By The Independent (Sports) | Created at 2025-01-19 11:53:50 | Updated at 2025-01-30 23:59:19
1 week ago
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United are clubs to watch in the finals days of the January transfer window. Erling Haaland has signed a bumper new extension at Manchester City, while it appears that Benjamin Sesko will not be an option for the Gunners as they target a new striker.
Mikel Arteta is also targeting a new midfielder, with Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi appearing to be set on the Emirates over Anfield or with Man City at the Etihad.
Arne Slot’s Reds continue to negotiate with soon-to-be out-of-contract trio Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk, with the right-back linked with a possible free transfer to Real Madrid.
While Manchester United are looking to sell Marcus Rashford, Kyle Walker could be on his way out of Man 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, currently in a rotten spell of form under Enzo Maresca, could negotiate a swap deal with Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel, inserting out-of-favour striker Christopher Nkunku into a deal.
Follow all the latest news, rumours and deals below, plus analysis on the done deals and where new signings will fit into the starting line-ups:
Everton reach agreement to sign Lyon’s Ernest Nuamah
Everton are apparently close to bringing in a winger.
Ernest Nuamah is a 21-year-old winger who has caught the eye of the Everton hierarchy whilst playing of Lyon.
RMC Sport report that the two sides have reached an agreement over a €20m fee.
Nuamah has made 18 appearances for Lyon across all competitions this season, scoring once in the Europa League.
Internationally, Nuamah has earned 12 caps for Ghana, scoring three goals.
Jack Rathborn19 January 2025 11:45
Sesko agent rejects Arsenal links
Benjamin Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic has provided an update on the striker’s future amid Arsenal speculation.
The Gunners need a new forward with Gabriel Jesus injured and Kai Havertz failing to convince as the No.9 for Mikel Arteta’s side.
And Basanovic tells Fabrizio Romano: “I don’t know from where does this story comes. I never talked with Arsenal about loan of Šeško”.
“Šeško is not a player for loans, never a topic for Arsenal or any other club”.
Jack Rathborn19 January 2025 11:15
Garnacho talks underway?
Spanish publication Diario AS reports that Napoli have begun talks with Alejandro Garnacho, who is widely reported to be the club’s top target to replace the outgoing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Journalist Eduardo Burgos adds that there are “key days” ahead.
Jack Rathborn19 January 2025 10:45
West Ham latest
Further to those comments from Potter, here’s a round-up of West Ham’s rumoured targets.
Reports emerged yesterday that the Hammers had submitted a £40m bid for Villa’s Jhon Duran, which was rejected.
Evan Ferguson remains a loan target too, as does Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati, who was previously on loan at Brighton.
Andre Silva of RB Leipzig is the player who has been most strongly linked, while there are reports that Nice’s Evann Guessand is also a target.
Hoffenheim forward Mergim Berish has been linked too, according to Florian Plettenberg of Sky DE.
Lawrence Ostlere19 January 2025 10:14
Arsenal consider £70m move for Benjamin Sesko
Arsenal are contemplating a £70m move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
A January transfer window move could boost the Gunners after a recent blip, which has hit their title hopes.
The Sun claims a loan could be an option, though that appears unlikely given the calibre of player, but a permanent move will push Mikel Arteta’s side to dig deep into their pockets.
The Mirror reports that Barcelona are also interested in the Slovenia forward, but may struggle to make the financial package work.
Jack Rathborn19 January 2025 10:09
Spurs latest
Spurs are one side who seem to have a lack of concrete rumours despite a difficult injury situation, though there are reports linking them to a few players.
In terms of attackers, Randal Kolo Muani was linked with the Lilywhites, but after his move to Juventus, Spurs have to look elsewhere. To that end, they’ve been linked with Lille’s Jonathan David, as well as Nice striker Evann Guessand, Rayan Cherki of Lyon, and Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati.
Postecoglou’s side have also been linked with Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Byran Mbeumo, but it is thought that all of these deals would be too difficult to pull off.
In other positions, Spurs have been linked with Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi in defence.
Lawrence Ostlere19 January 2025 09:03
City reportedly agree deal for Marmoush
Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport in France has claimed that Manchester City have finally agreed a deal “in principle” for Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush.
“Final details being discussed to sealed the deal. The plan is that he doesn't play tomorrow against Dortmund,” Hawkins added.
Lawrence Ostlere19 January 2025 08:02
Solskjaer returns as new Besiktas manager
Assistant coach Erling Moe and goalkeeper coach Richard John Hartis will also join Solskjaer at the Istanbul club.
Solskjaer has managed Molde in his home country on two separate occasions and also led Cardiff for a brief spell in 2014.
Besiktas, the 21-time league champions are currently struggling in sixth place.
In the Super Lig, Solskjaer will come up against his predecessor as Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, currently in charge of Fenerbahce, who sit second in the table behind leaders Galatasaray.
Saturday's home match against Samsunspor is likely to be a watching brief for Solskjaer, with interim head coach Serdar Topraktepe having been taking charge of the team.
The 51-year-old Norwegian, though, should take charge of next week's Europa League tie against Athletic Bilbao.
Lawrence Ostlere19 January 2025 07:02
Solskjaer returns as new Besiktas manager
Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as the new manager at Turkish club Besiktas.
Solskjaer, who has not held a coaching role since leaving Old Trafford in 2021, takes over at the Super Lig side who have been without a head coach since letting Giovanni van Bronckhorst go last month.
The Norwegian, who arrived in Istanbul on Friday, has agreed a deal until the end of the 2025-2026 season, with a one-year extension option.
A statement on the Besiktas website read: "A contract has been signed with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the position of technical director of our professional football team until the end of the 2025-2026 season with a 1-year option for the 2026-2027 season.
"We welcome Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who we believe will provide important services to our club, to the Besiktas family and wish him outstanding success."
Lawrence Ostlere19 January 2025 06:41
Arsenal striker update
Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Arsenal’s search for a striker.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said that “Mikel Arteta already confirmed that Arsenal are working for a new addition and I can tell you that in the last 24 to 48 hours there were many calls from Arsenal to ask about important players around Europe.
“Arsenal are exploring opportunities for the striker position. Let’s see what they’re able to do, so a work in progress,” Romano added.
The Gunners have been linked with Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Dusan Vlahovic during the window, while Bryan Mbeumo reportedly remains another forward target.
Lawrence Ostlere19 January 2025 03:44
