Premier League transfer round-up

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has rejected a £14 million bid for Yohan Cabaye, but the club appears to be locked in negotiations with cash-rich Paris Saint-Germain. The French international, in fine form in recent weeks, has been the subject of intense speculation in this transfer window but so far nobody has been able to meet Newcastle’s valuation.

A bid was rejected in the summer from Arsenal, with the £10.2 million that was mooted being labeled “derisory” by Alan Pardew. The club is believed to be looking for around £20-25 million and have a history of holding out for what they want in the winter window. Ashley famously sold Andy Carroll to Liverpool on deadline day for a phenomenal £35 million.

Reports this morning suggested David Moyes may have been interested in entering the race to sign Cabaye, however nothing concrete has been confirmed. It has been suggested that Moyes does not truly rate Cabaye in the price range touted and is not willing to become embroiled in a bidding war.

Manchester United, in somewhat of a crisis by their standards, have made a huge move already this weekend in confirming the £37 million deal for Juan Mata from Chelsea. The player will go some way to strengthening the attack at Old Trafford, as well as giving a huge boost to confidence around the club.

Moyes is under pressure to improve the reigning champions’ fortunes in the last few months of the season, and has reportedly watched Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos this weekend with a view to adding the under-rated German to his squad. Kroos is out of contract in the summer, however Bayern would expect a hefty fee if he were to go during this window.

Fellow Munich star Mario Mandzukic, star of Croatia’s Euro 2012 squad, may also be on the lookout for a move away from Bavaria and several clubs will be monitoring the striker’s situation.

Arsenal’s chase for Schalke’s highly rated starlet Julian Draxler appears to have stalled. Reports stated that Arsene Wenger was close to getting his man late this week, however the Arsenal manager played down these rumours before the teams FA Cup tie against Coventry on Friday evening.

Draxler didn’t play this weekend due to injury, but the clubs general manager Horst Heldt stated after the game on Sunday that no offers had been made and no negotiations are currently taking place. The whole affair has a feel of smoke & mirrors about it, with Arsenal possibly playing down their interest while Schalke understandably attempt to squeeze as much value as they can out of their star man.

Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, made his first move of the transfer window, as his Chelsea side really starts to take a familiar shape. Egyptian 21-year-old Mohamed Salah has been confirmed as the Blues latest addition, joining from FC Basel where he made a big impression in games against Chelsea in the Champions League.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers had expressed his desire to sign the player, and will be upset that the deal has been made. It’s not the first time Mourinho has gazumped a Premier League rival to a top prospect – Willian joining in the summer after seemingly being set on joining Spurs.

And finally, Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has made moves to add strength to his side, in hopes of sparking a late survival bid in the Premier League. Brazilian defender Fábio is close to joining the club having made just appearance for United this term. His current teammate, Wilfred Zaha, also looks likely to join the Welsh club on loan while a swap deal which would see Peter Odemwingie join Stoke in return for Kenwyne Jones also looks to be a possibility.