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:
Postecoglou reluctant to add more defenders
Ange Postecoglou says he is reluctant to bring in more defenders in January as Ben Davies, Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero should return from injury soon.
Asked whether he would add reinforcements at left-back he said: “It depends, we’re in a tricky situation. Ben Davies can play left-back, we could have three very, very good defenders coming back in very quickly.
“Destiny [Udogie] will be a bit longer. It’s a bit of a balancing act. The beauty of bringing in someone like Antonin Kinsky is he was part of our plans anyway.
“I’m really reluctant to bring in another body for the sake of it. They have to either fit into what we’re trying to do or is going to help us straight away. Those are the kind of criteria we’re looking at.”
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.
Chelsea want Kobbie Mainoo
Chelsea are at the top of the list of clubs who want to sign Kobbie Mainoo should he depart Manchester United.
The Daily Mail are reporting that their is a stalemate in negotiations over a new deal between the midfielder and the Old Trafford hierarchy despite Mainoo having two-and-a-half years left on his current contract.
If United do sell the player it would be financially beneficial given any proceeds from a sale would go down as pure profit on the accounts.
The fans would not be pleased as Mainoo is a homegrown talent that broke into the first team under Erik ten Hag and has continued to impress.
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.
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.
Latest from Richard Jolly:
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
Jhon Duran attracting interest from PSG and Barcelona
It appears Aston Villa may have a fight on their hands to keep hold of in-form striker Jhon Duran. The Colombian has been a revelation for Villa this season, scoring 11 goals including the winner against Bayern Munich.
But Talksport are reporting that PSG have expressed an interest in signing the forward, with £60m said to be the price that would tempt Villa to sell.
Meanwhile, Spanish outlet Sport are reporting that Barcelona sporting director Deco has already met with Duran’s representatives for informal talks to let him know he is on the Barca radar.
Chelsea learn Marc Guehi asking price
Marc Guehi is one of the more sought-after names this transfer window and the defender has now had his asking price set by Crystal Palace.
Guehi’s former club Chelsea are leading the charge to re-sign him amid a defensive injury crisis and have been told they will have to stump up £70m to make it happen.
Newcastle wanted the centre-back last summer and Palace turned down multiple bids, up to £60m, for him. They are set to stand firm on £70m, which Chelsea are currently unwilling to pay.
Arsenal in race for Nico Williams and Lee Kang In
A couple of Arsenal nuggets from David Ornstein of The Athletic. Firstly, the Gunners are looking at highly-rated Athletic Bilbao and Spain forward Nico Williams.
Mikel Arteta would love to sign Williams during this window but finances make it unlikely and the player himself is not agitating to leave Bilbao. His release clause €60m (although it fluctuates with inflation) and would need to be paid in full, meaning a summer move is more likely.
Arsenal face competition to sign the 22-year-old, as Chelsea are high on his list of suitors, while Liverpool looked into the viability of a deal last summer.
The Gunners may also be interested in PSG’s South Korean forward Lee Kang In. The 23-year-old is open to a new challenge and Barcelona’s interest may force Arsenal to come forward, having previously expressed interest although the price (at least double the €22m PSG paid to sign him from Mallorca in 2023) is considered off-putting.
Brighton chase Brazilian defender
Brighton are still interested in signing 18-year-old centre-back Vitor Reis from Brazilian side Palmeiras despite seeing their latest approach rejected.
Reis signed a contract until December 2028 over the summer and Palmeiras are reluctant to sell, according to Sky Sports, with a number of clubs gathering information on the Brazil youth international.
DONE DEAL! Bournemouth complete Julio Soler signing
A move that has been on the cards for a couple of days now is finally done. Bournemouth have completed the signing of 19-year-old left-back Julio Soler from Argentine side Lanus.
Soler arrived in the UK yesterday to finalise the move and has now done so. Solet is the current Argentina U20 captain and considered an exciting prospect for the future.
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