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Chelsea defender Gary Cahill wants out, club also line up Robin van Persie?

The winter window opened Jan. 2. As always, Transfer Talk has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest rumours and gossip. See the latest deals here.

TOP STORY: Cahill wants out of Chelsea, Miazga in

It's all about Chelsea today! A source has told ESPN FC that U.S. international and New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga is set to be sold to the Blues within the next 24 hours, but does that mean Gary Cahill is on his way out?

Reuters claim that the England vice-captain is concerned about his chances of playing at Euro 2016 having been dropped by manager Guus Hiddink.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Pato has arrived in London to finalise a "dream" six-month Stamford Bridge loan. While the 26-year-old Brazilian is close to sealing his temporary switch to West London, the Express reports that the Blues are lining up a shock move for former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie if Pato's deal falls through.

The Premier League champions have sold Ramires to Chinese side Jiangsu Suning, but Chelsea will not let Eden Hazard go easily. The Sun reports Roman Abramovich wants "at least" £80 million for the Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain target, despite him not scoring in 30 games for the title holders.

LIVE BLOG

22.58 GMT: That wraps up Wednesday's live edition of Transfer Talk. Thanks very much for joining us, and be sure to check back in a few short hours when we return with the juiciest rumours from Thursday morning's papers.

22.49 GMT: According to quotes attributed to Juventus president Beppe Marotta in Gazzetta dello Sport, the Bianconeri are working on keeping Chelsea's Juan Cuadrado at the J Stadium next season.

"He is on loan but for the squad and his tactical flexibility we really need him," Marotta is quoted as saying. "Cuadrado could help us a lot and we are happy about his performances. We will try to hold on to him for the next campaign."

22.34 GMT: Swansea hope to complete an £8 million move for Chievo striker Alberto Paloschi in the next few days, Press Association Sport understands.

22.11 GMT: Even with centre-back Matt Miazga on the verge of joining the club, Chelsea are unlikely to allow Gary Cahill to depart the club in January, reports the Guardian.

21.50 GMT: Barcelona have once again registered their interest in Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos, according to Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo.

21.27 GMT: Switzerland defender Philippe Senderos has left Aston Villa by mutual consent. Read the full story.

21.02 GMT: The Mirror reports that AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong will join freshly signed Ashley Cole at LA Galaxy on a three-year deal.

20.39 GMT: DONE DEAL Sunderland have confirmed the signing of Lamine Kone from Lorient for an undisclosed fee. Read the full story.

20.16 GMT: Watford are set to seal a move for Fiorentina midfielder Mario Suarez subject to a medical, according to the Watford Observer.

19.53 GMT: DONE DEAL Fredy Guarin has completed his move from Inter Milan to Shanghai Shenhua, according to the coach of the Chinese club, Gregorio Manzano. Read the full story.

19.21 GMT: Louis van Gaal has blocked the loan departure of Andreas Pereira, according to the Mail, after the Brazilian under-20 international spoke publicly of his frustrations over a lack of first-team minutes at Manchester United. Leicester City reportedly led the chase for Pereira's signature.

19.00 GMT: According to a TalkSport report, Liverpool have joined Arsenal and Barcelona in the chase for in-demand Celta Vigo striker Nolito, who won't be sold for anything less than his €18 million release clause.

18.37 GMT: Alex Teixeira has said that Shakhtar Donetsk turned down a €32 million offer from Liverpool for his services, while adding that he is desperate for a move to the Premier League club. Read the full story.

18.14 GMT: DONE DEAL Newcastle have finalised the signing of former Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, who arrives on Tynseside for a reported £12 million fee on a five-and-a-half-year contract. Read the full story.

17.51 GMT: Liverpool have been named favourites to land Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill, according to bookmakers Ladbrokes.

17.28 GMT: Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has told talkSPORT that Luis Suarez "certainly misses" playing in front of the Anfield crowd, but deserved his "incredible" £75 million move to Barcelona. Read more.

17.16 GMT: DONE DEAL Yet another European-based talent has completed a big-money move to China, with Roma forward Gervin
ho
joining Hebei China Fortune FC for €18m. Read more.

The 28-year-old Ivorian, who spent two-and-a-half seasons with Roma, could net the Giallorossi an additional €1m depending on the performances of the player and the Chinese club.

17.11 GMT: With five days to go until the January transfer window closes, a number of teams contending for honours around Europe still look in need of late additions to their ranks. ESPN FC's Nick Ames takes a look at eight sides who could do with strengthening in key areas for that final push...

- Man City need Tah; Matip would help Liverpool

17.03 GMT: Here's our full story on Sunderland loaning midfielder Charis Mavrias to Bundesliga 2 side Fortuna Dusseldorf for the rest of the season. Read more.

16.52 GMT: Some hope for Tottenham fans regarding the earlier reports that Moussa Dembele is set for Monaco -- Sky Sports says that Fulham are prepared to sell to Spurs before transfer deadline day for a fee between £4m-£6m. This one could go down to the wire.

16.46 GMT: Borussia Dortmund are in negotiations with Atletico Madrid over Oliver Torres, according to kicker. However, BVB have rejected reports from DiMarzio that the 21-year-old attacking midfielder has already signed a four-year deal.

16.34 GMT: Here's our full story on Ashley Cole making his switch to LA Galaxy. Read more.

16.20 GMT: DONE DEAL The LA Galaxy has confirmed that former Chelsea and Arsenal defender Ashley Cole has signed for the MLS club.

16.12 GMT: DONE DEAL Bournemouth have confirmed that midfielder Lee Tomlin has joined Bristol City on loan until the end of the season.

16.04 GMT: Andros Townsend's move to Newcastle should be completed shortly, with reports suggesting that the Tottenham midfielder has completed his Magpies medical.

15.49 GMT: With the prospect of a transfer ban looming large, time is running out for Atletico Madrid to make their moves in the transfer market. Despite shopping in a different stratosphere than city rivals Real Madrid, Atletico will still want to make a splash before they are prevented from doing so again until summer 2017.

ICYMI, ESPN FC's Joseph Walker takea a look at who might be on manager Diego Simeone's radar towards the end of January...

- Five players Atleti should sign before transfer ban

15.34 GMT: Liverpool should do everything they can to keep Daniel Sturridge and ensure their "world-class player" returns to full fitness, former Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers has told talkSPORT. Read more.

15.16 GMT: DONE DEAL Swansea City have signed Scottish midfielder Ryan Blair from Falkirk for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.

Balir, 19, has agreed a three-and-a-half year deal at the Liberty Stadium and will link up with the club's under-21 squad.

15.04 GMT: All Wolfsburg, all the time. The Bundesliga club have confirmed that Basel have turned down a "serious offer" for Breel Embolo, although Goias EC attacker Bruno Henrique is set to arrive on Thursday with kicker reports that a €4m deal awaits if the 25-year-old impresses in a trial.

Henrique's arrival signing could mean that Nicklas Bendtner finally leaves the Bundesliga, but until now Wolfsburg "have received no offer," coach Dieter Hecking told WAZ. Meanwhile, the Wolves are also set to sign Nigeria youth international Victor Osimhen. The 17-year-old already is in Wolfsburg for contract talks, but will not join the club before 2017.

14.54 GMT: That Matt Miazga news is huge for MLS fans, and an intriguing one for Chelsea considering he's another highly rated youngster -- will he get his shot at Stamford Bridge given the competition in the youth ranks?

Here's more from our exclusive: "On Tuesday, multiple sources told ESPN FC that Miazga was set to be sold to an undisclosed Premier League team. The Daily Mail reported that the transfer fee is approximately $5 million. Miazga also possesses a Polish passport, meaning he will not have to obtain a work permit.

"Miazga had been in camp with the U.S. national team ahead of friendlies against Iceland on Jan. 31 and Canada on Feb. 5, but has already departed and is on his way to England where he will undergo a medical and then join up with his new club."

14.47 GMT: Exclusive Chelsea news for you now -- U.S. international and New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga is set to be sold to the Premier League champions within the next 24 hours, a source told ESPN FC.

Miazga, 20, had less than a year to run on his current contract with the Red Bulls, and given his desire to test himself overseas, the club was left with little choice but to sell now rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the 2016 MLS season. Read more.

14.44 GMT: Alexandre Pato spoke to Sky Sports about his impending move to Chelsea, saying: "So happy, so happy, I stay here for my dream. Chelsea is my new home. Thanks Chelsea for the support. Thank you for my fans on my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

"I need to play I need to... I don't know what to say because I am so happy today. I am very anxious. I want to know my new friends, new players, friends in the team. I'm really happy to play for Chelsea."

Read more on his arrival in London here.

14.40 GMT: Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool revolution continues, with Sport Bild reporting that the Capital One Cup finalists have all but agreed to sign Schalke defender Joel Matip on a free transfer this summer. Schalke have said they will make an announcement sometime in the near future.

14.35 GMT: Yannick Bolasie has offered Emmanuel Adebayor a big Crystal Palace welcome -- can the Togo striker be a hit at Selhurst Park?

14.27 GMT: DONE DEAL Sticking in the north east, Sunderland have confirmed that Greek midfielder Charis Mavrias has joined 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan until the end of the season.

14.25 GMT: DONE DEAL A Newcastle offering here, with Le Parisien reporting that the Magpies' move for Andros Townsend could pave the way for Florian Thauvin to return to former club Marseille on loan. Thauvin, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday, has made just three starts in the Premier League since leaving France in a €17m deal last summer.

14.21 GMT: A bit of Swansea news for you now -- kicker reports that Gerhard Tremmel is set to leave the Swans and return to the Bundesliga, where the 37-year-old will warm the bench at Werder Bremen as the backup for keeper Felix Wiedwald.

14.16 GMT: More from Chelsea on Ramires' departure now, courtesy of the club's official website: "We thank him for his service and wish him well in China, where he will be coached by another former Blue, Dan Petrescu."

14.11 GMT: DONE DEAL In one of the more spectacular January stories, Chelsea have now confirmed that Ramires has today joined Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning in a permanent transfer. Read more.

There's no confirmed figure -- with reports suggesting close to £25m -- but given that the Brazilian only signed a lengthy contract extension at Stamford Bridge in October, it must have been something special to convince the Premier League champions to sell.

14.06 GMT: Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has told talkSPORT that Christian Benteke has a future at Anfield given that current coach Jurgen Klopp targeted the Belgium international while in charge of Borussia Dortmund. Read more.

14.02 GMT: Good news for Chelsea fans -- Alexandre Pato has arrived at Heathrow Airport ahead of his imminent loan move to Stamford Bridge.

13.51 GMT: An intriguing Zlatan Ibrahimovic rumour, now -- Le Parisien reports that Zlatan's salary rose from €800,000 a month to a cool €1.5m in the middle of the season. However, the new agreement, which would once again make him the best paid player in France, is not said to include a contract extension.

13.42 GMT: L'Equipe says Sunderland have made a new offer for Lorient centre back Lamine Kone. The Ivorian international, 27, had looked set to join on loan earlier this month but Sunderland infuriated his club by pulling out of the deal at the last minute.

But L'Equipe now says the Black Cats have returned with an offer of a permanent transfer, rather than a loan deal. As a replacement, Lorient will sign Lindsay Rose, 23, from Lyon.

13.36 GMT: DONE DEAL Another confirmed transfer as Watford have announced that Diego Fabbrini has joined Championship side Birmingham in a £1.5m deal.

Sources had confirmed that one to ESPN FC earlier in the day. Read more.

13.24 GMT: DONE DEAL Championship club Brighton have snapped up Henrik Rorvik Bjordal from Norwegian side Aalesunds FK, penning a contract until June 2018.

13.20 GMT: Mainz will not sell reported Manchester United target Yoshinori Muto, the Bundesliga club have said. "We've put that to bed," coach Martin Schmidt told kicker of the speculation. Read More.

13.13 GMT: ESPN FC's Steve Nicol has his say on Roma's new loan signing Stephan El Shaarawy...

12.55 GMT: Borussia Dortmund have rejected a €10 million offer for attacker Adrian Ramos from Chinese outfit Beijing Guoan FC, claims kicker.

12.45 GMT: It looks like Fernando Torres won't be back at Atletico Madrid next season, according to AS. The Spaniard is out of contract in the summer and the paper reports that Atletico coach Diego Simeone told him on Monday that he doesn't figure in his plans for the 2016-17 campaign.

12.37 GMT: Lorient vice-president Alex Hayes has confirmed that the French club have received a bid from Sunderland for defender Lamine Kone... Hayes told Ouest France: "Sunderland have come back with a firm offer that we couldn't refuse. [Kone] has to make his decision in the coming hours."

12.28 GMT: Former Palermo coach Davide Ballardini feels Franco Vazquez is ready to move to the Premier League, citing Liverpool and Manchester United as ideal destinations. Read More.

12.14 GMT: We mentioned earlier that Watford forward Diego Fabbrini, who has been on loan at Middlesbrough for the first half of the season, was undergoing a medical at Birmingham ahead of a £1 million move... Well, sources have since told ESPN FC that Fabbrini has now signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Blues.

11.55 GMT: According to kicker, Lukasz Piszczek has signed a new deal with Borussia Dortmund until 2018...

11.46 GMT: Everton's England youth international Jonjoe Kenny is on the verge of joining League Two side Oxford United on an initial one-month loan, The Guardian reports. The right-back made seven appearances on loan at Wigan Athletic earlier this season and the Toffees are keen for him to get more first-team experience.

11.34 GMT: With Emmanuel Adebayor signing for Crystal Palace and Alexandre Pato seemingly set for Chelsea, the ESPN FC team debate who has a better chance of making an impact in the Premier League this season...

11.15 GMT: Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Real Madrid for Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, says former Portugal international Paulo Futre. "The big question is whether he will stay with Madrid or leave for PSG or Manchester United, and I believe he will leave," Futre is quoted as saying by The Sun.

11.00 GMT: Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo reckons his former Real Sociedad teammate and current Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann would fit in perfectly at the Camp Nou club. Read More.

10.49 GMT: Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has failed to rule out a return to Liverpool... "You never know what might happen in the future," he's quoted as saying by The Independent. "But if I were to return to England, it would only be to play for Liverpool and never for another team."

10.33 GMT: Chelsea striker Loic Remy looks like he could be on the move before the closing of the transfer window, with Newcastle reportedly interested in the France international. L'Equipe says Leicester are also keen and have made an offer of €10 million for the 29-year-old.

10.20 GMT: Adelaide United have announced that Jimmy Jeggo is on his way to SK Sturm Graz after the A-League club accepted an undisclosed fee for the midfielder. Jeggo will depart Adelaide immediately and head to Austria where he will undergo a medical.

10.09 GMT: So, as we mentioned earlier, Real Madrid are reportedly lining up a €400 million package to lure Neymar from rivals Barcelona... Well, former Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta is convinced the Brazil captain is "very, very, very happy" at the Camp Nou. Read More.

09.52 GMT: L'Equipe reports that Paris Saint-Germain will have balanced their books for next season and, no longer restricted by UEFA sanctions, will have a budget of €520 million for the 2015-16 campaign. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Robert Lewandowski apparently remain their top transfer targets.

09.46 GMT: Fulham forward Moussa Dembele is set for a move to Monaco, sources have told ESPN FC, despite interest from Tottenham and several other clubs. Read More.

09.22 GMT: According to Sport Bild, Liverpool are interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach's Granit Xhaka after Jurgen Klopp met with the player's agent in December. The Reds could beat Borussia Dortmund to the midfielder's signature, with BVB having also been linked with a move.

09.15 GMT: Watford forward Diego Fabbrini, who has been on loan at Middlesbrough for the first half of the season, is undergoing a medical at Birmingham on Wednesday, sources have told ESPN FC, after the Championship club agreed a £1 million fee with the Hornets for the Italian.

08.59 GMT: Sport Bild claims that Liverpool have all but signed Joel Matip, 24, on a free, with the defender joining the club in the summer. Schalke could make an announcement in the near future.

08.33 GMT: Newcastle's move for Andros Townsend could pave the way for Florian Thauvin to return to former club Marseille on loan, according to Le Parisien. Thauvin, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday, has made just three starts in the Premier League since leaving France in a €17m deal last summer.

08.00 GMT: L'Equipe says Sunderland have made a new offer for Lorient centre-back Lamine Kone. The Ivory Coast international, 27, had looked set to join on loan earlier this month but Sunderland infuriated his club by pulling out of the deal at the last minute. But L'Equipe now says the Black Cats have returned with an offer of a permanent transfer, rather than a loan deal. As a replacement, Lorient could sign Lindsay Rose, 23, from Lyon.

07.35 GMT: Shakhtar Donetsk forward Alex Teixeira is worth €50 million and can be even better than Angel Di Maria, the player's current coach Mircea Lucescu has told FourFourTwo.

PAPER ROUND

Shakhtar name Teixeira price

Shakhtar Donetsk seem ready to let Alex Teixeira leave for Liverpool, but the Ukrainian side's head coach Mircea Lucescu insists that the 26-year-old Brazilian has a price which has to be met.

"He's worth €50m (£37.8m)," Lucescu told FourFourTwo. "He's incredible, very fast, very good technique. I compare him with other players of the same age who changed [the fortunes of] a club, [Angel] Di Maria for example at Paris Saint-Germain.

"Our president knows when it is the time for Teixeira to go. I don't want to keep a player against his desire. He wants to play in a big championship."

Teixeira recently confirmed that he's eager for a move, and with Lucescu effectively naming Shakhtar's asking price, Liverpool may need to meet it with the transfer window deadline edging closer by the minute.

Van Gaal on the brink as Giggs waits in the wings

Rumours have swirled over Louis van Gaal's future since Manchester United lost at home to Southampton on Saturday, though sources told ESPN FC on Tuesday that the Dutch coach did not offer to resign as manager.

Still, all is not well at United -- the Guardian reports that Van Gaal is still set to be in charge for Friday night's FA Cup clash at Derby County, although his job is being reviewed on a "match by match basis." That surely spells disaster for the 64-year-old if United crash out of the final cup competition available to them.

But United's long-term plans could still be in doubt if they don't make Ryan Giggs manager should Van Gaal eventually departs, with the Mirror reporting that the former Old Trafford winger could quit the club after 28 years if he is not given a shot at the top job when it becomes available again. So hiring Jose Mourinho could cost the club one of their all-time greats -- how would United fans respond to that?

Meanwhile, Feyenoord youngster Tahith Chong has confirmed that United are interested in him, but the 16-year-old midfielder/forward told FR12.nl: "Feyenoord is and remains my first choice and we are still negotiating. It's true that Manchester United are interested in me, but I just want to stay at Feyenoord. There is absolutely no question that I'm going out to the club.

"Feyenoord now is to come up with a plan of how they see me in the coming years at the club. I am hopeful that it will be alright and that I'm going to sign a contract with Feyenoord."

Tahith Chong laat tegenover FR12.nl weten dat hij bij Feyenoord wil blijven, ondanks de interesse van Manchester United.

A photo posted by FR12.nl (@fr12nl) on

Spurs back in for Berahino

Saido Berahino's desire to leave West Brom has been well publicised since last summer, with the young English forward doing little else but kick his heels on the sidelines as his value steadily drops. The Mirror reports that Tottenham are ready to test the Baggies' resolve, and will make an £18 million bid within the next 48 hours.

Spurs will have more space in the squad and a cool £12m from Andros Townsend's impending departure to Newcastle, and look set to test the mettle of West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace despite his desire to keep 22-year-old Berahino at The Hawthorns. Peace drives as hard a bargain as Spurs' Daniel Levy does, but it looks increasingly likely that Berahino could be playing his football at White Hart Lane come February if the two clubs reach a compromise in the £20-25m region -- plus some tidy add-ons.

Real to break the bank for Neymar

You may have heard the recent rumours linking Neymar with Real Madrid, but despite the Brazil star's father claiming the 23-year-old is not interested in a move to the Bernabeu, Los Blancos may be about to get serious in their pursuit of the Barcelona forward.

Spanish newspaper Sport claims that Madrid president Florentino Perez is desperate to sign Neymar as a big win to deflect attention away from a terrible year for him and the club, and is willing to pay the forward's €190m release clause to do so. On top of that, Madrid would offer Neymar an astronomical €35m-a-year salary -- more than twice his current deal at Barca -- in order to switch allegiances in the Clasico rivalry.

Luis Enrique is confident Neymar will sign a new contract at the Camp Nou, but such figures will no doubt interest Neymar's entourage. If there are serious suggestions he could double his money at Real, then the Selecao skipper will at the very least head into his Barca contract renewal negotiations firmly in the driving seat.

TAP-INS

- The Mirror reports that Swansea are close to re-signing Jonathan de Guzman from Napoli, but given up on signing striker Manolo Gabbiadini from the same Serie A side as he's too expensive after Wolfsburg's £19m offer was rejected.

- Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has spoken of his need for more firepower, and the Mirror suggests that the Foxes boss is chasing CSKA Moscow striker Ahmed Musa. The 23-year-old will reportedly cost £19m, with Leicester already seeing a £15m bid rejected.