Manchester City are closing in on a big-money move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, while Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez has been linked with the champions
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Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres and Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez battle for the ball
Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres and Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez battle for the ball (PA Wire via Belga)
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The January transfer window is open and with the new year comes a chance for clubs to monitor the market after assessing their options to strengthen or trim their numbers to boost spending this month.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal helped to produce a record summer of Premier League expenditure last summer, with clubs from England’s top flight collectively splashing more than £3bn on new players.
The big news this morning, however, is that Chelsea have parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca after 18 months in charge of the club. With a new manager and potentially a signing or two expected at Stamford Bridge, with their title hopes all but gone and a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
While the acquisition of elite players or long-term targets is less common in the mid-season window, it is not completely out of the question, with the saga surrounding Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo expected to reach its climax in the coming weeks or possibly days. The 25-year-old has been linked with moves to every Premier League big hitter but it appears Manchester City are now leading the race for the player, whose £65m release clause becomes active in January.
Elsewhere, Tottenham’s Europa League winner Brennan Johnson is verging on a £35m move to Crystal Palace, while Eagles skipper Marc Guehi remains a person of interest after his deadline day move to Liverpool collapsed. The England international is about to enter the final six months of his contract at Selhurst Park, giving Palace one last chance to cash in if they choose to.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
Transfer news live
Transfer window is officially open as January begins
Brennan Johnson agrees to join Crystal Palace in £35m switch
Enzo Maresca in shock Chelsea exit after fallout with hierarchy
Antoine Semenyo set to join Manchester City from Bournemouth for £65m
Liverpool linked with Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge
Deadline day on Monday 2 February at 7pm GMT
9 minutes ago
Antoine Semenyo set to join Manchester City from Bournemouth for £65m
Manchester City are accelerating talks with Bournemouth to sign Antoine Semenyo for his £65m release clause.
There are still issues to discuss as Pep Guardiola tries to make him his first buy of 2026.
Liverpool are also interested in the Ghana international but face a decision whether to trigger the release clause themselves and match City’s interest, with the clause expiring on 10 January, making this deal a race against time.
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 07:43
11 minutes ago
Transfer news live
Hello, happy New Year, and welcome along to live coverage of the latest transfer news, rumours and done deals.
The deals come thick and fast with a chance to shift the trajectory of each club’s season.
So, let’s get started...
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 07:41
12 minutes ago
Liverpool linked with Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge
Liverpool appear poised to bring in Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge to boost their defence, reports the Mirror.
The Reds have a clear path after Chelsea pulled out of the race to sign the Ecuadorian.
A deal for as much as £43m for the centre-back is in the works, with an initial fee of £35m, plus add-ons.
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal is challenged by Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal is challenged by Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 07:40