The January window is fast approaching as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all pursue some huge new mid-season signings to help reach their goals. Arsenal are said to be targeting a move for Antonio Nusa as they also eye Eli Junior Kroupi and Kenan Yildiz, with the likes of Alex Baena also believed to be in Mikel Arteta’s sights along with Julian Alvarez.
Didier Deschamps has reportedly turned down the chance to manage Manchester United, where Sunday’s game against Aston Villa will be crucial to determining the future of under-fire boss Michael Carrick. Tottenham are understood to still retain matching rights for Harry Kane after the England captain signed a record-breaking new Bayern Munich contract that is believed to make him the highest-paid player in Europe in terms of base salary.
Chelsea are confident of signing Alex Scott when the market reopens in the New Year, while Liverpool are keen on a swoop for Mexico wonderkid Gilberto Mora and Lamine Camara as Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to be linked with a sensational switch back to Anfield. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Didier Deschamps turns down Man Utd job offer
Didier Deschamps has reportedly told Manchester United that he is not interested in taking over as manager at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick’s future as Man Utd boss remains hugely uncertain ahead of Sunday’s crunch home Premier League clash with Aston Villa, which is likely to prove pivotal.
Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann had previously been considered as the leading candidates for the role if United - who will not consider an interim solution this time - were to sack Carrick, though FootMercato in France reported on Thursday that the club had also approached former long-time Les Bleus head coach Deschamps.
However, he is said to have told them that he currently has no interest in the job in another blow to the beleaguered Red Devils.
Arsenal target Antonio Nusa in potential triple deal
The Gunners are known to be keen on attacking reinforcements when the market reopens for business in the New Year and have reportedly had their eyes on Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi and Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz.
However, The Sun say that Arsenal are also keeping close tabs on former Club Brugge star Nusa, who continues to impress for both RB Leipzig and Norway.
Could a lucrative triple deal yet be in the offing at the Emirates Stadium after a somewhat disappointing summer?
Antonio Nusa
Antonio Nusa
Calciomercato claims that Juventus are considering a January move for Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko despite his injury.
The Italian club have a €100million transfer budget following a capital injection and are assessing several attacking targets.
Folarin Balogun is also under consideration as Juventus explore options to strengthen their forward line.
The former Arsenal and PSG boss is said to be a “dream target” for Old Trafford chiefs in the event that they sack Michael Carrick.
However, The Telegraph report that Emery is in advanced talks over signing a new long-term contract at Villa Park.
Villa said yesterday that Emery had been involved in an “important working meeting to plan the club's future and lay the foundations for its long-term sporting and institutional project”.
That meeting - in which they discussed committing to joint development beyond 2029 under Emery’s leadership - also involved chairman Nassef Sawiris, president of football operations Roberto Olabe and director of football operations Damian Vidagany.
Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international football with Portugal
The country’s greatest-ever player announced his decision via a video to camera on his social media channels.
Ronaldo netted 146 goals in 234 games for Portugal, becoming the all-time leading scorer in the history of men’s international football.
The striker was suspended by the Portuguese FA last month after he stormed out of the Nations League camp in October, having fallen out with manager Jorge Jesus.
Chelsea interested in Harrison Armstrong deal
The England Under-21 international has established a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most impressive young midfielders under David Moyes.
TEAMtalk cite reports claiming that Chelsea are compiling weekly scouting reports on the 19-year-old, who continues to go from strength to strength at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Chelsea are widely expected to swoop for another top young midfielder in January in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, 23.
Harry Kane signs record-breaking Bayern Munich contract
The Ballon d’Or winner has been in talks with the reigning Bundesliga champions for months now regarding a lucrative extension to his previous deal that was due to expire next summer.
Kane is now tied to Bayern until 2029 on a record-breaking contract that is said to make him the highest-paid player in Europe by salary.
The England captain will be 36 by the time it expires, meaning he may well now never return to the Premier League and looks destined to stay second on the list of all-time top scorers behind Alan Shearer.