Squawka Friday’s transfer gossip column

Liverpool are reportedly looking to Dynamo Kiev winger Andriy Yarmolenko as a move for Mohamed Salah appears to have stalled. With Basel having upped their asking price, the Reds have turned their attentions elsewhere and the talented Ukrainian Yarmolenko is a £15m target. Yarmolenko has scored eight goals in 16 appearances, including four in six games in the Europa League, while he also completed 67% of his take-ons. (Daily Mail)

Jose Mourinho could put off buying a striker in January, as he feels that he could snare Wayne Rooney in the summer. The England striker is reportedly unsettled with life at Manchester United and Mourinho believes that a deal can be struck at the end of the season to lure him to Stamford Bridge. Rooney has created 40 chances for United this season and scored nine goals at a conversion rate of 19.6%. (Daily Telegraph)

In less positive news for Blues fans, Paris Saint-Germain have set their sights on Eden Hazard and are confident they can tempt the Belgian to up sticks in the summer for a move back to France. Hazard has enjoyed a fine season at Chelsea, but PSG feel that a £50m bid could tempt Chelsea to sell. Hazard has created 49 chances, 19 more than any other Chelsea player, to claim five assists, and completed 72 take-ons. (Independent)

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Danny Ings is a wanted man following his scoring exploits in the Championship, with Liverpool heading a list of interested clubs that also includes Newcastle, Aston Villa, Stoke and Hull. Burnley have signed Brighton’s Ashley Barnes as a potential safeguard, and while they still don’t want to sell, any offer in excess of £5m will have to be taken seriously. Ings has 20 goals in all competitions this season, having made 28 appearances for the Clarets. (Daily Mail)

Jermain Defoe to Toronto is the done deal of the day, but that deal will not take place until the end of February, with Spurs keeping the forward until the MLS season gets underway. Strangely, Tim Sherwood does not intend dipping into the transfer market to replace him, as he remains happy with the options he has up front. Defoe has failed to score in the Premier League this season, but has hit the target with 64% of his shots. (Sky Sports)

Arsene Wenger has admitted he may have to dip into the transfer market to cover the loss of Theo Walcott and has apparently turned his attentions to Sebastian Giovinco. The Juventus forward is currently out of favour and Wenger is hopeful of securing a loan move that would be welcomed by the player, in order to boost his hopes of making Italy’s World Cup squad. Giovinco has started just two games and scored once, though he has hit the target with 88% of his shots this season. (Metro)

Chelsea and Kevin De Bruyne could be ready to part ways as a move to Wolfsburg looks increasingly on the cards. The club have agreed terms with the player himself, but are still locked in negotiations with Chelsea, with a reported fee north of £15m being demanded by the Blues. De Bruyne has not featured for Chelsea since September in the league, but created three chances in those three appearances. (Mirror)

It never rains, but it pours, so we apologise to West ham fans for bringing news that they could miss out on yet another January target, as Ishak Belfodil’s availability from Inter Milan has caught the attention of Fiorentina as well. Belfodil had been expected to complete a loan move to Upton Park in the near future, but the Serie A side have thrown a spanner into the works by expressing their interest in the 21-year-old striker. Belfodil has failed to score in any of the eight appearances he has made for Inter this season, hitting the target with three of his five shots on goal. (Express)

Hull are the latest side to show an interest in Everton striker Nikica Jelavic, as they join QPR and Crystal Palace in the hunt for the unsettled Croatian. Steve Bruce has been frustrated in his striker search as moves for Shane Long and Steven Fletcher have not come to anything, so Jelavic is a target he could land, with Everton willing to listen for offers. Jelavic is yet to trouble the scorers in nine appearances and has won just 28% of his headed duels. (Daily Mail)

We return to the Chelsea exit door again, with Michael Essien rumoured to be on his way, with Jose Mourinho having confirmed earlier this month that he is free to find a new club should he so wish. AC Milan are the protracted destination, as the Italian giants require some serious work to salvage a season that has been miserable at best. Essien has been restricted to four appearances in the league this season, but has recorded a passing accuracy of 91% and has achieved 78% of his take-on attempts. (TalkSPORT)