Top transfer round-up - January 17th: Dembele leaves Tottenham, while Chelsea poised to sign Higuain

Here we run through the latest rumours and round-up the possible movers dominating today’s gossip columns, with additional information about their Football INDEX share prices.

Inter offer Manchester United target Skriniar a new deal

Inter have offered Milan Skriniar a bumper new deal in a bid to ward off interest from Manchester United.

Skriniar’s current contract isn’t due to expire until 2022 but the Slovakia international has been heavily linked with a move to United this season.

The Inter centre-back is regarded as one of the best young defenders in Europe and Inter are determined to secure his long-term future.

The Serie A giants have tabled their improved contract offer to Skriniar and are due to sit down with his camp to discuss the terms next month.

Of players to have started at least 10 league matches in Serie A this season, only Sassuolo defender Marlon Santos (93.5%) has a better pass success rate than Skriniar (93.1%).

Skriniar’s Football INDEX share price has declined 3.38% in the last seven days of trading and will plummet further if he agrees a new deal. He is worth watching, however, as it will shoot up if it emerges he does not want to renew with Inter.

Chelsea want Tottenham midfielder

Chelsea have entered the race to sign Tottenham creator Christian Eriksen but face stiff competition from Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Eriksen will only have 12 months left to run on his current Tottenham deal at the end of the season and is unlikely to renew with the north London outfit.

The Denmark international has been touted as Luka Modric’s long-term replacement at Madrid but now Chelsea are monitoring his future across the capital.

Since August 2016, Eriksen has registered more assists than any other player in the Premier League (34).

Eriksen’s Football INDEX is £4.82 and will only increase further as he edge closer to the summer and there is no sign of a renewal. Once the likes of Madrid firm up their interest, expect a big increase.

Chelsea agree loan deal for Higuain

Chelsea are on the verge of signing Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus after agreeing a loan deal with the Serie A giants.

Higuain joined AC Milan on a season-long loan deal at the start of the season but has played his final game for the club.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been forced to wait six months to reunite with Higuain after failing to sign the Argentine last summer.

Higuain’s loan spell at Chelsea will be extended by a further 12 months if certain conditions are met during the second half of this season.

The 31-year-old has only scored six goals in Serie A this season but enjoyed his best ever campaign for goals during his sole year working under Sarri at Napoli (36 goals in 35 league games).

Higuain’s Football INDEX share price has increased £0.65 in the last 24 hours of trading and will only continue to rise if he can rediscover the goalscoring form he showed under Sarri at Napoli.

West Ham rekindle interest in Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez

West Ham are back on the hunt for Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez.

The Hammers failed to sign Gomez last summer but have rekindled their interest amid suggestions Marko Arnautovic will leave this month.

Gomez has a £45m release clause in his existing Celta deal and the Spanish side are expected to demand the full amount, which West Ham may baulk at once again.

His Football INDEX share price has increased 7% in the last 24 hours alone and is worth monitoring. Even if he doesn’t move to West Ham this month, a big money move looks likely in the summer.

Since the start of last season, only Cristhian Stuani (14) has scored more headed goals than Gomez (12) in La Liga.

Manchester United latest side show interest in Wan-Bissaka

Manchester United are the third top-six side to show an interest in Crystal Palace starlet Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

The 21-year-old has not even been a Premier League player for 12 months but already looks right at home in England’s top-flight.

Wan-Bisskka has already been linked with a move to Manchester City but now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are in the race for his signature, as have Chelsea.

United are not expected to renew Antonio Valencia’s contract, which expires in the summer, and will need a new first-choice right-back next season.

Only Ricardo Pereira (80) has made more tackles than Wan-Bissaka in Europe’s top five leagues this season.

Wan-Bissaka’s Football INDEX share price has increased 19.82% in the last seven days of trading and it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on as a big money move seems a foregone conclusion sooner rather than later.

Dembele leaves Tottenham for China

Tottenham have confirmed Mousa Dembele has joined Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F on a three-year deal.

Dembele had entered the final six months of his Tottenham contract and has struggled to stay fit for prolonged periods in recent years.

Tottenham accepted an £11m bid from Guangzhou after talks between Dembele and Beijing Guoan broke down earlier this month.

Of players to have attempted at least 75 dribbles in the Premier League since August 2016, Dembele has the best success rate (84.5%).