Cameron Smith
Ruben Amorim, Chelsea
© IMAGO
The January transfer window is almost here and the rumour mill is therefore unsurprisingly churning at breakneck speed.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 18 December, including the latest updates on Kenan Yildiz and Enzo Maresca.
Kenan Yildiz to Man Utd?
Manchester United have reportedly joined Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to sign Juventus superstar Kenan Yildiz.
United’s top target in the attacking areas remains Antoine Semenyo and they are said to be active in discussions" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/12/man-utd-transfer-news-antoine-semenyo-elliot-anderson-190m-double-deal" target="_blank">they are said to be active in discussions alongside teams like Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City, although it will be down to the Bournemouth star as to which team he chooses to join.
Should United miss out on Semenyo, Kenan Yildiz could be a player the club target, as per Ben Jacobs on The United Stand" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/mqV3EFg8v1Y" target="_blank">The United Stand. However, Juventus are likely to demand as much as €100m for their star man.
READ MORE." href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/12/man-utd-green-light-beat-arsenal-100m-transfer-kenan-yildiz" target="_blank">READ MORE.
Enzo Maresca wanted by Man City
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is on Manchester City’s shortlist of possible replacements for Pep Guardiola, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein" href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6896778/2025/12/18/pep-guardiola-man-city-enzo-maresca/" target="_blank">The Athletic’s David Ornstein
The Italian has been linked with a Stamford Bridge exit in recent days, following his cryptic comments aimed at the club’s hierarchy last weekend, and it has now emerged that his situation is being closely monitored by Man City.
Guardiola’s current contract with the eight-time Premier League champions runs until 2027, however reports have suggested that he could step down from his role at the Etihad Stadium following the conclusion of the current season.
READ MORE." href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/12/chelsea-news-man-city-enzo-maresca-pep-guardiola-david-ornstein" target="_blank">READ MORE.
Arsenal identify five-man shortlist
Arsenal have reportedly identified a five-man transfer shortlist ahead of the upcoming January window.
The Gunners hierarchy backed Mikel Arteta with an investment of €293.5 million this summer, however the club are still keen to sign reinforcements and they have earmarked five players from across Europe as top targets for January.
That is according to a report from CaughtOffside" href="https://www.caughtoffside.com/2025/12/18/arsenal-eye-defender-and-midfielder-transfer-targets/" target="_blank">CaughtOffside, who claim that Arsenal have identified Marc Guehi, Jeremy Jacquet, Ousmane Diomande and Nathaniel Brown as four defensive targets, while they are also keeping close tabs on the progress of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is wanted by both Chelsea and Manchester United.
READ MORE." href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/12/arsenal-transfer-news-january-window-marc-guehi-jeremy-jacquet-ousmane-diomande-nathaniel-brown-ayyoub-bouaddi" target="_blank">READ MORE.
Ayyoub Bouaddi is wanted by Arsenal
© IMAGO - Ayyoub Bouaddi is wanted by Arsenal
Chelsea want new midfielder
Chelsea will reportedly target a new central midfielder in 2026 in order to ease the workload on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo next season.
The Blues are expected to be active in the market yet again next summer and the club’s recruitment team has identified signing a new option to provide cover in the centre of midfield as a key priority.
Having sold Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Lesley Ugochukwu, Mathis Amougou, Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei this year, Chelsea now found themselves with a threadbare selection of available midfielders and they are ready to address this issue in 2026, as per The Telegraph" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/12/17/chelsea-plan-midfield-summer-signing/" target="_blank">The Telegraph.
READ MORE." href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/12/chelsea-transfer-news-enzo-fernandez-moises-caicedo-2026" target="_blank">READ MORE.
Bukayo Saka new deal close
Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of announcing a “record-breaking” new deal for star player Bukayo Saka.
The England international has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at the Emirates Stadium, but an agreement on fresh terms is set to be finalised shortly.
Saka and his representatives have been locked in lengthy contract extension talks over the past few months, and TEAMtalk" href="https://www.teamtalk.com/arsenal/bukayo-saka-new-contract-ready-sign-next-three-contracts-sources" target="_blank">TEAMtalk have confirmed that he is now ready to sign Arsenal’s latest proposal, which will see him become the first player in the club’s history to earn £300,000 per week.
READ MORE." href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/12/arsenal-transfer-news-bukayo-saka-new-contract-update" target="_blank">READ MORE.
Bukayo Saka is set to sign a new Arsenal contract
© IMAGO - Bukayo Saka is set to sign a new Arsenal contract
Real Madrid want Adam Wharton
Real Madrid have reportedly identified Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as a key transfer target for 2026 as they look to solve the current issues with their first-team squad.
Several high-profile names have been lipped to complete a blockbuster move to the Bernabeu in recent weeks, including Chelsea duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Kees Smit, Stuttgart stalwart Angelo Stiller and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Vitinha.
Wharton has also been linked with a transfer to the Spanish giants and Fichajes" href="https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/fichaje-100-millones-necesita-real-madrid-mediocampo-20251218.html" target="_blank">Fichajes have now revealed that he has been earmarked as an ideal candidate to fix the current balance issues in Real Madrid’s midfield.
READ MORE." href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/es-primera-division/2025/12/real-madrid-transfer-news-adam-wharton-crystal-palace-man-utd-100m" target="_blank">READ MORE.
Man Utd double deal
Manchester United are reportedly eager to complete the signings of Premier League duo Antoine Semenyo and Elliot Anderson next year.
The Red Devils strengthened their first-team squad with an investment of €250.7 million this summer, however they remain determined to bolster the options at Ruben Amorim’s disposal.
The likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee have all been linked with an Old Trafford departure in 2026, and in response, the 13-time Premier League champions have earmarked the aforementioned Semenyo and Anderson as two key transfer targets, as per CaughtOffside" href="https://www.caughtoffside.com/2025/12/18/man-utd-eye-antoine-semenyo-and-elliot-anderson-transfer-deals/" target="_blank">CaughtOffside.
READ MORE." href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/12/man-utd-transfer-news-antoine-semenyo-elliot-anderson-190m-double-deal" target="_blank">READ MORE.
Man Utd are eager to win the race for Antoine Semenyo
© IMAGO - Man Utd are eager to win the race for Antoine Semenyo
Other Transfer Rumours
Man Utd will only consider selling Kobbie Mainoo if they receive an exceptional offer in January. (Sky Sports" href="https://x.com/SkySportsNews/status/2001676591252791714" target="_blank">Sky Sports))
AC Milan are in contact with West Ham over a loan deal for Niclas Fullkrug. (Evening Standard" href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-transfer-news-fullkrug-milan-b1263152.html" target="_blank">Evening Standard))
Chelsea midfielder Jimi Tauriainen is set to leave the club in January amid interest from several clubs across Europe. (The Daily Mail" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15392987/Chelsea-Confidential-club-chiefs-blindsided-Enzo-Maresca.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail))
Man Utd have engaged in contract renewal talks with Casemiro’s representatives as they consider keeping the Brazilian at the club until 2027. (TEAMtalk" href="https://www.teamtalk.com/manchester-united/casemiro-staggering-man-utd-u-turn-confirmed-new-contract-talks-sources" target="_blank">TEAMtalk))
Everton are keen to agree a permanent deal with Manchester City for loanee Jack Grealish. (Football Insider" href="https://www.footballinsider247.com/everton-keen-to-agree-lower-jack-grealish-fee-with-man-city/" target="_blank">Football Insider))
Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Marcus Rashford if Barcelona opt against agreeing a permanent deal for the Man Utd forward. (Fichajes" href="https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/atletico-madrid-carrera-fichaje-rashford-20251218.html" target="_blank">Fichajes))
West Ham have withdrawn from the race to sign Haji Wright in January after being informed of Coventry City’s asking price of over €100m. (Claret & Hugh" href="https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-quoted-kings-ransom-for-nunos-top-target/" target="_blank">Claret & Hugh))
Man Utd and Tottenham have both contacted FC Koln over a deal for Said El Mala next year. (BILD" href="https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/1-fc-koeln-zwei-top-klubs-hinterlegen-abloese-fuer-said-el-mala-es-gab-schon-kontakt-694141c15d051a3e3193adaa" target="_blank">BILD))
Football transfer news headlines today
TRANSFER RUMOURS: Chelsea target €60m deal as January’s ‘most wanted’ star revealed
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd updates, Bruno Fernandes future, Semenyo race
Liverpool launch Nico Williams move: Reds spare no expense in latest blockbuster bid
‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ and Bruno Fernandes outburst – 24 hours that rocked Man Utd and Ineos
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