Transfers

Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard is reportedly closing in on a return to football in Serie A. The 33-year-old is a free agent after a stint in South Korea with FC Seoul, which came to an end in December 2025. Lingard is thought to have spoken to several Premier League clubs about a January transfer but now appears set to resume his career in the Italian top flight.

Wrexham have been urged to consider making a move for two Liverpool legends in a bid to boost their hopes of promotion to the Premier League. Club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have made no secret of the fact that their dream is to see the Welsh club in the English top flight and former Liverpool ace Gary McAllister thinks two players in particular could be tempted to join their project.

Harry Maguire faces an uncertain future at Manchester United with the club yet to open formal talks over a contract extension. The defender, whose current deal expires this summer, has attracted interest from clubs in Italy and Turkey, though his recent match-winning performances against Arsenal and Manchester City have strengthened his case for a new deal at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have identified AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao as a primary target for the left wing as INEOS chiefs accelerate their plans for a major summer overhaul. The Portuguese international features on a three-man shortlist alongside Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye and Chelsea teenager Tyrique George, while the club is also locked in a fierce battle with Manchester City for their "absolute top priority" midfield target ahead of the World Cup.

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Ousmane Dembele has reportedly emerged as a shock target for the Saudi Pro League ahead of the summer transfer window. The Ballon d'Or winner is being eyed for a move in what is being tipped to be the Saudi competition's "biggest deal since Cristiano Ronaldo". Dembele's current PSG contract expires in 2028 and senior Saudi Pro League figures are now preparing a lucrative package to tempt him to the Middle East.

Raheem Sterling is finally set to end his Chelsea nightmare as talks accelerate regarding his departure before the transfer window closes. The £325,000-a-week winger has been exiled from the first team and hasn't played for the club in 100 games. Negotiations are ongoing over a potential sale or a mutual termination of his contract with 18 months left.

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.

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.

Homesick Cole Palmer would be open to potential switch to boyhood club Manchester United this summer. Palmer left Manchester City for Chelsea in 2023 and has gone on to become a key player for the Blues. However, the England international is reportedly unsettled in London and would welcome the chance to move back to Manchester at the end of the season.

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.

Liam Rosenior has made his first signing as Chelsea manager since replacing Enzo Maresca at the helm. The 41-year-old has enjoyed a bright start to life at Stamford Bridge, winning four of his first five games in charge of the Blues in all competitions. Rosenior is also working hard on shaping his squad and has added an exciting young talent to the ranks in west London.

Chelsea have exercised their right to recall young Argentine centre-back Aaron Anselmino from his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund. The Blues are looking to reinforce their defensive ranks in the January transfer window but have activated an option to bring Anselmino back to Stamford Bridge, a decision that is said to have left the Bundesliga giants 'fuming'.

Bayern Munich's sporting director Max Eberl has offered a fresh update on Harry Kane's future at the club. The England captain's contract at the Allianz Arena expires in 2027, and he has attracted interest from clubs across Europe with his prolific displays for the Bavarian giants. Kane has said he's willing to discuss an extension with Bayern and Eberl says negotiations are now taking place.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was said to have been told to 'find a new club' by interim Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa, having struggled to settle in Spain on the back of his 2025 move from Liverpool, but those reports have since been rubbished. The truth is now emerging, with the England international considered to still be an important part of Los Blancos’ plans.

Pep Guardiola has candidly admitted that winger Oscar Bobb is likely looking for a way out of Manchester City before the January transfer window slams shut. The City boss confirmed that the Norwegian international is unhappy with his lack of game time - a situation that has become untenable following the big-money arrival and immediate impact of Antoine Semenyo.