Premier League transfer news: Mahrez to Spurs, Griezmann to Manchester United and more, 1st January, 2018

And here it is. First of all Happy New Year. Actually, no; Happy Transfer Window Opening Day. The winter window is now open and clubs are once again allowed to sign players from other clubs. This is the time of the season when the rumour mill will be at its most vehement mood and will churn out a lot of news for us.

This slider, however, has been dominated by Manchester United—of course—as they have been linked with no less than 6 (SIX!) players today. And here are the best rumours of the day…

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#5 Electrifying Everton

Silva has been a frustrated figure at Milan

Well, well, it seems as though Liverpool aren’t the only Merseyside outfit that are going to do some serious business this January. Or maybe, their signing of Virgil van Dijk might have ignited the embers at Goodison Park.

According to Calcio Mercato, Everton are interested in signing Portuguese star and, according to Cristiano Ronaldo himself, his heir apparent for Portugal, Andre Silva. The Milan club only just signed him six months ago for a price around £32 million and would not want to let him go for anything less.

And then there is a report from the Daily Mail that says that the Toffees are also interested in acquiring the signature of Adama Soumaoro. The Lille defender is perhaps the best ball-playing defender in France and has a 93% pass accuracy—and his inclusion would surely help Allardyce and his men.

#4 Southampton want their former starlet

Walcott could head back to Southampton

Theo Walcott is a man in somewhat of a mess. With the World Cup just 6 months away, the England international is at risk of losing his spot with the Three Lions as he has spent of most of his time at the bench with the Gunners this season.

As a result, he is looking to leave and if the report from Daily Mail is to be believed then the former Southampton winger might just head back to the club that groomed him as a youngster. The Saints want him on loan, but are not the only club interested in him as Everton, Watford, Bournemouth, West Ham, Newcastle United and Swansea City have also been mentioned in the report.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s on-loan goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone, will be recalled from Aston Villa and will be sold to West Brom, according to TeamTalk. This news comes as a bad one for the Villa Park outfit, who were hoping to make his deal a permanent one.

#3 Watford and West Ham

Capoue has been a rock for Watford

According to Daily Mail, who seem to be on fire today, the Hammers have targeted Watford’s Etienne Capoue, who has been the lynchpin for Watford ever since joining the club from Tottenham Hotspur. The report claims that the Frenchman could cost around £12 million for the Hammers.

Speaking of Watford, Marco Silva is keen on working with Islam Slimani, who he trained during his time at Sporting Lisbon, reports the Mirror. Newcastle are also one of the clubs interested in the Leicester forward.

#2 The Londoners

Vidal could be allowed to leave

According to Football Transfer Tavern (that’s quite a mouthful), Tottenham have shifted their focus on Riyad Mahrez—who is also on the list of Arsenal—and will look to bring him in January. This signing makes sense since Mahrez could add a lot of creativity to the Lilywhites’ team.

Meanwhile, according to the Daily Star, Arsenal want to sign the player that is on the radar of almost every top club in the Premier League: Wilfried Zaha. Wenger is resigned to lose Alexis Sanchez and sees the Crystal Palace winger as an adequate replacement.

Finally, according to journalist Manuel Veth, Bayern Munich, who are closing in on Leon Goretzka, will let go of Arturo Vidal to Chelsea after completing the signing of the young German.

#Goretzka to Bayern would also explain Arturo Vidal's link to #Chelsea. From what I understand it is likely the Chilean will be re-united with Conte next summer if/when the Goretzka deal goes through.

— Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) December 31, 2017

#1 Too much Manchester madness

Sanchez could move to City this month

Okay, this will be a VERY long read. So bear with me.

The Mirror claim that Manchester City are on the verge to sign Alexis Sanchez, whose contract ends by the end of the season. Meanwhile, the Express claims that Jose Mourinho has urged the Manchester United board to trigger Antoine Griezmann’s £86 million release clause.

According to a very lengthy Manchester Evening News report, Jose Mourinho wants more players in order to challenge Guardiola’s City and has targeted Mesut Ozil and Danny Rose from Arsenal and Spurs, respectively.

And then there is a report from the Mirror that claims that Mourinho is using Paul Pogba in order to convince Paulo Dybala to move to Old Trafford in a deal that could be worth up to £90 million. Also, the Sun claims that Mourinho is keen to bring in countryman Joao Mario from Inter and send Henrikh Mkhitaryan the other way in a deal worth £40 million.

No, no, sigh, that’s not all as Don Balon claim that United have targeted Carlos Soler of Valencia. I guess every player under the sun is being wanted by Jose Mourinho right now.

Fin.