Transfer targets: Arda Guler, Antoine Semenyo and Joel Ordonez could all be on the move in the January window
The January transfer window is officially open and Premier League clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool are all gearing up for what looks set to be a busy month. Mikel Arteta has already confirmed Arsenal are “actively looking” at potential signings, and are being linked with moves for Arda Guler, Robinio Vaz, Breno Bidon, Kenan Yildiz, Davide Bartesaghi and Rodrigo Mendoza.
Chelsea are on the market for a new manager after Enzo Maresca has left his role on New Year’s Day with Liam Rosenior the front-runner to replace him. Liverpool look set to complete an early deal for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez, while Man Utd could soon step up interest in Yan Diomande, Ruben Neves and Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Man City are closing in on a £65million deal for Antoine Semenyo. Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson looks poised for a medical at Palace, while West Ham are edging close to agreeing a move for a new striker in Gil Vicente’s Pablo as they also target Taty Castellanos, with Luis Guilherme off to Sporting. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Latest transfer news headlines
West Ham make moves
West Ham are closing in on a double deal for Gil Vicente striker Pablo and Lazio forward Taty Castellanos.
Standard Sport understands a deal for Pablo is closer to completion than Castellanos, but West Ham are in discussions over both deals.
21-year-old Pablo has scored nine goals in 12 games this season in the Portuguese top-flight.
Castellanos, meanwhile, has scored two Serie A goals for Lazio, having missed two months of action with a hamstring injury.
AFP via Getty Images
Semenyo closing in on Man City switch
Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo is closer than ever to joining Man City.
TalkSport’s Ben Jacobs writes that the move is agreed in principle, and that all that remains is the formalities.
It is expected to become clear in the coming days when Semenyo will formalise the move, though Andoni Iraola has made clear that he would like the Ghanaian to feature against Arsenal on Saturday.
Getty Images
Brennan Johnson books Crystal Palace medical
The Tottenham winger is expected to undergo medical tests over the next 24 hours, with Palace keen to name Johnson in their squad to face Newcastle on Sunday.
The clubs agreed the deal in late December, but the transfer was subject to Johnson’s approval, which has now been granted.
The Welsh international has struggled for game time under Thomas Frank, starting just six times in the Premier League.
Brennan Johnson file photo
Brennan Johnson file photo
Brennan Johnson set to complete Crystal Palace move
We should get much more clarity tonight on the latest regarding Brennan Johnson’s future.
The Welsh international was reportedly holding talks with Oliver Glasner today after Crystal Palace agreed a £35m deal with Tottenham for his services earlier this week.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Johnson has been given permission by Spurs to discuss personal terms with Palace, who are in Premier League action at home to Fulham this evening.
He could now undergo a medical and will not be part of the Tottenham squad to face Brentford tonight.
West Ham to sign Pablo and Adama Traore
West Ham are also busy with potential incomings early in the January transfer window as they fight desperately to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Portuguese forward Pablo is poised to join the Hammers from Primeira Liga side Gil Vicente in a switch worth around £20m.
Adama Traore is also expected to leave Fulham to join London rivals West Ham on a short-term deal at some point this month.
Wycombe Wanderers v Fulham - Carabao Cup - Fourth Round - Adams Park
Wycombe Wanderers v Fulham - Carabao Cup - Fourth Round - Adams Park
Luis Guilherme to seal West Ham exit
Luis Guilherme is on the verge of leaving West Ham.
Standard Sport understands the Brazilian winger is poised to join Portuguese giants Sporting on a permanent transfer.
The deal is reported to be worth €17m including potential add-ons, with West Ham possessing a sell-on clause.
Guilherme joined the Hammers from Palmeiras in a £25.5m move in summer 2024, but made just 18 appearances across all competitions and only five this term - starting once in the Premier League.
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian winger Alysson from Gremio.
He will inherit the No47 shirt, previously worn by now-Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam.
Where it all went wrong for Maresca at Chelsea
Enzo Maresca’s frayed relationship with Chelsea came to a head on Wednesday night when his representatives at the Gestifute agency began work on his exit package as a departure from the club loomed, writes Dom Smith.
Crisis talks on Thursday morning were scheduled in order to see if the situation could be recovered, but there was never much optimism around that.
Chelsea and Maresca had already become resigned to the feeling that a change was needed and his 18-month tenure would need to end before the club’s Sunday match against Manchester City, where he honed his coaching craft as Pep Guardiola’s apprentice.
Maresca's departure had been brewing for some time.
Man Utd end Toby Collyer stint at West Brom early
Manchester United have also been flexing their loan recall muscles today with the January transfer window now officially open for business.
Toby Collyer has returned to Old Trafford early from Championship outfit West Brom, where he made 12 appearances but had not played since suffering a calf injury against Birmingham in November.
It is unclear at this stage if United will seek another loan move for the midfielder this month, or if they plan to make him available as a first-team option to Ruben Amorim following his recovery.
Tottenham recall Jamie Donley from Stoke loan
Sticking with Tottenham, where Jamie Donley has been officially recalled from his loan spell with Stoke at the earliest opportunity.
The Northern Ireland midfielder moved to the Championship side on a season-long deal in the summer after a productive stint in League One last season with Leyton Orient.
However, he made just six appearances across all competitions for Stoke and did not start a single league game under Mark Robins.
Spurs were known to be keen to recall Donley and find him more first-team minutes on another loan elsewhere, with third-tier Bolton linked with a move in recent days.
They are expected to do the same with winger Damola Ajayi, who has made just one league start at Doncaster so far this season.