Premier League transfer news LIVE: Varane likely to leave Man United, Bournemouth to reject offers for Solanke, Brentford want to keep Toney

'It's perfect!'

Chelsea legend Eden Hazard has admitted that he doesn't miss playing football after retiring at the age of 32.

"It’s perfect. It’s perfect. I’m enjoying life and family in the kids," Hazard said at the Balon D'Or ceremony.

"I can do what I want and it’s a perfect life. 

"Of course [I still watch football]. I have kids. They play football. 

"I watch it on TV when I can. I do other things also but at the moment I don't miss playing football. Let's see in a few months."

Welcome back

Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice's potential return to West Ham will be "beautiful".

But now the Arsenal manager just has to decide whether to play the midfielder in Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash against the Hammers.

Rice could be in line for his first return to east London having shone in the opening months of his fledgling Arsenal career.

It will be his first return against his former club since his £105million summer move to the Emirates Stadium, having captained West Ham to victory in the Europa Conference League final in the last of his 245 games for the club he joined at the age of 14.

"It will be his first time back at his old club and a beautiful moment for him, I think," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference this morning.

"I think it is beautiful. I had a chance to do it a few times and then you really see what they think of you and what you left at the club."

Arteta feels Rice will receive a warm welcome from the West Ham fans, adding: "Every time you hear him talk about West Ham and what they did for him and everybody at the club, he cannot talk any higher of them, so hopefully they will be the same way towards him."

Abraham back to Chelsea?

Roma are reportedly considering offering Tammy Abraham in a swap deal to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea next summer.

Italian outlet Calciomercato claims that the Giallorossi are seeking an alternative to paying the £37m fee upfront for Lukaku.

The Belgian has bagged eight goals in ten appearances as he looks to revive his career under Jose Mourinho.

The report adds that cash-strapped Roma may instead bid to entice Chelsea by offering the goal-shy club Abraham – whom they signed from the Blues in 2021 – in a swap move.

Former Stamford Bridge academy graduate Abraham is currently sidelined with an ACL injury that he sustained on the final day of a difficult second season in Rome last term.

Kep-ermanent move

Real Madrid are eyeing a permanent move for loanee Kepa only three months into his loan at the club, according to The Sun.

The Spanish goalkeeper joined Los Blancos in the summer after their No.1 shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois injured his ACL.

He has started every game since arriving and Real are already looking to discuss making the deal permanent.

Chelsea signed Robert Sanchez in Kepa's place and may be willing to sell the latter to raise money for another 'keeper in January.

'Chelsea will win the Premier League'

talkSPORT's Simon Jordan believes that Chelsea will win the Premier League in the next three years.

The Blues' first season ended awfully as they finished tenth in the Premier League and they are currently 11th in the table this term.

But that has not stopped talkSPORT's Jordan from insisting that Chelsea can win the Premier League within three years - and as early as in two years time...

Saying goodbye to Silva?

Thiago Silva has hinted at retirement with his Chelsea contract coming to an end this summer.

“The end of my career is approaching and it’s not a simple thing," the 39-year-old told Sky Sports Italy.

"I have to think if I stop, or if I continue and where I go: there’s the family, I have two sons who play at Chelsea.

“At the moment it’s I take this opportunity to play and make the most of this last year of my contract at Chelsea.

"But I’m very happy and proud of the career I’ve had, of what I’m doing now at 39 years old.

“I have prepared all my life to make the most of my work: football is my passion.

"Surely after I retire I will continue in this world, I don’t know how yet."

Oh no, Neto

Arsenal could be forced to change their January transfer plans after Wolves winger Pedro Neto picked up an injury.

Neto pulled up with a hamstring issue during his side's 2-2 draw with Newcastle at the weekend.

The Portugal international is a winter target for Mikel Arteta but if his problem is long-term the move will be ruled out, according to the Daily Express.

The Gunners are eyeing a winger ahead of the transfer window but may now have to assess other options.

Chelsea transfers investigated

Chelsea's moves to sign Willian and Samuel Eto'o will be investigated by the Premier League.

The investigation is with regards to secret transfer-related payments made during the Roman Abramovich era.

Chelsea signed both Willian and Eto'o from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013, with reports from The Times saying that financial records indicate payments were made to 'Russian entities' that were separate to any transfer fee.

Anzhi signed Willian from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2013 for £30million before he joined Chelsea for the same amount in August that year.

Meanwhile Eto'o moved to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer just one day later, however there is no suggestion that either player had any knowledge of the separate payments.

This is part of a wider investigation into the payment of millions of pounds by Chelsea to secret offshore companies between 2012 and 2019.

Chelsea report themselves over two transfers which are now being investigated

Pep talk

Simon Jordan believes that Manchester City’s dominance could be under threat when Pep Guardiola eventually decides to leave the club.

City have won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and a Champions League during his time at the club, with Guardiola regarded as arguably the greatest boss in Premier League history.

But while City are well equipped for future success, Jordan believes that they could struggle when he leaves.

Speaking on White And Jordan, he said: “The moment that fella leaves that dugout, the cycle will change at Manchester City.

“I don’t care what Man City fans believe, I don’t care what views they subscribe, as soon as Pep goes they’ll face a challenge on that football pitch.

“If you’ve got the resources behind you where you can buy the best players, the best centre forward in the world, the best coach in the world, the most resources then you’re entitled to be the best team in the world.”

Jordan added: “Cycles change. Evolution works in a different way for different football clubs. No one dominates forever.”

We need to talk about Kevin

Kevin De Bruyne has been linked with a shock move to Saudi Arabia.

The Manchester City superstar, who is sidelined until December with a serious hamstring injury, could make the move to the Middle East in 2024.

Football Insider report that the 32-year-old midfielder could be in line for a “jaw-dropping” contract offer.

De Bruyne will enter the final 12 months of his Etihad contract at the end of the current season.

Ajax Amster-damn

Ajax have named John van't Schip as their new interim head coach.

The decision comes a week after Maurice Steijn was sacked following a run of four defeats in a row, leaving them second-bottom.

Since then, the Dutch side fell to a 5-2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, leaving them bottom of the Eredivisie.

Former Ajax player, Van't Schip, has signed a contract until the summer of 2025, with the ex-Greece coach to take up a technical role at the end of the season once a permanent successor is named.

Blue moon

Simon Jordan believes that Chelsea will win the Premier League title within the next two to three years.

He told talkSPORT: “They’re not trying to screw around, they spent a lot of money.

“This is one of the downsides to having a lot of money, not a lot of football inteilligence and spending way too much money for players.

“There’s no doubt about it, Chelsea will get there, the question is how quickly they’ll get there and whether Pochettino will take them.

“I’ve never felt Pochettino will win them the Premier League. I felt that he would get them to the point where they compete for the top four, but that’s not Chelsea’s blueprint.

“Right now, even that argument appears unsustainable because they’re not great and they’re nowhere near what they should be or what they could be.

“The bottom line is that Chelsea will get there. Chelsea will win the league under Todd Boehly before the next two or three years.”

Art of the deal

Mikel Arteta has reportedly added two La Liga midfielders to his arsenal wish-list.

The Gunners boss is thought to be keen on Martin Zubimendi and Aurelien Tchouameni with Thomas Partey's future uncertain.

According to Calciomercato, Arteta has expressed an interest in signing both Real Sociedad star Zubimendi and Real Madrid's Tchouameni.

Bru-no

Roy Keane has urged Erik ten Hag to strip Bruno Fernandes of the Manchester United captaincy.

The Portuguese playmaker put in a poor performances as the Red Devils lost 3-0 to rivals Man City on Sunday.

Speaking of the player on Sky Sports, Keane said: "After today, having watched him again, I would definitely take the captaincy off him, 100 per cent.

"I know it's a big decision, obviously they did change the captaincy with Maguire, Fernandes is not captain material.

"I think he's a talented player no doubt about it but what I saw today with him again, I know we've discussed this many times before, it was at Liverpool last year. His whinging, his moaning, his throwing his arms up in the air constantly, it really isn't acceptable.

"From what we saw today I'm thinking, 'I would take that off him,' I think you have to start somewhere, you're talking about where do you make change, talking about board level, managers.

"I would start at that because the manager is capable of doing that and hold his hands up and say, 'Listen, I got it wrong.'

"Fernandes is a brilliant footballer but in terms of captain material, he's the opposite to what I would want in a captain."

Ash to ashes

Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has flown to Reading to hold talks over taking over the club, talkSPORT understands.

The League One club are in serious turmoil while current owner Dai Yongge has come under fire from fans.

talkSPORT understands that delegates from Ashley's Frasers Group flew into Berkshire by helicopter on Sunday to meet representatives of Reading's Chinese owner.

Yongge is willing to sell the club after they were deducted 16 points in less than two years for numerous financial breaches.

Reading are in freefall currently and their latest points deduction saw them enter the relegation zone in September.

Gundo-gone

Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has insisted he didn't join the Blaugrana in the summer to come second after expressing his disappointment over Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid.

The ex-Manchester City star opened the scoring at the Nou Camp, before Jude Bellingham struck twice in the second half for the visitors.

He said: "I want to be honest but without going overboard, because I don't want to say what I should say.

"I've come from the dressing room and obviously people are disappointed after such an important game and an unfair result. But I would like to see people more involved and frustrated.

"Emotions don't surface and that's part of the problem. When you know you can play better and you don't react, that then transfers to the field.

"We have to take a step forward in this aspect because if not Real Madrid and Girona will escape. I didn't come here to lose these games and leave cracks open.

"I as a veteran, can't not allow these things to happen. We need resistance."

Feeling blue

Roma are reportedly considering offering Tammy Abraham in a swap deal to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea next summer.

Italian outlet Calciomercatoclaims that the Giallorossi are seeking an alternative to paying the £37m fee upfront for Lukaku.

The Belgian has bagged eight goals in ten appearances as he looks to revive his career under Jose Mourinho.

The report adds that cash-strapped Roma may instead bid to entice Chelsea by offering the goal-shy club Abraham – whom they signed from the Blues in 2021 – in a swap move.

Former Stamford Bridge academy graduate Abraham is currently sidelined with an ACL injury that he sustained on the final day of a difficult second season in Rome last term.

Water under the bridge

Former Leicester star Danny Drinkwater has announced his retirement from football at the age of the 33.

The 2016 Premier League champion has been without a club since being released by Chelsea at the end of the 2021/22 season.

He told the High Performance Podcast: "I'd just like to announce my retirement from professional football.

"It's probably been a long time coming, especially with the last year, but I think it's time to officially announce it now."

He added: "I think I've been in limbo for too long, I've either been wanting to play, but not getting the opportunities to play at a level where I felt valued.

"I just thought I'm restless here for no reason, I'm happy not playing football, but I'm happy playing football, so do I just shake hands with the sport?

"It's all I've known, it's been my life since I was six or seven, it was never going to be an easy thing. 'I think the way it's died down has definitely helped.

"If I was playing week in, week out and had to stop through injury or age I think it would be trickier. 'I've had quite a few offers from Championship clubs, but I never felt the burn, it did nothing for me."

Zubimendi the man for Arteta

Arsenal are ready to re-ignite their interest in Martin Zubimendi this January after seeing a bid rejected earlier this year.

The Daily Mirror state the Gunners are looking for a new defensive midfielder and have also looked at Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni.

But Zubimendi has a £53million release clause, so he is likely to be cheaper than Tchouameni.

The player didn't want to leave in the summer after helping Real Sociedad qualify for the Champions League and has been compared to Sergio Busquets.

Hello, and welcome back to talkSPORT.com's live transfer blog.

Let's start by looking at the biggest story.

Manchester City have slapped a £50million price tag on Kalvin Phillips despite him barely featuring since joining from Leeds in the summer of 2022 for £42m.

The Daily Mirror report that City are aware there are several clubs that are keen on the England international, who needs game time ahead of the Euros next summer.

Newcastle, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Juventus are the clubs said to be leading the chase for Phillips.

Arsenal and Tottenham in for Gimenez

Arsenal and Tottenham are among the sides monitoring Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez.

90min claim the north London duo are keen on the Mexican, but the Dutch giants want upwards of £90million.

Ginmenez joined Feyenoord last summer from Cruz Azul and he scored 23 goals last season.

This year, he has 15 in his first 11 games, including a few in the Champions League.

So it's no wonder Spurs and the Gunners want him, but he also been watched by Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

Neves 'dreams' of Newcastle

talkSPORT sources understand Newcastle are lining up a January loan move for Ruben Neves.

The Magpies are looking into replacements for Sandro Tonali, who has been banned for ten months from football due to his involvement in illegal betting.

Neves is seen as a quality player who can fill a role in Eddie Howe's team.

Plus, Al-Hilal are owned by the Toon's majority owners the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.

And reports in Portugal suggest the former Wolves midfielder 'dreams' of joining the Toon and has already approved the move.

Sancho excluded

Jadon Sancho's situation at Manchester United is becoming increasingly sad after it was revealed by The Athletic that he isn't allowed in the first-team canteen.

The winger's future at Old Trafford looks bleak even if he now apologises to Erik ten Hag for his social media outburst.

Until he does, he is being kept away from the rest of his teammates and has his lunch taken to him in a box every day.

There are several European and Premier League clubs that have looked at Sancho and would be keen on rescuing him from this dreadful situation.

Good morning, and welcome back to talkSPORT.com's live transfer blog

Let's start by looking at the biggest story.

Sandro Tonali's ten-month ban from football has been confirmed by FIFA.

The Italian was initially available for Newcastle today against Wolves and was set to travel with Eddie Howe's men because the Magpies had yet to receive confirmation.

But that has now arrived, and the Italian will start his ban immediately after admitting to gambling on AC Milan matches.

The Toon will start their search for his replacement, and talkSPORT understands Ruben Neves is a possible option.

Red hot Ryan

Jurgen Klopp has hailed Ryan Gravenberch for his performance in last night's 5-1 win over Toulouse.

The 21-year-old, a summer signing from Bayern Munich, was making back-to-back starts at club level for the first time in 18 months, and delivered a stand-out performance, chipping in with a goal.

"I really like him, as a boy, as a player, it's really nice to see how much he starts believing in himself again," Klopp said.

"That's obviously very important for a young player especially.

"There's lot to improve on still which is good news because everybody sees the potential he has."