Ollie Watkins: Aston Villa striker open to Arsenal move in January transfer window – Paper Talk | Football News

The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers…

DAILY MAIL

Ollie Watkins would be open to joining Arsenal this month but Aston Villa are determined to keep the England international.

Marco Asensio is one of a number of attacking players Aston Villa are eyeing as Unai Emery looks to bolster his squad before the transfer window closes on February 3.

Manchester United have had to push back Patrick Dorgu’s medical with the club just days before Deadline Day because the relevant documentation and contracts were not completed on time for the original test.

Manchester City have hinted at a major boost regarding the fitness of Rodri, with the club set to name him in their 25-player Champions League squad for the knockout stages despite a serious knee injury that has kept him out since September.

Reigning champions Oval Invincibles were the first of the eight Hundred teams to agree a private investment deal on Thursday when the owners of Mumbai Indians secured a 49 per cent stake for £60m.

THE SUN

Al Nassr are weighing up a shock move for Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

THE INDEPENDENT

Chelsea are interested in Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, although any move is likelier in the summer.

THE TIMES

Tottenham have reached a verbal agreement with Bayern Munich over a deal worth about £50m for Mathys Tel, with the forward set to decide whether to join Spurs or wait for other interested clubs.

The Saudi Pro League has launched another spending spree before its transfer market shuts on Friday, with Al Nassr ready to spend a combined £140m to bring in Kaoru Mitoma and Jhon Duran.

Kevin De Bruyne is open to the possibility of extending his contract with Manchester City.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Aston Villa remain adamant they do not want to sell Ollie Watkins as it emerged Arsenal’s opening offer was around half the price the Midlands club value him at.

Jordan Henderson is in talks over a free transfer from Ajax to Monaco.

English cricket raised more than £100m on the first day of the Hundred franchise sale after stakes were sold to Asia’s richest family and the Tom Brady-backed American investment fund that owns Birmingham City.

THE ATHLETIC

Marco Asensio and Joao Felix are among the list of options Aston Villa are considering as they aim to recruit an attacker this window.

Watford are close to concluding a loan deal for Chelsea left-back Caleb Wiley.

Arsenal are optimistic David Raya will be available for selection against Manchester City on Sunday.

Sergio Ramos is in talks with Monterrey over a possible move to the Mexican club but no formal proposal has been received.

THE GUARDIAN

Aston Villa are weighing up a move for Matheus Cunha with Jhon Duran expected to finalise his transfer to Al Nassr on Thursday.

The Rugby Football Union would consider staging England matches during the Six Nations on Friday nights if it works for broadcasters amid a push from organisers for unions to show more flexibility on kick-off times.

Middlesex’s chief executive, Andrew Cornish, has risked antagonising the England and Wales Cricket Board by appearing to criticise a central element of the counties’ new diversity rules that come into force on Saturday.

DAILY RECORD

Celtic are reportedly looking at Manchester United full-back Tyrell Malacia as an alternative if they fail to bring Kieran Tierney back to Parkhead this month.

THE SCOTTISH SUN

David Gray has insisted he never lost faith in his ability to manage Hibernian.

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