Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United are among those to watch in the finals days of the January transfer window as clubs in the Premier League and across the world look to wrap up deals before the deadline, while Chelsea’s late interest in Alejandro Garnacho could unlock a series of moves.
The Gunners are desperate to sign a striker and though a move for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko looks unlikely this month Mikel Arteta’s side are still pursuing the forward. Wolves’ Matheus Cunha is seen as an alternative should they not manage to secure Sesko, while Arsenal lead the race for Norwegian starlet Sverre Nypan.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are closing in on a deal with Lecce for defender Patrick Dorgu but the club need to sell to buy, with Garnacho possibly on the way out and Antony offloaded on loan to Real Betis. Marcus Rashford is also searching for a move away from Old Trafford, but only one club looks like a possible option this January.
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:
Napoli and Man Utd still apart in Garnacho negotiations
Napoli are determined to secure a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with Alejandro Garnacho at the top of the list.
Manchester United want around €65m for the winger and will not settle for less as they must sell players in order to bring in ones more suited to Ruben Amorim’s style of play.
According to Italian publication, Tutto Mercato, Napoli have offered around €55m plus bonuses for Garnacho but the clubs remain apart in negotiations over a fee.
Man Utd agree terms for Dorgu
Reports coming out of Italy, as relayed by The Sun, say that Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Patrick Dorgu.
That deal is said to around £29m plus up to £4m in add ons.
Dorgu joined Lecce in 2022 and made his senior debut at the beginning of last season. The 20-year-old has made 57 appearances for the Serie A club scoring five goals.
However, Lecce are also talking to Napoli over the defender with the Serie A side willing to loan Dorgu back to Lecce for the rest of the season after completing his move.
Let’s see how this one plays out.
Emery on the transfer window
Aston Villa have signed Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia for over £30m in this window but after allowing Diego Carlos and Jaden Philogene to leave for the same figure, they have funds available for more incomings.
Unai Emery said: “We are trying to be intelligent and make the better decisions transfer window.
“It’s not easy to change some players in this window. We did with Jaden [Philogene] and [Donyell] Malen and with Kosta [Nedeljkovic] – he is close to leaving – and a centre-back we didn’t do because we are now involved in it.
“If we can then add some players to improve the squad we have to do it, but how we are performing, we’re in the right way.”
Burn on Isak transfer rumours
Dan Burn has had his say on Alexander Isak possibly leaving Newcastle and claimed the striker is ‘priceless’.
Burn said: “It’s for the owners to say but he’s priceless to us. I hope he does well but not too well.
“The way he moves…you come up against special players but there’s nobody out there that dribbles the way he dribbles.
“Even Allan Saint-Maximin was something different and he was probably the best dribbler I’ve ever played with. Even the quality, it’s not just dribbling for the sake of it.
“He’s on fire at the moment, probably one of the best strikers in the world at the moment.
“It’s hard because it’s hard to defend just the way he moves. He moves his feet quickly but his top half doesn’t really move.”
Arsenal in talks for teenage starlet
Arsenal are in talks with Rosenborg over a deal for teenager Sverre Nypan.
Nypan is a central attacking-midfielder and Norway U21 international.
There are a number of clubs said to be interested in him but Norway captain Martin Odegaard may hold the key to convincing the youngster to head to the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta happy with Arsenal in ‘really strong position’ in Champions League
A jubilant Mikel Arteta said Arsenal have put themselves in a really strong position to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 following their 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb.
Declan Rice fired the Gunners ahead within two minutes at the Emirates Stadium before Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard completed the victory in the second half.
The result took Arsenal back up to third in the 36-team table with the top eight assured of avoiding a two-legged knockout clash to reach the next phase.
“I am very happy because this is a massive step, and it has put us in a really strong position before we play the last game in Girona,” said Arteta.
“We scored three goals, created a lot of chances, and dominated the game. We are in a really, really good position and a lot of things have to happen (against us) but we have to do our job in Girona and win the game.”
Arsenal leading race for teenage Norwegian starlet Sverre Nypan
Arsenal are leading the race for Rosenborg’s Sverre Nypan, with talks about the player having ramped up over the weekend.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has attracted considerable attention this January, with interest also coming from Aston Villa and the City Football Group through Girona.
It is understood there has been progress with Arsenal in recent days and Rosenborg prepared to do a deal.
Neymar terminates Al-Hilal contract amid links with return to former club
Neymar has parted ways with Al-Hilal by mutual consent, the Saudi Pro League champions have confirmed, after a disappointing spell at the club for Brazil’s all-time top scorer.
“Al-Hilal Club Company and Neymar Jr. have agreed to terminate their contractual relationship by mutual consent, the Saudi club posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Neymar has played only seven games for Al-Hilal since moving from Paris Saint Germain for a reported fee of around €90m (£77m) in August 2023.
Brazilian media have reported that Neymar, who has scored 79 goals for the national team, will return to his childhood club Santos after leaving in 2013 to join Barcelona.
Arsenal line up Benjamin Sesko alternatives
A series of names are being linked with Arsenal amid their difficulties in landing Benjamin Sesko.
John Duran is a new target to have emerged, according to Fabrizio Romano, with a call made to Aston Villa to enquire about his availability.
TalkSPORT say Evan Ferguson remains an option and Sky in Germany reckon Alexander Isak is once again Arsenal’s top target.
Watch this space!
Casadei to join Torino
Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei has chosen to join Torino.
A deal has not yet been struck verbally with the clubs and Chelsea are waiting to give the 22-year-old permission to travel and undergo a medical.
Chelsea signed Casadei from Inter Milan in 2022 in a deal worth £17m.
Source: independent.co.uk
