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Transfer news LIVE: Zirkzee offered way out as Man Utd face financial woe, Liverpool ‘offer’ for Guehi

The winter window begins with sides at both ends of the Premier League table looking to strengthen as they battle for survival, European football and even the title

Jack Rathborn,Karl Matchett
Tuesday 31 December 2024 16:58 GMT
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Ruben Amorim responds to Marcus Rashford comments over Manchester United future

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The winter transfer window begins on 1 January, with clubs across the continent eyeing deals as they look to strengthen in the hunt for titles, European football and survival.

As always, there’ll be plenty of eyes on the Premier League as the country’s top sides try and find value in an often difficult market, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all tipped to make signings.

There could be high-profile departures too, with Marcus Rashford reportedly looking for a way out of Manchester United while Trent Alexander-Arnold is free to negotiate with other clubs with just six months remaining on his current Liverpool deal.

And across the rest of the league, teams will juggle PSR regulations and tight budgets as they look to find cut-price deals to help their bids for a successful end to the 2024/25 season.

Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and deals below:

Man United could let Zirkzee leave on loan

Joshua Zirkzee suffered the embarrassment of being subbed off barely half an hour into Man United’s dreadful 2-0 defeat against Newcastle last night and Italian reports say he’ll be offered a chance to depart Old Trafford on a more notable basis in January.

Juventus want to add to their attack and a loan deal for the Dutch attacker is their preferred route, say Tuttosport, with a deal including a buy option contingent on qualification for the Champions League and other factors.

The dealbreaker here they say is that Amorim wants Viktor Gyokeres in - but he’s immensely difficult to land in midseason given his huge release clause and United’s financial constraints.

Karl Matchett31 December 2024 13:55

Forest owner says club will do “whatever is needed” in pursuit of top four finish

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was speaking at the Globe Soccer Dubai Awards and underlined what the Premier League club will do - and don’t want to do - in January as they look to build on a great first half of the season.

Forest are second in the table, behind only Liverpool, after losing just four times this term so far.

“We will do whatever is needed to be stronger and of course our coach (Nuno Espirito Santo) will decide what he really needs,” said Marinakis. “We must keep the same spirit and same environment in the dressing room and all our players this year have the right spirit. This is a very good climate we should try our very best not to interrupt it.

“It is an important achievement because in all positions we have players who perform or even over-perform. For us this is our first priority – keep the momentum, keep winning and continue to enjoy the journey.”

Karl Matchett31 December 2024 13:40

Everton’s £16m defender could be heading out on loan

Jake O’Brien only joined Everton in the summer but already he’s tipped with a move away from Goodison Park.

The Telegraph report that several clubs overseas are looking at him for a possible January loan switch, after he impressed in Ligue 1 with Lyon last term.

A £16.4m addition, Sean Dyche has only started him in the Carabao Cup so far, with a couple of sub appearances in the league to his name. Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga sides have registered early interest.

Karl Matchett31 December 2024 13:25

Big obstacle in path of Saudi clubs wanting Rashford

Marcus Rashford has been briefly and spuriously linked with moves to the Saudi Pro League in January after admitting he might have to move on, while Ruben Amorim doesn’t seem keen to play him either.

But all 18 SPL sides have to offload overseas players before they attempt to sign him, the league has confirmed. Every single side has maxed out their quota of foreign players registered and must sell or deregister those they own before moving for new faces.

Al-Qadsiah are one of the clubs mentioned as being keen on signing Rashford but there has been no indication from the forward that he might move to Saudi specifically.

Karl Matchett31 December 2024 13:10

Newcastle target Milan defender

Newcastle could move for AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori in January, according to Caught Offside.

The 27-year-old could return to the Premier League after a spell in Serie A since leaving Chelsea.

The Magpies pursued Marc Guehi last summer but Tomori could emerge as a more affordable option.

Karl Matchett31 December 2024 12:55

Kyle Walker considering Man City departure in January

Slightly tenuous but the Mirror are running a story which credits a Mail Online wrap of Man City’s situation, which suggests Kyle Walker may depart the club in January.

Nothing concrete appears in either version of the assessment, but the right-back is “assessing his options moving forward” after falling from favour and form this term.

A return to Sheffield United and interest from AC Milan are the only clubs mentioned.

Karl Matchett31 December 2024 12:40

Aston Villa want Dortmund forward Malen

A £25m bid for Donyell Malen could be in the offing from Aston Villa, with Unai Emery keen for attacking reinforcements.

Mail Online say Villa have “rekindled interest” in a player they previously targeted and like his versatility as much as his attacking prowess, while Malen is friends with left-back Ian Maatsen after they played together at Borussia Dortmund and the Dutch national team.

Malen might be up for grabs due to having 18 months left on his deal, with “up to three additions” possible in January, says the report.

Karl Matchett31 December 2024 12:25

Grealish being considered by Newcastle and Spurs

The Daily Mail are claiming that at least two Premier League clubs are looking at Jack Grealish and weighing up whether there’d be a chance to prise him out of Manchester City.

Both Tottenham and Newcastle are “monitoring” the England winger, according to the report, with City likely to spend in January to arrest their slide and Grealish’s place in the team unsecure.

It’s worth noting that both those sides have Son Heung Min - the team captain - and Anthony Gordon - one of the Magpies’ highest-rated players - in that left-sided role which is Grealish’s usual spot at City.

Karl Matchett31 December 2024 12:11

Kerkez signs with new agency amid rumours

Man United are “monitoring” Milos Kerkez, Bournemouth’s left-back, says football transfer tweeter Fabrizio Romano. The defender is joining a new agency as of the turn of the year.

“Milos Kerkez has signed with Fali Ramadani’s Lian Sports as new agency from 2025. He’s definitely one to watch, with Man United among top clubs monitoring his progress as reported,” he wrote on X.

Karl Matchett31 December 2024 11:50

Man United want Barcelona defender Christensen

Manchester United might want a few new players, but one they are targetting for January is Andreas Christensen.

The Barcelona centre-back has had injury issues but was a consistent performer last term, even playing holding midfield in LaLiga.

Juventus are also reported to be keen, with Mundo Deportivo saying the two want him on loan.

Karl Matchett31 December 2024 11:35

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