Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal target Nico Williams, Liverpool eye Marmoush, Man Utd face Kobbie Mainoo interest
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. Randal Kolo Muani is said to be one option for United, who look likely to miss out on Viktor Gyokeres this month, while Arsenal and Liverpool are chasing Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao.
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:
Arne Slot hints at Liverpool transfer plans with comment on January window
Arne Slot has said that Liverpool are keeping an eye open for a chance to strengthen in the transfer window and shrugged off the scrutiny on his side by saying that if he spent his time looking at social media, he would have no life.
The Dutchman ignored top scorer Mohamed Salah’s jibe at former Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher to concentrate on his team. Salah posted that Carragher was “obsessed” with him after the pundit’s latest discussion on his contract.
Arne Slot hints at Liverpool transfer plans with comment on January window
The Premier League leaders will look for opportunities in the winter window, although Slot is happy with his squad
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.
Renato 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.
AC Milan to pounce on Olmo situation
Italian giants AC Milan hope to pounce on the Dani Olmo situation at Barcelona.
The Spanish midfielder finds himself in deep water after Barcelona chiefs failed to seal his registration with La Liga. The Spanish giants are going through their options to keep him but may need to offload the player if they can’t register him with the Spanish footballing authorities.
According to SPORT, the Italian side are willing to offer him a six-month loan move to the San Siro after which time he would return to Barcelona.
It is a deal which could suit all parties though their are Premier League clubs also monitoring the situation and could yet throw spanners in the works.
Leroy Sane to make shock Man City return
Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane is being linked with a return to Manchester City this month in a potential shock move.
According to Football Insider, City are one of a number of Premier League clubs – along with the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea – to be monitoring his situation.
The 28-year-old Sane only has six months to run on his Bayern contract, so could agree a pre-contract for the summer from now, although City are keen to strengthen in January to salvage their season.
Sane left City in 2020, as he moved to Bayern for a fee reported to be around £55m.
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.
Meanwhile, Real Betis are one of several clubs who hope to borrow Antony for the second half of the season. The £85m winger, the second most expensive signing in United’s history, has not started a league game this season and has only played 84 minutes of top-flight football, spread over six substitute appearances.
Latest from Richard Jolly:
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
Man Utd add Denmark international Patrick Dorgu to wing-back wishlist
As Ruben Amorim continues to implement his 3/5 at the back formation at Manchester United, the club are in the market for a left wing-back this January.
According to the incorrigible Fabrizio Romano, Danish international Patrick Dorgu – who plys his trade for Italian side Lecce – has been added to their list.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez and PSG’s Nuno Mendes would be United’s preferred option but they’re more expensive and Dorgu has been monitored by Man Utd scouts in recent months. Napoli are also keen on the Dane, according to Romano.
Man Utd exploring deal for Kolo Muani
With news that Viktor Gyokeres is unlikely to leave Sporting this month, Manchester United are exploring other striker options with Randal Kolo Muani apparently high on their list.
According to David Ornstein at The Athletic, United and Tottenham are actively exploring a deal to sign Kolo Muani on loan from PSG.
The France striker is also wanted by Juventus and Ornstein says they are the leading contenders to capture his signature, with the France striker short of game-time at PSG but regarded by his suitorsas one of the best versatile attackers currently on the market.
Kolo Muani, who moved to PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023 for €90m and is under contract until 2028, has played just 14 times for the French side this season, providing two goals and an assist.
Virgil van Dijk ‘offered to Real Madrid’
Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold but it’s another Liverpool defender that they have reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign.
Virgil van Dijk was ‘offered to Real Madrid’ by the player’s agent, according to Spanish outlet Relevo, but the Spanish club have declined as they look at other players more suited to their project.
Van Dijk is a free agent in the summer and yet to agree a new contract with Liverpool. His agent is said to have contacted Madrid officials to inform them the 33-year-old was keen on a move to the Bernabeu, especially knowing the team have struggled with injuries at centre-back to David Alaba and Eder Militao, but Madrid refused to take up the option.
Man Utd forced to move on after Viktor Gyokeres update
Viktor Gyokeres is set to stay at Sporting CP this winter, with negotiations to buy him from the Portuguese club being delayed until the summer, meaning Manchester United will need to look elsewhere to solve their striker issue this January.
Gyokeres has plundered 30 goals for Sporting this season and attracted attention all across Europe but Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb are saying he won’t be leaving Portugal this month.
United, with former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim at the helm, are known to be interested in the Swedish, ex-Coventry star, while the likes of Man City, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also thought to be considering bids.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments