Transfer news LIVE: Virgil van Dijk ‘offered to Real Madrid’ and Man Utd have new target after Gyokeres update

Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold but it’s another Liverpool defender that they have reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign.

Virgil van Dijk was ‘offered to Real Madrid’ by the player’s agent, according to Spanish outlet Relevo, but the Spanish club have declined as they look at other players more suited to their project.

Van Dijk is a free agent in the summer and yet to agree a new contract with Liverpool. His agent is said to have contacted Madrid officials to inform them the 33-year-old was keen on a move to the Bernabeu, especially knowing the team have struggled with injuries at centre-back to David Alaba and Eder Militao, but Madrid refused to take up the option.

Viktor Gyokeres is set to stay at Sporting CP this winter, with negotiations to buy him from the Portuguese club being delayed until the summer, meaning Manchester United will need to look elsewhere to solve their striker issue this January.

Gyokeres has plundered 30 goals for Sporting this season and attracted attention all across Europe but Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb are saying he won’t be leaving Portugal this month.

United, with former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim at the helm, are known to be interested in the Swedish, ex-Coventry star, while the likes of Man City, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also thought to be considering bids.

Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao is being chased by Arsenal and Liverpool, among other Premier League clubs.

According to CaughtOffside, Paixao has impressed scouts of both sides as well as the likes of Spurs, Aston Villa and West Ham. He could be available for around €30-35m.

No talks have taken place or offers made as of yet but Arsenal and Liverpool have received glowing reports from their scouts.

Juventus have offered to swap Dusan Vlahovic for Joshua Zirkzee as part of a January transfer move according to talkSPORT.

Zirkee has only scored three Premier League goals since his arrival at Old Trafford and is in the firing line as one of the squad players underforming.

The Dutchman signed for £36.5m in the summer but could make an early exit if a swap deal for Vlahovic can be arranged. Vlahovic has just 18 months left on his Juve contract in Turin and the Italian giants hope to benefit from his exit.

The Serbia international is the club’s top scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions and has the ability to lead the line for United.

The Serie A club’s interest is not advanced at this stage but United are aware that Rashford is wanted at San Siro.

The 27-year-old said last month he was “ready for a new challenge” after spending his entire career at Old Trafford and falling out of favour under new head coach Ruben Amorim.

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The Ipswich Town striker has only scored six goals so far this term, but his performances have impressed a range of top-flight teams, including Chelsea and former club Manchester City (who have included a buy-back clause for the 21-year-old).

Reports suggest that Delap could be available for £30m this window, though it remains to be seen if Ipswich would be that willing to sell a key player as they look to avoid relegation.

Chilwell is another Chelsea player who was quickly moved onto the fringes of the squad when Enzo Maresca took over, and he has made just one appearance so far this season – against Barrow in the Carabao Cup.

Maresca has admitted that the former England international is free to leave during this window, though it is not known how much the club would demand for the 28-year-old.

The left-back has been linked to a range of sides including Manchester United, Juventus, West Ham and Brentford.

Mendes is another ex-Sporting player who is now being linked to United, partly because of his spell under Amorim but also due to his ability to play wing-back.

The 22-year-old currently plays for PSG, but reports from France suggest that he has been unable to agree a new deal with his club and now wants to leave. His current deal runs out in the summer of 2026.

His ability to play wing-back means that United will continue to be linked, though a deal wouldn’t be cheap. Reports suggest that United have made an offer for Mendes, but there are not yet any details regarding the amount offered of any terms.

Gyokeres has been one of the in-form strikers on the continent since the beginning of the season, and his time under now-Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim means that he is continuously linked to United.

As it stands this season, the striker has 23 goals in 22 games across the Primera Liga and Champions League, and with United having struggled upfront after signing Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in recent windows, Amorim could well look to his old club to reinforce a struggling United attack.

Though te Swedish striker has proved himself as prolific in front of goal during his spell in Portugal, it is unlikely that United will try to make a move this month, with the club reportedly struggling under PSR regulations and Sporting reportedly setting an asking price around £60m.

Alexander-Arnold won’t literally move this month, but he could well agree a move away from Liverpool as he enters the lasts months of his contract.

The full-back is among a trio of Liverpool players who are waiting on an offer from the club, and he has been widely tipped to agree a move to Real Madrid for the summer.

It seems like a 50/50 between agreeing a new deal and moving to Los Blancos, so this month could prove key to the 26-year-old’s future if Liverpool continue to stall.