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:
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.
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.
Jhon Duran attracting interest from PSG and Barcelona
It appears Aston Villa may have a fight on their hands to keep hold of in-form striker Jhon Duran. The Colombian has been a revelation for Villa this season, scoring 11 goals including the winner against Bayern Munich.
But Talksport are reporting that PSG have expressed an interest in signing the forward, with £60m said to be the price that would tempt Villa to sell.
Meanwhile, Spanish outlet Sport are reporting that Barcelona sporting director Deco has already met with Duran’s representatives for informal talks to let him know he is on the Barca radar.
Virgil van Dijk ‘offered to Real Madrid’
Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold but it’s another Liverpool defender that they have reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign.
Virgil van Dijk was ‘offered to Real Madrid’ by the player’s agent, according to Spanish outlet Relevo, but the Spanish club have declined as they look at other players more suited to their project.
Van Dijk is a free agent in the summer and yet to agree a new contract with Liverpool. His agent is said to have contacted Madrid officials to inform them the 33-year-old was keen on a move to the Bernabeu, especially knowing the team have struggled with injuries at centre-back to David Alaba and Eder Militao, but Madrid refused to take up the option.
Marcus Rashford’s representatives in Italy to discuss AC Milan move
The latest in the Marcus Rashford saga – the forward’s brother and agent are in Italy today talking to AC Milan about a potential loan move. The Italian club are keen to understand the conditions for a deal that could be loan with an option to buy and they’ve made the England international their top target for this window.
Manchester United are aware that Rashford’s representatives are in Italy and are expecting a number of clubs to formally approach them about a deal.
Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are among the other interested clubs, with Rashford’s representatives expected to talk to them in the coming days. There are still no guarantees he’ll leave Old Trafford despite publicly saying he is “ready for a new challenge”.
Arsenal given hope in hunt for goalkeeper
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia was a target for Arsenal over the summer and the Gunners even saw a bid rejected for the 23-year-old.
But Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza has since stated that the club could sell the goalkeeper in the future and reports from Spain, per Sport Witness, suggest the Gunners are still interested.
Arsenal had a €20m (£16.6m) bid rejected but a second bid could be successful for a player who has a €30m (£25.4m) release clause.
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 there are Premier League clubs also monitoring the situation and could yet throw spanners in the works.
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