Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Man Utd's Fred wanted by PSG

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has claimed that James Maddison won't be sold in January despite strong recent links to Newcastle United.

When asked whether he had assurances Maddison would not be sold, Rodgers told the press: “Yes, absolutely. The key focus at the moment is getting him fit, getting him out onto the field again.

“He’s someone I want to keep here. He’s a top player. But I’ve been given no indication that we have to do anything with James in January. I don’t think anything changes on that front."

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As quoted by Fabrizio Romano (via Twitter) Morocco star Azzedine Ounahi has spoken about his future.

He said: “I’ll pick my future club based on the best sporting project, main factor to decide my next move”.

With the January transfer market fast approaching, the midfielder has been linked with a move to Leicester amongst other teams.

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In an official statement released by New York City Football Club, it has been announced that midfielder Maxi Moralez will leave the MLS outfit to join Argentinian side Racing Club.

Moralez said: “My family and I have decided to return to Argentina, my country, after a very long time. It was a very difficult and personal decision for me, one of the most difficult decisions in my career because of what we’ve accomplished together here."

90min reports that multiple Premier League sides have been offered the chance to sign The 22-year-old striker Tete on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

He is still contracted to Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, but has spent the last six months at Lyon after FIFA suspended the contracts of all foreign players in Ukraine as a result of Russia's invasion.

Tottenham, West Ham, Newcastle and Arsenal have all been named as possible destinations.

Morocco manager Walid Regragui has told Hakim Ziyech he should leave Chelsea after his impressive displays at the World Cup.

The midfielder was key to his nation's run to the semi-final but is less important at club level and has struggled for regular minutes this season.

Regragui told Viola News: “[Selim] Amallah and [Azzedine] Ounahi will surely find better clubs and the same for Ziyech, who has shown what he can do, he deserves to be a starter in Chelsea.”

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According to Duncan Castles in the Daily Record, Atletico Madrid are prepared to let Joao Felix join an English Premier League club on loan in January.

And so, they are asking for a loan fee £8m plus the player's salary to interested parties to strike up a deal.

Discussions with Arsenal are understood to be more advanced at this time, though Manchester United are considering Felix too.

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Erik ten Hag, pushing hard for Marcus Rashford to stay as big part of future project. New meeting will take place to offer him long-term deal after one year extension option triggered. 🔴⭐️ #MUFC

ETH loves Rashford, wants him to stay at all costs.

More: https://t.co/lTPu1pKcHl pic.twitter.com/90JaqfAyVJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 23, 2022

Claudio Ranieri has been announced as the new manager of Cagliari, the club have confirmed, signing a two-and-a-half year deal with the club.

The veteran tactician returns to the club after a 31-year absence, having managed Cagliari for 75 matches between 1988 and 1991.

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— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) December 23, 2022

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that the club will explore options in the market to bolster their attack, as they go after a first Premier League trophy since 2004.

“We will be in the market always active and we will assess the biggest opportunities that we have,” Arteta told reporters. “We are going to be active and active means that we are always looking to strengthen the team.

“This squad doesn’t have the luxury of not maximising every single window, and we have to do that, it is really important, but then we want to get the right profile, the right player and a player that is really going to impact the team and take us to the next level.”

Bayern Munich have reportedly contacted the agent of Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, according to French outlet Media Foot.

The German outfit are in the market for a replacement for Manuel Neuer after it was announced he would miss the rest of the season due to a broken leg sustained while skiing.

Meslier, meanwhile, has impressed for the Whites this season, producing man-of-the-match performances against Chelsea and Liverpool, meaning he has attracted plenty of interest from around Europe.

Inter are considering plotting a move for Cagliari-owned goalkeeper Alessio Cragno if club captain and veteran shot stopper Samir Handanovic leaves in the summer, according to Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Cragno joined Monza on loan from Cagliari in the summer but is yet to make a first team appearance for the Lombard side, meaning the 28-year-old is likely to seek pastures new at the end of the season with Inter on high alert.

Atlanta United have signed goalkeeper Quentin Westberg from Toronto FC on a one-year deal, a statement on the club's website has announced.

“Quentin is a proven goalkeeper in MLS and Europe, and we are excited to welcome him to Atlanta,” Carlos Bocanegra, Atlanta United's Vice President and Technical Director, said in the statement. “We wanted to strengthen our depth at the goalkeeper position this offseason and Quentin will be a great addition to our group.”

TOR ➡️ ATL

Bienvenue dans le 5-Stripes, @QuentinWestberg 🔴⚫️

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) December 23, 2022

Jurgen Klopp laughs after question on Bellingham available in January: “I’m the wrong person to ask about whether Jude is available in January” 🔴 #LFC

“January window? We are looking and if something happens, we will see. From a sports side, we are always prepared”. pic.twitter.com/TsbYYQI742

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 23, 2022

Everton manager Frank Lampard has admitted that he would like to sign a forward in January to have more options in attack.

"We want to help the squad in January, and have more options in forward areas. If the right players become available, we have to try to improve, because particularly where we've had Dominic injured, we know we want more. Our situation is clear, some other clubs are making moves and we have to be smart about how we do it. And more than that, concentrate on the players we have in the building. For sure, when the window opens, we'll be looking to improve the squad," he told reporters.

Conor Coady has been shining in Everton since joining on loan from Wolves and Lampard has acknowledged that the Toffees would want to sign him permanently.

"Conor [Coady] has been brilliant since he's been here in every possible way. I and we would love to make that permanent at some point, but that's not happening right now. We'll keep looking at it," he added.

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Barcelona president Laporta confirms the club has no plans to sell Kessié and Bellerin in January: "We are now convinced that Kessié & Bellerin have more prominence in this second part of the season". 🔵🔴 #FCB pic.twitter.com/kvPlRDQuxb

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 23, 2022

Eddie Howe has revealed that Newcastle United's transfer plans will be determined by the leverage they can get after respecting FFP rules.

"I don't really know, to be honest. We're in a very different position to where we were last year, where we knew we needed to act and some good numbers through the door to lift the group. We're in a different position, also with FFP, where we didn't have a legacy of transfer fees so we had a gap we could attack.

"We're unsure what we want the window to look like, and we're unsure what'll happen. You've got to be very careful not to do something that unsettles the group, but you also don't want a stale group. That balance is crucial, but FFP also plays a part," the manager stated.

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Wolves will offer Adama Traoré a new deal soon, Jules Lopetegui confirms: “We trust Adama and we are going to try, of course, to have him continue here”. 🚨🟠 #WWFC

“I like Adama, so we will see — I don’t know what’s gonna happen”. pic.twitter.com/BmSgg7MiwU

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 23, 2022

Liverpool are keen to sign Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and it seems that the transfer could take place in January, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness).

It has been reported that Fiorentina will not accept an offer below €40 million and there is a belief that the Reds are willing to pay that amount in the upcoming January transfer window.

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❤️🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/yclau0Kf4M

— Andre Onana (@AndreyOnana) December 23, 2022

🇲🇽 𝑩𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒅𝒐 𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒐 🇱🇻#Ochoa #macteanimo #forzagranata #salernitana #uss1919 pic.twitter.com/qHtBAuU0Vh

— US Salernitana 1919 (@OfficialUSS1919) December 23, 2022

Matheus Cunha wrote a heartfelt farewell message on Instagram to Atletico Madrid as his move to Wolves draws near.

"It's about loving and feeling loved," Cunha wrote on Instagram. "Things like this will never change. feeling identified with something, feeling important, feeling affection and feeling part of a whole family, is different.

"To you, Atleti, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have fantastic players as athletes and people. You have fans that make you feel like you're at home even on the other side of the world.

"Football is like this, like any other job, there are people in charge because at one point it was very important, it has its hierarchies and there are those who make decisions and then you also have to make yours.

"My heart will always have a piece of Atleti! You always had my everything simply because I felt you gave me your everything. Thanks a lot, Cunha."

He will join Julen Lopetegui's side on an initial loan deal and with an obligation to buy for £34m in the summer.

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted he wants Lionel Messi to return to the club. 🇪🇸🗞️pic.twitter.com/LnO091SNPh

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 22, 2022

Premier League clubs are following Liel Abada for the future. Talented winger born in 2001, has scored 24 goals and also provided 13 assists in 18 months. 🟢 #CelticFC

Celtic consider Abada as key player and they want to keep him at all costs, even if PL clubs are tracking him. pic.twitter.com/B4ur1XzQs9

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 22, 2022

Leeds and Lyon have both asked Everton about the availability of Mason Holgate, according to The Sun.

Everton are keen to trim their wage bill and could be tempted to sell Holgate in January, particularly as the club are well stocked for defenders currently.

Paris Saint-Germain are planning a shock move for Man Utd midfielder Fred even though the Red Devils have activated a 12-month extension clause in his contract.

The Sun reports that the Ligue 1 champions are long-term admirers and think they can tempt the midfielder to the French capital to play alongside Neymar and Marquinhos.

Man Utd will ask for around £30 million for the midfielder who knows he may have a better chance of regular football with PSG.

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Brentford are considering signing a striker in case Ivan Toney is hit with a ban after being charged with alleged breaches of betting rules.

Sky Sports report the Bees are looking at potential options for the January transfer window and want an experienced player who can hit the ground running.

Tottenham are "eager" to sign Juventus and France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to The Times.

Juventus think Rabiot wants a Premier League move and have told Spurs he will cost £13.5 million.

Rabiot has been offered to Spurs and Arsenal by his mother Veronique who acts as his agent.

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Bayern Munich are not trying to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Argentina international starred at the World Cup but is expected to stay at Villa Park.

Bayern are looking at goalkeeping options but are targeting Alexander Nubel and Yann Sommer.

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