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:
Manchester United face stumbling blocks in chase of key transfer target Nuno Mendes
Manchester United need a sale in order to meet Paris Saint-Germain’s €60m valuation of Nuno Mendes, with Ruben Amorim and the new INEOS leadership keen to start a badly-desired overhaul.
The 22-year-old left-back has been targeted as a key first signing to give balance to the team, but the Old Trafford hierarchy are currently short on the salary offer as well as the transfer fee.
The situation reflects how difficult this crucial first window is for Amorim, with many at United openly talking about how much business needs to be done but how little money there is to spend amid Profit and Sustainability Rule restrictions. The club have essentially let it be known that they will listen to offers for almost any player, including popular homegrown talents such as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. Such reports have dominated the first few days of the window, only showing how stark the situation is.
Latest from Miguel Delaney:
Manchester United face stumbling blocks in chase of key transfer target Nuno Mendes
The PSG left-back is valued at €60m and United are restricted by Profit and Sustainability rules
Chelsea chasing Kobbie Mainoo
Chelsea are at the top of the list of clubs who want to sign Kobbie Mainoo should he depart Manchester United.
The Daily Mail are reporting that there is a stalemate in negotiations over a new deal between the midfielder and the Old Trafford hierarchy despite Mainoo having two-and-a-half years left on his current contract.
If United do sell the player it would be financially beneficial given any proceeds from a sale would go down as pure profit on the accounts.
The fans would not be pleased as Mainoo is a homegrown talent that broke into the first team under Erik ten Hag and has continued to impress.
Carney Chukwuemeka on Borussia Dortmund’s radar
Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka is on the shortlist of Borussia Dortmund this January, according to Sky Sports Germany.
Dortmund are looking for a No 8 and the 21-year-old is struggling for playing time under Enzo Maresca. The Blues are open to loaning Chukwuemeka although his €40-45m release clause is way too high for Dortmund.
Man Utd exploring deal for Kolo Muani
With news that Viktor Gyokeres is unlikely to leave Sporting this month, Manchester United are exploring other striker options with Randal Kolo Muani apparently high on their list.
According to David Ornstein at The Athletic, United and Tottenham are actively exploring a deal to sign Kolo Muani on loan from PSG.
The France striker is also wanted by Juventus and Ornstein says they are the leading contenders to capture his signature, with the France striker short of game-time at PSG but regarded by his suitorsas one of the best versatile attackers currently on the market.
Kolo Muani, who moved to PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023 for €90m and is under contract until 2028, has played just 14 times for the French side this season, providing two goals and an assist.
Igor Paixao chased by Arsenal and Liverpool
Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao is being chased by Arsenal and Liverpool, among other Premier League clubs.
According to CaughtOffside, Paixao has impressed scouts of both sides as well as the likes of Spurs, Aston Villa and West Ham. He could be available for around €30-35m.
No talks have taken place or offers made as of yet but Arsenal and Liverpool have received glowing reports from their scouts.
Martin Dubravka set for Saudi Arabia
Newcastle may be about to lose their back-up goalkeeper, with Martin Dubravka having an agreement in principle with Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab.
Dubravka just need the green light from the Magpies, according to Fabrizio Romano and he’ll be off to Saudi.
Man City monitoring Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov
According to our own Richard Jolly, Manchester City are interested in Abdukodir Khusanov although the Lens defender is viewed as a potential signing for the future, rather than a player who would be likely to break into the first 11 now.
The 20-year-old Uzbekistan international is around a decade younger than three of City’s current centre-backs, in John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji.
West Ham eye Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
The east London club have pressed on with business despite the current uncertainty over the managerial position, with Julen Lopetegui continuing to take training even as Graham Potter has been in negotiations to succeed him. Dewsbury-Hall has emerged as an option, after limited impact at Stamford Bridge so far.
The 26-year-old arrived from Leicester City in the summer having worked with Enzo Maresca at the Championship winners, but has so far only made five league appearances, with most of his time being restricted to the Europa Conference League.
Latest from Miguel Delaney:
West Ham eye Chelsea midfielder with Graham Potter set to replace Julen Lopetegui
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has struggled to force his way into Enzo Maresca’s first-choice side and could make a move
Tottenham and Aston Villa in for Milan Skriniar
Tottenham and Aston Villa are interested in signing Milan Skriniar, with PSG happy to let the Slovakian defender leave this month.
The 29-year-old has made just five appearances this season and the saga could be resolved by the end of the week, according to French newspaper L’Equipe.
Galatasary have been considered the front-runners to sign Skriniar but his salary could prove a problem for the Turkish side, leaving Spurs and Villa well placed to add to their centre-back options instead. Napoli have also been linked but he may not be an automatic starter there.
Cristiano Ronaldo ‘has options’ and desperate for Casemiro reunion
Cristiano Ronaldo has six months left on his contract with Al Nassr and is considering “several options” but the deciding factor could be where offers a reunion with Casemiro, according to Spanish outlet Marca.
Ronaldo and Casemiro played together for five seasons at Real Madrid, and also linked up at Manchester United, with the Portuguese now desperate to reunite with his old friend.
That could come at Al Nassr, where the 39-year-old has urged new signings to help compete with the likes of Al Hilal and Al Ittihad, who they trail in the Saudi Pro League. But Ronaldo also has the chance to move to the USA and a dual signing of him and Casemiro by an MLS club is a possibility, while there is also speculation he may want to return to Europe.
The deciding factor will be where Casemiro ends up after his severe drop-off in form at Manchester United means the Red Devils are happy for him to leave for Saudi Arabia or somewhere else this month.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments