January transfer window: the latest news and gossip

Football’s New Year will kick off with a bang tomorrow when the transfer window is thrown open.

While the nation enjoys a day of rest players will be pondering moves, and clubs debating how best to bolster their teams.

With less than 24 hours to go rumours are abound and the Twittersphere buzzing with anticipation. Here we round up the top transfer news and gossip.

Stoke City

Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is rumoured to have attracted the attention of a number of clubs. While earlier this month Stoke boss Tony Pulis ruled out a January sale, reports suggest Manchester United are interested in signing Begovic.

The Bosnian goalkeeper is also said to have caught the eye of Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool.

Meanwhile City are said to be interested in 23-year-old Crewe Alexandra midfielder Luke Murphy. Reports suggest Pulis believes a fresh injection of youth could push his squad on to bigger things.

And earlier this season Ghana international Solomon Asante was linked with a move to the club.

Meanwhile the Daily Mail reports Manchester City could make a move for Stoke's Ryan Shawcross if he does not sign the new contract on the table.

And Spanish side Espanyol could be set to make a move for City striker Michael Owen during the January transfer window, the Metro reports.

Colchester United

UPDATE 1600: Colchester will sign Burnley forward George Porter on a youth loan until the end of the season on January 1, BBC Sport reports.

The deal for the 20-year-old will be completed once the transfer window opens.

Meanwhile Colchester United will also sign Portsmouth defender Josh Thompson on an 18-month contract on January 1.

"Josh is a hungry young player who wants to better himself and I am delighted to get him in on a more permanent basis," U's boss Joe Dunne told the club website.

Colchester has also signed winger Jack Compton, with the deal set to come into force from January 1. The 24-year-old has played 12 times while on a short-term loan at League One club Portsmouth.

Bristol City

Last week reports suggested City were interested in Bournemouth forward Lewis Grabban. However, manager Derek McInnes yesterday moved to deny the rumours.

Bristol Rovers

UPDATE 1450: Rovers have signed Millwall goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall on an emergency loan deal, BBC Sport reports.

Mildenhall, who made nine appearances for Scunthorpe this season, has previously played for Swindon, Notts County, Oldham, Grimsby, Yeovil and Southend.

UPDATE 1315: Bristol Rovers have brought in QPR forward Tom Hitchcock and Colchester midfielder John-Joe O'Toole on one-month loan deals, BBC Sport reports.

Swansea City

UPDATE 1615: Swansea City are interested in Bolton Wanderers defender Marcos Alonso, Sky Sports reports.

The club is in the market for a left-back and could make a move in the January transfer window when it opens on Tuesday.

Meanwhile Spanish midfielder Michu could be sold by Michael Laudrup if a big enough offer is made, reports suggest.

The 26-year-old, who penned a £2 million deal with City in July, is believed to have caught the eye of Atletico Madrid, who are keen to take him back to Spain.

Meanwhile Danny Graham has been linked with a January move to Norwich City and Reading after struggling for starting time at Swansea City this season.

But the player has said he hopes Michael Laudrup can find room for him in the Swansea City side.

On Friday Sky Sports reported Laudrup will hold talks with the striker to see if he wishes to remain at the club.

Meanwhile Laudrup has dismissed speculation linking Swansea with a move for Barcelona and Spain striker David Villa, saying "the only Villa coming to Swansea is Aston Villa".

The boss has, however, admitted he is interested in Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas.

Derby County

Will Hughes is understood to have caught the attention of Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and even Barcelona.

The 17-year-old midfielder, who scooped the Football League Young Player of the Month award for November, has continually impressed since making his debut last season.

The BBC reports Fulham are “at the front of the queue”. But County boss Nigel Clough insists the club has received no bids for any of their players.

Meanwhile Sky Sports reports Derby County are set to join the race for Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Kelly in January.

Nottingham Forest

New Forest manager Alex McLeish is keen to sign Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan and will look to turn full-back Alan Hutton's loan into a permanent arrangement, Sky Sports reports.

Meanwhile Forest have taken the first steps towards signing on-loan Billy Sharp on a permanent basis.

Swindon Town

UPDATE 1420: Swindon defender Federico Bessone has left the County Ground after his short-term contract with the Robins expired.

Sky Sports reports a number of clubs are considering a move for Swindon full-back Fede Bessone.

It is understood a number of League One and League Two sides have been monitoring the progress of the player, who moved to the County Ground on transfer deadline day in August.

Leicester City

According to Sky Sports Blackpool have accepted a £1 million bid for defender Alex Baptiste from Leicester. The 26-year-old is set for a January switch.

Meanwhile West Brom have agreed a deal in principle for striker Chris Wood to join Leicester for an undisclosed fee in January.

It is understood Wood will join the club when the January transfer window opens.

Scunthorpe United

Brian Laws says he is hopeful the club can agree a new deal with striker Karl Hawley. The Iron want the future of the player to be resolved by the close of play today.

Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth boss Carl Fletcher has revealed the club are close to securing the signing of Burnley striker Alex MacDonald on a permanent basis.

The 22-year-old attacker, who recently completed a second loan spell with the Pilgrims, has reached a verbal agreement on a full-time return.