EUROPEAN 》Live ● Transfer news RECAP: Liverpool enter Gyokeres talks, Arsenal receive Williams boost, PSG respond to Salah claims Rodrygo to Arsenal. Liverpool have opened talked over signing Viktor Gyokeres as Arne Slot’s plots his January business…..
It’s almost that time of year again… No, not Christmas, the January transfer window!
Liverpool are enjoying a magnificent end to the year but Mo Salah’s uncertain future could make it a rough start to 2025. The Egyptian is close to entering the final six months of his contract alongside team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, with debate swirling over how Liverpool should handle the situation.
Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a move Salah while Real Madrid are claimed to have told Liverpool that they want to sign Alexander-Arnold on a free. But Real could turn their attention to Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot, who’s been tipped for a move to Madrid as an alternative.
United could also be busy themselves, with striker Viktor Gyokeres on Ruben Amorim’s wish-list and talks are now reportedly open.
Scroll down as Mirror Football brings you the latest transfer news throughout Wednesday.
Man Utd target Bundesliga left-back
Manchester United are weighing up a move for RB Leipzig defender David Raum to aid their left-back crisis.
Luke Shaw is out injured again while Tyrell Malacia has just returned from a 14-month layoff.
Lopetegui’s future in the balance
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui is under increasing pressure following last night’s 3-1 loss at Leicester City.
Sky Sports report that his future is hanging in the balance ahead of next Monday’s clash with his former club, Wolves.
Bayern to announce Musiala deal soon
Jamal Musiala is close to signing a new long-term contract with Bayern Munich.
The German wonderkid has been linked with Manchester City but will sign a new deal until 2029, according to Sky Germany
Arsenal and Liverpool eyeing Simons move
Arsenal and Liverpool have been named among the clubs that Xavi Simons could join if Paris Saint-Germain decide to sell him next summer.
Simons, 21, is currently on loan at RB Leipzig but has interest from across Europe.
The Athletic report that the Dutch midfielder’s most probable destinations are Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Real
Premier League supercomputer predicts new final table with clear winner and Man Utd misery
Transfer news LIVE: Real Madrid eye Liverpool star, Man Utd given Zirkzee dilemma, Salah contract latest
Gardeners given urgent warning if robins come into their gardens
‘I went to Mauritius assuming it would be a relaxing ‘fly-and-flop’ holiday but I was wrong’
Rodri urges Man City to sign Williams
Earlier we brought you the news that Arsenal will no longer face competition from Barcelona in the race to sign Nico Williams.
Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta, Manchester City might’ve just been given the nudge they need to ramp up their pursuit.
Rodri, Williams’ team-mate for Spain, was asked at an awards ceremony whether he’d take the 22-year-old at City, to which he replied: “Yes, yes. Right now if I was taking him I would also be taking him to teach him a little bit about the cold in England, although it’s similar to Bilbao.
“But yes, I would take him with me without a doubt.”
Man Utd, Chelsea and Crystal Palace in battle for defender
Manchester United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace are all reportedly in the race to sign highly-rated Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo.
Portuguese outlet A Bola claim that while United and Chelsea are keeping tabs on the 22-year-old, who recently made his senior debut for Portugal, Palace are making the most concerted effort.
Benfica are, however, attempting to tie Araujo down on a new contract which would include a release clause worth
Ex-Juventus boss Allegri tipped for West Ham job
Former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly a contender for the West Ham job should they sack Julen Lopetegui.
The Irons suffered a damning 3-1 defeat to Leicester City last night, plunging Lopetegui’s future into jeapordy.
Italian outlet Calciomercato report that Allegri
Guardiola discusses Man City’s January plans
Pep Guardiola has suggested that Manchester City are yet to decide whether they’ll make any signings in January.
Four-time champions City have lost six of their last seven games and are sorely missing midfielder Rodri, who’s out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
“We will talk in January,” Guardiola said. “It depends on the position of the squad at that moment.”
Alexander-Arnold alternative
Real Madrid view Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot as an option if they’re unable to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold is the Spaniards’ top target to succeed 32-year-old Dani Carvajal, but the England international could still sign a new deal at Anfield.
Dalot has therefore been identified as an alternative, despite extending his contract with United until 2028 earlier this year.
Relevo report that the Portuguese would cost €50million (£41m) to land in January, whereas they’d have to wait longer to sign Alexander-Arnold on a free.
Carvajal is notably injured for the rest of the season, leaving Carlo Ancelotti without a natural right-back.
Barcelona out of Williams race in Arsenal boost
Barcelona are no longer in interested in signing Arsenal target Nico Williams.
Williams, 22, was heavily linked with a move to Cataluyna after helping Spain win Euro 2024 but he ultimately stayed with boyhood club Athletic Bilbao.
A report from the Athletic states that should the winger decide to leave in 2025, Barca won’t be his destination, increasing Arsenal’s chances.
Manchester City have
ICYMI: PSG president addresses Salah clause
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has described claims that his club are in talks with Liverpool star Mo Salah as ‘not true’.
He told Sky Germany: “It’s not true. He’s a fantastic and amazing player, but we’ve never considered him, to be honest.
“We know every club would love to have him, but this rumour about us is simply not true.”
The January window might still be just shy of a month away but the rumour mill is already whirring round.
That’s all from us on the transfer front!
Ten Hag lined up for return
Former Man United boss Erik ten Hag could be set for an immediate return to management with Red Bull Leipzig – if the Bundesliga side opt to sack Marco Rose.
Rose is under pressure at Leipzig after overseeing five defeats in their last six matches, including a humiliating 5-1 home defeat against Wolfsburg on Saturday
Leipzig are still fourth in the Bundesliga table but their alarming dip in form has seen them fall nine points behind league leaders Bayern Munich and they are now in danger of missing out on a spot in the Champions League.
According to Sky in Germany, Leipzig have now created a shortlist of possible replacements for Rose if the 48-year-old cannot turn things around and Ten Hag’s name has been included.
Man Utd shortlist Juve teenager
Man Utd are interested in Juventus midfielder Kenan Yıldız, reports Sky Sports in Germany.
The teenager is reported to be one of the “top names” on the Red Devils’ shortlist, and they are set to keep close tabs on his situation ahead of next summer.
It is believed that a move for Yıldız could be complicated by the fact the Turk is under contract at the Italian club until
Real remain keen on TAA – but only on a free
Real Madrid are eager to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold – but only on a free transfer.
Alexander-Arnold will become a free agent in the summer and can begin pre-contractual talks with clubs in January after failing to agree fresh terms with the Reds.
The right-back is one of three Liverpool players who are are set to leave on a free transfer as things stand. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also in danger of departing for nothing with no news on any breakthrough in contract talks.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi claims the club have “never considered” Mohamed Salah amid reports linking him with a move to France.
The Liverpool star will see his contract expire this summer and from January 1 can sign a pre-contract agreement with a team outside of the Premier League. Speculation in France claimed that the Parisians were ready to move for the Egyptian in a matter of weeks.
Al-Khelaifi however has said that Salah is not a player on PSG’s radar despite airing his admiration for the player. The French giants lost Kylian Mbappe in the summer and do not have the glamour names that they have in the past, but still have no plans to go after Salah.
The PSG chief said, according to Sky in Germany: “It’s not true. He’s a fantastic and amazing player, but we’ve never considered him, to be honest. We know every club would love to have him, but this rumour about us is simply not true.”
Slot blocked Feyenoord reunion
Feyenoord defender David Hancko has revealed he was shut down by former boss Arne Slot when the pair discussed the possibility of a reunion at Liverpool earlier this summer.
Slovakian international Hancko, who recently netted a late equaliser in Feyenoord’s dramatic Champions League comeback at Manchester City last week, was keen on the idea of swapping Rotterdam for Merseyside as he’s a self-confessed Liverpool fan.
However, speaking on the Slovakian FA’s SFZ podcast, the 26-year-old admitted he was respectfully told by Slot that a transfer was off the table. Hancko said: “I was in contact with the coach, but he immediately told me that it was not possible. Liverpool have a certain transfer philosophy. Age was one issue, the other was price. Both factors were negative for me.”
The versatile defender, who can play at centre-back or left-back, was in the hunt for a move at the end of last season after impressing at Euro 2024. Atletico Madrid made two bids for his services, each of which fell notably short of Feyenoord’s £33million (€40m) asking price.
Man Utd consider Napoli No 1
Manchester United are considering a move for Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret this summer, according to reports.
The 27-year-old is currently first choice in Naples but will be out of contract come the end of the season. The 27-year-old has retained his status under Antonio Conte despite his uncertain future, but has helped the Italian side go top of the table.
Meret has seven clean sheets to his name but has been unable to enjoy a breakthrough in his talks with Napoli. It means several clubs are keeping tabs, the Manchester outfit among them, but Inter Milan too are in the hunt, reports Sky in Germany
Ruben Amorim has been told that he’s working with a limited budget, albeit that situation could change by the summer, but plans are still being made to bring in quality personnel without spending fortunes.
City urged to enter Williams race
Arsenal could face competition for Nico Williams should they renew their interest with Rodri urging Manchester City to join the race.
The Spanish winger was one of the breakout stars of Euro 2024, scoring in the final as his country claimed glory over England. After the tournament there was a clamour to sign the Athletic Bilbao winger, with the Gunners among those leading the race.
Williams chose to remain at San Mames, even though the La Liga outfit have often sold their best players for the right fee. January presents another chance for Europe’s top outfits to try and tempt the winger and Rodri wants City to go after his compatriot.
He was at an AS’ awards ceremony in Madrid on Monday evening asked by the host if he would “take Williams to City tomorrow” – Rodri replied: “Yes, yes. Right now if I was taking him I would also be taking him to teach him a little bit about the cold in England, although it’s similar to Bilbao. But yes, I would take him with me without a doubt.”
PSG chief speaks out on Salah talks
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has dismissed reports that talks are underway to sign Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
He told Sky Sports Germany: “It’s not true. He’s a fantastic and amazing player, but we’ve never considered him, to be honest. We know every club would love to have him, but this rumour about us is simply not true.”
Mohamed Salah
Ugochukwu future undecided
Lesley Ugochukwu is unhappy at Southampton and could be recalled by Chelsea in January.
Ugochukwu removed all traces of Saints from his Instagram account after being left out of the squad to play Brighton on Friday. He is frustrated at the lack of minutes and can’t face his parent club tomorrow either.
“I think if it’s not Chelsea, he’s probably back in the squad. He wasn’t in the squad against Brighton and he knows the reason why,” Southampton manager Russell Martin said. “Every game is different so it doesn’t mean he’s not going to be in the squad moving forward. We will assess the situation and just have to assess it game to game.”
“I have no idea at the moment,” Enzo Maresca said when asked if he could be recalled in January. “I have no idea about the loans, about the transfer window. Before January, I think we have seven Premier League games. It’s too many games to be thinking about that.”
Liverpool firmly interested in Bundesliga sensation
Liverpool are claimed to have a concrete interest in Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Omar Marmoush.
Marmoush has bagged an obscene 17 goals and 11 assists in just 19 appearances this season, helping Frankfurt sit second in the Bundlesliga.
The 25-year-old Egyptian is on Liverpool’s radar, according to Sky Germany, with Eintracht keen to extend his contract.
Omar Marmoush has been in stunning form this season
Chelsea star Fernandez keen to stay
Enzo Fernandez reportedly wants to continue fighting for his place at Chelsea amid links of a move to Atletico Madrid.
Spanish outlet AS claim that the Argentine, 23, has no intention of leaving, having regained his place in Enzo Maresca’s side.
Midfielder Fernandez has started both of Chelsea’s last two games, scoring in each and providing two
Regular contact for La Liga pair
Unai Emery has been in contact regarding Osasuna duo Flavien Enzo Boyomo and Aimar Oroz.
Braulio Vazquez, the sporting director of Osasuna, revealed Emery is an admirer of both players and regular asks about them.
“Specifically with that club that has been linked to [Boyomo] – I can tell you that if there was something very firm – I am lucky that I am a good friend of Unai,” Vazquez told Onda Cero.
“It is true that because of his age, because he is an international with Cameroon, and because he has 10 games in the first division, it is obvious that he attracts attention.
“It is true that because of his position on the field and because of his conditions and age, I think that there are important teams that are following him. But Aston Villa in particular.
“With Unai, I talk about Boyomo, about Aimar. Every two weeks, we talk on the phone. So if there was something [concrete] I would know.”
Man Utd advancing in Amad contract talks
Fabrizio Romano has claimed contract talks between Manchester United and Amad Diallo are advancing well. Pen could be put to paper this month.
“What I can tell you is that contract talks are advancing very well now between Amad Diallo and Manchester United,” he said.
“Sources believe that this deal could happen before the end of the year, so this month, in December, so Man United would not even need to activate the option for one more season, 2026, but directly sign a new long-term deal with Amad Diallo.
“And that would be really important news for Man United and very positive feelings. Again, Amad is very happy there, Amad is happy with the new coach, the new coach is happy with Amad.
“The management is excited by the potential of Amad Diallo. So the feeling is very positive to make the contract extension happen very soon.”
Amad Diallo is thriving under new boss Ruben Amorim
Zubimendi latest
There was no shortage of discussion over Martin Zubimendi over the summer before he ultimately turned down Liverpool.
Reports suggest the player is coming to terms with the possibility of an exit from Real Sociedad in 2025 however. A summer departure is more likely than a transfer next month.
Liverpool are said to lead the race but Arsenal and Man City have also been credited with interest.
Liverpool came close to signing Martin Zubimendi in the summer
Inter Milan transfer plans
Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta has dampened any hope the Serie A side will be active in the transfer market next month.
“We are already working, looking ahead to the next season,” Marotta said.
“This is a season we can carry forward with a very balanced and well-managed group.
“Injuries are part of football, but we have the depth to handle our commitments.”
Xavi Simons interest
Looking towards a transfer window wouldn’t be the same without Xavi Simons getting a mention. The RB Leipzig loanee would appear unlikely to move next month but his future remains speculated.
The Athletic report Arsenal and Liverpool are among his more likely future destinations with interest from Germany in landing the player from PSG.
Bayern Munich are said to have previously been willing to pay €100million.