Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham continue to make progress on recruiting signings during the January transfer window. The Gunners know they must bolster their title-chasing squad as they look to win a first Premier League crown in two decades. Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk continues to be their priority target, and the club continue to hope a compromise can be found on the asking price. Should a deal not be reached, the Gunners are exploring a shock loan move for Eden Hazard.
Chelsea have already made three January signings, though all three are younger talent with an eye on the future, and are closing in on a fourth addition as Joao Felix flies in for a medical this afternoon to complete his move. Chelsea may also turn to World Cup finalist Marcus Thuram in an effort to strengthen their attack, while new arrival David Datro Fofana could be sent out on loan this month.
Tottenham have joined Chelsea in the race for Brighton’s Leandro Trossard, while Sporting right-back Pedro Porro remains a target and Jordan Pickford and David Raya are potential options to succeed captain Hugo Lloris, who yesterday confirmed his retirement from international duty. Wout Weghorst remains a target for Manchester United on loan, though Besiktas have hit back at “fake” reports. Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours below!
Live updates
Merson: Aubameyang done at Chelsea
Paul Merson believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s career at Chelsea is effectively over.
Aubameyang came on as an early substitute for Raheem Sterling in the Premier League against Manchester City, but was then brought off himself by Graham Potter in the second-half to continue a painful start to life at Stamford Bridge.
“As soon as you are sub-subbing a 30-something player, I think that is probably the end,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“Maybe you can get away with it with a younger player, but in football it’s one of those unwritten rules. It’s a don’t-do. But Potter did it with him at 33 and, for me, I think he’s done.
“They have brought a couple of players in already and it looks like they are going to have a go in the transfer window. They have to. The top four looks very far away right now.”
Frankfurt stand firm on Kolo Muani
Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche has insisted the club will not sell Randal Kolo Muani this month.
Tottenham are among the clubs to have been linked with the forward in recent weeks, but when asked if a bid of €100m would be enough to force Frankfurt’s hand, Krosche maintained the stance would not change.
“No,” Krosche told Sky Germany.
“We have made it clear that we do not want to sell any top performers. There is no reason for that. It will stay that way.”
No Felix buy option for Chelsea
Chelsea do not have the option to make Joao Felix’s loan move a permanent one in the summer.
The Atletico Madrid forward is flying to London this afternoon to undergo a medical and complete his switch to the Blues for the rest of the season.
Fabrizio Romano reports that there is no buy option in the deal, while Chelsea are believed to still be interested in Marcus Thuram among other forward targets.
Christopher Nkunku’s move to Chelsea for the summer is already done and is not impacted by any business the club do this month.
Done deal!
Wigan manager Kolo Toure has turned to his former club as he looks to lead his side off the foot of the Championship.
Arsenal midfielder Miguel Azeez has joined the Latics on loan for the rest of the season.
Arsenal face Danilo competition
Arsenal have regularly been linked with a move for Palmeiras midfielder Danilo, but they are not the only side in for the Brazilian.
The Daily Mail report that Nottingham Forest are now in talks for the 21-year-old, as they look to seal a deal for £18m plus add-ons to help boost their bid for Premier League survival.
“We’re in the middle of the season in January and we have the opportunity to improve the squad,” boss Steve Cooper said of the club’s transfer plans.
“It’s a really busy time with it being January and I do know there’s a lot of work going on.”
Galtier confident of Messi extension
PSG boss Christophe Galtier believes Lionel Messi is “very happy” at the club amid talk of a contract extension.
Phil Neville is still hopeful that Inter Miami can bring Messi to the MLS, but recent reports suggest the 35-year-old will stay at PSG.
“There are talks ongoing, our board discussed with Messi about new contract — I don’t know more,” Galtier said.
“I see Leo very happy here in Paris, so then we will see his position about the club’s project.”
Zakharyan on Chelsea links
Arsen Zakharyan has admitted his future is still up in the air, as he continues to be linked with Chelsea.
The 19-year-old was linked with the Blues in the summer and it would be no surprise if speculation once again hots up in the weeks ahead.
“We are already solving this with the club, agents,” Zakharyan said of his future via Russian outlet Sport Express.
“What and how it’ll be – I myself can not say. I don’t know, I don’t have a plane in two hours. I’m at Dynamo, getting ready for the season.”
How Chelsea must overhaul squad
Graham Potter retains the support of Chelsea‘s new owners, despite an alarming run of results.
Co-owner Todd Boehly views Potter as the man to handle this period of transition, but Chelsea are facing a huge overhaul of their squad.
Standard Sport assesses which players they should keep, offload or might be stuck with:
N’Golo Kante: one of the world’s best, but has succumbed to injuries in the past 18 months and his contract expires in the summer. RELEASE
Conor Gallagher: has not been good enough technically but may command a good transfer fee to reinvest. SELL
Read our full look at the Chelsea squad here
Betis consider Bellerin move
Hector Bellerin is already being linked with a move away from Barcelona.
The right-back joined the club in the summer after leaving Arsenal, but has made just one La Liga start for the club this season.
Real Betis, where the 27-year-old, was on loan last season, are set to sell to Alex Moreno to Aston Villa and, according to Mundo Deportivo, are interested in bringing Bellerin back to strengthen at full-back as a result.
Barcelona are said to be reluctant to let Bellerin leave though, wanting to keep their strong squad ahead of a busy schedule.
Ferdinand: Maguire has to leave
Rio Ferdinand has urged Harry Maguire to find a way out of Manchester United.
The England centre-back has fallen a long way down the pecking order since Erik ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford, with the Dutchman recently favouring Luke Shaw in the centre of defence, and Ferdinand has told Maguire he needs a move.
”If you’re him you have to leave now,” Ferdinand told his YouTube channel FIVE.
“Luke Shaw’s playing centre-back instead of him. That’s like me going back after the World Cup, playing well… and Patrice Evra is playing centre-back. I’d want to strangle Patrice!
“I’d be going to the manager and saying, ‘are you taking the p*** out of me, boss?’. I’d have walked straight into the manager’s office and said, ‘you’re disrespecting me’.”
