Eli Junior Kroupi, Michael Carrick and Julian Alvarez
Eli Junior Kroupi, Michael Carrick and Julian Alvarez
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are stepping up their transfer plans as January approaches, with a host of big names linked with moves. Arsenal are expected to launch a bid for Bournemouth youngster Eli Junior Kroupi, who is just returning for a four-month injury layoff as their hopes of reigniting a pursuit of Julian Alvarez appears dead as Atletico Madrid are again digging in their heels ahead of the winter window opening. Nicolo Tresoldi is another name linked with Viktor Gyokeres continuing to struggle.
Manchester United have decided to stick with beleaguered manager Michael Carrick for the time being, in a surprise U-turn after strong sack talks, with the main reason said to be financial. Eddie Howe was considered the frontrunner but was going to cost £3m to hire despite leaving Newcastle. Chelsea have full focus on a deal for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, with the Cherries reportedly demanding more than £100million for a player who they are desperate to tie down to a new contract.
Tottenham will look to sign a new striker in January, with Junior Kroupi their dream target, as they field interest in outcast Richarlison. Real Madrid forward Endrick, alongside Yuito Suzuki and Younes Ebnoutalib, have also been linked. Liverpool are also pursuing Scott, and have ruled out an exit for £116m man Florian Wirtz. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Bournemouth chief issues Alex Scott contract talks update
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley insists the club “haven’t given up” trying to convince Chelsea target Alex Scott to sign a new contract with the Cherries, writes Dom Smith .
Bournemouth rejected a £64million bid for Scott from Chelsea in the summer and subsequent approaches from other major clubs in England but have since softened their not-for-sale stance.
But Foley and the Cherries have not lost hope that Scott might still commit his future to the south coast club.
He told TalkSport: “At this point, we're convinced we're the right place for Alex to be and to stay, and we'll keep on addressing the contract issues with Alex as we move through this year. We'd love to have Alex stay here.”
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 17: Alex Scott of AFC Bournemouth looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and AFC Bournemouth at Estadio Anoeta on September 17, 2026 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 17: Alex Scott of AFC Bournemouth looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and AFC Bournemouth at Estadio Anoeta on September 17, 2026 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)
Arsenal learn new Julian Alvarez decision
Arsenal have reportedly suffered a setback in their pursuit of Julian Alvarez, with Atletico Madrid standing firm ahead of the January transfer window.
According to reports in Spain, Atletico has made its position clear to Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and the striker himself.
Mikel Arteta’s side explored a move for Argentine forward during the summer and remained in contact with his representatives after the window closed. However, Alvarez had previously favoured a switch to Barcelona, while Atletico refused to negotiate with their La Liga rivals.
The latest development leaves Arsenal facing a wait if they hope to revisit their interest. Alvarez, who is under contract at Atletico until 2030, has recently apologised to the club’s supporters following the transfer controversy.
News that Manchester United will keep boss Michael Carrick in situ for Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge has been met by jubilation from Chelsea supporters online.
It was reported that on Monday Man United chiefs met to discuss Carrick’s future, before deciding the former player will continue in his role.
Carrick looked beleaguered on the touchline during Sunday’s defeat to Bournemouth, Manchester United struggling to lay a glove on the visitors as they romped to a 3-0 victory.
Heading into the Bournemouth game, there was already serious speculation that Carrick would depart Old Trafford following a similarly dismal display against Como in the Champions League.
But it appears Carrick is set to remain in his post until at least the Chelsea game, leading to gleeful social media posts from Blues fans.
Neville 'happy' with Carrick decision
Gary Neville says he is happy with Manchester United’s surprise Michael Carrick sack decision, despite his prediction backfiring.
With United now winless in their last eight games across all competitions, Carrick has come under intense scrutiny as the likes of Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have been touted as potential replacements.
Man United’s 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at the weekend, on the back of an embarrassing defeat to Como in the Champions League four days prior felt like the end of the road for Carrick as head coach.
However, he will remain in charge of Man Utd for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Joao Pedro of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on August 29, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Joao Pedro of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on August 29, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The Man United head coach will be in the dugout against Chelsea at the weekend and he really needs a win.
After visiting Stamford Bridge, the Red Devils face Roma and Aston Villa before the international break and then Liverpool in the first game back.
Man United’s next five games
Neville verdict
Speaking to Sky Sports, Gary Neville has reacted to the news that Manchester United have decided to stick with Michael Carrick.
He said: “I am surprised, but I am happy because I was absolutely certain that what I witnessed on Sunday would be the end of Michael.
“It looked like he was walking round at the end on his own with the players behind him, like it was almost a goodbye lap, he is waving to the fans to say in almost an apologetic manner, but also a goodbye, so I am really surprised that ultimately Michael is still in a job.”
Carrick to take charge of Chelsea clash
Michael Carrick will remain in charge of Manchester United for this weekend’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea, writes Sam Tabuteau.
United’s dismal form, which has seen them go winless in their last eight matches, has seen the manager come under intense scrutiny.
It was widely expected he would be fired after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth, but he has managed to cling on to his job once again.
Standard Sport understands he will be in the away dugout as United visit Stamford Bridge this weekend, with the club keen to give him and his squad the opportunity to turn their form around.
The club will train as usual in the meantime, with club sources insisting the squad are fully focused on proving themselves on the pitch.
It is a surprise to see United stand by Carrick, given he had been widely expected to be relieved of his duties after both recent defeats by Como and Bournemouth.
BREAKING: Carrick staying put... for now
Michael Carrick is expected to remain in charge as Manchester United head coach for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea.
Carrick had arrived at Carrington early on Tuesday morning with his future still uncertain, following a 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday which left his side 16th in the table.
It is understood that training is proceeding as normal, with Carrick and his squad being given the opportunity to turn the situation around and focus on showing a response in their next match away to Chelsea on Saturday.
Michael Carrick arrived early at Carrington on Tuesday morning with his ongoing position as Manchester United boss still up in the air. The club is yet to comment on the head coach's status after discussions took place at the training ground on Monday.
The former Red Devils midfielder stabilised the side following Ruben Amorim’s difficult tenure, with his January appointment driving a rise to third in the Premier League. Those performances earned him a two-year contract, but Sunday’s 3-0 loss at Old Trafford against Bournemouth leaves him facing potential dismissal just five months later.
Discussions over the managerial situation continued into Monday with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. Carrick spent roughly three hours at Carrington on Monday afternoon, watching United Under-21s face Hull - the team that handed United a nightmare start to their Premier League season - in a private friendly, before departing around 5pm shortly after Wilcox's exit.
The wait for clarity over Carrick's future continues as he turned up early on Tuesday ahead of the players' return from a day off, with Wilcox and Berrada arriving at Carrington shortly afterwards.