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Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham are some of the early movers and shakers in the transfer market – though it’s Manchester United and Chelsea who have grabbed the headlines amid their managerial turnover.
Ruben Amorim was dismissed by the Red Devils less than 24 hours after his extraordinary rant following United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds. But as one manager left, another arrived as Chelsea confirmed Liam Rosenior as their new head coach following the sacking of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.
This could be only the start of a busy January for both clubs, with United reported to be monitoring Carlos Baleba before Amorim’s dismissal, while there is talk of Chelsea plotting a stunning £125m move for Vinicius Jr as Rosenior’s first signing.
Big-money transfers and superstar moves are often few and far between during the winter window but there are already suggestions that this month could be different to the norm, with Manchester City on the verge of signing Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
That move – which it has been suggested will hit around the £65m mark – could be wrapped up imminently with the player’s medical penned in, and the usual suspects are also looking to make moves to improve their squads, with Liverpool considering Marc Guehi as well as a couple of star young defenders in Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Joel Ordonez.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid are said to be interested in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton who has plenty of suitors in the Premier League including Liverpool while Arsenal are touted to reignite their long-standing interest in Los Blancos star Rodrygo.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below:
January transfer window latest updatesRobert Lewandowski does not want to leave Barcelona
Robert Lewandowski does not want to leave Barcelona this month despite numerous enquiries, according to Sky Sports Germany.
There are currently no plans to include him in any deal involving Joao Cancelo, who will be joining Barca on loan.
The Polish striker’s future remains open with his contract expiring this summer.
(AFP/Getty)
Will Castle7 January 2026 10:00
Federico Chiesa wanted by Italian giants but unlikely to leave Liverpool
Napoli and Juventus are interested in signing Federico Chiesa on loan from Liverpool, according to Sky in Italy.
However, it’s understood that the winger is highly unlikely to depart from Anfield this window, with Liverpool having little interest in loaning him out either way.
Any move would likely depend on whether Mohamed Salah stays at Anfield, as per Gazzetta dello Sport.
Chiesa has struggled for game time under Slot this season despite being more in the fold compared to last term.
(AP)
Will Castle7 January 2026 09:45
Roma’s pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee impacted by Ruben Amorim sacking
Roma director Ricky Massara says their pursuit of Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has changed following head coach Ruben Amorim’s Old Trafford exit.
“He is a Manchester United centre-forward liked by many clubs, not just us,” Massara told Sky in Italy.
“Naturally, the situation is different after this change of management, there are no contacts in progress, but I wouldn’t focus on individual names.
“We know this window is an opportunity to reinforce the squad in an area where we have struggled to convert chances into goals, so we will try to use it.”
(PA Wire)
Will Castle7 January 2026 09:30
The Liam Rosenior playbook that can appease Chelsea and justify controversial move
There’s a reason the main stand of the Meinau stays silent for the first 15 minutes of every Strasbourg home game, as has been the case since 2023. It’s an objection to their state of affairs; not on the pitch, but in the boardroom. Under the multi-club ownership model of BlueCo, a vocal portion of the Strasbourg fanbase feel their role as the “pawn” in Chelsea’s big game of chess has been stripping them of their identity. They’ve now been stripped of their manager.
Liam Rosenior is the latest Strasbourg casualty to cross the bridge to Chelsea. He follows – or precedes – Strasbourg captain Emanuel Emegha, whose move this summer was confirmed back in September, to the wrath of those in Alsace. The spokesperson for Strasbourg’s four main supporter groups told The Independent in October that there was an expectation that Rosenior “sees himself somewhere in England in one or two years”. But not now, and not like this. In snatching their sister club’s manager mid-season, Chelsea have taken their big-brothering of Strasbourg to a new level.
Will Castle7 January 2026 09:15
Newcastle face fresh competition for Jorgen Strand Larsen
Newcastle will have Tottenham for competition if they re-enter the market for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, according to Chronicle Live.
The Magpies sent scouts to watch the Norwegian, as well as youngster Mateus Mane, in Wolves’ 3-0 win over West Ham last weekend.
While defensive cover may be the priority, any move for Strand Larsen – who they had a £60m bid for rejected in the summer – will likely require a transfer battle. Crystal Palace and West Ham are also said to be interested.
(Jacob King/PA Wire)
Will Castle7 January 2026 09:00
David Moyes plays down Everton’s chances of transfer activity
“We are are probably more unlikely than likely, but I wouldn’t say that completely as we looking out there to see what here is,” said David Moyes when asked on the potential for signings this month.
“In the main, we’ve been able to cope with it quite well. My feeling is we might have to cope again.
“We have got a small squad, we knew that at the start, and the boys going away to Afcon make it look (worse), but it’s the same for a lot of clubs.
“But when your squad is relatively tight, it starts to have an effect and before you know it you look as if you are pretty threadbare.
“I think our ownership wants us to be clean and tidy. If we don’t get anyone in, we will stick to the plan and keep building.
“We had a decent build in the summer, which moved us up, and I think the jumps in improvement will come more gradually rather than be big deals really.”
Will Castle7 January 2026 08:45
Antoine Semenyo on verge of Man City move with medical penned in
Antoine Semenyo is on the verge of joining Manchester City, according to various reputable sources.
The Bournemouth winger will have a medical at the club to complete a £65m move, with a long-term contract already agreed.
The saga of the last few months looks set to be coming to an end!
(PA Wire)
Will Castle7 January 2026 08:33
Spurs teenager Yang joins Coventry on loan
Tottenham teenager Yang Min-hyeok has been sent on loan to Championship leaders Coventry after being recalled from Portsmouth.
Yang said: “I’m very happy and excited to join a club with such strong traditions and history.
“When I played against Coventry, I really felt the positive atmosphere within the team, and that made me even more excited about becoming part of this club.
“The head coach explained very clearly how he plans to use me and how I could fit into the team, which gave me a lot of confidence that this is the right place for me.
“I want to help the team achieve its goal and to do that, I need to adapt as quickly as possible, show my qualities on the pitch, and prove why I am here.”
Will Castle7 January 2026 08:20
Darren Fletcher takes Man United reins with Sir Alex Ferguson’s blessing
The first call Darren Fletcher made was, perhaps, the one he was always likely to make. It is probably the kind of conversation Sir Alex Ferguson has had five times over the last dozen years. First Ryan Giggs, then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, then Michael Carrick, then Ruud van Nistelrooy, now Fletcher, each asking if they should take the reins Ferguson held for 26 years and 1,500 games.
Ferguson said yes, which was just as well. To go by Fletcher’s answer, United may have needed another interim head coach if he had replied otherwise. But in times of strife, United have shown a tendency to turn to their own. And they, in turn, look to Ferguson for guidance.
“I wanted to speak to him first,” said Fletcher, who signed for United at 15 and made 312 appearances under Ferguson. “And, ultimately, to get his blessing. I think he deserves that respect. I wanted to run it by him, what he thought, and he was supportive. And he echoed my thoughts, which I’ve always said: when you’re an employee of the club, it’s your job to do your best for Manchester United. And it’s amazing when he says something that I try and live and believe every day. So it was comforting for me for him to say that.”
Richard Jolly7 January 2026 08:09
Neymar extends contract at Santos
Neymar has agreed to extend his contract with Santos until the end of 2026 as he maintains hopes of a World Cup call-up despite recent injuries.
The 33-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 and played a key role in their survival in the Brazilian top flight, scoring five times in their last five matches.
“Santos is my place, I’m at home,” Neymar said. “It’s with you that I want to achieve the dreams that are still missing.”
Neymar, who has long struggled with injuries, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his knee last month.
Neymar is set for a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his knee (Reuters)
Will Castle7 January 2026 07:54