Transfers

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has a very cold, analytical approach to his role - so much so, in fact, that he was once described as "robot" by an agent who had dealt with him. Of course, being devoid of emotion probably wouldn't be such a bad thing for Hughes, given the nature of his job and the potential for being adversely affected by the wildly differing views on the work he's doing at Anfield.

A retirement plan for Cristiano Ronaldo has been teased as Saudi Pro League officials reportedly line up 50 big-name players to join CR7 in the Middle East before the day comes for him to hang up his boots. More high-profile additions, such as Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes, will help the division to retain interest heading towards the 2034 World Cup.

The New York Red Bulls are nearing an agreement to sign U.S. international goalkeeper Ethan Horvath from Cardiff City, as the club continues a major roster overhaul ahead of the new MLS season. The move would address a key vacancy in goal following Carlos Coronel’s departure and add experience to a squad entering a new era under head coach Michael Bradley.

Forgotten Manchester City man Kalvin Phillips may be offered an escape route in the January transfer window with Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly keen to sign the midfielder. The 30-year-old - once a mainstay in the England setup - remains on the periphery at the Etihad Stadium, having made just one appearance for Pep Guardiola’s side this season.

Crystal Palace are reportedly prioritising signing a replacement for Marc Guehi in the final 11 days of the transfer window, but fans who are hoping to see a big-name defender arrive at Selhurst Park are set to be disappointed. The Eagles are short of options at centre-back following the England international’s move to Manchester City, while they are also reeling from wantaway striker Jean-Philippe Mateta's bombshell admission.

Vinicius Junior’s future at Real Madrid remains up in the air as the Saudi Pro League reportedly remain in discussions with the Brazil star's camp over a big-money move to the Middle East this summer. The winger has endured a difficult season with the Spanish giants, having been routinely whistled by the Los Blancos faithful following a recent goal drought which stretched back to October.

Tottenham have announced the signing of left-back Souza from Santos, with the Brazilian wonderkid signing a long-term contract with the club. The 19-year-old arrives at a time when the north London club are languishing in 14th in the Premier League table, as Thomas Frank attempts to save his own job.

Jose Mourinho has aimed a thinly-veiled jibe at former club Manchester United after they named Michael Carrick as their new interim head coach until the end of the season. The Benfica boss has expressed his “surprise” at the appointment of the former Middlesbrough manager, who was part of the Portuguese’s coaching staff during his period in charge of the Red Devils.

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.

Casemiro is set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, the midfielder and the club have confirmed. The 33-year-old has remained a key member of the Old Trafford squad this season but will seek pastures new this summer.

Joe Cole has urged Manchester City to raid Crystal Palace for a second time this year, tipping the Premier League champions to move for Adam Wharton as concerns grow over Rodri’s fitness. The former England star believes the Eagles midfielder is the perfect cover for the Spaniard, who looked "lightweight" in the shock defeat to Bodo/Glimt, and claims Wharton could soon have his "pick of the bunch" of top clubs.

Since leaving Amakhosi in August 2023, the left winger has signed for four different clubs as he continues to battle for stability in his career. His move to the Bloemfontein-based outfit is seen as an opportunity to relaunch his game and finally realise the potential he showed early on. He is a player who previously had stints in Portugal and Lithuania, where he once looked destined to become a big name in South African football.

Virgil van Dijk says it was “disrespectful” for Arne Slot to be asked about speculation linking Xabi Alonso with his job as Liverpool manager. The Reds boss laughed off what he described as “one of the weirdest questions” in the build up to his side’s Champions League victory over Marseille on Wednesday - but his compatriot has now criticised the journalist who asked it.

Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri is set for an immediate baptism of fire in Ligue 1 after Roberto De Zerbi suggested the teenager could make his Marseille debut as early as Saturday. The 18-year-old is on the verge of completing a loan move to the French giants alongside Quinten Timber, with the Marseille boss confirming both "strong players" are ready to bolster his squad for the weekend clash against Lens.

Manchester United youngsters Harry Amass and Toby Collyer are set to depart Old Trafford on loan for the remainder of the season, joining Norwich City and Hull City respectively. The duo, who previously faced scrutiny regarding their development paths during Ruben Amorim’s tenure, will look to reignite their campaigns in the Championship after being recalled from previous spells earlier this month.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac are reportedly ready to set another new transfer record at Wrexham, with the Red Dragons tabling a £19 million ($26m) bid for Angers striker Sidiki Cherif. The 19-year-old is considered to be a long-term addition in North Wales that can make an immediate impact in the present - with Phil Parkinson’s side taking aim at promotion into the Premier League.

Chelsea icon Marcel Desailly has issued a stark warning to his former club, suggesting that talisman Cole Palmer could sensationally hand in a transfer request if he does not believe the Blues can win the Premier League within the next two seasons. The French World Cup winner has urged the Stamford Bridge hierarchy to establish a stable system built specifically around the England international, while simultaneously calling on Palmer to show "respect" and "humility" to the club's new management.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s dream move to Real Madrid has quickly turned into a nightmare, with it being reported that the ex-Liverpool defender has been told to find a new club. The England international headed to Spain in 2025 after running down his contract at Anfield, but has found the going tough at Santiago Bernabeu and is being deemed surplus to requirements.

Chelsea are on the verge of completing their first signing under new manager Liam Rosenior, with the Blues set to beat Premier League rivals Manchester United to the signature of teenage sensation Yisa Alao. The 17-year-old Sheffield Wednesday defender has reportedly opted for Stamford Bridge despite heavy interest from Old Trafford, with a structured deal worth potentially over £1 million now close to being finalised between the two clubs.

Inter Miami’s pursuit of Monterrey striker Germán Berterame followed an unsuccessful $13 million bid for LAFC star Denis Bouanga, according to The Athletic. The Herons’ cash offer for the Gabon international was turned down by Los Angeles, prompting a swift pivot in their winter rebuild. According to the same report, Bouanga wants to extend his contract with his current club.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has reportedly told Crystal Palace he wants to leave Selhurst Park as the France striker believes the club do not match his ambitions. He is angry that promises regarding player recruitment and terms in a potential new contract have not been kept. It is believed the 28-year-old wants regular European football, and that he was recently the subject of an offer from Juventus.

Manchester United reportedly want to open talks with Bruno Fernandes over a new contract, but will ultimately let the captain decide whether he stays or goes. Fernandes' current deal runs until 2027 and though the club have the option to extend it by a further 12 months, they would like to discuss fresh terms.

Chelsea backed away from a potential deal for Marc Guehi in the January transfer window, allowing Manchester City to swoop in for the Crystal Palace and England defender in a deal worth an initial £20 million. The Blues have been hunting for a new centre-back to bolster their backline but opted against re-signing the 25-year-old due to several concerns.

Former Manchester United star Paul Pogba has been tipped to seal a shock transfer to Wrexham before he hangs up his boots. The 32-year-old has returned to football at Ligue 1 side Monaco, after a spell out of the game due to a doping ban, but former France and Manchester United striker Louis Saha thinks he could be a good option for Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac's side.

Liverpool have reportedly identified Micky van de Ven as a potential target in their search to bring in a new centre-back. The Reds remain shorthanded in defence and though they may not enter the January market for immediate reinforcements, they are said to be keen on the Tottenham star in the long term following an impressive two-and-a-half years in the Premier League so far.

Cole Palmer's future at Chelsea is under scrutiny amid speculation he does not really enjoy life in London and could be tempted to head back to former club Manchester City in the summer transfer window. Pep Guardiola has been tipped to part company with the Cityzens at the end of the season, potentially paving way for Palmer to make a shock return to the Etihad.

Manchester United have reportedly been offered the opportunity to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan from Serie A giants AC Milan. The England international joined the Rossoneri in 2023 after struggling to nail down a regular place at boyhood side Chelsea and has largely managed to shake off his worrying past of injuries, making 90 appearances for the Italian side. However, they are apparently open to the 29-year-old departing on a temporary basis during the January transfer window and have offered his services to United.

Serie A giants Inter Milan are reportedly lining up a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The Argentina international has been a regular at Villa Park since joining the club in 2020 and has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. However, the 33-year-old has been regularly linked with a transfer away from Villa in the past few years, especially during the most recent summer window, and now Inter are considering him as a potential replacement for current shot-stopper Yann Sommer.

Liverpool are in a mess all of their own making. The Reds knew that they were short on senior centre-backs last summer and had ample time to address the problem before the close of the transfer window - yet they waited until deadline day to finalise a move for Marc Guehi. So, when Crystal Palace pulled the plug on the deal at the 11th hour, Liverpool were left in the very, very precarious position of needing Ibrahima Konate to continue performing at a high level, Joe Gomez to stay fit and teenage summer signing Giovanni Leoni to make an immediate impact at Anfield.