Ollie Watkins: Aston Villa striker open to Arsenal move in January transfer window – Paper Talk | Football News

The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers…

DAILY MAIL

Ollie Watkins would be open to joining Arsenal this month but Aston Villa are determined to keep the England international.

Marco Asensio is one of a number of attacking players Aston Villa are eyeing as Unai Emery looks to bolster his squad before the transfer window closes on February 3.

Manchester United have had to push back Patrick Dorgu’s medical with the club just days before Deadline Day because the relevant documentation and contracts were not completed on time for the original test.

Manchester City have hinted at a major boost regarding the fitness of Rodri, with the club set to name him in their 25-player Champions League squad for the knockout stages despite a serious knee injury that has kept him out since September.

Reigning champions Oval Invincibles were the first of the eight Hundred teams to agree a private investment deal on Thursday when the owners of Mumbai Indians secured a 49 per cent stake for £60m.

Newcastle are set to engage architects to lead the redesign of St James’ Park or a new build on nearby Leazes Park.

The prospect of an emotional return for Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham in the event of Ange Postecoglou leaving is very unlikely.

Sean Longstaff is set to rebuff Premier League interest and fight for his place at Newcastle.

Rafa Benitez has ruled himself out of the running for the head coach vacancy at Botafogo.

Newcastle are very unlikely to do any transfer business before Monday night’s deadline.

Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure is out for the season after suffering another serious injury.

Sportsbank, the investment vehicle who have entered into an exclusivity agreement to take part-control at Crystal Palace, could make a move into domestic cricket.

Bournemouth want to secure a loan deal for a new striker before next week’s transfer deadline, with first-choice Evanilson still around five weeks away from being available, and back-up centre forward Enes Unal out long-term with a serious knee injury.

Crystal Palace are working on a deal for Juventus defender Tiago Djalo, 24, who will have to cut short his loan with Porto before transferring to Palace.

Newcastle have held talks with Malaga winger Antonio Cordero over a pre-contract agreement.

THE SUN

Al Nassr are weighing up a shock move for Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

Chelsea are ready to go right to the wire in their plans to land Alejandro Garnacho.

Barcelona could play the final two games of their LaLiga season in a third division stadium.

THE INDEPENDENT

Chelsea are interested in Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, although any move is likelier in the summer.

THE TIMES

Tottenham have reached a verbal agreement with Bayern Munich over a deal worth about £50m for Mathys Tel, with the forward set to decide whether to join Spurs or wait for other interested clubs.

The Saudi Pro League has launched another spending spree before its transfer market shuts on Friday, with Al Nassr ready to spend a combined £140m to bring in Kaoru Mitoma and Jhon Duran.

Kevin De Bruyne is open to the possibility of extending his contract with Manchester City.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Aston Villa remain adamant they do not want to sell Ollie Watkins as it emerged Arsenal’s opening offer was around half the price the Midlands club value him at.

Jordan Henderson is in talks over a free transfer from Ajax to Monaco.

English cricket raised more than £100m on the first day of the Hundred franchise sale after stakes were sold to Asia’s richest family and the Tom Brady-backed American investment fund that owns Birmingham City.

Pep Guardiola is ready to register Rodri for the Champions League knockout stages in the hope that the Ballon d’Or winner can return from his serious knee injury this season to play in the latter stages of the competition.

THE ATHLETIC

Marco Asensio and Joao Felix are among the list of options Aston Villa are considering as they aim to recruit an attacker this window.

Watford are close to concluding a loan deal for Chelsea left-back Caleb Wiley.

Arsenal are optimistic David Raya will be available for selection against Manchester City on Sunday.

Sergio Ramos is in talks with Monterrey over a possible move to the Mexican club but no formal proposal has been received.

Barcelona have asked for an extension to play El Clasico at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys with the stadium now unlikely to host a Rolling Stones concert on the same weekend as the La Liga match against Real Madrid.

THE GUARDIAN

Aston Villa are weighing up a move for Matheus Cunha with Jhon Duran expected to finalise his transfer to Al Nassr on Thursday.

The Rugby Football Union would consider staging England matches during the Six Nations on Friday nights if it works for broadcasters amid a push from organisers for unions to show more flexibility on kick-off times.

Middlesex’s chief executive, Andrew Cornish, has risked antagonising the England and Wales Cricket Board by appearing to criticise a central element of the counties’ new diversity rules that come into force on Saturday.

DAILY MIRROR

Jordan Henderson has been stripped of the Ajax captaincy after his bid to force a departure away from the Dutch club took a dramatic turn.

Paris Saint-Germain were the only club in Europe to spend more money in the international transfer market last year than Manchester United.

Arsenal are among the top European clubs currently tracking Adana Demirspor’s teenage goalkeeper Deniz Donmezer.

DAILY RECORD

Celtic are reportedly looking at Manchester United full-back Tyrell Malacia as an alternative if they fail to bring Kieran Tierney back to Parkhead this month.

THE SCOTTISH SUN

David Gray has insisted he never lost faith in his ability to manage Hibernian.

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