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:
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.
Tottenham sign highly-rated goalkeeper as Guglielmo Vicario cover
In case you missed it over the weekend, Tottenham announced the arrival of Czech goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who offers added depth after Guglielmo Vicario’s injury.
The 21-year-old, who has already earned admiration around a lot of Europe despite just breaking into the Slavia Prague team this season, is expected to cost £12.5m with add-ons.
Third-choice goalkeeper Brandon Austin made his competitive debut for Spurs against Newcastle yesterday at the age of 25.
Forget Real Madrid – Trent Alexander-Arnold should be going to Tranmere Rovers
However, Alexander-Arnold has been roundly criticised for his poor performance in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher laid in to the right-back as he was repeatedly caught out defensively.
“We talk about how brilliant Trent is going forward, but Trent’s defending today, my goodness, it’s like schoolboy stuff,” said Keane. “There’s talk about him going to Real Madrid – the way he’s defending he’s going to Tranmere Rovers after this. He’s got to do better defensively, he has to do better.”
Meanwhile, Carragher said on commentary: “I said I expected a big performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold today after all the talk of going to Real Madrid this week. He better hope Real Madrid aren’t watching this.”
Alexander-Arnold offered bumper deal to stay
The 26-year-old continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid, and he has just six months remaining on his contract now.
The latest rumour surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is a positive one for Liverpool fans, with the Daily Mirrorreporting that the club have offered the England international a five-year contract worth £78m (and £300,000 per week) to stay at Anfield.
West Ham have got worse since David Moyes left – they are the Premier League’s great underachievers
As West Ham were defeated, they got a glimpse of what they have lost. David Moyes was at the Etihad Stadium, the scene of his last game as their manager. West Ham were beaten then, just as they were in Julen Lopetegui’s latest match in charge. There are ways of comparing the Spaniard’s tenure unflatteringly with the Scot’s but a record against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City is not one of them.
Lopetegui was entitled to feel a 4-1 scoreline was harsh but another number, and another reference to West Ham’s past, reflected poorly on him. His win percentage as their manager has now dropped below Avram Grant’s. And if the Israeli’s statistics were padded by some cup wins, his lone season in charge brought relegation. Lopetegui’s debut campaign will not, reducing the need to parachute Moyes in as a firefighter for the third time, but his has been an expensive brand of regression.
West Ham, the Premier League’s great underachievers, are worse than under David Moyes
Though plagued by bad luck, Julen Lopetegui always looked an odd fit in east London and West Ham are paying the price
Veiga wanted by Italian clubs
Chelsea star Renato Veiga is being watched by a number of clubs for a possible January move.
The Portuguese defender has been brilliant in Chelsea’s Conference League campaign but has had no opportunities to shine in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca.
German club Stuttgart are interested in bringing him in this month but they face competition from Napoli and Juventus from Serie A.
Antony receiving interest
Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth says that there are a few clubs interested in signing Manchester United’s Antony. At this stage most of the interest comes in terms of a loan move but United are willing to consider them.
Antony joined from Ajax in the summer of 2022 for £82m and has not started a Premier League game this season.
‘Buisness taking over football’ says Howe
Newcastle United were one of many clubs affected by profit and sustainability rules and in order to comply with the guidelines they have been forced to part ways with players who would otherwise have remained at the club: Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh being two of the obvious ones.
Because of this speculation continues to grow around Newcastle’s bets players with Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes both repeatedly linked with moves away from the club.
Newcastle are in a better financial position but manager Eddie Howe admitted they are still in a place were business decisions may outweight footballing ones.
Speaking about those earlier player says, Howe said: “That was very much the business taking over the football, and I think we’re still in that position to a degree.”
Julen Lopetegui leaving West Ham?
This one has yet to be officially confirmed but talkSPORT have reported that West Ham are set to depart with their manager Julen Lopetegui.
The Hammers were beaten 4-1 by Manchester City at the weekend and at 14th in the table with fears they could be drawn into a relegation battle.
Lopetegui was brought in as a replacement for David Moyes with the aim of bringing a more exciting brand of football to the London Stadium but instead the club have seen performances get worse.
talkSPORT also say that the Irons are preparing to make Graham Potter, the former Chelsea and Brighton manager, the new boss to replace Lopetegui.
Joshua Zirkzee and Antony wanted on loan by European clubs as Man Utd look to rebuild
Manchester United forwards Joshua Zirkzee and Antony are attracting interest from European clubs who want to take them on loan.
But United are keen to keep Zirkzee, who is a target for Juventus, despite a traumatic time for the summer signing when supporters first cheered his substitution and then booed the Dutchman as he went off in last Monday’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. However, Zirkzee’s name was sung by supporters in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool, when he came off the bench.
United see Zirkzee as an important member of their squad, though the 23-year-old has only scored four goals in 27 appearances since his £36.5m move from Bologna.
Joshua Zirkzee and Antony wanted on loan by European clubs as Man Utd look to rebuild
The forwards are being targeted by Juventus and Real Betis respectively
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