Fabrizio Romano issues update on Liverpool transfer 'target' as Arsenal 'willing' to pay release clause

The December cold has set in, and with the frost comes the smell of not only the festive football that awaits on the horizon, but also the January transfer transfer window. The window opens in just over two weeks, and clubs willl already know what they need heading into the window.

We saw huge spending during summer window, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United breaking the £200million barrier, It will be interesting to see whether there is more big spending January, and everything we have seen in the Premier League over recent years suggests there will be. Here we round up all the latest transfer news surrounding top-flight clubs.

Romano on Palhinha

Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on reported Liverpool and Bayern Munich target Joao Palhinha, who was close to leaving Fulham in the summer.

“There have been lots of rumours regarding Fulham’s Joao Palhinha in recent weeks and I can honestly say that I don’t have concrete information on Liverpool being in talks to sign Palhinha yet,” Romano told CaughtOffside.

“For sure the top Premier League clubs are informed on the player’s situation at Craven Cottage but nothing has started in terms of negotiations with Joao or Fulham yet. Also, Liverpool still have to decide what areas of the pitch they want to invest in during the January transfer window.”

Inaco to Arsenal links

Arsenal are said to be interested in pricey Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inaco. The 22-year-old is attracting plenty of attention ahead of the winter window, and according to A Bola, Arsenal are willing to pay the player's £51.5million release clause.

The claim comes amid reports of interest from Liverpool and Manchester United, who could both do with more defensive depth this winter. Should Arsenal meet the release clause, Sporting would have little choice but to allow him to leave, only able to offer a new contract with a higher release clause.