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The focus shifts to Liverpool and the hunt for a new centre-back after Manchester City completed the signing of Crystal Palace defender, and captain, Marc Guehi, for £20m. Guehi had been garnering interest from other clubs such as the Reds, Arsenal and Bayern Munich but Pep Guardiola’s side have won the race for the centre-back by paying a fee in this window rather than waiting for his contract to expire in the summer.
Arne Slot is now looking at alternatives to Guehi, with Spurs star Micky Van de Ven linked, while Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck have also been mentioned, while Chelsea have opened talks to sign star Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, and are also reportedly interested in Lucas Paqueta. Reports from Brazil say the West Ham midfielder prefers to return to his home country but a switch to another European club hasn’t been ruled out.
In a month that has already seen Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca lose their jobs, there could yet be more high-profile sackings on the horizon with Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham under serious threat. Spurs fans turned on the Dane after suffering a dismal defeat to relegation contenders West Ham on Tuesday. Oliver Glasner’s job at Crystal Palace is also under consideration after the Austrian claimed he had been “abandoned” by the club in an extraordinary outburst following the Eagles’ loss at Sunderland.
Manchester United are looking to strengthen before the January transfer window closes. In midfield they have lined up Joao Gomes, Carlos Baleba, Marcos Llorente and Elliot Anderson as targets – Man City are also said to be interested in Anderson – while Nottingham Forest defender Murillo is being looked at to reinforce the defence. The club have also rejected several offers for defender Harry Maguire whose contract is expiring.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
Transfer news, rumours and latest gossipAbraham considering Villa move?
Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham “has agreed a move to Aston Villa” according to Ben Jacobs of talkSport.
AS Roma are prepared to allow the England international to leave, with both parties “now working on terminating Abraham’s Bestikas loan”.
There is “optimism a deal can be done”, adds Jacobs.
Chris Wilson20 January 2026 12:52
Marc Guehi outlines motivation behind joining Man City after completing £20m transfer
The Crystal Palace captain, who almost joined Liverpool in the summer before a deadline-day move broke down, has agreed a five-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium after passing a medical.
Guehi takes City’s spending since the start of 2025 to around £430m, and he would have been available on a free transfer when his Palace contract was due to expire in the summer.
But City, who had seen the England international as a long-term target, fast-tracked the move after injuries to fellow centre-backs John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
Chris Wilson20 January 2026 12:37
Nwaneri edges closer to Marseille loan
Ethan Nwaneri has now accepted a loan deal to move to Olympique Marseille, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The deal will be a straight loan with no buy option, and it is expected to be agreed and finalised soon.
Both Arteta and the club as a whole see Marseille and manager Roberto de Zerbi as an ideal place for Nwaneri to go, according to reports.
Chris Wilson20 January 2026 12:22
Fulham lead Troy Parrott race as three clubs target Republic of Ireland hero
So far, the trio are the clubs that have gone in strongest in what is expected to be a wide race for the AZ Alkmaar forward over the next few months.
The 23-year-old’s profile exploded after the five goals against Portugal and Hungary that sent Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side into a World Cup play-off.
Chris Wilson20 January 2026 12:06
Madrid & PSG monitoring Fernandez
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is a rumoured target for Real Madrid and PSG, and while nothing is likely to happen this month, the Argentina international could see that interest become concrete this summer.
Early reports suggest that Chelsea could let the 25-year-old leave for the right price at the end of the season, with the midfielder no longer considered “untouchable” by the club hierarchy.
(PA Wire)
Chris Wilson20 January 2026 11:51
‘It’s the club’s culture’: Readers say Tottenham Hotspur’s problems run deeper than Thomas Frank
Tottenham’s turmoil under Thomas Frank has sparked a fierce debate among Independent readers with fans split between those calling for immediate change and those urging patience.
Responding to reports from chief football writer Miguel Delaney that the club are considering his future, many readers argued that the former Brentford head coach’s position has become untenable, citing a lack of identity or playing style, repeated defensive errors and little evidence of progress.
Many felt he was hired to stabilise the club after Ange Postecoglou, only for injuries to persist and performances to deteriorate further, dragging the club towards a potential relegation fight.
Chris Wilson20 January 2026 11:38
Oliver Glasner raises an uncomfortable truth – and makes life difficult for himself
Anumber of major clubs – including United – admire Oliver Glasner, but several senior figures raised their eyebrows at his comments over the weekend. They hadn’t quite expected that. It’s understood that one executive is now reconsidering appointing him, particularly over how he “ran to the press.”
After announcing on Friday that he would definitely leave Palace at the end of the season, Glasner followed on Saturday by suggesting it could be much sooner. That is a considerable escalation – very much in line with the current Premier League news cycle.
Writing a weekly column that wraps up the weekend while tracking developing events makes you acutely aware of recurring themes in the competition. In 2026 alone – still less than three weeks old – we’ve seen huge managerial upheaval, debates over the role of head coaches and sporting directors, and general club unrest.
Miguel Delaney20 January 2026 11:23
Alvarez set to become Barcelona priority
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez will be Barcelona’s transfer priority this summer, according to reports from Spain.
Sport reports that the Argentine is the ideal target to lead the new project at Barcelona, with the club seeing his potential impact at a similar level to that provided by Luis Suarez when he signed.
If the club can return to the 1:1 financial fiar play rule, they are prepared to push hard to land the Argentine forward this summer, adds the report.
Chris Wilson20 January 2026 11:07
Arsenal interested in Inter defender?
Arsenal have shown a surprise interest in Inter Milan wingback Federico Dimarco, according to Italian outlet Tuttosport.
The 28-year-old has become a key part of the side in recent years and is expected to reject any outside negotiations in favour of a new contract at the San Siro.
Chris Wilson20 January 2026 10:56
Miguel Delaney answers your Premier League questions – from the next manager to be sacked to surprise January transfers
January has so far been defined less by transfer drama than by instability at the top of the Premier League – something that came through clearly in my latest Ask Me Anything live Q&A.
There was also strong interest in the managerial market more broadly. Xabi Alonso’s abrupt exit from Real Madrid featured heavily, with readers keen to know where he might end up next and which Premier League clubs could move.
Elsewhere, questions reflected rising pressure on managers already in post. Thomas Frank’s position at Tottenham and Arne Slot’s situation at Liverpool were both raised as results falter and elite alternatives re-enter the conversation.
Here are some of your questions – and my answers from the Q&A:
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Your Premier League questions answered – from sackings to signings
Chief footballer writer Miguel Delaney answers readers’ Premier League questions – from Ruben Amorim’s abrupt exit at Manchester United and Xabi Alonso’s sudden availability to mounting pressure on Thomas Frank and the likelihood of late January transfer surprises
Miguel Delaney20 January 2026 10:46