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.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has launched into a furious tirade against Premier League match officials and VAR, claiming “they don’t want us to win”. The Ballon d’Or winner cut a frustrated figure, alongside his manager Pep Guardiola, after seeing the Blues drop more precious points in a 2-2 draw at Tottenham - with one particularly big decision going against the visitors in north London.
Chelsea are set to execute a complex triple transfer shuffle with sister club Strasbourg as the January window reaches its climax. The Blues have decided to recall highly-rated defender Mamadou Sarr, viewing him as a key part of their long-term project. In a direct exchange of resources, Argentinian prospect Aaron Anselmino and striker David Datro Fofana will head to France on loan for the remainder of the campaign to aid the Ligue 1 side.
Liverpool supporters could be forgiven for thinking they were watching a ghost of Anfield’s past during Saturday’s 4-1 demolition of Newcastle. Hugo Ekitike’s electrifying performance, capped by a goal that was the mirror image of a famous Fernando Torres strike, has sparked a wave of nostalgia on Merseyside. Even club legend Steven Gerrard joined the chorus of praise, admitting the French forward’s "pace and power" remind him of his former Spanish teammate "every time I watch him."
Arsenal are reported to have asked about a stunning deadline day deal for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali. The Gunners have lost Mikel Merino to an untimely injury, with Mikel Arteta eager to ensure that he is not left short on options in an ongoing Premier League title bid. Italy international Tonali would be another proven addition to the ranks at Emirates Stadium.
Fulham’s ambitious deadline-beating swoop for Ricardo Pepi has collapsed in dramatic fashion after PSV pulled the plug on the €37 million deal. The USMNT striker was reportedly set for a Premier League switch, but the Dutch giants blocked the move on Monday morning after failing to secure a replacement in time, leaving the Cottagers empty-handed.
Jamie Carragher has performed a dramatic U-turn in his assessment of Manchester United midfielder Casemiro and invited the experienced Brazil international to shame his punditry skills. Back in 2024, Liverpool legend Carragher claimed that “football had left” Casemiro and he was destined to end up in MLS or the Saudi Pro League. The South American has enjoyed an impressive upturn in form this season.
Michael Carrick has revealed that Mason Mount missed Manchester United's dramatic victory against Fulham due to a training ground injury. The interim boss confirmed the midfielder took a "knock" but expects him back soon. However, there was worse news for defender Patrick Dorgu, who faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a "serious" setback in the previous win at Arsenal.
Liverpool have reportedly beaten Premier League rivals Chelsea to the signing of highly-rated Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet. The Reds are said to have a £60 million ($82m) deal in place. The talented 20-year-old is considered to be a long-term addition at Anfield, with a big-money agreement set to be completed in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is expected to be out for an 'extended period' with a foot injury and may not feature again this season. He is set to undergo surgery on the issue, which he sustained late in the defeat against Manchester United last weekend. Arsenal are thought to be considering emergency measures in the winter transfer market to cover for the absence of the 29-year-old.
Pep Guardiola was unhappy that the first of Dominic Solanke's two goals stood during Manchester City's 2-2 draw at Tottenham on Sunday. City deservedly took a 2-0 lead heading into the second half but inexplicably collapsed, though the visiting manager was not pleased that Spurs' first goal was not chalked off by the referee or VAR.
Dominik Szoboszlai has cast doubt upon his Liverpool future in a worrying update for the Reds, with the midfielder admitting his future is "not in my hands" despite a clear desire to remain at Anfield. The 25-year-old has been one of the Reds' outstanding performers throughout an inconsistent season and talks over an extension are reported to be underway, with the Hungarian's current deal running until 2028.
Michael Carrick is reportedly keen to have Marcus Rashford back at Manchester United next season if he stays on as Red Devils boss, but Barcelona hold the most important trump card in any transfer battle. The Liga giants took the England international forward on loan ahead of the current campaign and boast a purchase option that can be triggered in the summer of 2026.
Manchester City are now six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal after succumbing to a 2-2 draw at Tottenham on Sunday. The visitors seemed in cruise control having raced into a two-goal lead in the first half, but threw that advantage away in damning circumstances as they lost further ground in the title race.
Dominic Solanke scored a stunning scorpion kick goal for Tottenham as they battled back from two goals down to level matters against Manchester City. The England international striker was responsible for digging Spurs out of a hole in that contest, with his second effort of the game seeing the ball flicked home despite it dropping behind him.
Manchester United hero Benjamin Sesko, fresh from netting a dramatic winner in a five-goal thriller with Fulham, admits that Michael Carrick has improved “work rate” in the Red Devils ranks - allowing an impressive run of results to be enjoyed. United edged out Fulham 3-2 at Old Trafford and have now taken maximum points from three games under their interim head coach.
Mohamed Salah has taken a Premier League record off Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney and Arsenal great Thierry Henry, with the Egyptian superstar further highlighting his value to the Liverpool cause following a testing time at Anfield. Salah teed up one of the Reds’ four goals as they recovered from falling behind on home soil to see off Newcastle.
Manchester United's winning start to life under Michael Carrick continued in dramatic fashion as Benjamin Sesko's stoppage-time strike secured a 3-2 win over Fulham on Sunday. Goals from Casemiro and Matheus Cunha had the Red Devils cruising towards victory, only for late strikes from Raul Jimenez and Kevin to pull the visitors level. Sesko, however, had the last laugh when he lashed his shot into the top corner.
Noni Madueke has been awarded an Olimpico goal that has brought his 12-month drought in the Premier League to a close. The Arsenal winger was a threat throughout the Gunners’ 4-0 victory over Leeds at Elland Road, having only been drafted into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI following an unfortunate injury to Bukayo Saka. He forced a first-half goal direct from a corner.
Rumours linking Bruno Fernandes with a stunning January move to Real Madrid have been shut down by Fabrizio Romano. The transfer guru reports that claims the Manchester United captain offered himself to Los Blancos this month are "completely fake". Fernandes' future has been a frequent topic of discussion, but it appears likely that the 31-year-old will remain at Old Trafford until at least the end of the season, as his side seek Champions League qualification.
Marc Guehi may have felt disrespected by the failed transfer to Liverpool in the summer window and "probably" won't regret moving to Manchester City in January instead, according to former Germany international Didi Hamann. The England defender saw a switch from Crystal Palace to Anfield break down at the last minute and instead moved to the Etihad Stadium earlier this month for a reported £20 million.
Enigmatic Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez has seen his behaviour criticised again, with supposed “arrogance” on the Argentine’s part being called out by an international goalkeeping rival. Uruguayan shot-stopper Sergio Rochet does not “like the way” a fellow South American is - despite the World Cup winner being considered “phenomenal” at his job.
Leicester City have reportedly been in contact with Enzo Maresca over a potential return to the King Power Stadium. The Foxes, who are struggling in the Championship, recently sacked manager Marti Cifuentes and gave the job to Andy King on an interim basis. Maresca helped the 2015-16 Premier League winners earn promotion to the top flight in 2024 after claiming England's second-tier title and has been out of work since New Year's Day when he was given the boot by Chelsea.
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