always a hectic time for top clubs as the teams look to strengthen their ranks for the second half of the campaign.

It’s harder to do business in the January window, but several parties across the country could be forced to open their checkbooks after Christmas.

What are the latest rumors and headlines? talkSPORT.com takes a look …

Kylian Mbappé

The Frenchman has ironically been linked with a move to Newcastle for years, but Emmanuel Petit has suggested it could become a reality.

Antoine Griezmann hilariously signed Mbappe for the Magpies on Football Manager, although the man himself didn’t seem so keen on the idea.

Mbappe is in the final 12 months of his contract with PSG and has yet to sign a new deal with the Parisians amid continued ties with Real Madrid.

Pettit believes, however, that Newcastle could be an option after their Saudi-backed takeover, as he told Gambling.com: “Anything can happen.

“We see what happened with Newcastle United – there have been rumors, and you never know what’s going to happen at the end of the day. Things can turn very easily and very quickly.

“I think he has been frustrated and tired with the situation at PSG over the past year.

“We saw some issues on the pitch between players from Paris Saint-Germain and the national team, which reflected his game and his mood.”

Timo werner

Barcelona are reportedly considering German and Chelsea teammate Hakim Ziyech as an alternative to Manchester City star Raheem Sterling.

England international Sterling has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad and has been linked with a summer stint at Camp Nou.

Still, according to ESPN, Barca’s finances and Pep Guardiola’s reluctance to sell the 26-year-old have complicated any future decision.

Ziyech and Werner therefore appeared as alternatives and the Catalans would have the availability of both players.

Chelsea defense

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly busy settling his defense with four senior options out of contract this summer.

Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta will all see their contracts expire soon.

Goal: Tuchel wants to keep them all at Stamford Bridge but knows there is a lot of work to be done to make sure.

If anyone decides not to sign new terms, Chelsea are also considering new signings.

Seville’s Jules Kounde is said to be the Blues’ main target as they have also reportedly had the option of signing Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus.

Ernesto Valverde

Manchester United have spoken to Ernesto Valverde about his intention to become their interim manager, it has been reported.

The 57-year-old coached Barcelona from May 2017 to January 2020, winning La Liga and a Copa del Rey twice, and is currently out of work.

The Guardian reports that Valverde has had talks with United football director John Murtough to take over on a temporary basis, with the club realizing that after working with Lionel Messi at Barcelona he would be comfortable managing Cristiano Ronaldo.

The report adds that Valverde has started to probe for potential players he could add to strengthen the squad if nominated.

Mauricio Pochettino

The Paris Saint-Germain side reportedly expect manager Mauricio Pochettino to join Man United in the near future.

According to Marca, PSG players are hopeful that France legend Zinedine Zidane will replace the current boss if he leaves.

The Mirror add that United will have to pay £ 8.4million if they want to keep Pochettino away from PSG.

Pochettino is “desperate” to become United’s new manager, sources close to the Argentine have told talkSPORT.

The 49-year-old woman and children still live in London, fueling her desire to return to the Premier League.

talkSPORT understands that legendary former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is leading the quest to bring Pochettino to Old Trafford.

Advisors to the former Tottenham boss have already held talks with members of the United hierarchy.

Alexandre lacazette

Arsenal have reportedly suspended contract talks with Alexandre Lacazette until the summer – even if they risk losing him for nothing.

The 30-year-old forward will see his current Gunners tenure expire at the end of the season and he will be free to speak to other clubs in January.

But the Sun say Arsenal won’t be discussing their deal anytime soon.

Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Marseille and Newcastle are among those monitoring his situation.

The Sun add that Arsenal are unwilling to offer him a long-term deal but could offer a new 12-month contract.

Jesse Lingard

Tottenham Coach Antonio Conte is reportedly interested in signing the midfielder when he is available for a free transfer this summer.

Spurs are leading a queue of top clubs including Newcastle and Everton in the race to land on Lingard, according to ESPN.

The England international has put many clubs on red alert following reports he is due to leave Old Trafford.

Lingard, 28, has been a small player since returning to Man United after his West Ham loan ended.

Corentin Tolisso

Tottenham are leading the race to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso, according to Football Italia.

The Frenchman, who is a target for Inter Milan and Juventus, will also be available in free this summer.

Spurs’ director of football Fabio Paratici had previously tried to secure the services of the Lyon midfielder in 2017.

Christian Pulisic

Chelsea winger could be on his way to Liverpool as the American’s playing time continues to be limited at Stamford Bridge, reports the Star.

The report adds that Thomas Tuchel may be looking to cut his losses against the 23-year-old after fitness and form limited him to just two league games.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are considering a long-term replacement for Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, with Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma being another target.

And Jurgen Klopp previously worked with Pulisic when the couple were together at Borussia Dortmund.

James tarkowski

Sean Dyche has played down speculation about the Burnley star’s future at the club.

Tarkowski is without a contract next summer and has been heavily linked with a move away from Turf Moor with Newcastle United among those interested.

However, according to Dyche, his situation at the club means nothing.

Newcastle United

The Magpies are planning a triple raid on Italy’s Serie A as they turn their attention to the January transfer window.

According to The Times, the moves of Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij and Marcelo Brozovic are a priority, as is a change for Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha.

Eddie Howe looks to strengthen his team’s backbone as they prepare for a relegation battle in the second half of the season.

Philippe Coutinho

Newcastle are unlikely to strike a deal to sign the Brazilian star in January, according to Spanish publication Sport.

The Barcelona star has been heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park as they prepare a flagship signing to kick off the new era as the richest club in world football.

Coutinho had been linked with a move but the playmaker is determined to stay at Camp Nou and will therefore reject any approach to move away.

Adama traore

Wolves are set to sell the winger in the January transfer window as talks about a new contract dropout, according to 90min.

Traore has had a mixed time since arriving at Molineux, failing to consistently reach his undoubted potential.

Barcelona and Liverpool are both reportedly interested in a transfer for the 25-year-old and may take a chance as his future is still unresolved.

Dejan Koulusevski

Juventus want to get rid of the 21-year-old Swedish winger, according to Italian media Calciomercato.

The report adds that a swap deal with Arsenal for the record signing of Nicolas Pepe, 26, has been suggested, but the old lady prefers cash.

Kulusevski – who is also a target for Tottenham – revealed he grew up loving Arsenal on the Swedish Lundh podcast in October 2019.

He said: “My favorite team is Arsenal, because I love everything about the club, the city, the players and the way they play football.”

Harry kane

Manchester City have reportedly rekindled their interest in Tottenham striker Harry Kane ahead of the January transfer window.

The Premier League champions tried to sign the 28-year-old over the summer, but despite an offer of up to £ 125million, President Daniel Levy has remained firm.

Kane scored a perfect first-half hat trick for England in their 5-0 loss to Albania, but his club form has been unusually poor this season.

The Spurs star has only one goal in his first ten Premier League appearances – and ESPN report City are planning to rekindle their interest in January.