Transfer gossip: Arsenal ‘chilly’ on Saka swap as Man Utd and Liverpool both busy

Oddly, Arsenal are not keen to lose Bukayo Saka in the middle of a title-chasing season, while Man Utd have good news and Liverpool have an alternative…

ARSENAL ‘RATHER CHILLY’ ON SAKA SWAP
Who would ever have predicted that Arsenal would be reluctant to sell Bukayo Saka in the middle of an unlikely title challenge in which the young winger has claimed six Premier League goals and the same number of assists?

Calciomercato claim that ‘Max Allegri ‘s dream is called Bukayo Saka’, which is nice but we find it hard to imagine that Arsenal would sanction Saka’s sale or indeed that he would turn down a new Arsenal contract to join Juventus. Indeed, it is said that they are ‘rather chilly’ on the idea.

This all stems from the idea that Juventus will sell Dusan Vlahovic just 12 months after signing him ahead of Arsenal.

Six goals in 10 Serie A games this season is a decent return (though one in five in the Champions League is less impressive) but he is currently injured and Juventus have been winning in his absence, with Moise Kean finally thriving in front of goal.

BARCELONA ‘ANGRY’ AT DE JONG U-TURN
When Barcelona desperately wanted to get rid of Frenkie de Jong in the summer to balance the books, the Dutchman was not for shifting to Manchester United.

Now Barcelona want to keep him – he has started 10 La Liga games this season – he reportedly wants out, and has told Erik ten Hag that he is ready to join United in the summer. Though cynically we suspect that might not remain the case if United do not secure Champions League football.

Barcelona are said to be ‘angry’ at this U-turn as they now face the prospect of signing two defensive midfielders this summer, with the 34-year-old Sergio Busquets out of contract this summer.

LIVERPOOL DRAW LINE ON FERNANDEZ
“If there’s something we can do in January which means right player and financial situation…then we will do it, but if not then we will not,” says Jurgen Klopp, with Fabrizio Romano adding that ‘midfield remains the focus but Liverpool insist they won’t pay €120m clause for Enzo Fernández’.

Instead, Fernandez will join Chelsea. Though – as demonstrated on Sunday – Chelsea and Potter have problems far beyond the brilliance of Enzo Fernandez or Mykhailo Mudryk.

Liverpool could instead turn to Morocco World Cup star Sofyan Amrabat, with Jurgen Klopp – according to reports in Italy – ‘pushing’ the club to make a move worth around £44m for a…