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:
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.
Igor Paixao chased by Arsenal and Liverpool
Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao is being chased by Arsenal and Liverpool, among other Premier League clubs.
According to CaughtOffside, Paixao has impressed scouts of both sides as well as the likes of Spurs, Aston Villa and West Ham. He could be available for around €30-35m.
No talks have taken place or offers made as of yet but Arsenal and Liverpool have received glowing reports from their scouts.
Juve offer surprise swap deal to Man Utd
Juventus have offered to swap Dusan Vlahovic for Joshua Zirkzee as part of a January transfer move according to talkSPORT.
Zirkee has only scored three Premier League goals since his arrival at Old Trafford and is in the firing line as one of the squad players underforming.
The Dutchman signed for £36.5m in the summer but could make an early exit if a swap deal for Vlahovic can be arranged. Vlahovic has just 18 months left on his Juve contract in Turin and the Italian giants hope to benefit from his exit.
The Serbia international is the club’s top scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions and has the ability to lead the line for United.
Why Liverpool’s squad worries go well beyond Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold
Some of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s more traumatic outings in a Liverpool shirt have tended to involve Real Madrid. Normally, however, it entailed trial by Vinicius Junior, a test many a right-back has failed over the years. If there are plenty of reasons to join Real, one is that he would only have to face the Brazilian in training.
In the week Real attempted to sign Alexander-Arnold in January, his worst performance of the season felt ill-timed. Perhaps only the right-back and those closest to him know for sure if the distraction caused by Real contributed to his substandard display against Manchester United.
Arne Slot, often a voice of reason, pointed out it is not the only difficult day even a player of Alexander-Arnold’s standard has experienced over the years. He afforded credit to the United double act of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, citing their status as Portugal internationals, even if the inconvenient truth is that neither remotely resembles a left winger.
Why Liverpool’s squad worries go well beyond Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold
The league leaders are heading towards a 20th league title under new manager Arne Slot, and yet a squad rebuild looms on the horizon
Nunez up for sale?
Football Insider are saying that Liverpool are willing to sell Darwin Nunez if their valuation for the Uruguayan is met.
The club apparantly want between £50m-£60m for the striker in order to green light any potential move.
Nunez has been linked with a switch to Newcastle in recent weeks but that figure would seemingly be a high one for the Magpies who are wary of breaching PSR.
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