Diego Carlos, the Sevilla centre-back, is on Newcastle’s list of potential signings as they look at alternatives to Sven Botman. 

Botman has been Eddie Howe’s No 1 choice but Lille are reluctant to sell, bringing Carlos into the frame as a high-profile target in a priority position. 

Tottenham’s Joe Rodon is a loan option which Howe is considering but the club would also like a proven top-level centre-back to help them climb out of the relegation zone and Carlos is highly regarded at St James’ Park. 

The Brazilian, 28, has been an outstanding performer for Sevilla during the last two seasons, which has included a Europa League triumph as well as beating Wolves and Manchester United in the knockout stages. 

Sevilla would be expected to make a huge profit on the £13.5 million they paid Nantes to land the defender from the French club in 2019, with his market value now beyond £30m. 

Newcastle, despite being threatened by relegation, are close to signing Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid and are also targeting a striker during the window. 

Maitland-Niles on verge of joining Roma

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the Arsenal midfielder, is close to joining Roma on loan for the rest of the season.

Maitland-Niles has started only two games in the Premier League this season and is wanted by Jose Mourinho, the Roma head coach.

Maitland-Niles, who has five England caps and can also play as a full-back, will join fellow Englishmen Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham in Italy if the deal can be finalised.

Discussions are ongoing between the two clubs but any loan is unlikely to include an option or obligation for Roma to buy Maitland-Niles in the summer.

The 24-year-old was keen to join Everton in the summer, but Arsenal blocked the move.

Everton sign Patterson from Rangers in £12m deal

Nathan Patterson has completed his £12m move to Everton from Rangers and will wear the No 3 shirt at Goodison Park. 

The Scotland right-back, 20, has agreed a five-and-a-half-year deal which will run until 2027 and joins Ukraine left-back Vitalii Mykolenko as the club’s early January signings. 

Patterson says he spoke to Seamus Coleman before signing and will now be competing for the right-back place with the Everton captain in Rafa Benitez’s line-up.  

“It was an easy choice to sign,” said Patterson. “This is a massive club with huge history and the fanbase is tremendous. Obviously we aren’t in the place where we want to be right now but we can definitely get there with the talent in the changing room and staff here, and I have full belief we can do that.

 “It is really exciting to come to a club that has huge talent in the team. I am going to work my socks off and hopefully I can do well with them in training and in games.

 “I’ve had a good conversation with Seamus. I am really looking forward to learning from him and working together. That is why I am here: to learn and get better as a player and, hopefully, win things and do well for the Club. If I am working alongside Seamus that is definitely going to happen.”

Pogba in no rush to decide future

Paul Pogba can talk to European clubs about a pre-contract for next season but he will return from injury at Manchester United before making any decision on his future. 

The France midfielder, 28, is in the final six months of his contract at Old Trafford and is recovering from a groin injury, which raised the possibility of committing to another team for 2022/23 before pulling on the United shirt again. 

But it is understood he is in no rush to decide his future and is concentrating on his comeback from injury and making his first appearances under Ralf Rangnick. He is currently running on grass at Carrington but has not returned to group training. 

Monaco eye Eriksen move

Monaco are one of the clubs monitoring Christian Eriksen as he steps up his training this month after suffering a cardiac arrest during Euro 2020 last year.  

The former Tottenham midfielder, 29, had his contract terminated at Inter Milan under Italian regulations preventing him playing with an internal defibrillator. 

Livingston want Liverpool defender

Liverpool youngster Morgan Boyes has been targeted by Scottish Premiership club Livingston on a permanent deal. 

The 20-year-old centre-back has been playing on loan at Fleetwood Town this season but has been recalled ahead of a potential move north of the border. 

Stoke keeping it in the family

Stoke were dealt a blow when Harry Souttar suffered a serious knee injury which is expected to rule him out of the season. But they are considering a very similar replacement in his brother John. 

John Souttar, 25, has impressed scouts while playing for Hearts and for Scotland. His younger brother plays for Australia.

Middlesbrough leading race for Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun, on loan

Middlesbrough are leading the race to sign Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun on loan until the end of the campaign. The 20-year-old is highly rated at the Emirates Stadium but has struggled for first-team opportunities this season. 

Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder also wanted to sign Balogun when he was in charge of Sheffield United, but Arsenal rejected their offer. There is plenty of competition for Balogun’s signature this month but Telegraph Sport understands that Middlesbrough are currently in pole position. 

Nottingham Forest were also interested in signing Balogun but talks are understood to have collapsed last week. Forest went on to secure the loan signing of Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis.