Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news snippets from across the footballing world, including AC Milan's reported plan to move for Massimiliano Allegri, Granit Xhaka's decision to stay with Arsenal and Flamengo manager Jorge Jesus's high praise for Jordan Henderson. Scroll down for more!
West Ham linked with Allen, Berge
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West Ham United have been credited with interest in Joe Allen and Sander Berge as David Moyes looks to secure the services of a new midfielder this month. According to the Daily Mail, Stoke star Allen and Genk's Berge are among the names under consideration after talks to sign Gedson Fernandes stalled.
Hart in talks with Minnesota?
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Burnley keeper Joe Hart has opened talks with Minnesota United about a potential switch ahead of the new MLS season, according to The Mirror. The 32-year-old has been tipped to leave Turf Moor this month, having fallen behind Nick Pope in the pecking order, and has also been linked with David Beckham's new Inter Miami side. Minnesota are in the market for a new stopper following the departure of Vito Mannone back to parent club Reading.
Milan to beat United to Allegri?
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AC Milan are planning to approach Massimiliano Allegri with the bold ambition of making the former Juventus boss "their own Sir Alex Ferguson", according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The 52-year-old is believed to have been holding out for the Manchester United job over the last few months, but the Red Devils have so far stuck by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite their underwhelming season so far.
Arteta reveals Xhaka U-turn
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that he has persuaded Granit Xhaka to stay at the club and work to turn around his relationship with the fans. The midfielder had been in line to leave the Emirates this month - with Hertha Berlin touted as a possible destination - after an incident in November which saw him angrily tell fans to "f*ck off".
"The first message for him was that I wanted to understand how he was feeling, why he was feeling that way," Arteta is quoted as saying by The Mirror. "I wanted him to hear, from me, my opinion on him, and that I was ready to support him and that I was ready to push the club to be supportive of him too.
"He could be a really, really good player for us and he could enjoy playing under me. I tried to convince him that way. He thought about it, he had a very positive response afterwards, and I think he changed his mind."
Derby, QPR 'lead race for Jack Clarke'
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Championship duo Derby County and Queens Park Rangers are reportedly battling it out to sign Tottenham Hotspur winger Jack Clarke on loan this month. The 19-year-old joined Spurs from Leeds United over the summer and was immediately loaned back to Marcelo Bielsa's side for the season, but the agreement was cut short last month after he failed to get sufficient game time. Millwall, Stoke City and Middlesbrough are also thought to be interested in his signature.
Flamengo boss brands Henderson 'best in world'
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Flamengo manager Jorge Jesus has heaped praise on Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson following the Reds' victory over his side in the Club World Cup last month. "Henderson is the best midfielder in the world in his position," Jesus told CMTV. "[Jurgen Klopp] never sacks him, but the two offensive midfielders, [Naby] Keita and [Georginio] Wijnaldum, sometimes are replaced. The others players are always the same."
Newcastle 'quoted £22.5m for Lookman'
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Former Everton winger Ademola Lookman will cost Newcastle United £22.5m should they wish to make a move for him this month, according to the Northern Echo. The 22-year-old moved to RB Leipzig in the summer after a loan spell with the German outfit but has failed to make an impact this term. Leipzig are understood to be open to a loan move for the second half of this season but want a guarantee that the deal will become permanent next summer.
Allen wants Spurs to sign Bale, Cavani
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Spurs legend Clive Allen has called on the club to sign both Gareth Bale and Edinson Cavani this month as cover for Harry Kane. The forward has been ruled out for four months with a hamstring injury, leaving teenager Troy Parrott as the sole out-and-out striker at Jose Mourinho's disposal for the second half of the season.
"This is a test for Tottenham," Allen told talkSPORT. "You can't take Harry's goals out of the team without suffering. I think definitely signings will be made. We need to buy someone – one, maybe two – and I think the club will be working tirelessly to do that. I cannot believe Jose Mourinho has come into the football club without asking that question [about signings].
"I would bring Gareth back. Whatever has happened at Real Madrid, it still doesn't seem like that's changed. Spurs knows Gareth, Gareth knows Spurs, Jose even knows Gareth and I think it would be a fantastic fit."
He continued: "I do feel with everything they have in place that Spurs can attract marquee players. They've needed that big marquee signing for a while now and Cavani fits that. Yes he's 32, but he's been prolific. He stepped into the shoes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG, he had to produce and he did. He's a quality striker, a proven goalscorer and he'd relish the chance of playing in the Premier League with Tottenham."
Neil Wilkes
