Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez battle for the ball (PA Wire via Belga)Your support helps us to tell the story
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The January transfer window is open and with the new year comes a chance for clubs to monitor the market after assessing their options to strengthen or trim their numbers to boost spending this month.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal helped to produce a record summer of Premier League expenditure last summer, with clubs from England’s top flight collectively splashing more than £3bn on new players.
The big news this morning, however, is that Chelsea have parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca after 18 months in charge of the club. With a new manager and potentially a signing or two expected at Stamford Bridge, with their title hopes all but gone and a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
While the acquisition of elite players or long-term targets is less common in the mid-season window, it is not completely out of the question, with the saga surrounding Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo expected to reach its climax in the coming weeks or possibly days. The 25-year-old has been linked with moves to every Premier League big hitter but it appears Manchester City are now leading the race for the player, whose £65m release clause becomes active in January.
Elsewhere, Tottenham’s Europa League winner Brennan Johnson is verging on a £35m move to Crystal Palace, while Eagles skipper Marc Guehi remains a person of interest after his deadline day move to Liverpool collapsed. The England international is about to enter the final six months of his contract at Selhurst Park, giving Palace one last chance to cash in if they choose to.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
Juventus targeting West Ham midfielder before pursuing Sandro Tonali in summer
Juventus are interested in West Ham’s 31-year-old midfielder Guido Rodriguez, according to Sky in Italy.
Manager Luciano Spalletti likes the Argentina international and is looking for a short-term solution on loan.
This comes as La Gazzetta dello Sport reports Juventus will step up their pursuit of Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali in the summer, with the club having little hope of signing him in January.
The same source claims the Italian giants are keen to bring Federico Chiesa back to the club.
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 12:00
Tottenham looking into Antoine Semenyo alternatives
Tottenham have turned their attention to alternative winger targets with Antoine Semenyo set to move elsewhere.
Versatile attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche remains of interest according to the Daily Mail, with the Monaco man excelling against them in the Champions League last year.
Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig, Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz and summer target Savinho have also been namedropped as potential targets.
Kenan Yildiz is one of the most sought-after players in Europe (REUTERS)
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 11:45
Rasmus Hojlund considers himself a Napoli player, says sports director
Napoli sports director Giovanni Manna says on-loan Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund already believes himself to be part of the club.
The 22-year-old joined on loan in the summer and has enjoyed a revival in fortunes since moving to Serie A, with seven goals in 19 games.
His loan agreement includes an obligation to buy if Napoli secure Champions League football. The club is third in Serie A and on track to qualify.
Manna told Corriere dello Sport: “We did everything we could to sign him. There were more storied clubs interested, but his will was crucial, and we are proud of it.”
Asked whether a permanent deal is a formality, Manna said: “As of today, I think so.”
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 11:30
Arsenal could go into the loan market to add strength in depth to their squad to aid their title bid, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Gunners find themselves at the top of the pile going into the new year but have been plagued by injuries, especially in defence.
AC Milan’s 20-year-old Italian full-back Davide Bartesaghi is one of a number of players being reportedly monitored.
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 11:15
Roma in the market for Premier League centre-backs
Roma are looking to recruit a new centre-back this January and have added two Premier League names to their targets list, according to Sky in Italy.
The first is Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, who is available this month after being part of the club’s “bomb squad” in the summer.
Roma are also interested in Tottenham’s Radu Dragusin, who has recently returned from injury and could return to the league where he first made his name.
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 11:00
Everton considering loans for Man United duo
Everton could approach Manchester United about loan moves for Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo, according to The i Paper.
Both players have struggled for game time this season under Ruben Amorim and have been linked with possible moves away.
Mainoo previously saw a loan request rejected in the summer, while Zirkzee has been linked with a move back to Serie A with Roma.
Goalscorer Joshua Zirkzee was taken off at half-time (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 10:45
Man City confident of pipping Man United to Elliot Anderson signing
Manchester City are confident they can beat Manchester United to the signing of Elliot Anderson in 2026, according to Teamtalk.
Pep Guardiola’s side already appear to have beaten their close rivals to Antoine Semenyo and it is reported that their pursuit of the Nottingham Forest and England star will follow that trend.
Forest are not willing to sell at present but are aware that their resolve will be tested.
Man City will likely intensify their efforts in the summer rather than move in January.
Elliot Anderson was excellent for Nottingham Forest at Anfield (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 10:30
Burnley defender nearing exit on a free
Burnely defender Hannes Delcroix is nearing a free transfer to Swiss side FC Lugano, according to Sky Sports.
Delcroix has entered the final six months of his contract but it’s understood he could be allowed to leave for nothing this month.
The 26-year-old has not featured once for Burnley this term and a medical is planned for later this week.
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 10:15
Real Madrid starlet Franco Mastantuono will not go elsewhere this window
Real Madrid will not loan out Argentinian starlet Franco Mastantuono in January, according to Fabrizio Romano.
It was never considered a possibility to let the attacking midfielder leave temporarily, unlike Endrick who has joined Lyon on loan.
The same goes for Gonzalo Garcia despite links to Italian clubs.
Real Madrid signed Mastantuono in the summer, beating off fierce competition to snatch him from River Plate.
FRANCO MASTANTUONO (AP)
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 10:00
Pep Guardiola giving nothing away on transfers
With talk of Antoine Semenyo arriving and Oscar Bobb leaving on loan, Pep Guardiola is giving no hints over transfer happenings at Manchester City.
“I have to be careful what I say,” Guardiola said when asked about Semenyo’s future.
“That is why I said yesterday before and the day of the game – the transfer window is completely closed right now.”
On Bobb, Guardiola added: “When it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. I don’t know any news about anything right now. You can ask Oscar, not to me.”
(REUTERS)
Jack Rathborn2 January 2026 09:45