Transfer targets: Douglas Luiz, Julian Alvarez and Cole Palmer
The January transfer window is rapidly approaching its final week as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all battle to get some key signings over the line. The Gunners are close to confirming Ethan Nwaneri’s loan exit to Marseille, while they are also said to have held talks over Julian Alvarez as they keep close tabs on wonderkids Iago Machado and Vasilije Kostov. Gabriel Martinelli is being targeted for a shock move to Saudi Arabia, with Oleksandr Zinchenko heading to Ajax.
Chelsea want Douglas Luiz and are preparing a shock switch to hijack Nottingham Forest’s loan for the Juventus midfielder. They are also working to beat Arsenal to Jeremy Jacquet and pip Manchester United to the signing of Yisa Alao. However, speculation continues over the future of Cole Palmer, with sensational reports claiming that he may want to move to Old Trafford as United plot a surprise swoop and also look at Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Alex Scott to replace the outgoing Casemiro.
Liverpool could make a first bid for Yan Diomande and are keen on a big-money deal for Micky van de Ven, while Tottenham have finally announced the arrival of Souza from Santos. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Man Utd get new Cole Palmer boost
Cole Palmer’s future has been subject to some rather surprising speculation in recent days.
The England star remains a talismanic figure for Chelsea, though has certainly yet to get close to his best form during what has been an injury-hit season so far.
That has led to rumours that Manchester United are looking to try and tempt the former Manchester City man - who hails from Wythenshawe and supported United as a boy - back to his home city.
The Sun claim that Palmer could be unsettled at Stamford Bridge and may seek a return to the north-west, while other sensational reports suggest he could yet favour United over a return to City.
But surely Chelsea would never sell such a key player, with Palmer under contract until 2033.
Getty Images
Chelsea plot shock Douglas Luiz hijack
Chelsea look to set to swoop for a former Arsenal target in Douglas Luiz.
The Gunners previously tried to sign the former Aston Villa and one-time Manchester City midfielder, who has also been frequently linked with Manchester United in the past.
Luiz eventually ended up at Juventus but returned to the Premier League this season on loan at Nottingham Forest, where he has not been featuring regularly under Sean Dyche.
Standard Sport understands that Chelsea are now considering hijacking that loan and taking the Brazilian international to Stamford Bridge until the summer.
Zed Jameson/PA Wire
Ethan Nwaneri to complete Marseille move
One Arsenal January deal remains very close in the form of Ethan Nwaneri’s loan exit.
The Gunners were previously reluctant to allow their popular academy graduate to leave this month, but have since performed a U-turn on that stance and now believe that a temporary switch would be the best thing for his short-term development amid a lack of first-team chances under Mikel Arteta of late.
Nwaneri has agreed to join French side Marseille, where he will play for Roberto De Zerbi until the end of the season.
The deal is all done and a medical has been passed, with only an official announcement left to come.
Arsenal hold talks over Julian Alvarez deal
Arsenal are still keeping a close eye on Julian Alvarez, reports claim.
The ex-Manchester City striker’s future at Atletico Madrid appears in question and he has been frequently linked with a return to the Premier League.
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal - along with Chelsea - have held initial talks with intermediaries over a potential swoop for Alvarez and are continuing to watch him in Spain.
However, they could yet face significant competition from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Inter monitoring Vicario
Inter Milan are following Guglielmo Vicario as they eye replacements for Yann Sommer, report Gazzetta dello Sport.
Sommer, 37, will see his deal at the San Siro expire this summer, and the Serie A side could move for Spurs’ Italian goalkeeper to replace him.
Salah a Saudi target once more
Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Junior are the top targets for Saudi Pro League sides this summer.
The Liverpool and Real Madrid forwards have both been linked with high-profile exits from their respective clubs this term, and could turn to the money of the SPL, according to the Telegraph.
Salah was the subject of a bid from Al-Ittihad back in 2023, when the Saudi club tabled an offer worth £150million for the Egyptian.
Wolfsburg make Cresswell bid
Wolfsburg have made a bid for Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell, according to The Athletic.
The Bundesliga side have offered around €23million for the English defender, who was previously of Leeds.
Toulouse have turned it down, hoping for €30m instead.
Ndidi offered to Man Utd
Fabrizio Romano reports that Wilfred Ndidi has been offered to Manchester United.
The Nigerian is currently playing his football in Turkey for Besiktas.
The former Leicester man has just returned from the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, where he finished third with the Super Eagles.
United are not thought to have made a move to sign Ndidi as of yet.
Souza shirt number confirmed
Tottenham have confirmed new signing Souza’s shirt number for the rest of the season.
Spurs signed the left-back from Santos for a fee believed to be £13m on Thursday.
Lucca jets in for Forest medical
Lorenzo Lucca has flown into England to complete his transfer to Nottingham Forest.
The Napoli striker is set to move to the City Ground on loan, with Sky Sports reporting that the forward is to undergo his medical tomorrow.