Transfers

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has again played down suggestions that star player Cole Palmer could leave the club amid speculation of a move to Manchester United. Palmer was a boyhood fan of the Red Devils despite coming through the academy at rivals Manchester City and is now being linked with a switch to Old Trafford.

Despite reported interest from Spain, Real Salt Lake plan to keep hold of Diego Luna through the summer, sources tell GOAL. The club views Luna as a key part of both its present and future, even with attention building abroad ahead of the World Cup. Sources add that RSL has yet to receive any formal offers for the 22-year-old midfielder, who made his USMNT breakthrough in 2025.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana could make a sensational return to former club Inter during the summer 2026 window, a new report has claimed. Onana is currently on loan at Trabzonspor, but he is not expected to remain at the Turkish Super Lig side beyond the end of the season and so the player is trying to find other suitors.

The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.

Douglas Luiz is set for a sensational return to Aston Villa after agreeing a loan deal until the end of the season. The move will see his nightmare spell at Nottingham Forest cut short, with Unai Emery beating Chelsea to the signing of the Juventus midfielder. The Brazilian has agreed terms to help cover a midfield injury crisis at Villa Park, with the deal including an option to make the transfer permanent next summer.

Manchester United have been advised to brace themselves for intervention from Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis if supposed transfer interest in England international midfielder Elliot Anderson is formalised. He is said to be registering on the Red Devils’ radar, but Teddy Sheringham has told GOAL why a big-money deal will be far from straightforward.

Russell Martin has emerged as the leading candidate to take the reins at Leicester City following his departure from Rangers earlier this season. The 40-year-old is understood to be keen on the vacancy at the King Power Stadium as the club seeks a replacement for Marti Cifuentes, with the hierarchy viewing his previous promotion experience as the ideal solution to their current Championship struggles.

Wrexham have received a huge cash injection from Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac ahead of the January transfer deadline. A further £48 million ($66m) is being pumped into the Championship club. That should allow manager Phil Parkinson to bolster his ranks before the latest window shuts, with the Red Dragons reported to be in the market for a new striker and a couple of wing-backs.

January is a notoriously bad time for buyers because nobody ever wants to sell top talent midway through the season. There are, however, exceptions to the rule. Some clubs need to raise funds to balance the books, while others can be left with not option but to unload an unhappy player who has made it clear that he wants to join a stronger side.

Gary Lineker has dropped a major hint that Arsenal could land Julian Alvarez this summer, revealing that the striker is unhappy at Atletico Madrid. The former Match of the Day host believes the World Cup winner would be a "game over" signing for Mikel Arteta’s side, who are desperate for firepower after seeing their title bid falter due to a lack of goals from their current crop of forwards.

Fermin Lopez would love to see Lionel Messi welcomed back to Barcelona, even if that means dropping down to the bench. The 22-year-old has become one of the Blaugrana’s most consistent performers this season, but he would happily give up a playmaking post at Camp Nou if an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner could be returned to Catalunya for an emotional farewell tour.

U.S. men’s national team fullback Alex Freeman is reportedly set to sign with Villarreal, with the Spanish side prepared to pay up to $7 million to Orlando City. The move would cap a breakout 2025 in which Freeman’s form saw him rise from MLS prospect to USMNT regular and emerging World Cup hopeful, while also drawing sustained European interest.

Memphis Depay is looking to leave Brazilian giants Corinthians this month. The Dutchman secured a switch to the Brasileirao outfit in September 2024 following an 18-month spell with Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid. And having spent the last year-and-a-half with the Sao Paulo based powerhouse, the Dutch striker is keen to leave the South American side.

Paris Saint-Germain have poached one of Barcelona’s brightest talents, with Dro Fernandez completing a controversial €8.2 million transfer to the French capital. The move has sparked fury in Catalonia, with club president Joan Laporta blasting the teenager's camp for breaking a verbal agreement regarding his future in what he described as an 'unpleasant' surprise for the Spanish giants.

Barcelona have narrowed down their pursuit of Robert Lewandowski's replacement to just two players. Lewandowski's current deal at Spotify Camp Nou expires at the end of the current season and Barcelona are unlikely to extend the 37-year-old's stay in Spain, and it means the Catalan giants are expected to dip into the market for a new striker this summer.

Liverpool have announced a deal has been put in place to sign highly-rated 17-year-old centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna. The teenager is due to link up with the Reds in the summer, subject to international clearance. Ndukwe has been at Austria Vienna since the age of seven, making his way through the youth ranks and catching the eye of Arne Slot's side.

Liverpool and manager Arne Slot have been sent a warning about the club's transfer activity by former captain Jamie Redknapp. The Reds have missed out on a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi who has completed a transfer to Manchester City. Redknapp feels the England international is a "big miss" for his former club and has warned there could be problems ahead at Anfield.