Transfer news and football gossip: Liverpool ace Sadio Mane contacted by Real Madrid, Chelsea have £34m Dembele bid rejected, Arsenal linked with Lemar

talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Thursday’s papers and online…

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal upon the opening of the January transfer window. Aubameyang was linked with leaving the Gunners during Unai Emery’s reign as manager, though rumours have died down since Mikel Arteta took charge. And he said after the New Year’s Day defeat of Manchester United that he is ‘100 per cent here’ and that ‘the English press likes to talk a lot’. (RMC Sport)

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Atletico Madrid are trying to sell Thomas Lemar in January – and Arsenal have been named a possible destination. The Gunners have previously been linked with Lemar, and he is a target this time around as Mikel Arteta wants to add a midfielder to his squad this month. Atleti have already begun working with agents to secure the 24-year-old a move away from Madrid, though they have set a high asking price which could scupper a switch to north London. (Marca)

Liverpool are fighting to keep hold of Sadio Mane as Real Madrid have made contact with the Senegal forward’s representatives over a switch to the Bernabeu. Mane has been perhaps Liverpool’s best player this season and interest from Real has existed for a couple of years. The Reds have no intention of losing one of their key players, however, and Real are eyeing up a summer deal when a transfer may be more likely. (Le10Sport)

Tottenham are ahead of their rivals in the race to sign Nathan Ferguson, the West Brom youngster. Ferguson, a full-back, has starred for the Baggies this season and is still only 19, and he’s been linked with a host of Europe’s biggest clubs. Spurs, however, are leading the race for Ferguson who will be out of contract in the summer with a fresh five-year deal still not signed. (Mirror)

Chelsea have had a £34m (€40m) bid rejected by Lyons for the French forward Moussa Dembele. 23-year-old Dembele, who has scored 10 league goals in 18 games this season, is in real demand with Manchester United also said to be keen on acquiring his services. Nonetheless, it is Chelsea who are claimed to have made the first formal move for the ex-Celtic player, but their offer was turned down by Lyons. Dembele himself is said to be open to joining Chelsea if they have a bid accepted throughout the remainder of the month. (Foot Mercato)

Inter have made contact with Christian Eriksen with the Tottenham midfielder able to discuss his future with foreign clubs now he has less than six months remaining on his contract. Eriksen, the Denmark midfielder, has so far refused to put pen to paper on a new deal with Spurs after saying last summer it may be time to move on, and a host of sides are interested in him. Tottenham would prefer to sell the 27-year-old this month to ensure they receive a transfer fee, but most suitors would prefer to sign Eriksen for nothing in the summer. (Sky)

Moise Kean, who has struggled since joining Everton last summer, has been targeted by clubs for a January transfer. However, the Toffees do not want to sell the highly-rated forward six months after his £25m move to Goodison Park. Kean has not scored in 19 games for Everton but the club are putting faith in the talented teenager to come good. (Star)

Aston Villa could bring Daniel Sturridge back to the Premier League six months after his exit from Liverpool. Sturridge, the England forward, left Anfield last summer on a free transfer to join Trabzonspor in Turkey, and he’s found his scoring boots over the past few weeks. Villa have been monitoring the 30-year-old recently and could make a January move for him, though French outfit Marseille are also keen. – FULL STORY

Adam Lallana will be a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season, and Liverpool may not extend the midfielder’s deal. Lallana, 31, has struggled for game time over the past couple of seasons – largely due to injury and fitness issues – and he may wish to join a new club to continue his career. He is well down the pecking order at Anfield and has not been offered a new contract despite James Milner – who is two years older than Lallana – already being given the chance to sign fresh terms. (Mirror)