Premier League transfer rumours: Lucas Moura to Tottenham, Cristiano Ronaldo forcing a move to Man United and more, 16th January, 2018

16 days of the winter transfer window have passed and we are now in the final two weeks; the squeaky-bum time. These are the days when the clubs will hasten up any loose ends and get deals over the line.

In today's rumour mill, more players have been linked with the usual suspects coupled with updates regarding old targets. So here we go!

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#5 Update on Walcott and the London musings

Moura is being eyed by Tottenham

This is taking too long, isn’t it? For weeks, Walcott has been linked with Everton and yet, he is still an Arsenal player. However, according to the Guardian, it won’t be for too long as the England international is set to seal the deal to the Merseyside for a £20 million fee.

Meanwhile, West Ham are also on the lookout for new players and have been one of the most active names in this mill. And according to the Northern Echo, West Ham are set to test the resolve of Middlesbrough with an offer for Adama Traore.

Finally, Telefoot believe that Tottenham want to sign Lucas Moura on loan, but Paris Saint-Germain are only interested in a permanent deal worth around €30 million.

#4 West Brom and Newcastle

Troy Deeney could be on his way out of the club

West Brom seem to be one of the usual suspects in this column as the club are willing to strengthen their bid to finish above the relegation zone in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Newcastle United are also fighting against relegation and had targeted Watford forward Troy Deeney to help them out.

However, according to journalist Elliot Foster, the deal for Troy Deeney to Newcastle was almost done, but the player pulled out in the last minute after the Toons couldn’t give him assurances about Rafa Benitez’s future at the club.

Hmmm.

Meanwhile, according to this report from Shields Gazette, Newcastle are looking to bring Crystal Palace defender, Pape Souare, on loan this month.

#3 Liverpool and Arsenal

Aubameyang could be in England from this month

Liverpool find themselves in a position where they have £142 million in their pocket, but also a huge void left by the departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona. They now have to sign players to improve their team and also have the necessary funds for it.

There were rumours of Suso returning to Liverpool for as Coutinho’s replacement, but AC Milan have made it clear in their website’s column, L’Edicola Rossonera, that Suso is not for sale for even €80 million.

Meanwhile, The Sun claim that Arsenal are interested Pierre-Emerick Aubamyang and will make an offer of £30 million plus Olivier Giroud for the Gabon captain. The same report also states that Arsenal would only sign one of the two between Aubameyang and Malcom, who was linked with the Gunners by The Guardian.

#2 The Chelsea twist

Chelsea have emerged to hijack United's bid, say reports

What. In. The. World. At first, Manchester City were close to signing Alexis Sanchez but then walked out of the deal due to the expensive nature of it. So Manchester United joined the race and agreed to pay their demand, which included £20 million for the player in signing-on fee and £10 million as agent fees.

And now, in the same Irish Independent report from which the above information was obtained, it has been revealed that Chelsea have emerged in an attempt to hijack the deal from Manchester United. This almost feels like the time Willian was sure to join Liverpool, but then took a medical and Spurs and finally joined Chelsea instead.

Meanwhile, Goal report that Chelsea are looking at Watford’s Richarlison and Gladbach’s Thorgan Hazard, who was once a Blues player, for a summer move to Stamford Bridge. However, West Ham’s Andy Carroll is still the prime target this winter as Daily Mail claim that the Hammers are not willing to let him go on loan and would prefer selling him for somewhere around £30 million instead.

#1 Manchester madness

Pep Guardiola is apparently a fan

Ah, well, this doesn’t ever end—the madness just doesn’t cease to exist. Today, however, there is a little bit of twist here as Manchester City—and not United—are the ones that feature heavily here.

It is being reported by Diario Gol that Pep Guardiola has now set his sights towards Real Madrid starlet Marco Asensio after failing to seal the deal for Alexis Sanchez. They also claim that Asensio is aware of Guardiola’s interest and that he prioritises success with Madrid, but could move should Pep open the door.

Meanwhile, Manchester Evening news believe that Pep Guardiola has been promised big-money signings in the summer to strengthen the Citizens’ attack and the one player that he admires is Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.

You do the rest of the math.

Finally, a source revealed to ESPN that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to move to Manchester United as he is unhappy at not being given an improved contract at Real Madrid, which the AS reported earlier.