The winter transfer window reopened on New Year's Day. The timesofmalta.com sports section will keep you up-to-date with all the latest transfer gossip and movements throughout the whole month. So make sure you stay with us to follow all the latest developments.

10.15pm That's all for today! Thank you for following us and we invite you to join us tomorrow for another day full of transfer news. 

10pm Amadou Diawara is pushing for a January exit, but Napoli want €40m for the Fiorentina, Milan and Premier League target.

The midfielder has made only 10 competitive appearances this season for a total 483 minutes of football.

He does not seem to play a large part in Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans and is eager to move on.

According to Radio CRC, Diawara and his entourage have been told he can only leave in January for €40m.

9.50pm Roma-owned Gregoire Defrel is on loan at Sampdoria, but received interest from Fulham, Watford and West Ham United.

The 27-year-old forward joined from Sassuolo in the summer of 2017 for a total €20m and was sent out on loan to Sampdoria for €1.5m this season.

According to Sky Sport Italia and La Gazzetta dello Sport, it is possible he will intercept that spell six months early and go to England.

9.30pm Independiente President Hugo Moyano confirms he discussed Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez with Atalanta, but there is “nothing definite.”

The 30-year-old’s performances in Bergamo recently earned him his senior international debut for Argentina.

“We have had a conversation for Gomez, but there is nothing definite in it,” Moyano told Radio 10.

9.15pm Sevilla forward Luis Muriel is “very happy to be here, as I gave my word to Fiorentina some time ago” and therefore snubbed a Milan offer.

The Colombia international landed in Bologna airport this evening, travelling on by car to Florence, where he’ll have his medical tomorrow.

“I am very happy to be here,” Muriel told reporters as he arrived for a loan move with option to buy.

9pm Roma are in negotiations to send Rick Karsdorp back to Feyenoord, but it remains to be seen whether there’s an option to buy.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, a return to the Netherlands is practically guaranteed in the January window.

They are still discussing the formula of the deal, as Roma want it to be a straight six-month loan so he can regain fitness and confidence after numerous injury problems.

8.45pm Udinese are reportedly on the verge of signing Dutch left-back Marvin Zeegelaar from Watford.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, a deal is practically done for the 28-year-old.

He joined Watford in the summer of 2017 from Sporting CP for €3m.

8.30pm Bologna have reportedly struck a sensational double deal with Villarreal for both Roberto Soriano – via Torino – and Nicola Sansone.

It was already well known that the Rossoblu had an agreement to take over Soriano’s contract with Torino, on loan with option to buy at the end of the season for €13m.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sky Sport Italia and more sources this evening, Bologna have also managed to negotiate a similar package with Villarreal for striker Sansone.

8.15pm Juventus director Fabio Paratici is reportedly meeting Jorge Mendes to discuss a deal for Sporting Braga teenager Trincao.

The forward just turned 19 last week and has a tally of 11 goals in 16 caps at Under-19 level for Portugal.

According to Calciomercato.com, Paratici was in Dubai today for an encounter with agent Mendes, who is acting as an intermediary between the clubs.

8pm Birkirkara completed their second signing in the January transfer market after reaching an agreement with Floriana for the permanent move of Clayton Failla.

The former Floriana and Malta international Failla signed a two and a half years contract.

7.45pm Crystal Palace midfielder Jason Puncheon is set to join Huddersfield on loan, according to the Independent.

Puncheon, whose contract at Selhurst Park expires at the end of the season, has made just five appearances for Roy Hodgson's side this season.

He will now replace Rajiv van la Parra, who left Huddersfield for Middlesbrough, at the John Smith's Stadium with the hope of earning a new contract in the summer.

7.30pm Mesut Ozil wants to stay at Arsenal beyond the end of his current contract, his agent has told Goal.

Ozil has been linked with a move away for the Emirates after being left out of Unai Emery's team in December, with the Arsenal boss saying it was for 'tactical reasons'.

The German is currently out with a knee injury and missed the games against Liverpool and Fulham but he is not looking for a move when he returns to fitness, his agent Dr Erkut Sogut has said.

7.15pm Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari expects Isco to remain at the club amid rumours the attacking midfielder could leave the Santiago Bernabeu after losing his place in the first team, the Daily Mail are reporting.

Isco has not started a league game since Solari replaced Julen Lopetegui as head coach in October but the Argentine has backed the Spain international to stay and rediscover his best form.

"Every player here has to be committed, dedicated and keep working with hope and excitement; they are all fundamental to us," Solari is quoted as saying.

7.00pm Atletico Madrid face losing four defenders in the next few months - and three of them could leave for free, according to Reuters.

Diego Godin, Juanfran and Filipe Luis are all out of contract in the summer and can now negotiate with other clubs over a free transfer in the summer.

Meanwhile, Lucas Hernandez is believed to be a target for Bayern Munich, with reports suggesting that the German champions are ready to trigger the 22-year-old's 80m euro release clause.

6.55pm The LA Galaxy have tabbed Guillermo Barros Schelotto as the club's next manager.

6.30pm Rangers and Southampton remain in talks of a potential move for Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis, according to Sky sources.

Nothing has been agreed as yet with discussions centred around personal terms. If the deal goes ahead it will be a permanent transfer.

Davis, who played 152 games for Rangers between 2008 and 2012 before moving to St Mary's, has six months remaining on his Southampton contract.

6.15pm Chelsea defender Gary Cahill was linked with Milan, Roma and Inter, but seems to be staying in England with Fulham.

The veteran former captain is no longer part of Coach Maurizio Sarri’s plans for this season.

He had been floated as an option for Serie A sides seeking mature reinforcements in the January transfer window.

6pm Sporting CP have given the all-clear for Emiliano Viviano to join SPAL on loan, with a medical tomorrow or Friday.

According to Sportitalia, a deal has been done today for the six-month loan.

The 33-year-old is expected to be in Italy over the next 48 hours for his medical and to sign the contract.

Viviano was sold to Sporting Lisbon by Sampdoria over the summer, but never actually played for the Portuguese club, as they were tormented by a change of President, Coach and many of the players.

5.30pm Inter are keen to sign Manchester United utility player Ashley Young on a free transfer, according to the Daily Mirror.

The winger-turned-full-back is out of contract at Old Trafford in the summer, meaning that he is now free to negotiate with clubs outside of England.

United are understood to be negotiating a one-year extension with Young but Inter are willing to offer a two-year deal and, with the club well-placed to qualify for next season's Champions League, hope to persuade him to make the move to the San Siro.

5.15pm According to La Stampa, Torino are chasing the signature of Diego Perotti.

The Argentine player is prepared to leave Roma already in January, having failed to break through into the starting XI this season.

5.00pm Marek Hamsik’s agent confirmed that Marek Hamsik is likely to complete his career at Napoli.

The Partenopei captain was close to moving to China in the summer, but he ultimately decided to remain in Naples, with two years left on his contract.

“The transfer market? Journalists will have their fun like every year, but he’s reiterated once again that he wants to stay and win something with Napoli.

“His contract expires in 2020 and he has the option for another year. If he renews he’ll end his career at Napoli, and then he’d like to have his last year with Slovan Bratislava.

“He can play at least four more years at the highest levels.”

4.45pm In Spain, Villarreal released former Chile international Manuel Iturra after the 34-year-old defensive midfielder, who played 33 times for his country, started just one match for the La Liga strugglers this season after signing from Malaga in the summer.

4.35pm In France, Ligue 1 club Montpellier signed promising Uruguay international defender Mathias Suarez, choosing to reveal neither details of the transfer fee nor the player's contract.

The 22-year-old arrives in France from Defensor Sporting, a club based in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo where he played more than 100 matches since making his debut as a teenager in 2013.

"It was a dream of mine to come and play in Europe and today I have made this dream a reality by signing for Montpellier," the player said on the club's website.

4.30pm Steve Bruce has been announced as the new manager of Sheffield Wednesday, bringing along old coaching staff Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence with him.

But Bruce will not take the reins until February 1 - so Agnew and Clemence will act as caretaker managers until then.

4pm Juventus are reportedly interested in James Rodriguez, and sporting director Fabio Paratici could meet his agent in Dubai in the coming days.

The Colombian is on loan with Bayern Munich from Real Madrid, but they may not take up their €42m option to buy.

According to SportMediaset, the Bianconeri are interested in the attacking midfielder, and could look to do a deal in the summer.

3.30pm Crystal Palace are still hopeful of signing Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke on loan, Sky Sports News is reporting.

However, it is believed reports that he has completed a medical are premature. Palace are looking for a striker and two wide players in this window. and also expect to allow two fringe players to leave on loan.

3pm Amadou Diawara has decided to leave Napoli during the January transfer window, calciomercato.com is reporting.

The 21-year-old midfielder has a contract until the end of the 2020-21 season but has set his sights on moving to Fiorentina.

The Viola, who are set to travel to Malta for a training camp on Saturday, are interested in tabling an offer to take the player on loan until the end of the season.

Napoli have yet to make a decision on the future of the player but they may likely be ready to part ways with the player who struggled for first-team football so far this season.

2.40pm Wolves are in talks over the permanent signing of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, Sky Sports News is reporting.

The young striker is currently on loan at Aston Villa but their Midlands rivals, in the top-flight Premier League, are determined to get him and would prefer a permanent switch.

Reports that an £18m bid has been accepted by the Blues are premature, Sky Sports News has been told, but Wolves are one of a string of top flight clubs who want to sign him this month.

2.20pm Bournemouth will allow striker Jermain Defoe to leave in January.

Manager Eddie Howe admits it’s been difficult to give Defoe game time, but has been impressed with his professionalism both on and off the pitch.

It is understood there has been interest from a number of clubs in the Premier League and the Championship.

2.00pm Roma are prepared to pay the €7.5m release clause to take teenage Galatasaray defender Ozan Kabak, it’s reported in Turkey.

The centre-back can also play as a defensive midfielder and is currently negotiating a new deal that would almost treble the release clause.

According to FotoMac, Giallorossi chief Monchi is the favourite to convince him into a move.

However, there is also interest from Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais.

1.45pm Inter are reportedly considering a return for Mateo Kovavic, as an alternative to Luka Modric.

The midfielder left the Nerazzurri in 2015 to join Real Madrid, but this season he’s been loaned out to Chelsea.

There is no option to buy included in that deal though, and Tuttosport believes Inter are weighing up the possibility of bringing Kovacic back.

Sporting director Piero Ausilio has been trying to sign a creative midfielder for some time, and tried to sign Luka Modric in the summer.

1.30pm Southampton have put striker Manolo Gabbiadini up for sale and AC Milan are among a number of interested Italian clubs, Sky Sports News is reporting.

Serie A sides Fiorentina and Bologna are also interested in taking Gabbiadini back to his home country, according to Sky in Italy, with the player having struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.

1.15pm Milan’s search for a winger has reportedly taken them to former Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco.

According to Corriere della Sera, Carrasco is Milan’s ‘latest idea’ for the January transfer window after missing out on Cesc Fabregas, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Muriel.

The newspaper writes the 25-year-old ‘isn’t experiencing an exciting spell in his career’, having moved to China last year, and ‘could push for a return to Europe’ this month.

12.45pm Juventus have confirmed their interest in signing Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

Juve were one of five foreign clubs that BBC Sport reported were in talks with Ramsey, who will leave Arsenal once his contract expires at the end of the season.

“We hope it’ll be a season that’s at least as good as those in the last 6-7 years,” sporting director Fabio Paratici told Sky Sport Italia.

“Ramsey? He’s a great player, we really like him and he plays for a great team. His contract is expiring and we’re always alerted to situations that the market offers, so we’ve also been alerted to Ramsey.

“I repeat, for now he’s an Arsenal player and we’re not the only team who want Welshman."

[attach id=691081 size="large" align="right"]Juninho Cabral (right) is set to continue his career in Macedonia with Rabotnicki.[/attach]

12.20pm Brazilian striker Juninho Cabral is set to leave Floriana this month and head to Macedonia, the timesofmalta.com can reveal.

The speedy forward has been offered the chance to continue his career in Macedonia with Rabotnicki and the 26-year-old is set to accept their offer.

Cabral had been in demand in the last few weeks and had offers from other two Premier League clubs and two bids from Gozitan outfits. But now it seems that his heart is set to continue his career in Macedonia.

Cabral has made 11 appearances with Floriana this season, scoring three goals.

12.00pm Genoa president Enrico Preziosi insists “no-one will move until June”, and that includes Krzysztof Piątek.

The Polish striker is behind only Cristiano Ronaldo in the Serie A scoring charts, and has been attracting interest from Napoli, among others.

“No-one will move until June,” Preziosi told Il Secolo XIX.

“We need Christian Kouame, Piątek and Gaston Ramirez. So far there’s been a lot of talk, but no offers have arrived.”

11.45am Tottenham may need to part with at least £20m if they hope to land Hull City’s young winger Jarrod Bowen this month, Sky Sports News understands.

The Tigers are aware that Spurs scouts have been watching Bowen closely in recent matches along with a number of other Premier League clubs - but they are not under any pressure to sell their stand-out star.

11.30am Inter are reportedly ready to offer a two-year contract to Manchester United right-back Ashley Young.

According to The Daily Mail, Inter could appeal to Young, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has yet to agree an extension and can speak to foreign clubs.

The newspaper explains United have ‘discussed giving him a one-year deal’, but it remains to be seen whether the Englishman will accept those terms.

11.15am Muriel heading to Malta... No he is not joining a BOV Premier League club but Luis Muriel will be in the Fiorentina squad who will be conducting a short training camp in Malta from January 5 to 10. Read story here.

The Colombian striker on Wednesday completed his move to the Serie A club from Sevilla on loan for the rest of the season with an option to buy.

The deal was confirmed in a statement on Sevilla’s website, following reports that Muriel had already given Fiorentina his word, despite late interest from Milan.

The Colombian scored 43 goals in 165 Serie A appearances for Lecce, Udinese and Sampdoria, before joining Sevilla for a club-record €21.5m in the summer of 2017.

11am Enrico Preziosi has confirmed that Genoa are close to signing Empoli midfielder Rade Krunic, Juventus’ Stefano Sturaro and Chapecoense goalkeeper Jandrei.

Sturaro seems set to re-join his former club after an Achilles injury ruined his loan spell at Sporting CP, while Genoa have been linked with Krunic since last summer and Jandrei reportedly underwent a medical a few weeks ago.

“We need Piatek, Kouame and Romero and they won’t leave until at least June,” the Genoa president told Il Secolo XIX.

10.55am Prior to Pulisic's announcement Chelsea also made the headlines on the future of Cesc Fabregas.

The Daily Mail reported this morning that Fabregas could re-unite with Thierry Henry for a third time in his career with the Monaco boss keen to bring him to Ligue 1.

Fabregas is out of contact at Chelsea in the summer, and the newspaper - and several other news outlets - report Henry is confident of landing the Spaniard in January.

10.50am Borussia Dortmund have also confirmed Pulisci's departure at the end of the season for a fee of £57.5m - but the 20-year-old will be loaned back to Dortmund until the end of the season.

"It was always Christian's dream to play in the Premier League. That certainly has to do with his American background, and as a result we were unable to extend his contract, " Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said.

"Against this background, we have decided to accept an extremely lucrative bid by Chelsea, given the low contract maturity.

10.45am We start off  the day with a major transfer news as Chelsea have announced that they have signed US starlet Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund for £57.6 million.

10.30am Good morning everyone and welcome to another edition of the timesofmalta.com transfer blog. Keep us company throughout the day to follow all the latest transfe sagas.