As Manchester United prepare for the start of the Michael Carrick era with a Manchester derby in the Premier League this weekend the club are looking to strengthen before the January transfer window closes. Carlos Baleba, Marcos Llorente and Elliot Anderson all rumoured as targets, although Man City are also said to be eyeing Nottingham Forest talisman Anderson.
However, there is growing fear that United could lose their own talisman, Bruno Fernandes, who maintains a desire to compete for trophies and has ongoing interest from Bayern Munich as well as clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Elsewhere, Tottenham have signed Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher, bringing him back to the Premier League in a £35m move and now set their sights on Santos left-back Souza who is expected to undergo a medical with the club later today.
Gallagher isn’t the only England international on the transfer merry-go-round with Arsenal joining the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. The Eagles skipper is said to prefer a move to the Gunners or Liverpool, but Manchester City are desperate to overcome any hurdles and secure his signature this month, while European heavyweights Bayern Munich have now also expressed an interest in the England centre-back.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have reportedly made a huge bid for Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, and are also reportedly interested in Lucas Paqueta. Reports from Brazil say the West Ham midfielder prefers to return to his home country but a switch to another European club hasn’t been ruled out.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
January transfer window latest updates
- Manchester United fear losing club captain Bruno Fernandes
- Tottenham target left-back Souza due for medical today
- Man City preparing proposal for Marc Guehi amid Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern interest
- Chelsea 'make huge bid' for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde
- Blues also interested in West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta
Eric Dier unlikely to take up West Ham offer
09:54 , Mike JonesEric Dier has been handed a surprise Premier League lifeline with the defender offered to West Ham, according to talkSPORT.
Ex-England international Dier is at Monaco, and under contract until 2028, but West Ham are reportedly mulling the move.
The 49-cap England man has been out of the Premier League for two years, since moving on loan to Bayern Munich in January 2024 and making the move permanent that summer.
However, the Daily Mail say Dier is reluctant to take up this offer and move away from Monaco.
Arsenal stand firm on Ben White
09:42 , Mike JonesArsenal will not let Ben White leave this month amid interest from Everton.
The Gunners have no interest in selling White while they are still competing on four fronts, say Football.London.
White's contract does not expire until the summer of 2028 and also contains the option of a 12-month extension, with Arsenal set to re-assess his future come the end of the season.
According to Football Insider, Everton had earmarked the 28-year-old to solve their problematic right-back issue.
Tottenham's one-way transfer policy
09:30 , Mike JonesTottenham do not intend to sell any member of their first-team squad this month, as per Sky Sports.
Mathys Tel has had loan interest from Paris FC and Radu Dragusin from Roma - but they are still part of Frank’s plans.
Spurs also want to add another forward before the transfer deadline on February 2 and are meanwhile finalising the deal for Santos left-back Souza, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that an announcement for the Brazilian will come alongside the confirmation of Conor Gallagher’s arrival.
Man Utd make desire on potential sales
09:19 , Mike JonesKobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee had all been rumoured to leave Manchester United having been out of favour with Ruben Amorim.
Instead, Amorim was handed his P45 and as such the club has seen a change in direction.
Zirkzee was close to joining Roma on loan for the remainder of the season after agreeing personal terms but ESPN say that the expectation now is all three will remain at Old Trafford.
Man United youngster set for Bradford loan move
09:10 , Mike JonesManchester United youngster Ethan Wheatley will spend the second half of the season on loan at Bradford City, according to Manchester Evening News.
Wheatley was recently recalled from his loan at Northampton Town from the same division.
Spurs reignite interest in Maghnes Akliouche
09:03 , Mike JonesTottenham are looking at Monaco attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche again as they look to reinforce further in the middle of the park.
Tottenham hold a long-time interest in the 23-year-old Frenchman and have reignited their interest from the summer transfer window.
Frank has been keen to strengthen in the attacking midfield department since his arrival, landing Xavi Simons in the summer after failing in their pursuits of Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, who opted to sign for rivals Arsenal.
Forest rebuffed in Marcus Tavernier approach
08:54 , Mike JonesNottingham Forest have made an enquiry for Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier but the Cherries are insisting he is not for sale, according to the Daily Mail.
Tavernier, 26, scored in Saturday's FA Cup defeat to Newcastle and will be important to Andoni Iraola for the remainder of the season.
The Cherries are already in the throes of trying to replace Antoine Semenyo and have Justin Kluivert out for four months following knee surgery, so cannot afford to lose another winger.
Liverpool keen on £52m teenager
08:46 , Mike JonesLiverpool could be about to enter a bidding war with Real Madrid for Dutch starlet Kees Smit, according to the Daily Star.
AZ Alkmaar value Smit at £52m but stiff competition could force clubs to pay even more to secure his signature, with Newcastle also being linked with the young midfielder.
Arsenal eye up Guler
08:39 , Mike JonesArsenal have been keeping tabs on Real Madrid’s Arda Guler.
Reports from Spain say the club have made enquiries over the midfielder but that Real want to keep him on the books.
Guler was somewhat of a favourite for former Real coach Xabi Alonso but does not yet know how he will fit into the plans of Alvara Arbeloa.
One to keep an eye on but movement unlikely at this stage.
Manchester United appoint Michael Carrick as new head coach
08:33 , Richard JollyManchester United have appointed Michael Carrick as their head coach for the rest of the season.
The former United captain was the unanimous choice of the club to replace the interim Darren Fletcher and the sacked Ruben Amorim.
United, who also considered bringing back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, looked for a continuity candidate of someone who knew the club as they aim to meet their season’s objectives of European qualification.
Michael Carrick 'knows what it takes to succeed' at Man Utd
08:25 , Mike JonesUpon his appointment as interim manager, Michael Carrick said: “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour.
“I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.
“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years, I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here.
“There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”
Arsenal enter Vinicus Jr race - and offer Martinelli swap?
08:18 , Mike JonesNot exactly reliable sources but as a bit of fun, a couple of unreliable outlets in Spain are reporting Arsenal chasing Vinicius Jr.
The Real Madrid superstar has been unhappy at the Bernabeu, although the departure of Xabi Alonso may change things slightly, and Fichajes are reporting Arsenal’s interest, with Chelsea also said to be in the hunt.
Meanwhile, Defensa Central are going one step further and claiming the Gunners have offered winger Gabriel Martinelli in a swap deal.
They say Martinelli has been offered around Europe as Arsenal look to raise funds to improve their attack and hope for a straight swap with Vini Jr because they value Martinelli at around £87m – similar to his Brazil team-mate.
Chelsea make huge bid for Federico Valverde
08:13 , Mike JonesChelsea are keen to build their midfield around Real Madrid star Federcio Valverde and have submitted a €120m (£104m) bid.
That's according to Fichajes, who claim new boss Liam Rosenior is a big fan of the Uruguayan.
Valverde is considered “indispensable” at Real Madrid but they will consider “unrealistic bids” which this alleged £104m offer may qualify as.
Could Jurgen Klopp be lured back into management by Real Madrid?
08:10 , Mike JonesJurgen Klopp is in the running to be the next Real Madrid manager, if they opt to replace Alvaro Arbeloa in the summer.
Xabi Alonso left the club yesterday after less than eight months in the role, with Arbeloa put in charge for the foreseeable future.
But according to Sky Germany, Klopp, who is currently working as the head of global soccer for Red Bull, would be interested in taking the reins at the Bernabeu despite his long-term contract in his current role.
Klopp left Liverpool in 2024, saying he was “running out of energy” after landing six trophies during his time at Anfield, before taking the Red Bull role in January last year.
Paqueta wants out of West Ham
08:06 , Mike JonesWest Ham are reportedly desperate to keep Lucas Paqueta at the London Stadium after The Athletic claimed the Hammers had rejected a bid for the midfielder.
Paqueta wants to return to Brazil and Fabrizio Romano reports that personal terms have been sorted with Flamengo but Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo will not countenance losing his playmaker as the club face an uphill battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
It comes after Paqueta reportedly asked to be left out of West Ham’s FA Cup tie with QPR last weekend to pursue a move away.
Chelsea interested in Paqueta
08:03 , Mike JonesWest Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta reportedly wants out of the club with the current rumours suggesting his prefers to return home to Brazil for family reasons.
However, a switch to another club in Europe is being ruled out as the midfielder is only 28-years-old.
Enter Chelsea.
The Blues are said to be interested in Paqueta and will provide competition to Brazilian side Flamengo to sign him in this window.
It remains to be seen if West Ham will be open to selling their best player, especially as they’re attempting to avoid relegation to the Championship.
Manchester United fear losing Bruno Fernandes
07:59 , Mike JonesWith the appointment of Michael Carrick as the head coach at Old Trafford comes a new era for Manchester United and one they may have to endure without their captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes.
The club are reportedly worried that the 31-year-old will depart for pastures new as he harbours a desire to compete for the biggest trophies something United, at present, cannot offer.
Fernandes has been a driving force for the club during their decline and the i Paper says Fernandes will look to leave to further his ambitions to win league titles.
The Portuguese had a offer from Saudi Arabia last summer and was convinced to remain at Old Trafford by departed manager Ruben Amorim while Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in him with that move more of a possibility.
Conor Gallagher completes £34m move to Tottenham
07:57 , Mike JonesTottenham have announced that they have completed the deal to bring Conor Gallagher to the club “subject to international clearance”.
The deal is believed to be worth £34m, with the England international signing a a five-and-a-half-year deal.
Bayern Munich join race for Marc Guehi
07:55 , Mike JonesBayern Munich have entered the chase to sign Marc Guehi with Florian Pettenberg of Sky Germany reporting they have made phone calls over the past few days to try and convince him to sign in the summer, having previously met his agent.
Man City are desperate to sign the Crystal Palace centre-back during this transfer window, to ease their defensive injury crisis, and as we reported at the beginning of the week, they intend to overcome any obstacles to make that happen.
Price may prove the defining factor, with talkSPORT saying that City are preparing to make an offer for Guehi but are currently unlikely to meet Palace's asking price of above £35m.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also targeting the England international upon the expiry of his contract in the summer and Guehi has been reported to prefer a move to one of those two clubs.
Souza set for Tottenham medical
07:47 , Mike JonesWith Conor Gallagher coming through the door, it doesn’t seem like Spurs fans will need to wait much longer for their next signing.
Santos defender Souza is reportedly expected to undergo his Tottenham medical in London on Thursday ahead of a £13m move to the club, the details of which is being finalised.
The Brazilian will be brought in to provide cover and competition for Destiny Udogie.
Good morning!
07:45 , Mike JonesThe January transfer window continues to tick by and clubs hoping to do business in the mid-season window will need to move swiftly to get their deals over the line.
We’ll bring you all the latest gossip, rumours and confirmed transfers throughout the day so without further ado let’s get into it...
