The latest Premier League transfer rumours ahead of the January window.placeholder image
The latest Premier League transfer rumours ahead of the January window. | Getty Images
Your dose of the latest January transfer rumours, including Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham United, and more
Following months of anticipation, we are finally approaching the dawn of the January transfer window and a mid-season opportunity for every Premier League club to strengthen in the positions where they need it most.
Following this week’s Christmas festivities, focus will quickly shift to the New Year and to the transfer opportunities it presents to those most ambitious of clubs looking to go the extra mile to reach their goals come the end of the season.
Here is your latest taste of the transfer gossip breaking this week, starting at Stamford Bridge, where the Blues look set to enter one of the biggest sagas of the winter…
Chelsea out of the race to sign Semenyo
Chelsea were believed to have joined the race for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, as Sky Sports reported that the Blues made an ‘enquiry’ about signing the 25-year-old, who has a £65 million release clause become active on New Year’s Day.
However, mere hours later, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Blues’ pursuit of the talented winger had already ended, with Man City emerging as the serious front-runners for his signature.
The former Bristol City forward has scored eight Premier League goals in arguably the best campaign of his career to date, which has drawn keen interest from Man City and Man United. Liverpool also remain interested amidst a recent injury to Alexander Isak, while Tottenham are believed to have pulled out of the race and Arsenal are unlikely to make a move as things stand.
The 3AM verdict: Semenyo is the Premier League’s most-wanted man this winter and it is no surprise to see Chelsea throw their hat in the ring for one of the greatest Christmas gifts available on the transfer market. However, with an abundance of talent on the wings already, including the likes of Pedro Neto, Estevao, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garncho and more, it’s clearly an area where Maresca’s squad is already well stocked.
Liverpool add surprise Premier League striker to January shortlist
Meanwhile, up in Liverpool, another forward has been added to Arne Slot’s January wish-list amidst a growing concern that they may be without Isak for some time.
According to reports by Caught Offside, the Reds are ‘monitoring’ Brentford striker Igor Thiago, who is seen as a ‘stylistic fit’ to replace the injured Swede. The Bees are said to be reluctant to part ways with their only recognised striker mid-way through the season unless an ‘extraordinary’ offer arrives. Previous links with the likes of Aston Villa and Tottenham have seen price tags of £50m or even £70m floated, while the west London outfit could demand even more if the competition for the 24-year-old continues to heat up.
The 3AM verdict: While it would certainly be intriguing if Liverpool were to launch a bid for Thiago, it appears a little far-fetched to think that they would spend a substantial amount on a player who could become third-choice in just a couple of months’ time.
The Reds’ money would be far better-spent on Semenyo, who offers long-term benefits in replacing Mohamed Salah, or a central defender such as Marc Guehi. From Thiago’s perspective, a move to Villa or Spurs would offer him more of a chance to nail down a first-team spot ahead of the World Cup, but Liverpool can be difficult to turn down if they were to make an offer.
West Ham set to make offer for Fulham man in Nuno Espirito Santo reunion
As per reports by David Ornstein relayed by Give Me Sport, West Ham United are ‘set to make an offer’ for Fulham winger Adama Traore, whom boss Nuno Espirito Santo used to manage at Wolves, in a latest update to the Spaniard’s future at Craven Cottage.
The 3AM verdict: While this move certainly makes sense for West Ham, Traore would be unlikely to get many more opportunities to start than he does at present, likely arriving as an understudy to talisman Jarrod Bowen.
The chance to reunite with his former manager could prove decisive, though, and the Hammers have a worrying lack of options in attacking areas which could see Traore play a key role in impacting games when called upon. The east London side might need to sign two forward players as they push for survival, but getting Traore through the door would be a good start.
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