By The Independent (Sports) | Created at 2025-01-15 08:39:40 | Updated at 2025-01-15 11:49:00
3 hours ago
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.
Arsenal are rumoured to be looking for new forwards after cup defeats to Manchester United and Newcastle, but have struck a deal to sign Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the summer. Mikel Arteta’s side have been linked with a goalscorer and have reportedly turned their sights on Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and Martin Zubimendi.
The window could see some big exits confirmed with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold open to negotiate a possible free transfer to Real Madrid and Manchester United looking to sell Marcus Rashford. Kyle Walker could be on his way out of Manchester City, though, after informing Pep Guardiola of a desire to explore options away from the club and Milan and Inter are battling for the right back.
Elsewhere, Chelsea have opened talks with Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel, in a move that could see striker Christopher Nkunku head the other way and return to the Bundesliga after a difficult time at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool have ‘started talks’ with FC Nurnberg star Stefanos Tzimas after rejecting a £70m verbal offer for Darwin Nunez.
Follow all the latest news, rumours and deals below:
Arne Slot: Liverpool don’t need new recruits
Liverpool manager Arne Slot insisted the strength of the options he has in reserve means the club do not need to add to their squad in the January transfer window, after substitute Diogo Jota earned his side a draw at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
Jota netted just 22 seconds after coming off the bench - Liverpool’s fastest goal by a substitute on record in the Premier League - heading home a corner from fellow replacement Kostas Tsimikas.
The Portuguese forward was one of four Liverpool strikers on the pitch when he cancelled out Chris Wood’s opener at the City Ground, with Italy international Federico Chiesa an unused substitute.
“I think you saw today again, that I can still strengthen the team or impact the game with the substitutions I have from the bench,” Slot said when asked whether Liverpool will have a busy January transfer window.
“And it was not for the first time this season that these players have helped us. If you looked at today, I could not have asked for more. I said to them at halftime, don’t get frustrated.
“I knew we would get chances, with the options we had. We created chance after chance late on and could have won.”
Lawrence Ostlere15 January 2025 08:27
Gunners poised to land Zubimendi
With all the attention focussed on which striker Arsenal will sign in the January window, news has emerged that the Gunners are all but certain to land primary target Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta is known to be a long-term admirer of the 25-year-old Spanish star and, with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both out of contract at the end of the season, the club have accelerated their interest in Zubimendi.
Arsenal are reported by The Mail to have triggered Zubimendi’s €60million (£51m) release cause and would have ideally liked one of Europe’s leading midfield talents to join them this month, but Real Sociedad have insisted he stays until the end of the campaign.
Sam Turner15 January 2025 08:04
Antonio Conte confirms Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave Napoli
Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has sparked a potential January transfer window scramble after telling manager Antonio Conte he wants to leave.
The 23-year-old Georgia winger, valued at around £70million, is regarded as one of Europe’s hottest properties and has been linked with Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Liverpool, with the French capital seemingly his most likely destination.
“Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave the club,” Conte told a press conference ahead of Napoli’s league match at home to Hellas Verona on Sunday.
“I spoke to him and he confirmed his plan to leave the club. I feel very disappointed because I spent six months trying to make him feel at the centre of the project, to make him see that something important could be done.”
Michael Jones15 January 2025 08:00
Chelsea move for Bayern star Mathys Tel
Chelsea have contacted Bayern Munich over a move for winger Mathys Tel, according to multiple reports. The 19-year-old French youth international had a breakout season last year.
The move could depend on Christopher Nkunku heading in the other direction. The France international has struggled since moving to Stamford Bridge and is looking to return to the Bundesliga, where he was named player of the season during his final campaign with RB Leipzig.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 07:00
Emery address Diego Carlos-Fenerbahce links
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery gave his thoughts on the future of defender Diego Carlos and the rumours he could be exiting the club for a move to Fenerbahce.
Sky Sports News have reported that the Turkish side were interested and would pay £10m for the player.
“When we are in the transfer window different options can happen with the players,” Emery said, “Of course we can see how important Diego Carlos was and is for us because he played consistently with us, performing very well.
“Of course, like I told you before, we are thinking in different circumstances but always trying to link and get what is best for the club, for the team and for each player.
“After those circumstances we will analyse and always try to make the best decision.”
Mike Jones15 January 2025 06:00
West Ham boss Graham Potter refuses to be drawn on Marcus Rashford speculation
Potter was appointed as Julen Lopetegui’s successor on Thursday and was in the dugout to watch his side lose their FA Cup third-round tie 2-1 at Aston Villa on Friday night.
Following his appointment at the London Stadium, the Hammers have been linked with wantaway Red Devils forward Rashford in the January transfer window but Potter remained tight-lipped.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 05:00
Man City target €40m Brazil defender to step up rebuild plans
Manchester City are interested in Brazilian centre-back Vitor Reis as they start to plan for the future of their defence.
The Premier League champions hope to bring the 18-year-old to the Etihad Stadium while Palmeiras want €40m for the prospect.
City are also keen to sign another young centre-back, the 20-year-old Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens.
Their squad only contains two defenders they have bought in the last four years, in Josko Gvardiol and Manuel Akanji, and manager Pep Guardiola has had a host of centre-back injuries this season.
Right-back Kyle Walker turns 35 in May while central defender John Stones is 30, with both Akanji and Nathan Ake having their 30th birthdays later this year and City have started to turn their attention towards the next generation of defenders.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 04:00
AC Milan to formally approach Man Utd over Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford was left out of Manchester United’s matchday squad for the FA Cup match against Arsenal which points more clearly that the winger will be leaving the club during this window.
Sky Sports News say AC Milan, who have been in talks with Rashford’s team, are reportedly preparing a formal bid for the 27-year-old with United believed to want a straight loan.
The hierarchy at Old Trafford understand that they are likely to have to subsidise some of Rashford’s wages in order to get a deal over the line.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 03:00
Liverpool winger on five man shortlist for Napoli to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Napoli are now open to the idea of selling talented Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but a new name has now emerged as a possible replacement.
Edon Zhegrova has been linked with a move to Naples, reports Corriere dello Sport, after impressing for Lille.
While Bologna’s Swiss international Dan Ndoye is another option. Antonio Conte prefers Lecce’s Danish starlet Patrick Dorgu.
While Roma’s Matías Soulé and Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa also come under consideration.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 02:00
Arsenal back away from potential Alexander Isak deal
Arsenal have backed down from a potential blockbuster move for Alexander Isak this summer.
The numbers have simply become too much for the Gunners to make work, reports the Mail.
It is no surprise that Newcastle and the market’s valuation of the Swedish striker has rocketed since his sensational run of form.
It is a blow for Mikel Arteta, who continues to struggle to find the right solution in attack, with Kai Havertz impressing at times but unable to consistently lead the Gunners’ front line.
And Isak, who Newcastle want to keep, would now cost more than the British record fee of £115m that Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 01:00
