Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal set to sign Zubimendi, Liverpool miss out on £65m deal

Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal set to sign Zubimendi, Liverpool miss out on £65m deal
Arne Slot explains Trent Alexander-Arnold talks amid Real Madrid transfer interest

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:

West Ham in the market for new striker

The recent injury to Niclas Fullkrug seems to have forced West Ham into the January market, with the Hammers reportedly looking for a striker.

The Guardian are reporting that RB Leipzig forward André Silva is a target, while Evann Guessand of Nice has also been linked to Graham Potter’s side.

Chris Wilson15 January 2025 12:40

Real Madrid abandon Alexander-Arnold pursuit – for now

Some potential relief for Liverpool fans, with reports emerging in Spain that Real Madrid have given up on trying to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in the winter window.

Relevo reports that Los Blancos believe it will be impossible to sign the England full-back this month, though they will come back to try and sign him this summer.

Chris Wilson15 January 2025 12:28

Arsenal and Tottenham prepare to renew bitter rivalry but face the same big problem

Compromises in the transfer market and unrealistic ambition has left Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou in similar positions despite being on different sides of the north London divide 

Some at the club would have said they should have had such a player in place before this season. Arteta wants a physically imposing forward who can grow, with Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson all raised, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko the ideal profile.

The hope is to break the recent block, and maybe break a ceiling. On the latter, there’s a fact that those close to Arteta feel worth reminding people of, especially amid all of the emotive debate that has followed the recent drop in form.

Chris Wilson15 January 2025 12:16

Nottingham Forest latest

High-flying Nottingham Forest “are actively looking for options that can improve the squad” according to Sky Sports, with a new striker reportedly high on Nuno Espirito Santo’s wish list.

Nevertheless, “Nottingham Forest’s priority remains to tie down Murillo, Ola Aina and Chris Wood to new contracts”, adds Rob Dorsett.

In terms of outgoings, the club are prepared to listen to offers for Emmanuel Dennis, Lewis O’Brien, Harry Toffolo and Andrew Omabamadele. However, Taiwo Awoniyi wil not be allowed to leave unless they have a replacement.

Chris Wilson15 January 2025 12:00

Chelsea activate option to recall Trovoh Chalobah

Breaking news regarding Chelsea, as The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that the club have activated their option to recall Trevoh Chalobah from his loan at Crystal Palace.

The 25-year-old will return to Stamford Bridge “with immediate effect”, adds Ornstein.

Chris Wilson15 January 2025 11:43

Chelsea latest

As ever, plenty of rumours persist around both sales and incomings for Chelsea.

The strongest links surround the pursuit of Mathys Tel, who currently plays for Bayern Munich, with the Bavarian side reportedly keen on signing Christopher Nkunku too.

Elsewhere, summer signing Renato Veiga continues to be linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund, while Chelsea are keen on selling centre-back Axel Disasi.

Liam Delap is another player who has been linked with Stamford Bridge, with a reported fee of around £30m, but that rumour has gone quiet in recent days.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph says that Chelsea have a young and unnamed centre-back on their transfer list for the summer, but could look to move the deal forward if is becomes necessary.

Chris Wilson15 January 2025 11:32

Man Utd make Branthwaite decision

The Daily Mail are reporting that Manchester United have decided against a move for Jarrad Branthwaite after seeing Harry Maguire’s recent upturn in form.

The club’s decision to award the England centre-back with a new contract means that they will avoid going in for a ready-made replacement in the summer, and will instead look to invest in a young player with potential, in a similar vein to Leny Yoro.

Chris Wilson15 January 2025 11:17

Premier League clubs avoid PSR charges for 2023/24 but one team still at risk

All 20 Premier League sides have avoided charges relating to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) for the 2023/24 season after the league deemed every club to have been financially compliant.

PSR stipulates that clubs cannot post losses of more than £105m over a three-year period, with most clubs required to submit their accounts for the 2023/24 season by 31 December.

This year, the Premier League has adjudged that all clubs have adhered to the rules – in 2024, the league charged both Everton and Nottingham Forest with PSR breaches, with the Merseyside club later being given an eight-point reduction, while Forest were docked four points.

Chris Wilson15 January 2025 11:02

Spain latest

Plenty of rumours coming from Spain surrounding the country’s biggest clubs.

Relevo are reporting that supposed Chelsea target Ronald Araujo has decided to stay at Barcelona, while AS claims that Real Madrid are looking to invest in a full-back in this winter market, with the club’s hierarchy having deemed it “necessary”.

Reports also continue to link Marcus Rashford with a move to Barca, though this is seen as difficult due to the club’s financial situation.

Nico Williams is a name that keeps popping up in Spanish media in relation to Arsenal, but there are a lack of concrete links and the Spaniard’s huge wages would likely put the Gunners off the move.

Chris Wilson15 January 2025 10:40

Liverpool miss out on Kvaratskhelia

As reported yesterday, Liverpool seem destined to miss out on purported target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is set to join PSG.

Fabrizio Romano reported yesterday that the Georgian winger will join the Parisian club in a deal worth around €70m, and he’ll sign a five-year contract.

Chris Wilson15 January 2025 10:25

Source: independent.co.uk