Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool set price for star winger, Tottenham sign goalkeeper, Man Utd trigger extension
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:
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.
‘No market’ for Rashford transfer despite Man United willing to sell
Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy has been speaking about Marcus Rashford’s situation at Old Trafford and suggests Man United will struggle to offload him:
“Selling Marcus Rashford would help Man Utd financially as it would be banked in the books as pure profit as he’s an academy graduate. He says he wants a fresh challenge and the club are open to letting him leave.
“But there is no market for Rashford because of his salary, valuation, form and all the off the field problems that have been reported.
“In the current landscape where domestic clubs are trying to meet their PSR aims and clubs in Europe can’t match the fees of the Premier League, you can’t see where Rashford would begin this new adventure and where Man Utd get the money they need for him. Some clubs like PSG who have had an interest in Rashford have made it clear there is no active interest in him at the moment.”
Ansu Fati linked with loan but agent says Barcelona ‘will need him’
Jorge Mendes has asked whether Ansu Fati would be leaving Barcelona on loan again but it seems the agent’s priority is for him to stay at the club right now.
“[That’s a] question for Barca but he has the level to play for them. He needs is confidence and to resolve his physical issues. Once he’s at 100%, Barca will need him. He’s a unique player,” he said, per Goal.com.
In Spanish media there have been varying suggestions he may leave, without any firm destinations named.
Mohamed Salah provides update on Liverpool contract talks: ‘It’s my last year in the club’
Mohamed Salah has said he refuses to be distracted by the uncertainty about his future, as he concentrates on having an “unbelievable season” to meet his target of winning the Premier League again with Liverpool.
The Egypt forward is in the last six months of his contract and said he is still “far away” from agreeing a new deal with the club.
But Salah leads the way in Premier League for both goals and assists, with 17 and 13, as he has helped Liverpool take a six-point lead.
Mohamed Salah provides update on Liverpool contract talks
Speculation has been rife over the forward’s future at Anfield, with his deal expiring this summer
Pau Torres out for at least two months
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has confirmed defender Pau Torres will be out for two months after breaking a metatarsal.
The 27-year-old went down in the 2-2 draw against Brighton and had to be carried down the tunnel by the medical staff.
Emery said: “Not Pau Torres because he broke his fourth metatarsal, and he is going to be out for, more or less, two months.”
Merson wants Arsenal to spend big on Isak
Paul Merson has urged Arsenal to go all out and buy Alexander Isak from Newcastle in January as the Gunners hope to challenge for the title this year.
He told Sky Sports: “If I was Arsenal and had the money, I’d go out and buy [Alexander] Isak. I’d break the bank for him. He’s the best of the best and takes Arsenal to another level.
“What I like about Jesus is he’s got back into the team and said ‘this time round, I’m going to get in the box and score goals. If I’m going to stay in this team, I need to score goals’ and that’s what he’s done.
“The goal against Brentford was a proper poachers goal and it’s rare we see him in the six yard box, heading them in.”
Mikel Arteta provides update on Arsenal squad after being hit by sickness bug
Mikel Arteta was a happy man following Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Brentford on New Year’s Day and even more so because his squad overcome a sickness bug to put in a superb performance away from home.
Goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli ensured the Gunners moved back up to second in the Premier League table and continued to put pressure on league leaders Liverpool who are now just six points ahead of Arteta’s side.
Kai Havertz was surprisingly left out of the Arsenal squad for the match against Brentford but it was reported that the German forward had caught a sickness bug that struck other players in the squad as well.
Mikel Arteta provides update on Arsenal squad after being hit by sickness bug
The Gunners defeated Brentford 3-1 on Wednesday evening but their squad were not able to perform at their best due to illness
Casemiro another Man United face linked with Saudi move
A report out of Brazil says Casemiro is set to leave Manchester United and head to Saudi Arabia, with the Saudi fund which controls several clubs still to decide which team to send him to.
UOL say the midfielder “sees with good eyes” a move to the Pro League, given he’s out of favour under Amorim for the most part.
As noted earlier, any side wanting to land a new overseas player must sell or deregister one first in the SPL.
Bournemouth bring in first January signing
Bournemouth have signed defender Matai Akinmboni from DC United.
The 18-year-old became one of the youngest to have played in the MLS after making his debut at the age of 15.
Bournemouth technical director Simon Francis said: “He is an exciting young player we have been monitoring for an extended period and have been impressed by his progress.
“Matai is a player we believe has a very bright future and we are looking forward to seeing him develop with us.”
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.
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