Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal plot Cunha bid; Chelsea want Kolo Muani; Man Utd make Mendes move
Transfer news LIVE!
The January transfer window is just a few days away and is already shaping up to be a busy one. Arsenal, who last night beat Ipswich 1-0 to move into second place in the Premier League, are in need of attacking reinforcements to stand any chance of catching Liverpool, and have been linked with an audacious move for Wolves star Matheus Cunha following Bukayo Saka’s injury blow.
Strikers appear to be the key fancy for January, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham also linked with forward talent. Paris Saint-German’s Randal Kolo Muani is a target for all three, while Liverpool are reportedly weighing up a move for Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram with Trent Alexander-Arnold reportedly keen on Real Madrid.
It’s not all about incomings, though. United outcast Marcus Rashford has been frozen out by new manager Ruben Amorim, and gone public with his desire for a “new challenge”, making a winter move seemingly inevitable. Juventus, though, have turned down the forward, cutting down an already list of potential candidates. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Latest transfer news and updates
Arsenal plot big Matheus Cunha offer
Chelsea and Tottenham keen on Randal Kolo Muani
Manchester United lodge Nuno Mendes bid
Trent Alexander-Arnold tells Liverpool he wants Real Madrid move
Manchester United offer Marcus Rashford out
Como boss Cesc Fabregas gives Dele Alli update
20:54 , George Flood
Could Dele Alli yet join Como in the coming months?
Cesc Fabregas with a glowing review of the former England midfielder, who has been training with the Serie A outfit over recent weeks as he seeks to get back to fitness and find a new club.
“He’s training with us now, Dele’s feeling good,” Fabregas said today.
“He’s a wonderful player. If we can help him, we’re more than happy. At the moment, he’s only training with us.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold 'has not' told Liverpool of Real Madrid desire
17:42 , George Flood
It seems that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future may not have been decided after all.
Spanish outlet Marca reported last night that the England right-back had informed Liverpool that he would not be signing a contract extension at Anfield and intended to join Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer.
However, the Liverpool Echo now claim that Alexander-Arnold has not communicated any such desire to Liverpool as things stand.
Along with fellow key Reds stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, the 26-year-old has been locked in contract talks with Liverpool for months now with no agreement reached and all three players able to speak to overseas clubs and potentially sign pre-contract agreements in January.
Harvey Vale set for Chelsea exit with Sunderland in race
17:05 , George Flood
Chelsea could be braced for several exits in January as the club seek to trim down a squad that is still quite bloated in number after several big-spending transfer windows over recent years.
One player who may well be departing Stamford Bridge next month is Harvey Vale, the versatile midfielder who has been with the club since Under-13 level and was previously academy player of the year.
The 21-year-old is out of contract at Chelsea in the summer and almost joined Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia in the summer, only for that deal to fall through at the 11th hour.
Vale has made only one senior Blues appearance since then, coming on as a half-time substitute in the 5-1 home victory over Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League earlier this month.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the former Bristol Rovers loanee could leave Chelsea in January as he enters the last six months of his current deal, with Sunderland joining Belgian giants Anderlecht and Dutch side Heerenveen in the race for his signature.
Manchester United lodge Nuno Mendes bid
15:50 , Alex Young
Amid links with Paris Saint-Germain outcast Randal Kolo Muani, Manchester United are also reportedly interested in wantaway defender Nuno Mendes.
According to RMC Sport, an offer has gone in from United and the player has reportedly reacted positively.
Mendes is unhappy at Parc des Princes and looking for a change of scenery.
Man City January transfer window guide
15:31 , Alex Young
After a dismal few months, Manchester City must look forward - at how to solve their problems and how to save their season.
Pep Guardiola said recently: “We're not a big fan of that [window], but the circumstances of this season have been special.
“We've spoken about doing something. In winter, it's if we really need it, or if we can really find something. It is not easy to do. Clubs don't want to sell and players are so expensive. It depends on the market, we'll see.”
But City can’t afford to “see”. They must spend.
Dom Smith took a look at their top priority in January, what else they need and possible ins and outs.
Sevilla send Barco back to Brighton
14:45 , Alex Young
Sevilla have decided to terminate Valentin Barco’s loan agreement and send the defender back to Brighton.
The Argentine has played just 376 minutes since joining in August and will now return to the Premier League side.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Brighton will look for another loan club for the player.
Rafael Leao not interested in Arsenal or Man Utd moves
14:18 , Alex Young
Rafael Leao is not interested in a move to either Arsenal or Manchester United in January.
The forward faces an uncertain future at AC Milan after losing his guaranteed starting spot under manager Paulo Foneseca this season.
Any fee for the Portuguese forward is expected to be sizeable, but a move to the Premier League is not of in his plans, according to MilanLive.
Instead, it is Barcelona where the forward hopes to move to. Ask Dani Olmo how that is going.
Man Utd scouting Senne Lammen
13:40 , Alex Young
Manchester United have sent scouts to look at Senne Lammens as they weigh up signing a new goalkeeper.
The Sun report that the 22-year-old shot-stopper has emerged as a target for United after impressing with Royal Antwerp in Belgium this season.
No deal is imminent, but Lammens is reportedly being considered both for January and the summer.
Tottenham January transfer window guide
13:11 , Alex Young
A winter injury crisis for the second season running has stretched Tottenham's squad to the limit and left head coach Ange Postecoglou calling for “reinforcements” in January if Spurs are to climb from mid-table to a position more benefitting of their stature and continue to compete in the cups.
The club have used the mid-season window constructively in the last few years, recruiting Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pedro Porro, Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner in Januarys past, but Postecoglou has warned that the extended Champions League format may make it harder to buy this year.
The Australian has suggested that Spurs will target players who can improve their squad rather than his first-team.
Spurs have already signed winger Min-hyeok Yang from Gangwon FC but the 18-year-old South Korean is expected to need time to settle.
Dan Kilpatrick took a look at their top priority in January, what else they need and possible ins and outs.
Tottenham could return for Milan Skriniar
12:45 , Alex Young
Tottenham are weighing up a January move for former target Milan Skriniar.
According to CaughtOffiside, the Paris Saint-Germain centre-back has been made available for around £30million but there is confidence that figure could drop below £25m.
The likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have been linked, while Premier League pair Newcastle and Aston Villa are posing stern competition to Spurs for the 29-year-old.
Dani Olmo option to Premier League move
12:20 , Alex Young
Dani Olmo is ready to make a loan move to the Premier League amid registration concerns at Barcelona.
The summer signing was registered bu Barca only for the first half of the season as the club did not meet La Liga's wage cap restrictions.
That situation has not improved and Barca's appeal for the precautionary registration of the player for the second half of the season was yesterday rejected. He must be registered before January 1 to play for the remainder of the season.
That will leave the door open for a loan move away, and according to TBR Football, the Premier League is the most attractive option.
Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United are among the European giants linked with the Euro 2024 star.
Chelsea January transfer window guide
12:01 , Alex Young
The opening of a transfer window usually means the opening of the chequebook at Chelsea, but January is expected to provide a break with recent tradition.
The club’s hierarchy viewed the summer window as the culmination of a cycle that saw almost the entire first-team squad overhauled and with Enzo Maresca’s team flying high in the Premier League, there are few positions in obvious need of immediate improvement.
The Blues are blessed with the deepest squad in the country and though their mammoth season will extend into the summer’s new-look Club World Cup, they already look well placed to cope.
Malik Ouzia took a look at their top priority in January, what else they need and possible ins and outs.
Sesko likely staying put
11:37 , Alex Young
Benjamin Sesko could again be a popular name in this upcoming transfer window, but don't expect too much movement.
The RB Leipzig striker was a target for the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea in the summer, but is not expected to move next month.
The summer of 2025 is a different story, though.
“There are really many, many clubs keen on Sesko. It could be more than five clubs," said transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
"But it's not a topic for January, the Sesko case will be open again for the summer and that's when the real suitors can emerge with concrete talks. At this stage, nothing is advanced with any club yet.”
Man City ready to trigger Zubimendi release clause
11:10 , Alex Young
Man City are ready to trigger Martin Zubimendi’s release clause as they step up their attempts to sign players in Janury.
Zubimendi has long been of interest to City, and was Mikel Arteta's dream signing for Arsenal before admitting defeat in the summer, and Pep Guardiola hopes he will fill the Rodri-shaped hole in his team.
Football Insider report that the 25-year-old has a £50million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract, and the figures are not putting City off.
Arsenal January transfer window guide
10:50 , Alex Young
Arsenal head into the new year still fighting on four fronts as Mikel Arteta looks to secure silverware this season.
Liverpool are leading the way in the Premier League, but Arsenal are in the title race and showed last season how they can finish strong.
The Gunners also have the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup to look forward to, the FA Cup and the Champions League knockout stage.
Reinforcements in January could be a welcome boost for Arteta’s squad, who have been hit hard by injuries this season.
Simon Collings took a look at their top priority in January, what else they need and possible ins and outs.
Ronaldo open to joining Man City in January
10:26 , Alex Young
Cristiano Ronaldo has remarkably opened the door to joining Manchester City in January.
The football great has been tipped to return to Manchester after two years in Saudi Arabia, to help the ailing Premier League champions.
Ronaldo was close to joining City in 2021 before a late push by United sealed a dramatic return to Old Trafford, which ended a little over a year later with his move to the Gulf state.
City are looking for reinforcements after seeing their title hopes all but end before the turn of the year thanks to a staggering loss in form.
Ronaldo is reportedly been seen as a possible answer to City's woes and, when asked at the Globe Soccer Awards on Friday if he would give City a "helping hand", the 39-year-old refused to rule out a sensational move to the Etihad.
Alexander-Arnold tells Liverpool he wants Real Madrid move
10:00 , Alex Young
Trent Alexander-Arnold has told Liverpool of his plans to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer.
According to Marca, the right-back is determined to move to the Spanish giants, where he will link up with close friend Jude Bellingham.
The front page of Marca reads: "Alexander Arnold wants to come to Madrid. The player has already informed Liverpool"
Pretty conclusive.
European giant rejects Rashford
09:45 , Alex Young
Juventus have turned down the chance to sign Marcus Rashford in January.
Manchester United have, according to The Sun, offered Rashford out to several teams, including Barcelona, but both the transfer fee and his £350,000-a-week wages are a huge stumbling block.
United manager Ruben Amorim has made clear his stance on Rasford, and Rashford is no closer to being back in the fold.
Asked this week if Rashford has shown anything different since being left out, Amorim replied: "If he is not here you can make up your mind.
"It’s always the same reason it’s going to be. We have to be the same professionals, I have to be the same guy winning or losing. Losing, I have to be stronger so I will continue with my idea until the end."
Chelsea and Tottenham keen on Kolo Muani
09:20 , Alex Young
Chelsea and Tottenham are interested in a January move for Paris Saint-Germain outcast Randal Kolo Muani.
According to TBR and teamTALK, the London pair are attracted by a loan move for a player who has made just two starts this season despite Kylian Mbappe's summer exit.
Standard Sport understands Arsenal are expected to be offered the chance to take Kolo Muani on loan.
The Gunners were not expected to move for a wide player next month but the sudden loss of both Sterling and Saka could yet force a rethink.
Arsenal plot big Cunha bid
09:04 , Alex Young
Arsenal are interested in a move for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha during January, but face a tall order to prize him away with the club in a relegation battle.
With Bukayo Saka out for “many weeks”, and the likes of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli underwhelming, attacking reenforcements makes sense.
Cunha cost Wolves £44million just 18 months ago, so any fee would have to significantly dwarf that.
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira is braced for offers for Cunha but is determined to keep him during the January transfer window.
He said: “I hope that he stays with us a long time but I understand that, as a special player, he will have opportunities in his career because he is not only a special technical player, he also has a good personality.
“He can take the ball in a moment of pressure and make magic from nothing.”
Welcome
08:59 , Alex Young
Right, here we go then. The January transfer window is already gearing up and it’s not even started yet.
All signs are pointing to a busy month as clubs look to fix their ailing seasons, reenforcement their trophy credentials... and everything in between.
Let’s get started, then.
