Seven Man Utd transfers Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants answers for as trio set for January exits
The January transfer window is just weeks away for Premier League clubs with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal plotting how they could improve their squads for the second half of the season. England’s top flight spent £300million on new signings in January last year and they could spend even more this time around.
Chelsea are on the lookout for a striker and share interest with Arsenal in Brentford’s Ivan Toney who might cost upwards of £80million. Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is another striker liked by the Blues but he would be an even more expensive addition.
Liverpool have meanwhile been tipped to sign a No 6 with Fulham’s Joao Palhinha the latest linked to Anfield with interest seemingly having died down in Andre Trindade of Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense.
Manchester United are looking to improve across the board but Erik ten Hag might be searching for a new forward with the exiled Jadon Sancho likely to depart permanently or on loan.
Express Sport brings you all the latest gossip, rumours and confirmed transfer news below…
Nkunku debut today?
Signed in the summer, Chelsea still have not been able to deploy Christopher Nkunku in a competitive match.
The Frenchman looked electric in pre-season and combined well with Nicolas Jackson but sustained a serious knee injury while playing in a friendly in Chicago.
The 26-year-old had to undergo surgery in August and has not played since. But he could make his Stamford Bridge bow today against Sheffield United.
Mauricio Pochettino said yesterday: “It’s a big motivation for us, for his team-mates, and the fans to see a player that should be important for us being in the squad for the first time.
“It’s very good news for us and it’s time to be calm and quiet because we don’t want to put the pressure on him.”
Arsenal four-man shortlist
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is shopping for a centre-forward in January – but new reports claim he’s planning to make four signings to complete his squad.
Miguel Delaney, in his weekly Independent newsletter, says Arteta wants another central midfielder, two full-backs and another forward to complete his contingent.
It is unclear how many of these signings the Gunners will chase next month but the forward appears the top priority.
The report adds that Arsenal are somewhat hesitant about signing Toney given he will only return from a lengthy suspension mid-way through January.
They are concerned that he may not be able to make as fast an impact as desired at the Emirates because of his time out.
Liverpool have ‘concrete’ Joao Palhinha interest
Fulham’s Joao Palhinha is a player who will be regularly mentioned throughout the January transfer window.
BILD’s Christian Falk, reporting in his Fact Files column with CaughtOffside, claims Bayern have been told Liverpool are ‘concretely interested’ in the midfielder.
Bayern came very close to signing the Portugal international in the summer and are expected to renew their interest next month.
But Falk claims a centre-back is the first priority for the Bavarians, meaning other clubs could swoop in for Palhinha.
Bayern are already looking at Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi just in case they miss out on the Fulham man.
Man Utd deal agreed
Manchester United outcast Donny van de Beek is poised to join Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt on loan next month.
The Dutchman has hardly featured this season and has struggled at Old Trafford since joining from Ajax back in 2020, making just six Premier League starts since then.
Eintracht Frankfurt will take the player on loan with the agreement including a clause to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
United will recoup £12.9m of the £35m they paid if Frankfurt activate the clause.
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