Transfers

Lionel Messi has reportedly given the “green light” to a sensational transfer that would include a “no away games” stipulation. The Argentine GOAT has extended his contract at MLS Cup winners Inter Miami through 2028, but wants to ensure that he is ready for World Cup duty in 2026. That could mean returning to Europe on a short-term deal, with Galatasaray ready to throw open their doors.

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.

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.

Atletico Madrid, Aston Villa, Monaco and Villarreal are among the clubs interested in signing Real Salt Lake star Zavier Gozo, sources tell GOAL. The winger, who has represented the U.S. up to the U-23 level, could be on the move in the summer for a transfer fee somewhere close to a club-record fee.

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.

Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Al-Nassr in the summer, with a move to either Major League Soccer or a return to Europe both options for the Portugal superstar. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United ace has a release clause of €50 million (£43m/$59m) in his contract ahead of the summer window and will not lack for offers if he decide to quit the Saudi Pro League.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers among American stars from the January window.

Obed Vargas is set for a major step forward, leaving the Seattle Sounders to join Atlético Madrid. While several LaLiga clubs had expressed interest in a potential loan move, Atlético plan to keep the 20-year-old midfielder in Madrid, where he is expected to join the first team. Vargas impressed as a homegrown player for Seattle, making 91 appearances.

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.

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.

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.