We are fast approaching the business end of the January transfer window as clubs in the Premier League and beyond strive to complete some huge late deals. Arsenal are rumoured to be plotting an audacious loan bid for former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzemathough appear to face a fierce battle with Chelsea for the Frenchman with his future in Saudi Arabia seemingly now uncertain.
Arsenal are also said to be favourites in the race to sign Xavi Simons, while they are also rivalling Tottenham for Real Sociedad’s Ander Barrenetxea as they watch the likes of Joshua Zirkzee having been seemingly priced out of a move for Ivan Toney. Chelsea continue to be linked with Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres and are believed to have held talks over Ousmane Diomande as they also continue to monitor Marc Guehi and prepare to offload potentially both Armando Broja and Trevor Chalobah.
Tottenham and Liverpool could fight it out for Japan’s Ko Itakura, while Manchester United’s apparent interest in Vinicius Jr has been rubbished as they receive a new boost on the Goncalo Ramos front. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip in January live below!
Man United plan blockbuster deal for Vinicius Jr
In case you somehow missed it yesterday, Manchester United are being linked with a mega-move for Vinicius Jr.
Catalan outlet Sport claim that United are willing to splash a mammoth £129m in a bid to land the Brazilian superstar, whom they claim Real Madrid may have to begrudgingly offload to make room for Kylian Mbappe.
However, such rumours have been given short shrift elsewhere and been positively mocked by some – including a certain Gary Lineker on social media.
Tottenham and Liverpool set for Ko Itakura fight
Tottenham could face a fight with Liverpool for the signing of Ko Itakura.
The versatile Japan defender has been linked with Spurs before as they target further reinforcements following early January deals for Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin.
Sky Deutschland report that Tottenham and Germany are both interested in Itakura, who has a release clause in his Borussia Monchengladbach contract that is said to become active in the summer for between €10m-€15m.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is rumoured to have wanted Itakura during his time in charge at Celtic.
Arsenal favourites to sign Xavi Simons
Arsenal are rumoured to be leading the race for Xavi Simons.
The Dutch international, 20, has seemingly long been on Mikel Arteta’s transfer radar since bursting onto the scene as a teenager.
Sport Bild in Germany claim that Arsenal are now the frontrunners for winger Simons, who returned to Paris Saint-Germain from PSV Eindhoven last summer but has since been sent out on loan to RB Leipzig.
The Gunners could use Simons as competition and support for Bukayo Saka, with Barcelona, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich also said to be interested in a deal.
Arsenal and Chelsea in Karim Benzema battle
Arsenal and Chelsea are in a battle to sign Karim Benzema, according to the latest reports.
The Real Madrid legend’s future in Saudi Arabia is said to be uncertain just a matter of months after he made the move out to Al-Ittihad.
TeamTalk now report that Arsenal are pondering an audacious move for Benzema this month if they can get a loan deal, with Manchester United reportedly not interested in his services as things stand.
However, the report adds that Chelsea are continuing to closely monitor the 36-year-old’s situation.
Karim Benzema: Arsenal transfer news
What better way of answering a goalscoring crisis by signing one of Europe’s best forwards over the years?
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal could launch a shock loan move to sign Karim Benzema this month.
The Frenchman is reportedly unhappy in Saudi Arabia and could soon be offered a way out.
Ousmane Diomande: Arsenal and Liverpool transfer latest
Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande looks like one of the major names during this month’s transfer window.
Linked with all manner of top clubs, it seems Arsenal and Liverpool are among the most interested.
According to Football Transfers, the two giants are ready to battle for the £50m defender.
Ivan Toney: Chelsea and Arsenal transfer latest
Gearing up for his return to action following a betting ban, Ivan Toney has refused to rule out a move away from Brentford this month.
“You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it’s obvious I want to play for a top club,” he told Sky Sports.
“Everybody wants to play for a top club, that is fighting for titles. Whether it’s this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?”
Levy long game paying off for Tottenham
As Everton and Nottingham Forest face up to charges for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and a handful of other top-flight clubs sweat on the state of their own books, it is time to acknowledge that Levy’s approach is working for Spurs, writes Dan Kilpatrick.
They are, as it stands, the only top-flight club to have spent anything approaching serious cash this month — £26 million on defender Radu Dragusin — and they are not done yet, with a midfielder a target before the end of January.
While Eddie Howe, manager of Saudi Arabia-backed Newcastle, complains that the club does not have “the freedom” to sign players like Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke because of PSR and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery says they need to sell before they can buy, Tottenham have no such concerns.
The sale of their greatest-ever player, Harry Kane, in a £100 million summer transfer to Bayern Munich has helped massively but years of careful financing have put Spurs in a position of strength.
Fulham pushing for Chalobah
Fulham are looking at the possibility of signing Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah.
Sky Sport claim that Fulham are keen on a six-month loan deal with the option to make the move permanent in the summer.
Chalobah declared himself fully fit earlier this month, but he is yet to play a single minute this season.
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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2024-01-18 07:22:02
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