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:
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.
Arsenal have bid rejected for Brazilian striker
Arsenal’s search for a striker has led them to South America, where they have reportedly had an opening bid rejected for Botafogo star Igor Jesus.
The Gunners have been linked with the likes of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko but with that calibre of player unlikely to be available until the summer, they’re aiming for a cheaper stop-gap solution.
Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte are reporting that Botafogo have rejected an opening offer from the gunners for Jesus, although the amount is unknown, and that although the 23-year-old has an £83m release clause in his contract, a £16.6m bid may be enough to sign him.
Marcus Rashford, Martin Zubimendi and six more players who could be on the move this January
The winter transfer window is open with clubs across Europe looking for value in a difficult market this month.
Injury crises, title challenges and relegation battles will force plenty of clubs into the market in early 2025, with plenty of eyes on the Premier League as clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester City look primed to make signings.
Some high-profile players could be leaving England too this winter, with Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander-Arnold being tipped to negotiate moves away from their clubs.
And across the continent, plenty of Europe’s in-form players are also being linked with moves, from Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi to Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres.
But who are the major players being tipped for moves, and where could they end up?
Rashford, Zubimendi and six other players who could be on the move this January
Notable players, including Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander-Arnold, could be on the move this month
Ruben Amorim responds to Joshua Zirkzee speculation
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim has responded to speculation that Joshau Zirkzee may leave Old Trafford in the January transfer window.
Zirkzee only joined from Bologna in the summer but The Sun reported earlier this week that Juventus are keen to bring the struggling striker to Turin on loan. He is still highly regarded in Italy after impressing for Bologna last season.
And after United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool, Amorim didn’t completely dismiss the idea of Zirkzee leaving.
Ruben Amorim: “I want to keep Josh Zirkzee because he gives everything. He’s trying in training but we don’t know, the window is open… we will see what happens.”
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.
Newcastle tracking City and Southampton youngsters
The Guardian has reported that Newcastle are tracking moves for highly rated youngsters Tyler Dibling and James McAtee, who play for Southampton and Manchester City respectively.
McAtee reportedly has a price tag of around £25m, and he is said to be looking for more first-team opportunities despite featuring for City in recent weeks.
Dibling, who is also attracting interest from Manchester United, would supposedly be available for around £21m.
AC Milan show interest in Marcus Rashford
As the Marcus Rashford saga rumbles on, a new club have emerged as a suitor for the Manchester United forward – AC Milan.
Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting that there could be several obstacles in a potential move but an agreement is not impossible and that a loan is more likely, given the Englishman’s salary.
Dusan Vlahovic linked with Arsenal
Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is being linked with Arsenal, as the Serbian international is reportedly no closer to signing a new contract with the Turin club.
According to CaughtOffside , Juve are expected to set an asking price of around €65m, with Manchester United and PSG also monitoring the situation.
The 24-year-old Vlahovic has struggled for consistency at Juventus but has soon flashes of the promise that has made him a highly-touted prospect since his days at Fiorentina.
Arsenal round-up
Transfer rumours surrounding the Gunners will only intensify after their draw to Brighton at the weekend, with Arteta’s side linked to a range of forwards so far this window.
Alexander Isak continues to be linked, though that increasingly looks like an impossible deal to pull off in January. Evan Ferguson is another striker who is linked, while Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb is reporting that the Gunners might look to Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui to solve their forward issues.
Meanwhile, Nico Williams has been touted as cover for the injured Bukayo Saka.
City on the lookout for signings
Another side who are potentially interested in Guehi is Manchester City, who are widely tipped to spend big this month after a series of injury problems.
As well as Guehi, various reports have linked the club with moves for Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush, Bayern’s Jamal Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz. The latter two would cost around £100m, with Marmoush reportedly available for around £50.
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