And there we have it. The January transfer window is closed for another year, and though it was a relatively quiet month when it came to big-money deals, that does now mean we could be set up for another blockbuster summer in terms of comings and goings.
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.
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are set to lose a loyal servant with Stefan Ortega reportedly close to completing a move to fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest. The German has proved to be a dependable back-up goalkeeper in the last three seasons, but he now looks set to swap the Etihad Stadium for the City Ground before the January transfer window closes.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that striker Jean-Philippe Mateta will not be in the squad to face Nottingham Forest this weekend, as the Frenchman continues to seek an exit from Selhurst Park. Palace have reportedly received offers from both Forest and AC Milan for the 28-year-old, who informed the club earlier this month that he intends to depart in January.
Nottingham Forest and Celtic have been handed demanding routes to the last 16 of the Europa League following the knockout round play-off draw. Martin O'Neill’s Celtic side must overcome Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart, while Forest face an intimidating two-legged clash against Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Both British sides face crucial tests in February as they bid to join Aston Villa in the next stage of the competition.
AC Milan have launched a dramatic late raid to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, reportedly striking a verbal agreement with the Eagles overnight. The move is a calculated blow to Nottingham Forest, who had made the Frenchman a top target, as Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani looks to secure the forward to bolster the Rossoneri attack.
Aston Villa have announced the return of Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus for the rest of the season. The Brazil international swapped Villa for Juve in the summer of 2024 for £42 million ($58m), but the 27-year-old has endured a difficult 18 months since then. After failing to fire at the Italian side, his loan stint at Nottingham Forest hasn't worked either. Now, he is back with Unai Emery's side.
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.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is eager to leave Crystal Palace before the close of the January transfer window after becoming unsettled at the club. Aston Villa and Juventus have already been linked with a move for the striker but the Eagles have now received a hefty bid for the Frenchman from an unlikely source. Crystal Palace have already lost Marc Guehi this winter and are now facing waving goodbye to another key star.
Manchester United have conceded that midfield target Elliot Anderson favours a summer switch to rivals Manchester City. The Nottingham Forest star has caught the attention of the Premier League pair having shone for the Tricky Trees this season. Forest are adamant that Anderson won't leave the City Ground in January and are expected to demand £100 million ($136m) to cash in on their prized asset later this year.
Manchester United’s shortlist of four transfer targets to replace departing Brazilian star Casemiro has been revealed. The Red Devils will be bidding farewell to a Champions League-winning former Real Madrid midfielder when his contract expires in the summer. A number of England internationals are said to be on the recruitment radar at Old Trafford.
Chelsea are reportedly plotting a surprise move to sign Douglas Luiz on loan for the rest of the season. The Blues are believed to be keen to bolster their midfield ranks in the January transfer window and have identified the Brazil international as a target, despite the 27-year-old having played just 13 times for Nottingham Forest since joining on a season-long loan from Juventus.
Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has returned to football in a new capacity following his dismissals from Spurs and Nottingham Forest. The Greek-Australian coach has been appointed as a UEFA Technical Observer and was immediately tasked with analysing Arsenal’s emphatic 3-1 Champions League victory over Inter, where he singled out Gabriel Jesus for special praise.
Thomas Tuchel has been told that he must find space in his World Cup plans for Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. Reds legend and former England international Stan Collymore has explained to GOAL why a proven Premier League performer at the City Ground should be handed tickets on the plane to a major tournament in North America.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is being offered a route out of his Nottingham Forest nightmare, with Arsenal sanctioning a fresh loan switch for the Ukraine international. He moved to the City Ground in the summer of 2025, but has struggled for form under three different managers. It is now being reported that the Premier League title-winning ex-Manchester City star will link up with Eredivisie giants Ajax.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has fired out a warning to big-money signing Viktor Gyokeres after he failed to find the back of the net yet again for the Gunners against Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the Premier League. Gyokeres has managed just five Premier League goals since joining the club in the summer and Arteta wants him to be more 'decisive'.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left fuming after seeing his team denied a penalty for handball in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest. Arteta felt his side should have been awarded a spot-kick after Ola Aina appeared to control the ball with his arm and has criticised the explanation from PGMOL regarding why the decision was not given.
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a Nottingham Forest star as a potential Harry Maguire replacement. The England centre-back is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer, with the 32-year-old set to become a free agent. As the Red Devils continue to look to sign young talent, they have turned their attention to an in-demand Premier League defender.
Manchester United are being urged to explore potential routes into the exciting new NBA Europe project that could be worth around $50 billion (£37bn). A potentially lucrative venture is being pitched by the National Basketball Association, with the plan being to create 12 franchises - and four teams that qualify without owning equity - which would be valued at up to $1 billion (£743m) each. Premier League giants United have been advised to join discussions regarding a crossover enterprise.
Wrexham’s Hollywood co-owner Rob Mac has described his side’s performance in their FA Cup third-round victory over Nottingham Forest as ‘incredible’. The Red Dragons produced a sublime showing to knock out their Premier League opposition on penalties, producing the first shock of the round. After the game, McElhenney was unable to hide his delight.
Sean Dyche has lambasted his Nottingham Forest side after they crashed out of the FA Cup third round at the hands of Championship side Wrexham. The Forest boss was furious following their 4-3 defeat on penalties and slammed those who had played out the initial 3-3 draw in North Wales, suggesting that those who started did not deserve a run out in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest
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