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.

7pm That's it for today. We will be back with you on Monday. Good night folks!

6.55pm In another news concerning Balzan, Alex Alves has completed his move to Saudi Arabia side Al Akhdoud, who are currently playing in the third tier of Saudi Arabia.

Alves had announced last month that he was leaving Malta to continue his career in Saudi Arabia.

Alves was a key figure at Balzan this season, having scored seven goals in 17 games in all competitions including in team's 2-2 draw against Hibernians in the Premier League on Monday.

The Brazilian's first club in Malta was Tarxien Rainbows, with whom he featured in 65 games, scoring 11 goals while registering 11 assists, while with the Reds he scored 16 goals and had 9 assists in 46 games.

6.45pm Confirmation of the news we broke out yesterday as Paul Fenech is now officially a Balzan player.

The Malta midfielder moves to Balzan from Birkirkara in a permanent transfer and has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year contract.

6.30pm Colombia international Juan Fernando Quintero claims his agent has held talks with Manchester City.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder is currently on loan at River Plate from Porto.

He told Radio Closs Continental: "My representative has met with people from Manchester City, I'm very proud that they have looked at me."

 

6.05pm There were emotional scenes at Stamford Bridge today as Cesc Fabregas made his final appearance in the Blues 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. The Spanish international is set to to join Monaco later on this month.

5.50pm Torino are prepared to offer a player to Watford as part of a deal to secure the signing of Roberto Pereyra in the summer, according to Tuttosport.

The former Juventus player has been a standout performer for the Hornets this season but a return to Italy may be too tempting for him to ignore.

5.30pm Manuel Pellegrini says striker Andy Carroll wants to remain at West Ham.

Carroll, who is out of contract in the summer, netted in the Hammers' FA Cup win over Birmingham today.

Asked about the striker after the match, Hammers boss Pellegrini said: "I never had any doubt that Andy Carroll wants to stay here, he doesn't want to go anywhere."

5pm Ernesto Valverde says his future as Barcelona head coach will not be decided until the end of the season.

"I have a contract with the club which was two years plus an option and at the end of the season we have to decide whether I continue or not," he said. "We will postpone that decision for further down the line, depending on how the season goes."

4.35pm Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has revealed new signing Dominic Solanke has a hamstring injury and probably won’t play until February.

Solanke joined yesterday in a £19m deal from Liverpool and did not play in Bournemouth's FA Cup defeat to Brighton today.

4.20pm Yannick Carrasco has reportedly asked to leave Dalian Yifang, but Milan face competition from Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

The 25-year-old Belgium international made the move from Atletico Madrid to China just under a year ago at a cost of €30m.

However, he is believed to be missing Europe and has put in a transfer request for the January window.

Milan have already openly declared their interest, but Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also evaluating the situation.

4.05pm There’s a €50m Manchester derby on the cards between United and City for Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic.

According to the Corriere dello Sport newspaper, both Premier League giants have set their sights firmly on the Serbia international.

There are believed to be offers lined up for Milenkovic from both Manchester United and Manchester City worth in the region of €50m.

The 21-year-old centre-back had already been the subject of a rumoured €40m bid from Atletico Madrid over the summer.

3.50pm Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez is close to signing a deal with Arsenal, according to reports from SkySports Italia.

The Spaniard, who played under Unai Emery at Sevilla, has previously been the subject of interest from clubs in Italy, including AC Milan and Roma.

It is understood Emery is keen to work with Suarez once more and the player would be happy to reunite with his former coach.

3.25pm Milan have confirmed the signing of Lucas Paqueta.

The 21-year-old, rumoured to be a Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool transfer target, signed a five-year deal with the Serie A club. He is expected to be officially revealed next when the team meet up again after the winter break.

3.10pm Marseille are in need of offensive reinforcements and the club are looking into the possibility of signing Mario Balotelli, according to Le10Sport.

The Nice forward is yet to score this season in his 10 appearances for the club but he has found the back of the net 43 times in the previous two seasons.

He knows the league and the club would not have to break the bank to land him. Newcastle United are also believed to be interested in the former Man City and Liverpool forward.

2.50pm Wolves have reportedly approached Juventus for full-back Rogerio, currently on loan at Sassuolo.

The Brazilian turns 21 next week and can play as a left-back or in a more advanced left wing-back role.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Premier League club Wolves have made a proposal to sign Rogerio in the January transfer window.

Sassuolo would need to give the all-clear, as his loan with them runs until June 2019.

2.30pm Timesofmalta.com understands that one of the players who is on a trial at BOV Premier League side Qormi is Brazilian Lucas Santana.

The 20-year-old is a central defender who has spent his career in his native in Brazil so far. 

Since 2010/2011, he has been on the books of E.C. Primavera de Indaiatuba, Independiente de Limeira F.C, AA International de Limeira, Fluminense FC, Rio Claro FC, Aval FC and Botafogo FC. 

The Brazilian is among several other players who are currently on trial at the Maltese club ahead of the second part of the domestic championship which will resume next weekend. 

2.05pm BOV Premier League sidde Pietá Hotspurs are set to send youth Ayrton Mizzi on loan to Division One side Gudja United during this transfer window.

The 22-year-old midfielder failed to break through into the starting XI of coach Ramon Zammit, having played only three games in the top-flight during this campaign.  

2pm Manolo Gabbiadini is in negotiations for a return to Sampdoria, on loan with €12m obligation to buy from Southampton.

Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed this week that Gabbiadini could leave “in the next few days.”

While Milan, Bologna and Fiorentina had been mentioned as options, Sky Sport Italia claim that Sampdoria are the new hot favourites.

It’d be a comeback to Marassi for Gabbiadini, who already played there from July 2013 to January 2015, when he was sold to Napoli for €12.5m.

1.40pm Milan, Arsenal and Schalke 04 have made offers for Medhi Benatia, but Juventus refuse to release the centre-back in January.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 31-year-old Morocco international is more than happy to consider moving on, as he is frustrated at the lack of regular playing time.

However, Juventus have no intention of letting him leave mid-season.

Benatia has been given just six competitive appearances this term and his contract is due to expire in June 2020, so a summer exit is more than likely.

1.25pm Brahim Diaz is on the brink of completing his move from Manchester City to Real Madrid, for a fee that could rise as high as £22m.

Sky Sports News is reporting that Real will pay an initial £15.5m, with add-ons that could be worth a further £6.5m. The Spanish winger is in the final 6 months of his contract and rejected the offer of a new deal to stay in Manchester.

1.15pm Celtic have signed Oliver Burke on loan from West Brom until the end of this season, subject to a medical.

The 21-year-old winger has made 21 appearances for the Sky Bet Championship side, scoring one goal. He has also been capped five times by Scotland, making his international debut against Denmark in March 2016.

He will join up with Brendan Rodgers' squad this week for their winter training camp in Dubai.

1.05pm Inter are close to signing Atletico Madrid centre-back Diego Godin on a free transfer, SkySports Italia are reporting.

The Uruguay international has six months left on his contract in Spain and is set to agree a two-year contract with an option for a third.

The 32-year-old was linked with a moved to Manchester United last summer.

1pm Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our transfer blog. Stay with us to follow all the latest news from the January window.

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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 news. 

10pm Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal are ready to offer Alejandro Gomez a huge salary, reports suggest, as well as offering €15m to Atalanta.

Papu is Orobici captain and a fan favourite, but there are fears he could leave the club this month.

Independiente are interested, as are clubs in China and the UAE, but calciomercato.com reports Al-Hilal are the most serious about making a move this month.

9.45pm Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, a known target for Serie A clubs, has reportedly agreed to join Barcelona this summer.

Rabiot had been linked with moves to all of Italy’s top sides since last year, including Juventus, Napoli, Roma, Milan and Inter.

However, transfer experts Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano claim Rabiot will put pen to paper on a five-year contract with Barca worth €10m a season.

9.30pm Cruzeiro have confirmed that an Italian club, thought to be Inter or Roma, have made a bid for teenage goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao.

Sky Sport Italia reported last weekend that Inter were in talks for Brazao, while Pagine Romaniste claims Roma are also in the race to sign the 18-year-old Brazil youth international.

“The player’s camp presented us with a bid of €2.5m,” Cruzeiro President Idair Machado told O Tempo.

9.15pm Premier League side Qormi have released three players, the timesofmalta.com understands.

Defender Lubos Adamec and offensive pair Michael Camilleri and Seo-In Kim won't continue their careers at the Maltese club.

Meanwhile, the club have also several players on trial from which they will register to their first squad in the coming days. 

9pm Huddersfield have completed the signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Jason Puncheon on loan until the end of the season.

8.15pm Goalkeeper Philip Schranz is heading to another loan during this transfer window as several clubs from Division One are chasing the signature of the goalkeeper on a loan basis.

Pembroke Athleta are the favourites to acquire his services even though promotion challengers St Lucia are also looking to sign the goalkeeper.  

8.00pm More transfer news from Maltese football as Tarxien Rainbows are currently one of the most active teams on the market.

The Rainbows are negotiating with wing back Uchenna Umeh, who most recently was released by Birkirkara. 

The Nigerian midfielder played only four games for the Stripes this season after joining them during the summer transfer window from Valletta. With Birkirkara, he played only six games so far. 

At the Citizens, Umeh played 71 games in all competitions, scoring 11 and assisting on eight occasions. 

Moreover, Jose Borg's team may also bring in an Austrian attacking midfielder while they could part ways with defender Stefan Radovanovic, who played 12 games in the top-flight this season. 

The Serbian defender joined the club during the January transfer window of last year from Novi Pazar of Serbia and has since been a key figure at the Rainbows. 

[attach id=691482 size="large" align="left"]John Arne Riise (second from right) is Birkirkara's new sporting director. Photo: Birkirkara FC[/attach]

7.30pm A high-profile addition for BOV Premier League side Birkirkara as they appointed John Arne Riise as their new Sports Director, a role which they created for the former Liverpool player. 

The former Norway international will be working together with the Club Technical Director, Michael Valenzia and Senior Team Manager,  Jeffrey Farrugia in a new set-up which shall commence with immediate effect.

Following Riise's appointment, it remains to be seen whether Paul Zammit will be retained as first team coach given the difference of opinion he had with the club administration. 

7.15pm Another confirmed deal at the Vitality Stadium...

Bournemouth have confirmed the signing of Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne on loan until the end of the season.

6.45pm Sky sources understand Real Madrid are close to landing a permanent deal for Manchester City winger Brahim Diaz.

The player is due in Madrid in the next 24 hours to finalise the transfer, having rejected a contract offer to stay at City.

Diaz has made no secret of his desire for more first team opportunities and with his current deal expiring in the summer City have made the decision to cash in now.

6.30pm Milan have announced the signing of Lucas Paqueta from Flamengo.

The Brazilian midfielder has signed a five-year contract at the San Siro.

6.15pm Bournemouth have completed the signing of striker Dominic Solanke from Liverpool.

The 21-year-old moves to the Vitality Stadium for an undisclosed fee and has signed a long-term deal.

[attach id=691472 size="medium" align="right"]Yudai Miyamoto (left) during his presentation at Balzan. [/attach]

5.45pm Some news from Maltese football as Yudai Miyamoto is on his way to Senglea Athletic.

The BOV Premier League side has been looking to bolster their squad with new foreigners and one of their first acquisitions could be Balzan's Japanese midfielder.

The 21-year-old midfielder only played once for the Reds, in their FA Trophy tie against Qrendi which they won 5-1. 

Prior his experience in Malta, the Japanese midfielder played in Lithuania and Japan. 

5.30pm Everton are reportedly targeting a move for Celta Vigo midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, according to the Liverpool Echo.

4.50pm Diego Maradona’s lawyer assures he’ll return to Dorados “and will continue as Coach for the entire season”.

The Mexican second division is due to get underway this weekend, but the Napoli legend hadn’t shown for pre-season training.

Reports earlier on Friday suggested that El Diego had basically gone AWOL, but it has now been confirmed he’ll return to his post.

“Diego Maradona has arranged to stay with Dorados de Sinaloa, and will continue as Coach for the entire season,” Matias Morla wrote on Twitter.

4.30pm Heerenveen midfielder Morten Thorsby is in Genoa for a medical, ahead of a proposed summer move to Sampdoria.

The 22-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, so he’s free to negotiate with other clubs from this month.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio’s website, Thorsby has been in Italy since Thursday, and is taking his medicals with the Blucerchiati.

4.15pm Milan forward Fabio Borini is moving closer to a move to Shenzhen, with reports they’ve raised their offer to €8.5m.

The Chinese Superleague club are keen to bring the Italian international to the Far East, while the Rossoneri hope to use his sale to give them room for manoeuvre on the transfer market.

4.05pm Roma are keen to sign midfielder Leander Dendoncker, who is currently out of favour at Wolves, but SkySports News is reporting that the club have so far received no formal approach.

The deal would be a complex one – Dendoncker is currently on loan at Molineux from Anderlecht, and we understand there are plans for that deal to be made permanent for a £12m fee in the summer.

3.45pm Manolo Gabbiadini is set to leave Southampton and the Italian striker looks likely to continue his career away from the Serie A despite interest from Milan.

The 27-year-old striker is being courted by Real Betis while he has also offers from Russian sides CSKA Moscow and Spartak Moscow, Fenerbahce, of Turkey and Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04.

3.30pm Jordan Veretout’s agent says his client won’t leave Fiorentina this month as “€30-35m is not a figure to spend in January”.

The midfielder has been linked with Napoli, among others, but will stay with the Viola until the end of the season.

“Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli likes Veretout, I’ve spoken about that several times,” Mario Giuffredi reiterated on Radio Marte.

“January isn’t his market though, because Fiorentina are aiming for Europe so he’ll stay with the Viola until June.

“He’s a great player who costs a lot, and clubs can’t always make those kind of investments in January. €30-35m is not a figure to spend in January.”

3.10pm Barcelona are willing to pay around €120m for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, reports in Italy said.

The Senegal international has come to be recognised as one of the best defenders in the world, and the Partenopei rejected offers from England last summer.

Now though Neapolitan newspaper Il Mattino is reporting that Barça are ready to come forward with an offer of €120m.

Real Madrid are also interested though, and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will hope to spark a bidding war between Koulibaly’s man suitors.

2.50pm Mario Balotelli’s move to Marseille is one step away from completion, according to SkySports Italia.

Negotiations are underway to terminate his Nice contract to allow the move.

Balotelli has been linked with a return to the Premier League after the striker wouldn’t commit his future to Nice.

2.20pm West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed speculation that either Andy Carroll or Marko Arnautovic will be sold in the January window.

2pm Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola says Callum Hudson-Odoi is highly valued by the club and he hopes the youngster will remain in west London.

The Italian also said that he believes the attacker - who is wanted by Bayern Munich - can have a big future at Stamford Bridge.

"I know Bayern is very interested in him, but we are as well," he said. "We have been proposing a contract to him for quite a while, so we wait and see. We value him as a player. I know he hasn't played as much as he maybe wanted."

1.45pm Bournemouth have agreed a loan deal for Liverpool full-back Nathaniel Clyne until the end of the season.

1.35pm Torino have confirmed that Roberto Soriano’s loan has been terminated and has joined Bologna.

The midfielder joined the Granata from Villarreal this summer, signing on a loan deal with a €14m option to buy.

However, he has struggled for game time and infuriated fans by liking two posts on Instagram after the Derby della Mole - one by Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating his goal, and the other by Juventus pointing out their 5,000th league goal.

“Torino Football Club announces the resolution of the loan of midfielder Roberto Soriano with Villarreal,” a short statement confirms.

1.20pm Barcelona are in pole position to agree a pre-contract agreement with Toulouse defender Jean Clair Todibo, 19, who is out of contract in summer,  Mundo Deportivo is reporting.

The implications on potential deals for Jeison Murillo (who they signed on loan from Valencia until the summer) and Matthijs de Ligt (their top target for the next transfer window) isn't clear but Barcelona are clearly looking to the future.

1.05pm  Inter made an offer for Jakub Jankto, according to reports, but Sampdoria made it clear they’ll keep him until at least the end of the season.

The Czech midfielder joined the Blucerchiati from Udinese in the summer, but has only made two Serie A starts for Marco Giampaolo’s side.

Jankto was seen as a hugely promising talent during his time in Udine though, and Tuttosport reports that Inter made an offer to take him to San Siro.

The Nerazzurri hoped to do a deal based on a loan with an option or obligation to buy, but Samp made it clear they want to keep the 22-year-old until at least the end of the season.

12.50pm Milan have made an inquiry into the availability of Fulham midfielder Stefan Johansen, according to SkySports Italia.

Johansen was a key player in Slavisa Jokanovic’s promotion-winning team at Fulham last season, but has barely had a look in this term.

The Norway captain has seen new signings Jean Michael Seri, Andre Frank Zambo-Anguissa and even Calum Chambers play ahead of him as the Whites have struggled at the foot of the table.

12.30pm Watford forward Stefano Okaka is set to join Serie A side Udinese on loan, according to SkySports Italia.

The deal until the end of the season also contains a right to buy the striker, who has barely featured for the Hornets this term.

Marvin Zeegelaar is also expected to leave Watford to join the Italian club on loan.

[attach id=691430 size="medium" align="right"]Ricardo Faria[/attach]

12.15pm Paul Fenech is unlikely to be Balzan's last piece of business.

In fact, Balzan are currently in discussions with Tarxien Rainbows over the proposed loan transfer of Brazil striker Ricardo Faria.

The Reds see the lateral forward as a good alternative for Alex Alves who is set to move to Saudi Arabia this month.

However, Faria is not only Balzan's only option as the Reds are also keeping tabs on a Serbian forward.

Balzan are also hoping to finalise the transfer of Steve Pisani from Floriana.

There is an agreement between Balzan and Floriana on the player but so far the transfer has been put on hold.

[attach id=691427 size="large" align="left"]Paul Fenech (right) is joining Balzan on an 18-month deal from Birkirkara.[/attach]

11.45am Paul Fenech is set to make a return Balzan, just six months after leaving the Premier League club to join Birkirkara.

The Malta veteran midfielder had parted ways with Balzan in the summer to join another of his former clubs, Birkirkara.

Despite being a main-stay in Paul Zammit’s squad, in the last few weeks the player has felt that he was no longer wanted at the club and sought pastures new.

Balzan soon sounded interest in the player and reached an agreement with Birkirkara to take back the left-sided midfielder in a permanent switch.

It is understood now that Fenech has already agreed personal terms with Balzan and this evening is set to put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year contract.

11.30am Gabriel Barbosa insists that he wants to stay at Inter despite links to West Ham United and Flamengo.

The striker, known as Gabigol, was on loan with first club Santos after failing to make a single Series A start for the Nerazzurri after his move in 2016.

A loan spell at Benfica also brought no league starts, and it’s widely assumed there’s no place for him at San Siro.

“Before any decision I want to speak with Spalletti,” Gabigol insisted, speaking to Panorama.

“I’ll be in Italy on January 7 for a meeting. I’d like a chance at Inter.”

11.15am  Chelsea are preparing a £36m offer for PSV wide man Hirving Lozano, according to reports in Calciomercato.

The Mexico international, 23, is currently contracted to the Eredivisie champions until the summer of 2023.

11am Genoa midfielder Miguel Veloso reportedly rejected a move to Frosinone, as he is leaning towards proposals from MLS.

According to Sportitalia, the 32-year-old Portugal international is already on his way only three months after signing for Genoa.

His rapport with the Grifone supporters has been tense, as he is considered a representative of unpopular President Enrico Preziosi, especially as he is married to the club patron’s daughter.

10.45am Tottenham have exercised their option to extend Toby Alderweireld's contract until 2020, but could risk losing him for £25m in the summer.

Alderweireld's deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but after triggering this option Spurs have activated a clause in his contract which states he can leave for £25m this summer instead of on a free transfer.

Spurs would have to receive that £25m offer from another club 14 or more days before the end of the summer 2019 transfer window.

10.30am Timo Werner seems reluctant to renew his contract at RB Leipzig, so Juventus and Milan are monitoring the situation.

The German international has scored over 20 goals in the past two seasons, and so far this term he has 14 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions.

According to Fox Sports, the 22-year-old is reluctant to sign a new contract with his current club, and that has put some of Europe’s giants on alert.

Both Juve and Milan have been following him for some time, but with his current deal expiring in 2020 Leipzig would still ask for €60-70m.

10.15am Inter are believed to be keen to bring Marco Benassi back to the club, so could offer Yann Karamoh in exchange.

The midfielder came through the Nerazzurri’s youth system, but after just six Serie A appearances he joined Torino in a co-ownership deal.

Toro won the blind auction for the second half of his contract, before selling Benassi to Fiorentina in the summer of 2017.

Now Tuttosport is reporting that Inter want to bring Benassi back to San Siro, and are prepared to offer Yann Karamoh in exchange.

10.05am Chelsea are looking to find a team for struggling striker Alvaro Morata as they look to bring a new centre-forward in during the January transfer window.

The Daily Mirror is reporting that Sevilla are interested in the Spaniard, and that they could make a bid. Their director of football, Joaquin Caparros, sees him as a replacement for Luis Muriel, who departed for Serie A side Fiorentina.

Morata has been ineffective in front of goal this season, not just with his lack of goals compared to the Premier League's other top strikers, but with the way he fits, or doesn't fit, into manager Maurizio Sarri's system.

10am Good morning everyone and welcome to another day of transfer activity. Stay with us to follow all the latest gossip and news.

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9pm 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. 

8.53pm Ivan Perisic confirms “an offer from Manchester United was on the table and I was close to leaving Inter, but I decided to stay.”

The rumours swirled around for months over the summer, with a reported €50m price-tag on the Croatian winger.

“It's true that an offer from Manchester United was on the table and I was close to leaving Inter,” Perisic told FourFourTwo magazine.

[attach id=691348 size="medium" align="right"]Duane Bonnici will be continuing his career at Premier League side Mosta.[/attach]

8.15pm More transfer news from Maltese football as timesofmalta.com has learned that Mosta have acquired the services of wing back Duane Bonnici from rivals Naxxar Lions for the next five seasons. 

Bonnici played 11 games for the Lions during the 2018/2019 campaign so far, 10 in the Division One and one in the FA Trophy as well, scoring five goals in the process. 

The 23-year-old, product of the club, has played almost a century of games with the Lions throughout his senior career and his displays in the top-tier in the past seasons had already caught the eye of several Maltese clubs. 

7.40pm Confirmation of the story the Times of Malta broke out this morning as Balzan unveil Aleksandar Kosorovic as their new defender.

The Bosnian joins the Premier League club until the end of the season.

7.25pm Timesofmalta.com understands that Senglea Athletic goalkeeper Philip Schranz won't be staying at the Cottonera outfit in the second part of the Premier League season.

The Birkirkara loanee has several options as he received offers from Premier League and Division One clubs. 

The former Melita and Tarxien Rainbows goalkeeper played only five games in all competitions this season, including four in the top-flight. 

He has also a handful of appearances with the Malta U-21 national team. 

7.15pm West Bromwich Albion are interested in signing James McCarthy on loan, as the Everton midfielder steps up his recovery from a broken leg, Sky Sports News understands.

6.45pm Maltese club Mosta could send Moussa Souare on loan to Żejtun Corinthians as the Division One side are currently in talks to bring in the forward into their ranks.

The 20-year-old, who joined Mosta last season, played only four games in the domestic championship with the Blues and according to sources close to the player, he is eager to have more playing time.

Timesofmalta.com understands that the player will be evaluating the offer in the coming days before taking a final decision. 

Born in Guinea, Souare was on the books of three Serie A clubs. In fact, he featured for the Primavera sides of Bologna, Sassuolo and Inter respectively. 

He also played in Serie C with Monopoli and Santarcangelo where he played 13 games in total.

6.25pm Aaron Ramsey’s January move to Juventus looks to be edging closer today - but reports that he has signed a pre-contract agreement are premature, Sky Sports News is reporting.

The Arsenal midfielder has not yet carried out a medical with Juve who are his preferred destination despite interest from a number of Europe’s top clubs.

6.00pm Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has been handed yet another transfer window problem with Isaac Hayden still keen to leave the club.

However Hayden, who handed in a transfer request during the summer for family reasons, has revealed he still wants to go and is hopeful of getting his wish this month.

He said: "It's unchanged and the club have known that from day one. It wasn't going to change. My family, my partner and daughter will always come first. Football is football, but family is more important."

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