Manchester United flop Donny van de Beek has announced his engagement to Estelle Bergkamp, the daughter of Arsenal legend Dennis. The Dutch midfielder endured a tough time on the field at Old Trafford, leading to an inevitable departure in 2024, but has had plenty to celebrate off the pitch. He and his fiancee are now preparing to draw up wedding plans.
The 2026 winter window closed on Monday, with Jorgen Strand Larsen's £48 million move from Wolves to Crystal Palace the biggest deal done on deadline day. Truth be told, though, it was a pretty tame end to what's been a fairly quiet month in the transfer market. Indeed, aside from Manchester City, most of Europe's top teams did next-to-no mid-season business, while there was very little movement at all in France, Germany or Spain - which wasn't that surprising, given January is traditionally a tough time to find good value for money.
Crystal Palace have been accused of showing a "complete disregard" for player welfare following the dramatic late collapse of Dwight McNeil’s proposed transfer from Everton. The winger’s partner, Megan Sharpley, has issued a scathing condemnation of the London club, accusing them of "toying" with McNeil's mental health after they pulled the plug on a £20 million deal without explanation, despite a deal sheet being submitted and a medical completed.
Mikel Arteta has launched a staunch defence of his Arsenal side, dismissing claims from Paul Scholes that they would be the "most boring team to win the Premier League." On the eve of a crucial Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea, the Gunners boss laughed off the criticism, insisting that outside of the UK, his team is widely regarded as "the most exciting in Europe" thanks to their prolific goalscoring record and defensive dominance.
Famously, the January transfer window is the more difficult of the two to operate in. It's hard to persuade other clubs to give up assets mid-season, sometimes even harder to convince players that they're better off making a move immediately rather than waiting until the following summer. But that doesn't mean deals are impossible, or that you can't get good value for your buck.
Axel Disasi has finally brought his Stamford Bridge purgatory to a close by securing a dramatic deadline day switch to West Ham. The French defender, the last remaining high-profile member of the infamous 'bomb squad' created during the Enzo Maresca era, has moved across London on a straight loan deal for the remainder of the campaign after a frantic race against the clock.
Viktor Gyokeres has explained how his iconic goal celebration came about, with a nod being offered to DC Comics star Bane, while discussing his start to life in the Premier League at Arsenal. The Sweden international striker admits that a stint in the Premier League has been challenging, but he is delighted to form part of a Premier League title bid at Emirates Stadium.
Celtic are reportedly interested in signing free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is training with Arsenal. The midfielder has been without a club since leaving Besiktas in August, and he could now be on the verge of finding a new club. Mikel Arteta has also been asked about the former England star's future and whether he could stay on at Arsenal.
Liverpool have confirmed a transfer has now been agreed with Rennes for highly-rated centre-back Jeremy Jacquet. The defender will spent the rest of the season with the Ligue 1 side and will then head to Anfield at the end of the 2025-26 season. Chelsea had been keen to land the 20-year-old but have been beaten to his signature by Arne Slot's side.
Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero has issued a bombshell statement after his side's 2-2 Premier League draw with Manchester City and the close of the January transfer window. Spurs are currently working through a remarkable injury crisis but have made just two first-team signings to bolster Thomas Frank's squad, leaving the defender angry and frustrated.
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.
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.
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.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has confirmed that teenage sensation Estevao Willian remains a major doubt for the upcoming Carabao Cup clash against Arsenal. The Brazilian has been granted compassionate leave due to personal reasons, with Rosenior refusing to put a timeline on his return. Meanwhile, Jamie Gittens is also facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury against West Ham.
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.
With Arsenal steaming ahead in the Premier League title race from the off while Manchester City stumbled, the one thing Pep Guardiola's side could cling on to was their capacity for a strong finish. City have a remarkable history of reeling in their title rivals in when it matters most by going on what became their trademark relentless runs. But one month into 2026, there is little evidence of that happening this time around.
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.
Sandro Tonali has generated talk of interest from Arsenal on transfer deadline day, but surprising reports have been quickly shot down. The Gunners are said to be in the market for midfield reinforcements after losing Mikel Merino to injury. Italy international Tonali would be a Premier League-proven option, but he is unlikely to leave St James’ Park.
After all the drama provided by the Champions League in midweek, domestic action returned over the weekend, and it did not disappoint. Title races and battles to earn European spots are heating up around the continent, with there plenty of twists and turns still to come over the next three-and-a-half months.
Chelsea have launched a frantic late attempt to sign Nantes sensation Tylel Tati after losing out to Liverpool in the race for Jeremy Jacquet. The Blues have tabled a verbal offer worth €30 million (£26m/$36m) for the 18-year-old defender, intending to loan him straight to Strasbourg, but face a race against time to convince the "thoughtful" teenager to rush a decision before the window slams shut.
Manchester United reportedly failed in a late bid to hijack Liverpool’s proposed deal for highly-rated Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet. The France Under-21 international is seemingly heading to Anfield, with other Premier League suitors being left empty-handed. United form part of that pack, with the Red Devils eager to buy into the obvious potential that Jacquet possesses.
Chelsea have executed a swift and ruthless strategic manoeuvre in the transfer market, recalling Aaron Anselmino from Borussia Dortmund and diverting him to sister club Strasbourg. The decision comes amid reports that the Blues were furious with the German giants for allegedly attempting to "tap up" the young defender and convincing him to push for a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge.
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