Belated Happy New Year to all SBI readers. There is plenty to catch up on in the soccer world. Here are the lead news items of the day to get your week rolling:

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy will undergo surgery to repair a groin injury, and is expected to miss Sunday’s FA Cup meeting with Tottenham. (REPORT)

Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal could make their Barcelona debuts against Espanyol in the first leg of their Copa del Rey Round of 16 series on Wednesday. (REPORT)

Newcastle United has been offered the chance to acquire Loic Remy from Chelsea, but relegation contenders Norwich City, Swansea City and Aston Villa are also in the running to add him. (REPORT)

Lokomotiv Moscow forward Oumar Niasse is reportedly close to moving to the English Premier League, and will most likely join Chelsea, Manchester United or Tottenham. Everton, Newcastle and Aston Villa are also interested in signing the 25-year-old Senegalese striker, and his transfer fee will reportedly be $22.13 million (£15 million). (REPORT)

Serge Gnabry has reportedly been recalled by Arsenal after being on loan with West Bromwich Albion.(REPORT)

Serbian Under-21 international Marko Grujic is close to joining Liverpool after flying to England to have his physical. His move will reportedly cost the Reds $7.5 million (£5.1 million). (REPORT)

Argentine attacking midfielder Ricardo Gabriel Alvarez signed a contract with Sampdoria until June 2016. (REPORT)

WEEKEND REWIND

In case you were too busy partying or recovering from New Year’s parties, here is a look back at some of the weekend’s top news: