Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd trigger contract extension, Zubimendi to Liverpool boost, Alexander-Arnold latest
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
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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 La Liga 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:
Man Utd book medical for Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon
Diego Leon looks poised to join Manchester United, after the Paraguayan’s agent Renato Bittar, who represents the group La Squadra, confirmed the Cerro Porteno defender will undergo medical tests.
Leon can operate as a wing-back, which should suit Ruben Amorim’s system.
The 17-year-old has played 19 times for the Paraguayan giants, scoring twice.
Osimhen-Rashford swap deal?
This is a rumour that kind of makes sense.
Manchester United are open to selling Marcus Rashford this month and would need the income from his sale to fund any incomings. Talk this next bit with a grain of salt but The Sun say that a swap deal could be in the offing with Napoli that sends Rashford to Serie A in return for striker Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen is currently exiled from the Italian side having refused a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer which would have brought in a lot of money.
The striker is currently on loan at Galatasaray but could secure a permanent move this month if he heads to a competitive club and league.
This deal is unlikely but not out of the realms of possibility given the two club’s financial situations.
Arsenal told huge Muani fee
Arsenal have been chasing a new striker according to many reports over the past few weeks and Randal Kolo Muani seems to be one they are considering.
News out of Italy doesn’t give them enormous optimism though that it’ll be an easy deal to do this month, as Tuttosport say Serie A clubs have been priced out by PSG’s demands.
They have little interest in a loan deal and instead want upwards of €60m for the French striker, leaving Juventus and AC Milan sidelined. Arsenal and Galatasaray are still looking at the options.
Anselmino returns from loan
Chelsea defender Aaron Anselmino has returned from his loan with Boca Juniors and will be available to Enzo Maresca for the back half of the season.
The club released a statement which reads: “Aaron Anselmino has been recalled from his loan spell at Boca Juniors.
“The Argentine defender joined the Blues from Boca in August, penning a long-term deal, before heading back to La Bombonera on loan to continue his development.
“Aaron made 18 appearances for Boca across all competitions during his loan spell and became a regular in the backline.
“Welcome back to Chelsea, Aaron!”
No Nunez talks for Liverpool and Milan
Reports from Italy over the midweek period suggested AC Milan were keen on Darwin Nunez and were preparing a loan-to-buy deal, starting from €5m and with an eventual price of around €45m (£37.5m).
However, Mail Online say that’s a premature speculation, with Milan yet to get in touch with the Reds over any possible bid.
Milan have a new boss in Sergio Conceicao after sacking Paulo Fonseca.
Villa still in talks with BVB over Malen
Donyell Malen could become the next Dutchman in the Premier League, with the versatile attacker a target for Aston Villa.
The Mail Online report discussions have been ongoing between the Midlands side and Borussia Dortmund, with a view to a permanent deal being struck.
Villa offered £15m plus add-ons, Dortmund want £25m or so. Talks continue, they say.
Man United’s plan to ease PSR concerns
Sticking with the i paper and returning to Old Trafford, a detailed piece offers insight to Ruben Amorim’s reported plans for the month.
A wing-back and a striker are top of his wishlist, with Nuno Mendes the chief target for the left flank. Geovany Quenda is another option but Sporting won’t sell midseason.
In attack, the names are Randal Kolo Muani, Victor Osimhen and of course Viktor Gyokeres. He’ll be £60m...but in summer, not now.
There are a list of players United would consider offloading, on loan or otherwise, but the top three are Rashford, Antony and Casemiro. Offloading them would give room to move in PSR terms and allow United to strike fast if a chance came up this month to buy.
Liverpool refuse to consider Trent sale in January
Reports over the past day or two suggest that Real Madrid are likely to return with a more firm offer for Trent Alexander-Arnold, after initial conversations were shut down by Liverpool.
However, the i paper are saying the result will be the same: the Reds will reject any possibility of letting their right-back leave in midseason, instead focusing on trying to land trophies and convince him to sign a new contract instead.
Alexander-Arnold, who is the club’s vice captain, can now talk freely to Real and arrange a move without a fee at the end of the season.
European clubs linked with Rashford bids
Marcus Rashford...what’s next for him? Well, Liverpool are next, on Sunday, but given he was an unused sub against Newcastle and not in the squad before that, he may not feature again at Anfield.
Meanwhile, TalkSport are claiming that the Manchester United forward’s preference is a move to Spain and therefore Barcelona, but they also say he has lined up different agencies to discuss moves, which Rashford himself says isn’t the case. A less-concrete claim from one of the websites of yesteryear (TeamTalk, if anyone remembers the Teletext days when they’d be regulars with transfer gossip...) suggests PSG and Borussia Dortmund are showing “renewed interest” in him and that United want £50-60m as a fee.
And you can read all about him turning down potential moves to Saudi Arabia, his reasons and the massive money with it right here.
Marcus Rashford rejects Saudi Arabia move amid speculation over Man Utd exit
The 27-year-old could depart Old Trafford but has turned down three offers from the Saudi Pro League
Biggest transfer rumours on Friday
Right then, let’s have a quick catchup of what has been going on in rumour-land and then we’ll delve into things individually...
- Marcus Rashford has rejected the chance to move to Saudi Arabia, turning down three clubs - full details here
- But European teams have now reportedly made their interest known in the Man United forward
- Aston Villa are in talks over a deal for Donyell Malen
- Reports in Italy about an AC Milan move for Darwin Nunez are seemingly wide of the mark
- Arsenal have joined the line of clubs keen on Evan Ferguson
- Ben Godfrey could have a quick return to the Premier League
- And two top-flight clubs want Villa’s Jaden Philogene on loan
Plenty more besides this lot too...let’s get started.
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