Thursday’s transfer news: Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes deal collapses, Liverpool continue talks for Pedro Brazao as Tottenham turn to £40m Willian Jose

Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of today's latest transfer news, gossip and rumours.

We begin with some remarkable news from France.

Foot Mercato, via the Manchester Evening News, are claiming that Manchester United are preparing a £43m for Lyon forward Moussa Dembele.

The France striker has long been a top transfer target for Chelsea, but the French outlet claims United have been shocked into action following the injury suffered by Marcus Rashford.

The England international injured his back earlier this month, with our Northern Football Writer Mark Critchley revealing yesterday his layoff is likely to be longer than first feared.

Aston Villa last night eased their striker crisis by signing Tanzania international Mbwana Samatta from Belgian champion Genk.

Villa have played their last three matches without a recognized striker after Brazil international Wesley was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. The Premier League club meanwhile sold Jonathan Kodjia to Qatari side Al-Gharafa earlier yesterday.

Samatta has scored 10 goals for Gent in all competitions this season, including one at Anfield against Liverpool in the Champions League.

Samatta is the first player from Tanzania to play in the Premier League.

He did not sign in time to be available for Villa's league match at home to Watford on Tuesday.

Top Liverpool transfer target Timo Werner has reportedly admitted that a move to Anfield is his 'preferred goal'.

That is according to Bild, who are reporting that the Germany international has decided he wants to join Liverpool upon leaving Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig.

They report that Werner has a contract lasting until June 2023, with his release clause currently set around the £55m mark.

But that fee reportedly decreases with each passing year.

Sheffield United are today close to signing defender Jack Robinson from Nottingham Forest.

A potential new signing, thought to be Robinson, was being shown around the club's training ground on Monday morning.

The 26-year-old is expected to complete his move to Bramall Lane in the next 24 hours in a deal that could be worth in the region of £1m.

Robinson would have been out of contract at Forest at the end of the season and available on a free transfer but the Blades were willing to pay a fee to secure his immediate release rather than wait until the summer.

United boss Chris Wilder has been keen to add reinforcements in defence this month as he looks to consolidate the club's position in the Premier League during the second half of the season and build on an impressive return to the top flight thus far.

Robinson, who has made 19 appearance this season for Forest, fits the bill. The former Liverpool trainee can play as either a left-back or centre-back and has experienced Premier League football, having played a handful of times for the Merseysiders as a teenager.

He will become the second new signing for the Blades during the transfer window, following former Everton and Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell.

His move will also see him reunited with former Forest team-mate Ben Osborn, who left the Reds to join United last summer.

Wilder still hopes to add at least one more player to his squad before the January 31 deadline.

He said: "I'm no different to any other manager around the country. I'm looking to improve the players we have and bring more through the door."

The Guardian this morning report that there has been some movement in the talks between Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan over Christian Eriksen.

They claim that Inter are now poised to offer £12.8m plus add-ons to sign the 27-year-old this month, a fee Spurs are likely to accept.

Just short of £13m for a player available to leave for the handsome sum of nothing in around four months time ... crazy.

That's not the only transfer news involving Inter Milan this morning.

Sky Italy meanwhile claim that Manchester United are considering a move for 28-year-old midfielder Matias Vecino as an alternative to Bruno Fernandes.

Here's some good news for Crystal Palace supporters.

The Daily Mail this morning has a report that claims Wilfried Zaha will not leave the club this month.

Zaha has long been rumoured to be on the verge of quitting Selhurst Park, but the Mail says no clubs are even remotely close to meeting his lofty £80m valuation.

And so super-agent Pini Zahavi has admitted defeat, with the player now focused on remaining at Palace for the rest of the season.

Newcastle United expect to complete the signing of former Spurs man Nabil Bentaleb today, The Independent understands.

The former Tottenham player, 25, was on Tyneside for a medical on Monday as he moved closer to a return to the Premier League.

Bentaleb has not played for Schalke since April last year after being ordered to train with the reserves because of disciplinary issues, and has previously been linked with Crystal Palace.

The French-born Algeria international, who has been working his way back from a knee injury, made 66 senior appearances for Spurs before going out on loan to Schalke. The Bundesliga club then clinched a permanent deal for him in July 2017.

Magpies head coach Steve Bruce is also hopeful of sealing a loan deal for Inter Milan winger Valentino Lazaro, whose agent was at St James’ Park on Saturday for the 1-0 Premier League win over Chelsea.

Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has told Sky Italy that the club have secured a deal for Antonio Conte favourite Victor Moses.

“There is an agreement in principle with Chelsea for Victor Moses. We are making evaluations at the moment," he said.