The January transfer window is fast approaching as clubs plan major mid-season signings to meet their post-World Cup goals. The Premier League is likely to be a hotbed of activity again as the likes of Arsenal, chelsea and Tottenham are all vying for huge deals to boost their hopes for the second half of a turbulent campaign.
Arsenal have opened talks over Mykhaylo Mudryk as they look to win the race for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger. The Gunners could also make a final push for Youri Tielemans at Leicester, as they have also been linked with a shock return for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and a battle with Manchester United for Cody Gakpo.
Chelsea are set to sign their first contract in January with Molde striker David Datro Fofana and were offered to both Joao Felix and Matheus Cunha by Atletico Madridwith Memphis Depay and Youssoufa Moukoko among their other options as well as Rafael Leao and a potential U-turn on Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently training with Real Madrid. Tottenham, meanwhile, are looking to beat Liverpool to a deal for Moroccan star Sofyan Amrabat. Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumors live below!
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Arsenal will be offered a swap deal with Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic is once again linked with a move to Arsenal.
The Gunners pursued the Serbian striker relentlessly over the summer, only to have him leave Fiorentina for Serie A rivals Juventus in a deal worth 66million of pounds sterling.
Arsenal have of course found themselves with Gabriel Jesus, who has been inspired but could miss the next three months after surgery on a knee injury suffered during the World Cup with Brazil.
Vlahovic has scored seven goals in 15 appearances in all competitions since then, although his future with the Bianconeri is already in doubt amid their well-documented off-field issues.
Calciomercato report that Juve could make a play for centre-back Gabriel plus €40m as part of Arsenal’s January package for the 22-year-old.
Liverpool transfer ‘a dream’ for Bellingham
Liverpool appear to have received more encouragement in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
The Reds have long been seen as the favorites in the close battle to land England’s World Cup sensation and one of the highest-rated midfield talents in Europe.
However, players like Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have also been linked with his services among others.
According to Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio, Bellingham would view a potential move to Anfield as a “dream”, although Liverpool would have to pay a hefty fee of between £85m and £130m to land the former Birmingham teenager away from the giants. the Bundesliga Borussia Dortmund.
ICYMI – Chelsea offered Felix and Cunha amid Depay option
You might also have missed this mind-blowing story from Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella on Chelsea’s new striker search, which includes Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha and Memphis Depay, among others…
Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Joao Felix and Matheus Cunha by Atletico Madrid as they consider whether to bring in a new striker in the January transfer window.
The Blues could be looking to sign another striker after losing Armando Broja to a serious knee injury. They are interested in Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko, while Barcelona striker Memphis Depay is also an option.
Broja was ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in a friendly against Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Chelsea will explore short and long term options in January, with only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz available to lead their attack in the second half of the season.
They have agreed a £52.7m deal to sign RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku next summer, complicating their options next month. Chelsea were offered the chance to sign Felix for £86million before losing Broja to injury.
ICYMI – Chelsea set to sign Fofana’s first signing in January
And here’s where things stand with Chelsea’s expected first signing which broke yesterday, courtesy of Standard Sport’s Blues correspondent Nizaar Kinsella…
Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign David Datro Fofana in an £8.6million deal from Molde.
The 19-year-old is still discussing personal terms with the Blues but all parties believe the deal will be done eventually.
The Ivory Coast international is likely to be signed as a future prospect rather than a direct replacement for Armando Broja, whose season ended after a long knee injury in a friendly with Aston Villa.
This leaves open the possibility of Fofana signing and leaving immediately on loan, paving the way for another signing in January in attack.
Graham Potter is a longtime admirer of Fofana having spotted the youngster while in charge of Brighton.
ICYMI – Arsenal open Mudryk deal talks
Speaking of Arsenal – here’s a reminder of our exact position on Mykhaylo Mudryk’s front, according to Standard Sport correspondent Simon Collings…
Arsenal have entered talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over a deal for Ukraine winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Gunners have made signing a new wide forward a priority in the January transfer window and are ready to back Mikel Arteta to help maintain their title push.
Premier League leaders Arsenal have been following Mudryk since the summer and have now entered negotiations with Shakhtar in hopes a deal can be agreed.
Shakhtar value the 21-year-old at £85m but it is believed he could soften his stance. Arsenal wanted to sign a wide forward in the summer and they eyed Pedro Neto from Wolves.
The need for more firepower in attack has increased as striker Gabriel Jesus faces a three-month absence after knee surgery.
Shakhtar are reluctant to sell Mudryk next month as they aim to win the Ukrainian top flight which would secure Champions League qualification. They want their star winger to help them achieve that goal and then assess his options next summer.
Arsenal pressed to sign Moroccan World Cup stars
We spoke earlier about Moroccan duo Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi, both of whom have become in high demand after helping the Atlas Lions become the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar.
Interest in the Premier League is rising dramatically in both midfielders, with Arsenal legend Ray Parlor urging his former club to swoop in for both in January.
“Ounahi, the No.8, he’s a different class,” he said on talkSPORT.
“Would I take him from Arsenal? Absolutely. With this performance and what I’ve seen from him in this tournament, he’s not fazed by big games, maybe his country’s biggest game ever.
“He looked so comfortable, he was always in the U-turn and looking to probe and try to get balls in behind the full-backs.”
“Amrabat is also a player. If I were Arsenal, I would watch it. Central midfielder, he can set foot. A very good player.
Cristiano Ronaldo Future Update
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future remains the subject of fierce speculation following Portugal’s World Cup departure and his acrimonious exit from Manchester United.
The Portuguese superstar trained – on a separate ground from the first team – with former club Real Madrid for the second day in a row on Thursday, although the prospect of his sensational return to the Bernabeu is slim.
Instead, a big move to Saudi Arabia seems to remain Ronaldo’s likeliest route.
Al Nassr was seen as the favourite, although the club president seems uncertain.
“Cristiano has been busy recently with the World Cup and I didn’t expect him to negotiate with anyone,” he told SSC Sports.
“We won’t talk about the other players, I wish Cristiano the best regardless of the decision.”
Arsenal and Tottenham on red alert against Isco
Arsenal and Tottenham have reportedly been placed on red alert against Sevilla midfielder Isco.
The Spaniard is in just his first season of a two-year contract at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium after leaving La Liga rivals Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer.
However, Spanish outlet Marca suggest an exit could already be in the works for Isco following the departure of former boss Julen Lopetegui and a clash with director of football Monchi.
Arsenal and Spurs are both said to be interested in Isco should he move again so soon, while a reunion with Lopetegui at Wolves could also be an option.
Chelsea to grow new Rafael Leao
Chelsea appear ready to make another push for Rafael Leao, according to reports.
The AC Milan forward has long been on the west London transfer radar and he continues to strengthen in Serie A.
Chelsea’s need for a new striker in January is evident after Armando Broja suffered a season-ending knee injury in the friendly against Aston Villa last week, with dozens already linked including Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha, Cristiano Ronaldo, Memphis Depay, Youssoufa Moukoko. and others.
According to GiveMeSport and transfer insider Dean Jones, the Blues are once again favorites for Portugal international Leao and feel “something can be done” in January.
Tottenham outbid Liverpool for Amrabat
Unsurprisingly, a number of Moroccan players are linked with big Premier League moves after their fairytale run to the World Cup semi-finals.
While Azzedine Ounahi seems to have a long list of admirers, the same can certainly be said for fellow midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
The Fiorentina man was arguably his country’s best player in Qatar, attracting interest from Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid along the way.
According to Italian outlet La Repubblica, Spurs are ready to outbid their rivals and shell out more than £50m to sign Amrabat in January.
However, they face a tough test amid suggestions that the 26-year-old’s side have already met Jurgen Klopp and his agency apparently have plans at Anfield.
