Transfer news LIVE: Lopetegui to be sacked by West Ham, Vlahovic to Man Utd, Arsenal latest
The transfer window is in full swing with sides at both ends of the Premier League table looking to strengthen as they battle for survival, European football and the title
Clubs across the continent are in the market for January transfer deals as they look to strengthen their squads for the second half of the 2024/25 season with titles, European football and survival all on the line.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City are all rumoured to be circling new arrivals as they battle it out in the Premier League while the window could see some big exits confirmed with Trent Alexander-Arnold negotiating a possible free transfer to Real Madrid and Manchester United open to selling Marcus Rashford. Joshua Zirkzee could also be leaving and Juventus have reportedly offered Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic to United for the striker in a swap deal.
One of the more intriguing sagas is the fate of Dani Olmo who could be left in limbo is Barcelona fail in their attempts to re-register him. The Spanish giants are battling LaLiga over finanical issues which could mean Olmo needs to find a new club and there are plenty of teams, Arsenal and Chelsea included, monitoring the situation.
And across the rest of the English top-flight, clubs are sticking to PSR regulations and tight budgets as they look to find cut-price deals to bolster their squads.
Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and deals below:
New transfer interest emerges for Marcus Rashford as Italian club want loan deal
AC Milan are interested in taking Marcus Rashford on loan as they look to offer him a route out of Manchester United.
The Serie A club’s interest is not advanced at this stage but United are aware that Rashford is wanted at San Siro.
The 27-year-old said last month he was “ready for a new challenge” after spending his entire career at Old Trafford and falling out of favour under new head coach Ruben Amorim.
New transfer interest emerges for Marcus Rashford as Italian club want loan deal
Rashford is ‘ready for a new challenge’ away from Old Trafford with AC Milan interested in signing him
Marcus Rashford rejects Saudi Arabia move amid speculation over Manchester United exit
Marcus Rashford has rejected three offers from the Saudi Pro League worth up to £35m a year, as he insists on only going to a competitive club and league if he is to leave Manchester United.
The Old Trafford hierarchy are willing to listen to offers for the 27-year-old in the January transfer window, with the forward himself publicly stating he is now open to a new challenge. That has come amid new manager Ruben Amorim leaving him out of the matchday squad for a series of games, as he begins plans to overhaul the team.
Marcus Rashford rejects Saudi Arabia move amid speculation over Man Utd exit
The 27-year-old could depart Old Trafford but has turned down three offers from the Saudi Pro League
Arsenal have bid rejected for Brazilian striker
Arsenal’s search for a striker has led them to South America, where they have reportedly had an opening bid rejected for Botafogo star Igor Jesus.
The Gunners have been linked with the likes of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko but with that calibre of player unlikely to be available until the summer, they’re aiming for a cheaper stop-gap solution.
Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte are reporting that Botafogo have rejected an opening offer from the gunners for Jesus, although the amount is unknown, and that although the 23-year-old has an £83m release clause in his contract, a £16.6m bid may be enough to sign him.
Ruben Amorim responds to Joshua Zirkzee speculation
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim has responded to speculation that Joshau Zirkzee may leave Old Trafford in the January transfer window.
Zirkzee only joined from Bologna in the summer but The Sun reported earlier this week that Juventus are keen to bring the struggling striker to Turin on loan. He is still highly regarded in Italy after impressing for Bologna last season.
And after United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool, Amorim didn’t completely dismiss the idea of Zirkzee leaving.
Ruben Amorim: “I want to keep Josh Zirkzee because he gives everything. He’s trying in training but we don’t know, the window is open… we will see what happens.”
The irreversible effect of football in 2024 and why ‘cold, hard money’ doesn’t always win
By the last few weeks of 2024, there were senior figures in football complaining that they were “spent”. That’s not simply players who went the distance in competitions like Euro 2024, either. You only have to look at Pep Guardiola right now. It’s a feeling shared by many officials. The sport has become non-stop, in terms of pure news and content as much as the continuous calendar. That is one legacy of 2024 for the game, in how “Forever Football” was finalised, but it says much that it won’t even be the biggest consequence of the year. So much more could yet change.
It is almost fitting, given such constant noise and place-setting, that the year built up to two developments in the space of mere days that will completely reshape the game’s future. On Thursday 5 December, the Premier League hearing on the Manchester City case concluded. On Wednesday 11 December, Fifa awarded the 2030 and 2034 World Cups to Morocco-Portugal-Spain and Saudi Arabia, respectively, by “acclamation”.
The irreversible effect of football in 2024 and why ‘cold, hard money’ didn’t win
Pep Guardiola has seen his philosophy evolve elsewhere, writes Miguel Delaney, while an intense schedule has led to drastic consequences in the latter months of the year
AC Milan show interest in Marcus Rashford
As the Marcus Rashford saga rumbles on, a new club have emerged as a suitor for the Manchester United forward – AC Milan.
Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting that there could be several obstacles in a potential move but an agreement is not impossible and that a loan is more likely, given the Englishman’s salary.
Rashford has already rejected three offers from the Saudi Pro League worth up to £35m a year, as he insists on only going to a competitive club and league if he is to leave Manchester United. The Old Trafford hierarchy are willing to listen to offers for the 27-year-old and the forward himself has publicly stated he is now open to a new challenge.
Newcastle tracking City and Southampton youngsters
The Guardian has reported that Newcastle are tracking moves for highly rated youngsters Tyler Dibling and James McAtee, who play for Southampton and Manchester City respectively.
McAtee reportedly has a price tag of around £25m, and he is said to be looking for more first-team opportunities despite featuring for City in recent weeks.
Dibling, who is also attracting interest from Manchester United, would supposedly be available for around £21m.
Barcelona to make shock Son Heung Min move?
Tottenham star Son Heung Min could be on the move to Barcelona, with the Spanish side set to make a shock bid to bring the South Korean to Catalonia on a free transfer in the summer.
That’s according to The Sun, via Spanish outlet El Nacional, as Barca’s financial situation means they’re having to target free agents, of which the Spurs captain is one. Bayern Munich pair Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sane, plus Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah are also supposedly being targeted by Hansi Flick’s outfit.
Guehi attracting attention
There are several rumours circulating around Marc Guehi, who attracted plenty of interest from Newcastle in the summer. Reports suggest that both Chelsea and Liverpool hold an interest in the England centre-back, with both clubs experiencing injury problems in that position.
The 24-year-old would be available for around £75m, according to Football Transfers.
Osimhen keen on United?
One of the biggest rumours to come in recent days surrounds Victor Osimhen, who is being linked with a move to Manchester United.
There are several ‘parts’ to the rumour, with some outlets suggesting that the Nigerian could move as part of a swap deal involving Marcus Rashford, though other reports say that United will aim to trigger the release clause, which is around £70m.
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