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Transfer news: Chelsea eye £64m Paul Pogba, Lorenzo Insigne Arsenal interest confirmed, Manchester City chase Leroy Sane – reports

This could be a season to remember after a terrific end to 2015, but top Premier League clubs’ performances in the January transfer window could truly shape how the rest of the campaign pans out.

Many big names made the move to England over the summer, and recent speculation suggests Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are after more of the same this winter.

Here’s a look at the latest gossip as we move into January…

Chelsea eye club-record £64m Paul Pogba transfer – report

Chelsea could break their transfer record to bring Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba to the club, according to latest reports.

The France international, 22, is regarded as one of the best players in the world in his position, and is a top target for Roman Abramovich.

The Blues owner is determined to revitalise his struggling Chelsea side, and would be ready to pay £64million for Pogba.

Lorenzo Insigne agent claims Arsenal interest (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal interested in transfer of Lorenzo Insigne – report

The agent of Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne claims that Arsenal are among the clubs interested in him.

However, the skillful Italian is seemingly happy where he is for the moment, with his agent saying he’s playing for the club he’s supported all his life.

Arsenal could do with more options in attack this season and Insigne would certainly fit the bill.

Manchester City eye transfer of Leroy Sane – report

Finally, Manchester City are lining up a big-money move for this January as they target yet another attacking player in Leroy Sane.

The 19-year-old Schalke forward has established himself as one of Germany’s biggest talents this season, and is also wanted by Liverpool.

However, City could move ahead of their rivals as they are said to be ready to pay around £32m for Sane’s signature this winter.

Jürgen Klopp hopeful of having Sturridge available for West Ham clash

Jürgen Klopp believes Daniel Sturridge could be available for Liverpool's trip to West Ham United in their first Barclays Premier League match of 2016, despite admitting Divock Origi and James Milner will be out of contention.

Daniel Sturridge has an outside chance of making Liverpool's trip to West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, his manager Jürgen Klopp has revealed.

The Reds travel to East London to take on the Hammers in their first game of the New Year, having won their last two games 1-0 overLeicester City and Sunderland to see out 2015 on a high.

But with Klopp's charges looking to make it three consecutive league victories when they visit Upton Park, they will be missing a number of key figures - with the boss having only had Jordon Ibe and Joao Carlos Teixeira to call upon off the bench at the Stadium of Lighton Wednesday night.

But they could be boosted by the availability of prolific striker Sturridge, with Christian Benteke the only other senior fit frontman available.

No Milner and Origi for injury-stricken Reds

Klopp, speaking to reporters in his pre-West Ham press conference, insisted that James Milner will miss out with a calf injury sustained in training earlier in the month, whilst Divock Origi's muscle problem picked up on Boxing Day will also keep him sidelined.

But he added that Sturridge "maybe" can play "if we try" - with the 26-year-old having not featured since the loss to Newcastle Unitedon December 6. 

The German also explained that midfielder Joe Allen was unavailable against Sunderland due to falling ill. He said that the club's doctor told him yesterday afternoon that he would have to be sent home and that they "have to wait for diagnosis" to see whether he will feature against Slaven Bilić's side this weekend.

Klopp unsure of whether his captain will be fit or not

Captain Jordan Henderson was another victim of injury, being forced off on the hour mark of their 1-0 win against his former side after complaining of discomfort in his heel throughout.

Though the troubling issue has already kept Henderson out for long periods this season, Klopp refused to talk about the severity of his skipper's injury.

He said that there is "no update" at the moment and that they "have to wait a little bit" as he explained that there is "something with the heel." 

But he admitted that the issue could actually "be good for him" and believes they "have to see" because the midfielder is "a real tough guy."

He praised his efforts for trying to play through the pain but said that he and his backroom staff realised the situation was "not perfect" and had to bring him off and said that they "have to wait a few hours more or a day or two" before they "know more" about the length of time Henderson will be out for.

Louis van Gaal aims to reignite Manchester United’s title challenge

Swansea provide United with chance to end dismal league run 
• Van Gaal: ‘We want to be at the end at the top not in the middle’

Louis van Gaal said Manchester United are still targeting the title despite a run of six Premier League matches without a win during which they have dropped out of the top four.

United’s last league victory was on 21 November when Watford were beaten 2-1 at Vicarage Road. Since then United have taken three points from 18. The goalless draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday showed a marked improvement, which eased scrutiny on Van Gaal. However, with relegation-threatened Swansea City the visitors on Saturday the manager feels there is pressure to reignite United’s title challenge. They are in sixth place, nine points behind Arsenal and Leicester City, who each have 39.

“We need to win because we want to be at the end at the top of the league and not in the middle,” Van Gaal said. “We have to get points, otherwise the gap is too big and that is why we have to do what we have to do. Work, do the things, prepare the game, perform and then evaluate the game again. That is much more difficult when you don’t win. All the things you say as a manager is more accepted [when you win].

“Pressure is what you experience yourself and by the players. Most important are the players because they have to perform. They have to give everything and that is the most difficult aspect. That is the players’ function. You have to show it for 90 minutes against the resistance of the opponent and also under the pressure of the environment and the pressure you put yourself under. You have to cope with that.”

On the last day of 2015 Van Gaal reflected on United’s year. They failed to win a game in December and collected only two points to make it the poorest month in the club’s 137-year history.

Van Gaal said: “I think we have fulfilled the wish and our aim in the first season. And that ends halfway in 2015. After that we have managed to give balance to the team and that resulted in November we were first. Then we are out of the Champions League and that gives us a big blow. When you don’t assess December it was a very good year but you cannot do that because a year has 12 months.”

United have lost to Swansea in each of Van Gaal’s previous meetings with them, having been beaten 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium in August. Swansea have struggled and picked up only their second win in 14 league matches against West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day.

“I was three times losing against Swansea, and then you have to evaluate why you lost,” Van Gaal said. “It is always like that, then you continue with the same vicious circle of working. There is no magic. It is looking at what has happened and what can improve, as a team but also as an individual player.

“You make a game plan to beat your opponent and then you have to convince your players. Then you have to train and then you have to be convinced. Then you can be committed and try to perform it.”

Mohamed Elneny passes Arsenal medical before £7.3m move from Basel

 Egypt midfielder must still be granted work permit 
• Elneny will provide cover for injured Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla

Mohamed Elneny has passed a medical before his proposed €10m (£7.3m) move to Arsenal, although the Basel midfielder must still be granted a work permit for the transfer to be completed.

The 23-year-old Egypt international, who moved to Switzerland in 2013, had already agreed personal terms for his move to the Emirates as cover for the injured Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla.

The only stumbling block that now remains is for Elneny to be granted a work permit, which is complicated by the fact that Egypt have slipped outside of the top 50 in Fifa’s rankings after failing to qualify for the past three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. Under new regulations introduced by the Football Association at the end of last season, non-EEA (European Economic Area) players have to meet a minimum percentage of international matches played for their country over the previous 24 month period, as long as they are in the top 50.

Egypt’s current position of 57 does not meet those requirements, meaning Arsenal are likely to face an appeal. But with Elneny having featured in every competitive match for the Pharaohs over the past two years, they are expected to be granted special dispensation to sign him.

A versatile central midfielder who can play in the holding role and also in a more advanced position, Elneny has scored two goals in 16 league appearances forBasel this season.

Asked on Wednesday whether a deal was close, the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, said: “You know more than me. Sadly we cannot announce anything at the moment. Nothing has been concluded.”