Transfer news LIVE: Ronaldo ‘has options’, Man Utd could lose Mainoo and Arsenal want Williams
The transfer window is in full swing with sides at both ends of the Premier League table looking to strengthen as they battle for survival, European football and the title
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. Randal Kolo Muani is said to be one option for United, who look likely to miss out on Viktor Gyokeres this month, while they also like PSG left-back Nuno Mendes but may shockingly lose Kobbie Mainoo as Chelsea circle.
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 LaLiga 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:
Chelsea learn Marc Guehi asking price
Marc Guehi is one of the more sought-after names this transfer window and the defender has now had his asking price set by Crystal Palace.
Guehi’s former club Chelsea are leading the charge to re-sign him amid a defensive injury crisis and have been told they will have to stump up £70m to make it happen.
Newcastle wanted the centre-back last summer and Palace turned down multiple bids, up to £60m, for him. They are set to stand firm on £70m, which Chelsea are currently unwilling to pay.
Arsenal in race for Nico Williams and Lee Kang In
A couple of Arsenal nuggets from David Ornstein of The Athletic. Firstly, the Gunners are looking at highly-rated Athletic Bilbao and Spain forward Nico Williams.
Mikel Arteta would love to sign Williams during this window but finances make it unlikely and the player himself is not agitating to leave Bilbao. His release clause €60m (although it fluctuates with inflation) and would need to be paid in full, meaning a summer move is more likely.
Arsenal face competition to sign the 22-year-old, as Chelsea are high on his list of suitors, while Liverpool looked into the viability of a deal last summer.
The Gunners may also be interested in PSG’s South Korean forward Lee Kang In. The 23-year-old is open to a new challenge and Barcelona’s interest may force Arsenal to come forward, having previously expressed interest although the price (at least double the €22m PSG paid to sign him from Mallorca in 2023) is considered off-putting.
Man City and Liverpool fight for £50m attacking star
Manchester City need to freshen up their attacking talent as they try to salvage their season and Pep Guardiola’s men are targeting a £50m raid for Eintracht Frankfurt No 10 Omar Marmoush, according to Sam Wallace at The Telegraph.
The Egyptian international has been dubbed, perhaps inevitably ‘the next Mo Salah’ by some and has a versatility that could be invaluable to City – with the 25-year-old comfortable in a variety of attacking positions.
Marmoush joined Frankfurt on a free transfer from Wolfsburg at the start of last season and has shone, banging in 13 goals and contributing seven assists already this term.
He still has two and a half years left on his contract and although the original intention was a summer sale, City’s desperation could seal a move this month.
However, they apparently face competition from Liverpool, who are also after Marmoush. Who better to replace Mo Salah than ‘the next Mo Salah’...
Son Heung Min to stay at Tottenham as club confirm contract extension
Son Heung Min is set to stay at Tottenham beyond this season after the club triggered an extension option in his contract.
The South Korean’s deal was due to expire at the end of this campaign after a decade at the north London club.
But Spurs have activated an extension to their captain’s deal, keeping him under contract until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season and ensuring that he can not depart on a free transfer this summer.
Barcelona were apparently looking to sign Son on a free this summer, given their financial woes, but that now appears to be a no-go
Arne Slot hints at Liverpool transfer plans with comment on January window
Arne Slot has said that Liverpool are keeping an eye open for a chance to strengthen in the transfer window and shrugged off the scrutiny on his side by saying that if he spent his time looking at social media, he would have no life.
The Dutchman ignored top scorer Mohamed Salah’s jibe at former Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher to concentrate on his team. Salah posted that Carragher was “obsessed” with him after the pundit’s latest discussion on his contract.
And he confirmed that the Premier League leaders will look for opportunities in the winter window, even as he is content with the squad who have also gone top of the Champions League and reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Arne Slot hints at Liverpool transfer plans with comment on January window
The Premier League leaders will look for opportunities in the winter window, although Slot is happy with his squad
Wolves on the brink of signing new centre-back
Wolves are strengthening their defence as they face a Premier League relegation battle.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Wolves have signed all documents to bring in Reims star Emmanuel Agbadou as their new centre back, with a deal worth €20m and add-ons.
Agbadou is 27, has made 11 appearances for the Ivory Coast and will sign a five-and-a-half-year contract with option included.
Aston Villa agree deal to sign Donyell Malen
Aston Villa look set to add to their squad as they target a Champions League place once more, with talkSPORT reporting that Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen is set to sign.
Apparently he has agreed personal terms with Villa, which would be a huge statement from Unai Emery’s side to kick off the month.
Besiktas target Chris Wood
Chris Wood has scored 11 goals in the Premier League this and is garnering interest from other clubs.
According to Fotomac, Turkish giants Besiktas are eyeing a move for the forward in the hopes of bringing him in as a partner for striker Ciro Immobile.
Nottingham Forest are, understandably, not keen on selling during this window as they hope to maintain their great form and keep themselves in the top four.
Arsenal have bid rejected for Brazilian striker
Arsenal’s search for a striker has led them to South America, where they have reportedly had an opening bid rejected for Botafogo star Igor Jesus.
The Gunners have been linked with the likes of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko but with that calibre of player unlikely to be available until the summer, they’re aiming for a cheaper stop-gap solution.
Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte are reporting that Botafogo have rejected an opening offer from the gunners for Jesus, although the amount is unknown, and that although the 23-year-old has an £83m release clause in his contract, a £16.6m bid may be enough to sign him.
AC Milan to pounce on Olmo situation
Italian giants AC Milan hope to pounce on the Dani Olmo situation at Barcelona.
The Spanish midfielder finds himself in deep water after Barcelona chiefs failed to seal his registration with La Liga. The Spanish giants are going through their options to keep him but may need to offload the player if they can’t register him with the Spanish footballing authorities.
According to SPORT, the Italian side are willing to offer him a six-month loan move to the San Siro after which time he would return to Barcelona.
It is a deal which could suit all parties though their are Premier League clubs also monitoring the situation and could yet throw spanners in the works.
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