The January transfer window is now in full swing with clubs across the Premier League moving to bolster their ranks ahead of a packed schedule over the coming months.
Manchester United have confirmed a loan deal for Wout Weghorst, while Arsenal are ramping up their pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk by submitting a third bid. Chelsea remain hopeful of hijacking the transfer after holding discussions over a deal and now look to be front-runners.
Chelsea, who are this month’s biggest spenders so far, are far from done in the transfer window – with Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo is also on their radar. The Blues’ problems mounted up on Thursday after a bruising Premier League defeat at Fulham, in which new signing Joao Felix was dismissed for a two-footed lunge, and they will be without the Portugal star on Sunday for another London derby.
There will be plenty of eyes on Arsenal, meanwhile, as we learn their backup plan if Mudryk does indeed move to west London. Liverpool could also be forced into action after defeat at Brighton on Saturday left them well off the pace in the Premier League.
Stay with Mirror Football for all of Sunday’s transfer news and updates.
Man Utd still keen on Timber
Jurrien Timber is still on Man Utd’s list of targets, despite a summer move failing to materialise.
Erik ten Hag had looked to bring the Dutch defender over from Ajax, only for Timber to stay put.
Now, though, The Sun reports that the 21-year-old is among up to a dozen Eredivisie stars being looked at by the United boss.
West Ham push for Ligue 1 duo
West Ham United are keen on Lorient pair Terem Moffi and Dango Ouattara, according to The Mail.
Nigeria international striker Moffi has 12 goals in Ligue 1 this season, with only PSG star Kylian Mbappe scoring more in the competition.
Ouattara, who is also on Bournemouth’s radar, has six goals and six assists for Regis Le Bris’ side and played for Burkina Faso at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations.
Arsenal back in for Raphinha
Arsenal are returning to the table for summer target Raphinha, according to the Evening Standard.
The Gunners were keen on Raphinha when he left Leeds, but the Brazilian ended up opting for Barcelona.
Mikel Arteta’s side are looking for new targets after seemingly missing out on Mykhaylo Mudryk, and the former Rennes star – who has reportedly been made available by Barca – could be an option.
Potter call was “first step” in Mudryk deal
Graham Potter held talks with Chelsea target Mykhaylo Mudryk during the week, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The conversation was reportedly the first step in convincing the Ukraine international to opt for the Blues over Arsenal.
Mudryk had made clear his fondness for Arsenal earlier in the window, but now looks certain to end up at Stamford Bridge.
Leao impresses after comments on future
Rafael Leao helped AC Milan come from 2-0 down to draw with Lecce on Saturday after comments from director Paolo Maldini about the Portugal forward’s future.
Leao, who has been linked with Premier League sides including Chelsea, started the comeback before Davide Calabria rescued a point, with Milan having trailed by two inside 25 minutes.
“We are talking, there are video calls and we don’t necessarily have to meet in person,” Maldini told Mediaset (via Sempre Milan) during the week, .
“We will try to reach a solution. It seems that the two parties want it and now we want to try to close. Our will is there and that of the player seems to exist.
“This year we have focused on the renewal of our player base, built with the first transfer campaign of 2019 and practically everyone has renewed. It must be said that all those who wanted to renew have renewed.”
‘No bids’ for Caicedo
Brighton have yet to receive a bid for in-demand midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to talkSPORT.
The Ecuador international has been linked with both Liverpool and Chelsea, with a price tag in the region of £60m being mooted.
Caicedo joined Brighton for just £4.5m from Independiente del Valle, back when current Chelsea boss Graham Potter was still in the dugout for the south coast club.
Arsenal fans urged to “chill” over Mudryk deal
Former Premier League winger Yannick Bolasie has encouraged calm from Arsenal fans over the Mykhaylo Mudryk news.
The Congolese international, who played more than 100 top-flight games for Crystal Palace and Everton, compared the situation to other players the Gunners have missed out on of late.
“You saw it with [Manuel] Locatelli & [Dusan] Vlahovic…if the player wants to join the club of his choice then he will,” Bolasie wrote on Twitter.
“If [Mudryk] ends up somewhere else fans need to chill and bring players who wanna play for this team in, sitting 1st 5 points clear no need to move wild.”
Spurs prepare Zaniolo swoop
Tottenham are ready to steal a march on Serie A clubs for Nicolo Zaniolo, according to Alfredo Pedulla (via Football Italia).
The Italian midfielder is yet to sign an extension with the Giallorossi, with his current deal due to expire in 2024.
A number of clubs are expected to test the water in the summer if nothing changes, but Spurs could jump the queue by bidding in January.
The state of play with Mudryk
If you missed it last night, Chelsea appeared on the verge of hijacking Arsenal’s move for Ukraine star Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Blues’ final overnight update was a cryptic one, and we’re sure we’ll hear more today.
Good morning!
Welcome back!
We hope you enjoyed keeping up with all of yesterday’s transfer news and updates.
The good news is we’ve got more of the same for you today, with Mykhaylo Mudryk the name on everyone’s lips.
With Arsenal and Chelsea both in action, we may well hear from both Mikel Arteta and Graham Potter when it comes to new arrivals.
Stay with us.
Goodnight!
Thanks for joining us for Saturday’s transfer news and gossip.
We’ll be back with more stories on Sunday morning.
There will be updates on Mykhaylo Mudryk’s move to Chelsea throughout the day.
Please join us then!
Rutter “happy” to join Leeds
Georginio Rutter has admitted his delight at joining Leeds following his £36million move from Hoffenheim.
The 20-year-old forward has said: “I’m very happy to be here. I’m very excited for my football, for the fans. I hope I’m good.”
Hoffenheim’s director of football Alexander Rosen added: “We regret the premature departure of this highly talented player, who is not only a great guy but also has the ability to provide spectacular moments on the pitch.
“In light of the third-highest transfer fee in the club’s history, as well as the clearly communicated desire to move, it would not have made sense to block a young player like Georgi from the path he is pursuing.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one who will miss him.”
Mudryk to undergo medical
Mykhaylo Mudryk is expected to complete his Chelsea medical on Sunday.
The 22-year-old is set to complete a £97million move from Shakhtar Donetsk after agreeing a seven-year deal with the Blues.
Mudryk flew to London with Chelsea’s recruitment team on Saturday and will be in the stands at Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea game against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Mudryk latest…
Chelsea have confirmed they are on the verge of signing Mykhaylo Mudryk and are telling their fans to follow him on social media already… with Shakhtar Donetsk’s blessing.
The Ukraine international, 22, was tipped to join Arsenal this month and had flirted extensively with the Gunners on social media. But Chelsea have hijacked the transfer.
It’s believed the Blues have agreed a £97million deal with Shakhtar for the talented youngster, who is set to sign a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Click here to read the full story!
Leeds sign Rutter
Leeds have confirmed the signing of Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim for a club-record transfer fee.
It’s believed Leeds have agreed a £36million deal for the 20-year-old striker.
Rutter has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal at Elland Road.
Chelsea urge fans to follow Mudryk
Chelsea are now urging their fans to follow Mykhalyo Mudryk on Instagram.
They’ve also copied his Instagram handle into their bio and released a statement.
It reads: “Chelsea are discussing terms with Shakhtar Donetsk for the transfer of Mykhailo Mudryk.
“Should a deal be agreed between the two clubs then the Ukrainian international, who can operate as a winger or a forward, will discuss personal terms with the Blues ahead of a permanent transfer.”
Danjuma in London
Arnaut Danjuma has flown to London to discuss a loan deal with several Premier League clubs, according to The Athletic.
Villarreal have given the 25-year-old striker permission to do so.
De Zerbi warns Trossard
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has told Leandro Trossard he’s the boss after the 28-year-old handed in a transfer request.
De Zerbi told Sky Sports on Saturday night: “I want to answer clearly about Trossard. I think I didn’t make a mistake with him. The people who work inside of Brighton know very well the situation. I am fine with myself.
“I am open to wait for him and I am ready to open the door for him. He’s a good guy and a very good player.
“I don’t want him to change teams but he has to understand that he has to work with my attitude and my way. I am the coach and I decide the rules inside the dressing room.”
Chelsea drop HUGE Mudryk hint
Shakhtar Donetsk may have played down Mykhalyo Mudryk’s move to Chelsea – but it’s only a matter of time before the transfer is confirmed.
That’s because Chelsea have quoted tweeted Shakhtar’s update with the eye emoji.
The Blues would not have tweeted about another club’s player if he wasn’t close to a transfer.
An official announcement could be just around the corner…
No mention of Arsenal in Shakhtar’s tweet
Shakhtar Donetsk have confirmed Chelsea are close to signing Mykhalyo Mudryk.
But have they referenced Arsenal’s pursuit of the winger?
I’m afraid not, Arsenal fans.
Mudryk deal NOT agreed… yet
Shakhtar Donetsk have confirmed Chelsea have NOT agreed a deal to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Reports earlier this evening suggested the Blues have agreed a transfer fee and personal terms with the 22-year-old.
Shakhtar have denied this, but they have admitted a transfer is “very close” after a meeting today.
Shakhtar’s official account tweeted: “FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov and Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali discussed Mykhailo Mudryk’s transfer to Chelsea FC today.
“Parties are very close to agree on player’s transfer to the club.”
Chelsea’s Mudryk deal… in full
Chelsea have agreed an £97million deal to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk after swooping in under Arsenal’s nose to hijack the Gunners’ move for the winger.
Mudryk has been Mikel Arteta’s top target for much of the January transfer window, with the Gunners having at least one bid rejected by Shakhtar Donetsk. But Chelsea’s interest has grown with their season on life support amid a miserable run of results.
The Blues have turned to the transfer market in a bid to boost Graham Potter’s squad, signing Joao Felix in midweek. Now, they have moved to hijack Arsenal’s move for Mudryk, who is all but certain to leave Shakhtar this month.
Click here to read the full report!
More on Mudryk…
Mykhaylo Mudryk looked certain to be joining Arsenal a week ago.
This was a player who liked posts by Arsenal fan groups on Instagram and called Mikel Arteta a “top coach”.
But it seems Mudryk is heading to Stamford Bridge…
According to The Athletic, he’s agreed a seven-year contract with Chelsea ahead of a £97million move. The Telegraph are reporting the fee to be £88m, although they have not confirmed whether Mudryk has agreed a contract.
This is a fast developing story – we’ll let you know as soon as there is an update.
Please, stay with us.
Chelsea ‘agree’ £97m Mudryk deal
A big development in the Mykhaylo Mudryk saga…
According to The Athletic, Chelsea have agreed a transfer fee with Shakhtar Donetsk AND personal terms with Mudryk.
It’s believed Chelsea will pay Shakhtar £62million up front, with a further £35m coming in add-ons. That’s a £97m deal!
But here’s the important part – Mudryk has reportedly agreed a seven-year contract with Chelsea.
Arsenal fans, how are you feeling about all of this? Let us know in the comments below!
More on Mudryk…
The Telegraph’s Matt Law has verified Fabrizio Romano’s claim that Chelsea’s recruitment team are in Poland to complete a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Watch this space!
Premier League results
Well, well, well…
It’s been an interesting day in the Premier League!
Here are the results…
- Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City
- Brighton 3-0 Liverpool
- Everton 1-2 Southampton
- Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leicester
- Wolves 1-0 West Ham
Frank Lampard, Brendan Rodgers and David Moyes will be fearing the sack, you would imagine.
And what about Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool? They are now in eighth!
Brentford can leapfrog Liverpool by beating Bournemouth at home in Saturday’s final Premier League game.
Chelsea ‘fly to Poland’ for Mudryk deal
Chelsea’s board are in Poland trying to agree a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues will reportedly pay Shakhtar Donetsk’s asking price of €100million (£88m).
It’s claimed the deal will depend on whether Mudryk wants to join Chelsea.
That seems unlikely at this moment in time because Mirror Football understands Mudryk wants to join Arsenal – not Chelsea.
Yet Mudryk’s only option will be a move to Stamford Bridge if Arsenal fail to agree a fee with Shakhtar.
Arsenal and Liverpool handed Bennacer hope
Arsenal and Liverpool-linked midfielder Ismael Bennacer could be available for €50m in July 2024, according to Calciomercato (via Football Italia).
The 25-year-old, who spent time with the Gunners as a youngster, ended speculation about a summer 2023 move by signing an extension with AC Milan.
However, the new deal reportedly has a clause which will only impact teams from outside Serie A, potentially opening the door for the two clubs further down the line.
Newcastle in for Neves
Newcastle have become the latest club to express an interest in Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with the Portuguese playmaker over the past 12 months but have failed to firm up that interest with a formal offer.
Now, The Daily Mail are reporting that Newcastle are ready to test Wolves’ resolve over the midfielder, who has 18 months remaining on his current deal and is unlikely to pen fresh terms.
Tottenham issued Raya warning
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has insisted David Raya is going nowhere amid interest from Tottenham.
Spurs are reportedly interested in the Bees shot-stopper, who they view as a long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris.
But when he was quizzed on the interest, Frank said: “I understand why they are interested. He is a very, very good keeper.
“I said many times I think he is among the best in the league and he has performed fantastic for us, but he is going nowhere.”
