TRANSFER GOSSIP COLUMN: RB Leipzig plot shock swoop for Emile Smith-Rowe, Karim Benzema could return to Real Madrid, and Man United receives boost in pursuit of Vincius Jr

Negotiations are starting to hot up as the January transfer window enters its last week of business.

Some deals – like Manchester City’s swoop for River Plate prodigy Claudio Etcheverri – are also starting to come to light, after months in the works. 

Kalvin Phillips could yet be a West Ham player by the end of the day after a prolonged spell on the Man City bench this season and last. 

And Newcastle continue to look under siege, with Callum Wilson the latest Magpies player to be targeted with attention from Premier League rivals.  

Here, Mail Sport shares all the biggest transfer stories on Friday morning.  

Karim Benzema could yet return to Real Madrid with his future in Saudi Arabia up in the air

Real Madrid may look to move on Vinicius Jr with the arrival of the long-awaited Kylian Mbappe

Arsenal outcast Emile Smith-Rowe is in the sights of RB Leipzig, who are keen to take the midfielder on-loan with an option to buy (The Sun) 

Carlo Ancelotti has asked Real Madrid to sign Karim Benzema until the end of the season with the Al-Ittihad striker in limbo in Saudi Arabia (Sport) 

West Ham and Chelsea are keeping close tabs on Callum Wilson but both clubs are yet to open talks with Newcastle (Mail Sport) 

Sunderland have restressed their interest in Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, who spent last season on loan with the Black Cats (Manchester Evening News) 

Crystal Palace target Daniel Munoz is refusing to train with Genk as he looks to force a move during the January window (HLN) 

Long-range Manchester United target Vinicius Jr could become a little more realistic, with Real Madrid pondering letting the Brazilian go should they ensnare Kylian Mbappe during the summer window (Sport) 

France Football Federation has refused to release women’s head coach Herve Renard after Ivory Coast requested their former manager’s services following the sacking of Jean-Louis Gasset (L’Equipe)

Aston Villa are keeping an eye on Norwich winger Jonathan Rowe and Middlesbrough’s Morgan Rogers as ponder late business in the window (Mail Sport) 

Wolves have entered the race to sign Al-Shabab forward Habib Diallo alongside Lille, Strasbourg, and Lorient, who are all interested in the forward (Foot Mercato)

Habib Diallo has been impressing at AFCON and caught the eye of a number of European sides

Man United are watching Juventus defender Bremer with interest six months after Spurs links

Manchester United continue to keep tabs on Juventus defender Bremer, who was last linked with Tottenham over the summer (Sky Sport Italia) 

Bayern Munich will not sack Thomas Tuchel despite roiling discontent at the Allianz with the club focused on keeping the head coach until the end of the season (Sky Germany) 

Tanguy Ndombele’s loan at Galatasaray could be cut short by Spurs and instead the French midfielder could finish the season at Rennes or in Saudi Arabia (Tutto Mercato Web) 

Crystal Palace may try again after their first bid of £18.5m for Blackburn Rovers’ Adam Wharton was rejected earlier this week (Mail Sport)