Transfer rumor roundup: Alexis Sanchez to Man City? Pulisic to Liverpool in the summer?

Welcome to FC Yahoo‘s daily transfer roundup, where we’ll dissect the January market, assess the credibility of gossip, and discuss the likelihood that deals come to pass. Every day, we’ll split the various links between players and clubs into four categories to sift through the BS and direct your attention to the reports that deserve it.

Here’s the transfer roundup for Monday, Jan. 8:

MONDAY’S DONE DEALS

Philippe Coutinho | Liverpool —> Barcelona — It’s old news at this point, but Coutinho officially completed his medical and signed for Barcelona on Monday. The deal would have made more sense in the summer. It’s yet another high-profile loss for Liverpool. But it’s one the Merseyside club has prepared for. On the Barcelona side, $192.5 million is a huge sum of money; but Barca is getting a player that fits its style, no matter where he plays or whom he replaces.

One interesting note: The 2013 deal that sent Coutinho to Liverpool from Inter Milan for just $11.5 million did not include a sell-on clause. That means Liverpool gets the full $192.5 million, and Inter gets nothing.

Another interesting note: Liverpool reportedly tried negotiate a clause that would send Coutinho back to Anfield on loan until the end of the season. But Barcelona refused.

And another: Coutinho will reportedly pay $15.6 million of the $192.5 million free himself.

Kevin Mirallas | Everton —> Olympiacos (loan) — Mirallas, 30, had become an afterthought at Everton after a few successful seasons. He returns to his former club on loan.

REPORTS

Alexis Sanchez | Arsenal —> Manchester City — It’s probably going to happen by the summer. It may or may not happen in January. But there was a flurry of reports late Monday night that progress is being made.

There had previously been claims that Arsene Wenger had given in to selling the Chilean for a fee in the $34 million range. Now ESPN reports a deal could be done by the end of the week. The Guardian reports that City is set to make a bid. The Mirror says Arsenal could try to hold out for around $40 million.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Borussia Dortmund —> Guangzhou Evergrande — A Chinese outlet has reported that the two clubs had agreed an $86.2 million fee for the 28-year-old striker. That report came amid rumors that both Guangshou and Beijing Guoan, both in the Chinese Super League, were pursuing Aubameyang. It appears he wouldn’t leave Dortmund until the summer, and it’s certainly not the first time Aubameyang has been linked to a move away from Germany, but there seem to be more specifics this time than there normally are.

Fousseni Diabate | Gazelec Ajaccio —> Leicester City — This appears to be a relatively insignificant deal. It’s close to being confirmed, and will reportedly cost the Foxes around $2.5 million. Diabate is a 22-year-old forward from Mali who was released by Ligue 1 side Guingamp this past summer.

But there are a few interesting quirks and parallels here. Diabate isn’t the first attacker that Leicester has signed from the French second division. Does the name Riyad Mahrez ring a bell? And have you heard that Mahrez might want to leave Leicester? Thought so. Also, one of Diabate’s teammates at Gazelec is – was – none other than Leicester manager Claude Puel’s son.

CHATTER

Coutinho replacements at Liverpool — Despite what some outlets reported over the weekend, it appears unlikely Liverpool will pry Thomas Lemar away from Monaco, or Riyad Mahrez away from Leicester, in January. There has been no indication that the Reds actually want Mahrez, despite reports over the weekend that he would soon be undergoing a medical at Anfield. And Monaco has said Lemar isn’t leaving in the winter.

In fact, there has been no definitive links between Liverpool and any player since the Coutinho deal went through. At least no player that the Reds haven’t already bought. There has been more talk that they could try to bring the Naby Keita deal forward by six months, but RB Leipzig has reiterated that that isn’t happening.

In all likelihood, Liverpool will wait for the summer. And who might they go after then? “Christian Pulisic is a player Liverpool have tried to buy before,” respected German football journalist Raphael Honigstein said on the Totally Football Show Monday. “I’d be very surprised if they don’t come in heavily for him next summer.”

RUMORS

Mesut Ozil | Arsenal —> Manchester United — This is a seemingly incessant rumor that flared up again recently in a British tabloid. Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport also reported that Juventus is interested in the German playmaker, who is out of contract in the summer.

Alex Sandro | Juventus — His much-discussed, potential move to Chelsea has reportedly stalled over the price. Some British outlets interpreted that as opening the door for Manchester United, though that seems like a stretch.

Antoine Griezmann | Atletico Madrid —> Barcelona — This isn’t exactly news, but Barcelona is reportedly confident that it will win the race for Griezmann in the summer, when his buyout clause dips to $119.7 million.

Michy Batshuayi | Chelsea —> Sevilla — Batshuayi has failed to impress, and is clearly not part of Antonio Conte’s plans at Chelsea. Goal reports he’s a loan target for Sevilla.

Kelechi Iheanacho | Leicester City — The Sun reports Leicester could already be looking to sell its $33.9 million summer signing. But it’s the Sun, so it’s probably not true – though Iheanacho has struggled for game time since arriving.

Gerard Deulofeu | Barcelona —> Inter Milan — Corriere Dello Sport reports Inter are hoping to seal a loan deal for the Barcelona – and former Everton – winger.

Leander Dendoncker | Anderlecht —> West Ham
Jonjo Shelvey | Newcastle —> West Ham — Add Dendoncker and Shelvey to David Moyes’ growing list of midfield targets.

Francis Coquelin | Arsenal — Various reports of interest, both from the Premier League (West Ham) and abroad (Valencia).

Southampton — There are more reports of interest in both Arsenal forward Theo Walcott and Monaco striker Guido Carrillo.

DONE DEALS

Kevin Mirallas | Everton —> Olympiacos (loan)
Philippe Coutinho | Liverpool —> Barcelona ($192.5 million)
Cenk Tosun | Besiktas —> Everton ($36.5 million)
Wesley Sneijder | Nice —> Al-Gharafa (undisclosed)
Ross Barkley | Everton —> Chelsea ($20.3 million)
Marko Pjaca | Juventus —> Schalke (loan)
Konstantinos Mavropanos | PAS Giannina —> Arsenal ($2.4 million)
Terence Kongolo | Monaco —> Huddersfield Town (loan)
Virgil van Dijk | Southampton —> Liverpool ($101.4 million)
Diego Costa | Chelsea —> Atletico Madrid (€71.5 million)
Adrien Silva | Sporting CP —> Leicester City ($29.8 million)

Previous rumor roundups: Jan. 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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Henry Bushnell covers global soccer, and occasionally other ball games, for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Question? Comment? Email him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @HenryBushnell.