Transfer live blog – January 8th: Barcelona sign youngster while Chelsea face competition for Barella

 

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

 

Napoli want Chelsea target Nicolo Barella

 

Napoli are rivalling Chelsea for Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella this month.

 

Barella has been heavily linked with a January move to Chelsea with Cesc Fabregas expected to join Monaco.

 

Cagliari are reportedly holding out for in excess of £40m for the 21-year-old, who has established himself as first choice for Italy this season.

 

Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti is also keen on Barella’s signature, though their pursuit hinges on whether they lose Allan to Paris Saint-Germain.

 

Barella has made more tackles than any other player aged 23 and under in Serie A this season (49).

 

Barcelona beat Manchester City to young centre-back

 

Barcelona have announced they have reached a pre-contract agreement with Toulouse centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.

 

The 19-year-old has entered the final six months of his current Toulouse deal and was subject to interest from Manchester City.

 

Pep Guardiola’s side were reportedly willing to pay Toulouse a fee this month to secure his long-term services but the pulling power of Barcelona was too great.

 

Todibo has broken into Toulouse’s first-team this season and scored one goal in 10 appearances.

 

The signing of Todibo would seemingly end Barcelona’s interest in Ajax sensation Matthijs de Ligt.

 

 

Abraham completes stunning u-turn and rejects Wolves

 

Tammy Abraham looks set to stay at Aston Villa for the remainder of the season after sensationally turning down the chance to join Wolves on loan.

 

The Chelsea striker joined Championship side Villa on a season-long loan deal at the start of the campaign, though the west London outfit have a recall clause active for the first two weeks of this month.

 

Abraham is keen to test himself at the highest level and was expected to jump at the chance to join Wolves for the remainder of the season.

 

However, the 21-year-old does not want to undergo another loan spell and would only consider a permanent transfer, which Chelsea are unwilling to entertain for the time being.

 

Abraham is the joint top goalscorer in the Championship this season with 16 goals in 20 appearances.

 

Tottenham accept £11m bid for Dembele

 

Mousa Dembele is expected to finalise a transfer to China this week after Tottenham accepted a bid in the region of £11m from Beijing Guoan.

 

The Belgium international has entered the final six months of his existing Tottenham deal and will not renew with the north London outfit.

 

Dembele was heavily linked with a move to China in the summer and is finally poised to cash in with a big money deal with Guoan.

 

The 31-year-old has endured massive injury problems in the last two seasons and hasn’t played for Tottenham since the start of November.

 

Dembele is back in full training but has likely played his final game for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

 

Of the 121 players to have attempted at least 75 dribbles in the Premier League since August 2016, Dembele has the best success rate.

 

Doucoure begs for Paris Saint-Germain transfer

 

Abdoulaye Doucoure says it would make him really happy to join Paris Saint-Germain.

 

The Watford midfielder has emerged as a transfer target for the Ligue 1 side, who are on the market to replace Adrien Rabiot.

 

Javi Gracia’s side understandably do not want to lose their best player midway through the season but Doucoure has issued a come and get me plea to PSG.

 

Since the start of last season, Doucoure has won possession in the middle third more times than any other player in the Premier League (284).

 

Inter have deal for Rodrigo De Paul in the pipeline

 

Inter are working on a deal to sign Udinese star Rodrigo De Paul at the end of the season.

 

De Paul has been a revelation for Udinese over the last 12 months and the former Valencia creator is now valued in the region of £30m.

 

Inter are in talks with Udinese about signing De Paul at the end of the season to help transform their offensive options.

 

Only two players have registered more key passes than De Paul (45) in Serie A this term.  

Transfer live blog – January 8th: Barcelona sign youngster while Chelsea face competition for Barella