Top transfer round-up: Sevilla back in for United ace, while Dortmund ramp up pursuit of Zaha

 

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

 

Borussia Dortmund want Zaha to replace Pulisic

 

Borussia Dortmund have set their sights on signing Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace at the end of the season.

 

The Bundesliga leaders want to sign a replacement for Christian Pulisic in the summer once the United States international joins Chelsea in a £58m deal.

 

Gladbach ace Thorgan Hazard has been linked with a move to Dortmund and now it has emerged Lucien Favre’s side are considering Zaha.

 

Only Eden Hazard (65) has completed more dribbles than Zaha (62) in the Premier League this season.

 

Arsenal keen on Manchester United creator

 

Arsenal manager Unai Emery is monitoring Juan Mata’s future at Manchester United.

 

Mata has entered the final six months of his current United deal and is free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs.

 

The 30-year-old worked with Emery at Valencia and the Spaniard is keen to reunite with the United midfielder in the summer.

 

He has only started three of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s opening seven matches in charge of United, though the interim boss wants the club to hand Mata a new deal.

 

Inter close in on Southampton defender

 

Inter are in advanced talks to sign Southampton right-back Cedric Soares on loan for the remainder of the season.

 

The Serie A giants have turned their attention to Soares after being priced out of a move for Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian.

 

Soares has endured a nightmare season with Southampton and Inter are keen to hand him a way out with a loan move this month.

 

Since August 2016, only Andros Townsend (90) has completed more cross (excluding corners) than Soares (85) in the Premier League.

 

 

Sevilla back in for Manchester United forward Martial

 

Sevilla have rekindled their interest in Manchester United forward Anthony Martial after failing to sign Alvaro Morata from Chelsea.

 

The Spanish side are desperate to bolster their offensive options ahead of the Champions League knockout stage.

 

Martial is currently locked in talks with United over a new long-term deal but Sevilla want to see if there is a deal to be done with the Red Devils.

 

Sevilla will intensify their pursuit if they are offered any encouragement, though it’s highly unlikely they will succeed in their pursuit of the France international.

 

Martial has scored eight league goals for United this season, no team-mate has managed more.

 

Suarez rejects Betis and Sevilla for Arsenal

 

Denis Suarez has angered Barcelona by rejecting Sevilla and Real Betis in favour of joining Arsenal.

 

The Spaniard is free to leave Barcelona this month but the Spanish giants want to secure a permanent deal.

 

Betis and Sevilla are both offering €20m for the 25-year-old, though Suarez has his heart set on reuniting with Unai Emery at Arsenal.

 

Talks between Arsenal and Barcelona broke down earlier this week after the Gunners refused to include a clause to make his move permanent in the summer.

 

Liverpool target offered new deal

 

RB Leipzig have offered Timo Werner a new contract in a bid to secure his long-term future.

 

Werner will only have 12 months left to run on his current Leipzig deal in the summer and the Bundesliga side will almost certainly have to sell if no new deal is agreed by then.

 

Leipzig have even included an escape clause in the proposed terms that will allow the Germany international to join one of 10 European clubs, including Liverpool.

 

The 22-year-old has scored 11 goals in 18 league appearances, though has netted all of his goals in just six of those matches. Furthermore, only one player has missed more clear-cut goalscoring chances than Werner (12) in the Bundesliga this season.

 

Middlesbrough sign John Obi Mikel

 

Middlesbrough have announced the arrival of John Obi Mikel on a deal until the end of the season.

 

Mikel has spent the last two years in China with Tianjin TEDA but has secured a return to England for family reasons.

 

Tony Pulis hopes the former Chelsea midfielder can bolster the club’s push for promotion with his experience, having won every trophy on offer during an 11-year stint at Stamford Bridge.

 

Of the 68 players to attempt at least 25 dribbles in the Chinese Super League last season, Mikel had the best success rate (90%).

 

Arsenal in talks with PSG for young midfielder

 

Arsenal manager Unai Emery is plotting a raid of former club Paris Saint-Germain for out of favour midfielder Christopher Nkunku.

 

The 21-year-old wants to leave PSG in search of regular playing time and Arsenal are exploring the possibility of a loan move this month.

 

Nkunku is regarded as a utility player at PSG but sees his future in central midfield, which is where Emery plans to use him.  

 

However, PSG will only sanction his departure if they can bolster their squad with new faces before next week’s transfer deadline.

Top transfer round-up: Sevilla back in for United ace, while Dortmund ramp up pursuit of Zaha