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:
Interest growing in McAtee
Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are interested in Manchester City forward James McAtee.
McAtee is keen for more game time and is willing to move away to make that happen but City have no plans to let players leave this month.
Pep Guardiola says McAtee is ready to start for the Premier League champions though the midfielder has only made three substitute appearances totalling 26 minutes this season.
Arsenal and Villa interested in Retegui
Arsenal and Aston Villa are interested in bringing Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui to the Premier League.
That’s according to a report from La Repubblica which says the forward is gaining interest from the English top-flight over a possible January move.
Arsenal are in such of a striker and the Argentine-born forward is the most prolific Italian striker in 2024 with 16 goals in 35 league games.
Glasner expects Guehi to stay
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner expects defender Marc Guehi to stay at the club. Guehi was the subject of interest from Newcastle in the summer and is being linked with an exit once again with his current contract set to expire in 2026.
“I think so. No player from the squad has come to me and said they want to leave,” Glasner said when asked about Guehi’s future at Selhurst Park.
“No-one who plays all the minutes like Marc or the ones who don’t play. I am not concerned that Marc will leave but 31st January is a long time.”
Ispwich interested in Godfrey
Ben Godfrey could make his return to the Premier League as interest in the former Everton defender continues to grow. Fabrizio Romano says that Ipswich are in talks with Atalanta to sign him on loan.
Negotiations are reportedly under way. Godfrey moved to Serie A from Everton in the summer for around £10m but is yet to start a league game for his new club.
Amorim on turning around United’s form
“We need time to work on the basic things, this is the only way,” Ruben Amorim said. “When the window is open we can try to do something and we will try to do something.
“In the next weeks, we are going to have more time to train and you have to improve, that’s the only way. We’ve had a lot of games without training, now we’ll have more space to grow.
“The context is worse at the moment because we’ve had a lot of losses. The only situation is to work hard.”
Amorim on Maguire extension
The Manchester United head coach, Ruben Amorim, spoke about extending Harry Maguire’s contract for another year.
He said: “Harry Maguire, we are going to trigger our option. I spoke with him this morning and I told him he has to improve his game on the pitch.
“We need him a lot, and he also needs to improve as a leader. We all know the situation he had here, but we need him a lot in this moment, so we are going to trigger happily the option.”
Guardiola on De Bruyne’s future
Kevin De Bruyne is out of contract at the end of the season and Pep Guardiola has had his say on the midfielder’s future at Manchester City.
He said: “Not my business. He had problems in the last year but of course when he is consistent and fit, I have said many times, he is a really important player for us.
“For the club, how he performs and the age he has, the club has to think about it.”
Norwich sign Dobbin from Villa on loan
Aston Villa have confirmed that Lewis Dobbin has been recalled from his loan spell at West Brom and will instead join Norwich until the end of the season.
The striker signed for Villa from Everton in the summer but struggled for game time with the Baggies. He made 18 appearances, with just one league start and did not score.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti tight-lipped on Trent Alexander-Arnold move
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti refused to be drawn on the club’s pursuit of Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Champions League holders were rebuffed when they made an initial enquiry about the England right-back’s availability a few days ago.
Ancelotti, asked about January signings, told a press conference: “It is difficult for me to talk about that in this context. But we are going to have to wait and see.
“We are focused on all these games in January and the game tomorrow (against Valencia) and I’ve got nothing more to say. It’s not sensible for me to speak about the market right now.”
Southampton sign Brazilian defender
Southampton have confirmed the signing of a 23-year-old Brazilian left-back. The club released the following statement:
“Southampton Football Club is pleased to formally complete the signing of Brazilian defender Welington, who had previously signed a pre-contract agreement with the club.
“The 23-year-old left-back agreed personal terms with Saints in the summer, staying with São Paulo until the expiry of his contract at the end of the Brazilian season.
“Welington made 48 appearances in all competitions during the campaign, as São Paulo finished sixth, taking his career total to 164 games for the club.
“A Brazil Under-23 international, he won the Copa do Brasil in 2023 and the Supercopa do Brasil in 2024 during his time with São Paulo, where he made his debut aged 19.
“Welington will now join up with the Saints first-team squad and wear the number 34 shirt at St Mary’s.”
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