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4 days ago

Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal lead Cunha race, Liverpool eye release clause, Man Utd spot Dorgu alternative

The transfer window is approaching its final week as clubs in the Premier League and across Europe seek to close out deals

Chris Wilson,Miguel Delaney,Richard Jolly
Wednesday 22 January 2025 16:29 GMT
"We're maybe the worst Manchester United team in history" - Amorim

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United are among those to watch in the finals days of the January transfer window as clubs in the Premier League and across the world look to wrap up deals before the deadline.

The Gunners are desperate to sign a striker but face competition from United over Sporting forward Viktor Gyokeres, while a move for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko looks unlikely this month despite being aware of a clause that allows the forward to leave the German club in 2025.

Elsewhere, Manchester City announced the signing of defender Vitor Reis and Chelsea could enter talks with Juventus for striker Dusan Vlahovic, with out-of-favour striker Christopher Nkunku set to leave this month.

Manchester United have opened talks with Lecce for defender Patrick Dorgu as Ruben Amorim prioritises signing a left back. But the club need to sell to buy, with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony set to leave.

Marcus Rashford is also looking for a move away from Old Trafford, with his representative having met Barcelona executives in Lisbon before the Catalan club’s dramatic 5-4 win against Benfica.

Follow all the latest news, rumours and deals below, plus analysis on the done deals and where new signings will fit into the starting line-ups:

5 days ago

City nearing another signing?

More news from City earlier today, as Fabrizio Romano is reporting that the club have made a verbal agreement to sign Real Valladolid centre-back Juma Bah.

The 18-year-old defender, from Sierra Leone, could join RC Lens on loan initially – the two clubs now have an “excellent relationship after Khusanov deal,” says Romano.

“Formal steps to follow,” adds the Italian.

Chris Wilson21 January 2025 11:15
5 days ago

Manchester City announce Reis signing

Manchester City have signed a second centre-back in as many days after bringing in Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £30m.

The 19-year-old Brazilian joins Abdukodir Khusanov, who arrived from Lens for £34m, as part of a new-look defence that Pep Guardiola is building.

Reis, who has signed a four-and-a-half contract, said it was “a dream come true” to join City, while director of football Txiki Begiristain described the Brazil Under-17 international as “one of the most promising young defenders in the world”.

Manchester City secure second centre-back as defensive rebuild continues

Brazilian teenager Vitor Reis joins Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov in signing for the club as Pep Guardiola retools his squad

Chris Wilson21 January 2025 11:04
5 days ago

Alan Shearer says Manchester United paying the price for ‘terrible’ recruitment

Alan Shearer says Manchester United are paying the price for “terrible” recruitment and that it will take a long time to fix things after boss Ruben Amorim admitted his side might be the “worst” in the club’s history.

United are 13th in the Premier League after sinking to a 3-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday.

They have won only three of their 11 league games since Amorim started work as successor to the sacked Erik ten Hag, losing six of them.

Alan Shearer says Manchester United paying the price for ‘terrible’ recruitment

United are 13th in the Premier League after sinking to a 3-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Chris Wilson21 January 2025 10:36
5 days ago

Man Utd monitor alternative targets

As well as Dorgu, United are said to have “looked at Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tyrick Mitchell” of Wolves and Crystal Palace.

Nuno Mendes is considered to be an unrealistic option for this window, according to ESPN.

Chris Wilson21 January 2025 10:26
5 days ago

Villa announce Garcia signing

A done deal this time, and it’s for Aston Villa, who’ve announced the signing of Garcia from Levante for a deal worth €7m.

Chris Wilson21 January 2025 10:16
5 days ago

Conflicting Dorgu reports abroad

Reports coming from Italy give a different scenario surrounding the signing of Dorgu.

Gianluca Di Marzio says that Napoli are close to agreeing a deal with Lecce to buy Dorgu and loan him back to the club, though “if Manchester United offer £34m, things can change”.

Chris Wilson21 January 2025 10:10
5 days ago

How Liverpool’s squad was expertly built – and why Arne Slot is now reaping the rewards

After the 22-second goal came the 26-minute strike. Arne Slot provided the definition of both an impact substitute and an instant impact when Diogo Jota scored at Nottingham Forest, with his first touch, 22 seconds after he and his provider, Kostas Tsimikas, entered proceedings. Four days later, Darwin Nunez broke the deadlock 26 minutes after his own introduction. His second goal, two minutes later, was assisted by another replacement, Harvey Elliott, 13 minutes into his cameo against Brentford.

“It's so nice for me, for us as a team, that I have players that can impact the game on the bench as well,” reflected Slot. As Liverpool resume their Champions League campaign, top of the table and with the only 100 percent record in the competition, two of their outstanding performances in the competition came from men likely to begin on the bench against Lille on Tuesday. When Real Madrid were beaten 2-0, Caoimhin Kelleher saved Kylian Mbappe’s penalty. And if the goalkeeper was not the man of the match, it is because Conor Bradley produced a barnstorming display.

Liverpool’s squad was expertly built – and Arne Slot is reaping the rewards

The construction of Slot’s squad has been overseen by several different figures, yet has remained coherent throughout

Chris Wilson21 January 2025 09:50
5 days ago

Aston Villa reject West Ham bid for forward Jhon Duran

Aston Villa have rejected a bid from Premier League rivals West Ham for forward Jhon Duran.

West Ham first registered an interest in Duran last summer but failed to pursue initial advances for the Colombian striker and he signed a new deal with Villa until 2030 in October.

However, the Hammers have stepped up their efforts to bring the 12-goal forward to London and had a bid reported to be in the region of £57million turned down by Villa on Monday.

The transfer speculation is an unwanted distraction for Villa ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash away to Monaco.

West Ham have had a bid for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran rejected (Mike Egerton/PA).
West Ham have had a bid for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran rejected (Mike Egerton/PA). (PA Wire)
Jamie Braidwood21 January 2025 08:46
5 days ago

Manchester City announce signing of defender Abdukodir Khusanov

Manchester City have signed defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for €40m, plus add-ons.

The 20-year-old, who will become the first Uzbekistan international to play in the Premier League, has signed a four-and-a-half year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

His arrival kicks off City’s January buying as Pep Guardiola has started rebuilding his team in a spending spree that will cost well over £100m.

Manchester City announce signing of defender Abdukodir Khusanov

The 20-year-old joins on a four-and-a-half year contract from French side Lens

Richard Jolly21 January 2025 08:31
5 days ago

Chelsea step up Dusan Vlahovic interest?

Chelsea are considering a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to the Times.

The Blues held talks over the transfer of their defender Renato Veiga, who is wanted by the Italian club, and are weighing up whether to make a bid for the Serbia international.

Vlahovic, 24, has also been linked to Arsenal and is set to be available ahead of entering the last year of his contract.

He is Juventus’ top scorer this season with 12 goals but is also the club’s stop earner.

(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood21 January 2025 07:49

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