De Jong set to seal €75m Barca switch
Barcelona are on the verge of completing the signing of Frenkie De Jong from Ajax, in a deal worth €75m according to Dutch publication Vi. Blaugrana representatives are in Amsterdam to complete the transfer on Thursday, with De Jong set to join his new teammates at the end of the current campaign. Paris Saint Germain had been hopeful of landing the 21-year-old's signature this month, but it appears that Barca have won the race to secure his services.
Frenkie De Jong has agreed to join Barcelona ahead of PSG, per @Catradioesports pic.twitter.com/lfmmXiF2H7
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 22, 2019
Newcastle submit loan offer for Gelson Martins
Newcastle United have approached Atletico Madrid over the possibility of a loan deal from Gelson Martins, according to Sky Sports via Chronicle Live. The Magpies are hoping to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes, with Martins high on their list of potential targets. The Portuguese star, who is also the subject of interest from AC Milan and AS Monaco, has made eight appearances for Atletico in La Liga this season.
Martinez joins Reading on loan from Arsenal
Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has joined Reading on loan until the end of the season, the Championship club have confirmed on Wednesday. The Argentine has only appeared once for the Gunners this season, serving as third choice shot-stopper behind Bernd Leno and Petr Cech. Martinez will now compete with Anssi Jaakkola for the number one spot at Reading, as they bid to avoid relegation to League One.
? Arsenal transfer news ?
— Goal UK (@GoalUK) January 23, 2019
Unfortunately, it's a player leaving!https://t.co/YTKZnqpljc
Marcelo pushing for Juventus transfer
Real Madrid full-back Marcelo has expressed his desire to leave the Santiago Bernabeu to join Juventus, according to Tuttosport. The Brazilian has spent 13 years in Madrid, but he now hopes to move on to a new challenge and reunite with former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Marcelo reportedly told the club to accept any forthcoming offers from Juve, stating: "If they make an offer for me, you have to let me leave."
Pitaek set for Milan medical, paving way for Higuain to Chelsea
Genoa striker Krzysztof Piatek is set for a medical at Milan on Wednesday morning, Goal understands, which will pave the way for Gonzalo Higuain to join Chelsea on loan. Chelsea will land Higuain on a six-month loan with an option to buy the striker outright at season's end for £32.5m, while Piatek is reportedly joining Milan for a fee of £31m. Milan were hesitant to sanction Higauin's exit from the club without landing a replacement, but Piatek will step in to fill the void.
AC Milan on verge of completing £30m deal for Genoa striker Krzysztof Piatek to pave the way for Higuain's Chelsea switch https://t.co/1SmqmGjO4F pic.twitter.com/j8z63igCsv
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) January 22, 2019
Balotelli agrees to join Marseille for six months
French side Marseille have finally secured the signing of Mario Balotelli from Nice after agreeing to take on the remaining six months of the Italian striker's contract, sources said on Tuesday. The 28-year-old has a reputation of being difficult to manage but has played for clubs such as Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan, Liverpool and more recently Nice, as well as scoring 14 goals in 36 games for Italy. Sources told AFP that 'Super Mario' will undergo a medical on Wednesday, but would not be available for this weekend's Ligue 1 game with Lille.
OFFICIAL: Marseille confirm the signing of @FinallyMario pic.twitter.com/mCmJJY4Wtg
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 23, 2019
Mikel agrees Middlesbrough terms
Jon Obi Mikel has agreed terms on a transfer to Middlesbrough until the end of the current season, according to The Guardian. The midfielder was a free agent after leaving Chinese club Tianjin Teda by mutual consent and he has completed a medical at the Riverside on Thursday. The 31-year-old had been chasing a return to English football during the January window, having spent 11 successful years with Chelsea between 2006 and 2017.
Sources: AFP, Reuters, Goal.com, BBC