Chelsea appear far apart with Rennes in their valuation of defender Jeremy Jacquet, with the French side holding out on a fee in the region of £55m, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues are known to be looking for defensive reinforcements but there is no guarantee tbey will make a signing this month.

Liverpool are among the other clubs interested in Jacquet, with the youngster widely regarded as one of France’s best emerging talents.

There’s plenty of talent coming through at Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea and Aston Villa are supposedly keen on one of their brightest prospects - Ibrahim Mbaye turned 18 yesterday after becoming Senegal’s youngest ever Africa Cup of Nations scorer earlier in January. Sky Germany say that the Premier League pair are watching him closely.

But then, until Amorim’s sacking, it seemed that Mainoo may have been exiting earlier. There were reasons for him to leave on loan, with Napoli apparently interested. It represented a volte-face, then, and perhaps a sign that Amorim recognised his time was almost up, when he suddenly described the Mancunian as the “future” of United.

Carrick has the task of trying to take United into the Champions League while they search for their next head coach.

Arsenal are reportedly pushing to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, despite their glut of forward options. Football Insider believe that the Spanish club will command a fee of £80m if Arsenal want to do a deal in the summer.

Liverpool have thrown their hat into the ring to sign much sought-after RB Leipzig teenager Yan Diomande.

Tricky forward Diomande shone for Ivory Coast at the recent Afcon and has been superb for Leipzig in recent times.

German outlet Bild are reporting that the Reds are keen to bring the 19-year-old to Anfield, entering a race that also includes Bayern Munich, although Diomande is said to prefer a move to Liverpool.

Could Antonee Robinson be Liverpool’s Andy Robertson replacement? Teamtalk suggest that the Fulham full-back is the subject of renewed interest.

Tottenham have made an approach to Liverpool for left-back Andy Robertson and are in preliminary talks about a deal.

Liverpool are considering the offer for their vice-captain, who is out of contract in the summer, and are yet to decide whether to let the 31-year-old leave.

Another day of rumour-mongering dawns - we’ll have all of the latest on the biggest possible transfer deals throughout with the end of the January window just a week away....

Fabian Hurzeler admitted Diego Coppola could leave Brighton on loan during the transfer window to boost the defender's hopes of being selected for Italy at this summer's World Cup - if they qualify.

"It's a 50-50 situation," Hurzeler said. "Copps might be one player but we really enjoy working with him.

"There's a World Cup upcoming but I'm quite sure in the future he will be a big player for us. But we have to analyse what is best for the club and the individual development for the player."