Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal identify Isak alternative, Olmo update, Real Madrid discuss Liverpool bid
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.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.
Liverpool linked with ‘offer’ for Marc Guehi
A £65m bid from Liverpool for Marc Guehi might be in the offing, but so far no major outlet has suggested that’s the case despite some Spanish sites saying it is on the cards.
Fichajes and one or two other places have stated Arne Slot wants a new centre-back, with Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez both injured, but the league leaders moving for Crystal Palace’s defensive star in the middle of the campaign still feels somewhat improbable.
A higher fee than the £65m is still wanted by Palace, with the London club rejecting similar from Newcastle over summer, reports say - while the Mirror claim Liverpool is Guehi’s preferred destination.
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.
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.
Boca president on Anselmino at Chelsea
Boca president Juan Roman Riquelme has spoken out on Aaron Anselmino joining up with Chelsea once his loan deal has concluded. Riquelme told ESPN:
“He has developed a lot. He is on his way to being a great footballer. He is going to be a player for the national team. He is going to compete with the centre-backs.”
‘Even the players’ know Man City need new signings, admits Guardiola
All has not been well at Man City over winter and Pep Guardiola has acknowledged they must do some business if they can, saying even the current squad accept that new faces are one possible route to returning to winning ways.
“The transfer window in the winter is not easy but even the players know that we have to add some new players,” Guardiola said.
“After, when these players come and play in their positions, they are unhappy but we have a lot (of injuries) and this is a problem. But it’s about bringing a player for the next four or five years and we’ll have to see. Sometimes it is not easy but we have to try because this is sustained for a long time.”
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