Transfers

Karim Benzema has completed a shock January transfer from Al-Ittihad to Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal on deadline day. The former Real Madrid star was into the final few months of his deal with Al-Ittihad but has now moved on. The proposed move is unlikely to go down well with Cristiano Ronaldo who has been left frustrated by recent transfer activity in the Saudi Pro League.

Marcus Rashford does not want to return to Manchester United this summer, and hopes to resolve his future ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The winger is currently on loan at Barcelona and the Catalan club have negotiated an option to sign the forward for £26 million ($35m). Michael Carrick is said to want Rashford back if he takes charge permanently but that's not enough to tempt Rashford to return.

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.

Union Berlin director of football Horst Heldt has revealed that the club were offered the chance to sign former Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, insisting that the club could not pursue the deal seriously, such were his financial demands. Sterling has parted company with Chelsea by mutual consent after reaching agreement to end his contract at the club early.

Manchester City's forgotten man Kalvin Phillips has completed a shock January transfer to Sheffield United in the Championship on loan for the rest of the season. The former England international midfielder has struggled for minutes ever since making the move from Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium, and is now heading to the second tier of English football.

Crystal Palace announced the signing of Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton Wanderers just minutes before the close of the January transfer window. The Norway international has moved in a club-record transfer for the Eagles after a year-and-a-half at Molineux. The 25-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half year contract with Oliver Glasner's side.

Wrexham have confirmed the arrival of Keillor-Dunn from Barnsley before the close of the January transfer window. The striker joins from the League One side and becomes the club's second signing of the winter. Keillor-Dunn has spent time at Wrexham previously and returns for a second stint, with the Welsh club still aiming for promotion to the Premier League.

Rennes head coach Habib Beye has confirmed that defender Jeremy Jacquet is poised to move to Liverpool in a deal worth £60 million ($82m). The Reds have gazumped Chelsea in the race to land the centre-back, who is set to remain on loan at the French club for the remainder of the season. Beye has expressed his disappointment at the transfer but says it's the "best deal we could hope for."

Sandro Tonali's agent has opened up on the midfielder's future amid talk of interest from Arsenal and Juventus. Beppe Riso has denied reports that he offered the Italy international to the Gunners on deadline day but says he will evaluate the midfielder's future later in the season and whether Newcastle "are open to anything." Tonali is contracted to the Magpies until 2029.

Jean-Philippe Mateta's proposed move to AC Milan from Crystal Palace has collapsed, according to reports. The Eagles striker had first been in talks with Nottingham Forest but was closing in on a move to Italy; at the last minute, however, the Serie A side have pulled the plug. Milan have opted to walk away after medical checks revealed a knee problem.

Manchester City have added former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso to a three-man shortlist to potentially replace Pep Guardiola as manager, if the Spaniard leaves the club at the end of the season. There is a growing belief that the former Barcelona boss will depart once the campaign is over, and City are already putting together a succession plan.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed the club would like to make a late transfer before the January window closes on Monday evening after losing Mikel Merino to injury. The Spain star is expected to be sidelined for some time after sustaining a fractured foot, and Arteta has offered a fresh update on the club's transfer plans on deadline day.

Tyrell Malacia’s nightmare spell at Manchester United has taken a chaotic and bitter turn after the club blocked his proposed exit to Turkey while he was literally waiting to board his flight. The Dutch defender has been left "furious" and in a state of total disbelief by the 11th-hour U-turn from technical director Jason Wilcox, which traps him at Old Trafford despite him having no apparent prospect of first-team football.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence in the Saudi Pro League is reportedly impacting three high-profile deals that were being lined up late in the winter transfer window. Portuguese GOAT CR7 is frustrated at how things are playing out at Al-Nassr and is looking to flex his muscles when it comes to business being done by domestic rivals in the Middle East.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to consider a shock move to Major League Soccer, but not merely to extend his playing career. A leading football finance expert believes the Portuguese icon is "pretty enough" to successfully launch a second career in Hollywood, suggesting a strategic switch to California could be the perfect bridge to enhance his global superstardom after hanging up his boots.

Arsenal may be ruing their decision to let Ethan Nwaneri leave on loan, with Mikel Merino picking up an untimely injury, but the Gunners academy graduate will not be beating a hasty retreat to Emirates Stadium from Marseille. Mikel Arteta has lost a midfield option, and is scouring the transfer market for cover, and would have found a place for Nwaneri in his plans had the youngster remained in north London.

Liverpool need new defenders; that's no secret. Club captain Virgil van Dijk is past his peak, the future of prospective free agent Ibrahima Konate remains up in the air and a spate of injuries have limited Arne Slot's options this season. Help is on the way, though not until the summer at the earliest, with the Reds having agreed a deal to sign French sensation Jeremy Jacquet.