Bukayo Saka’s incredible rise at Arsenal
Transfer news is in full swing ahead of the window’s opening on Saturday 1 January, and there are plenty of rumours swirling around the Premier League and across Europe.
Liverpool are said to be plotting a move for Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka and are monitoring the 20-year-old’s contract situation at the Emirates, according to the Express. Saka, who has scored five times in the Premier League this season, is under contract until 2024 at Arsenal, while Liverpool have reportedly also made an offer to AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie ahead of his deal expiring at the end of the season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have identified Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak and Lille’s Jonathan David as potential additions to their forward line, amid uncertainty over the futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte is receiving interest from Barcelona, while Newcastle, West Ham and Everton are tracking Aaron Ramsey and are set to offer the Juventus midfielder a return to the Premier League. Newcastle are also closing in on a deal for Lille defender Sven Botman, according to the Mail.
Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from the Premier League and around Europe:
Transfer news live: Liverpool eye Saka
Arsenal are looking to tie Bukayo Saka down to a new long-term contract, amid reports that Liverpool are circling for the talented 20-year-old forward.
Saka is under contract with Arsenal until 2022 and Liverpool are monitoring the situation as the England international is yet to sign a new deal.
The forward has been in great form in recent weeks, scoring three goals in his past two Premier League appearances.
Jamie Braidwood31 December 2021 16:15
Transfer news live: Henderson set to remain at Old Trafford
Ralf Rangnick has apparently told Dean Henderson that he won’t be allowed to leave Manchester United in January.
The England international is behind David De Gea in the goalkeeping pecking order at Old Trafford and is keen for more football.
A loan move has been mooted but the Daily Mail claim interim boss Rangnick wants to keep three keepers in his squad and won’t sanction a temporary exit.
Jamie Braidwood31 December 2021 16:00
Transfer news live: Dennis to stay at Watford in January
Watford star Emmanuel Dennis will remain at the Premier League club in January after it was confirmed the Nigeria international would miss the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Manager Claudio Ranieri insisted Watford have not disrespected the Africa Cup of Nations after Nigeria accused the club of “baring fangs” in confirming the striker had not made the Super Eagles’ 28-man squad.
“I knew they were speaking, the board and Nigeria board, and I accept every decision they find, and that, for me, is finished,” said Ranieri.
“I’ve spoken with him, of course he wanted to go, to play, but he also wanted to help Watford. I accept the decision of the board and the Nigeria team.”
Jamie Braidwood31 December 2021 15:45
Transfer news live: Arsenal draw up striker shortlist
Meanwhile, Arteta has reportedly drawn up a shortlist of players to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should he leave the club in January.
The 32-year-old, who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Gabon next month, was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy by Arteta following his latest disciplinary breach.
Although he signed a bumper contract extension to 2023, the striker’s future at the club seems to be drawing to a close while Arteta remains in charge.
And now ESPN have reported that Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins have been added to Arteta’s shortlist as he eyes a replacement.
Jamie Braidwood31 December 2021 15:30
Transfer news live: Arteta ‘expecting’ January business
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said there could be some ins and outs at the club this January.
The Gunners were one of the busier sides in the market last summer, signing Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Nuno Tavares, Martin Odegaard, Albert Sambi Lokonga.
There could be more of a focus on outgoings this time around, however, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future under Arteta uncertain and Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah entering the final six months of their deals. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has also been linked away.
“We are expecting some activity. We have some players and a few loans that we have to complete. But it depends, we will see what happens,” Arteta said on Friday.
On Maitland-Niles, who has been linked with Roma, Arteta said: “Any news with any player we keep it private. Ainsley is our player at the moment.”
Jamie Braidwood31 December 2021 15:15
Transfer news live: Rangnick on United’s January plans
Ralf Rangnick has said Manchester United will only hit the January transfer market if the club can identify a signing that would “increase the quality” of the squad.
Improving United’s midfield has emerged as a key priority for the interim manager, with Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Kalvin Phillips all linked.
“The transfer window in the winter only makes sense if they increase the quality,” Rangnick said after United’s 3-1 win over Burnley on Thursday.
“So far we have not spoken about that. My focus is on the current players, we have enough players so there is no lack of numbers.”
Jamie Braidwood31 December 2021 15:00
Transfer news latest: Done deal!
Brentford have signed former Huddersfield and Everton goalkeeper Jonas Lossl on loan until the end of the season.
The 32-year-old Denmark international arrives from FC Midtjylland, where Brentford owner Matthew Benham holds a majority stake.
Brentford started the season with David Raya in goal but he suffered a long-term injury, with Alvaro Fernandez filling in since then.
“Jonas is a very good goalkeeper who will bring with him lots of experience,” Brentford manager Thomas Frank said. “He has played in England and in the Premier League and we also know him from his work with Midtjylland. He fits the criteria of what we want in a goalkeeper with his feet and in his penalty area.
“The most important thing is that he will add to the experience within our goalkeeper group in our first Premier League season. We have David Raya injured and Álvaro Fernández has missed some training recently. This gives us an extra experienced goalkeeper in training and also someone who has played Premier League games and will be used to that matchday environment if he starts a game for us.”
Jamie Braidwood31 December 2021 14:59
Transfer news latest
Liverpool are the latest club to join the race for Ajax starlet Ryan Gravenberch.
That’s according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
The 19-year-old midfielder is one of most-wanted young players in Europe with the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona all linked in recent times.
Ajax are keen to tie him down beyond his current contract that expires in 2023 but Liverpool are one of those hoping to convince him his future lies elsewhere.
Jamie Braidwood31 December 2021 14:45
Transfer news live: Maitland-Niles set for Roma loan?
Jose Mourinho is looking to raid the Premier League for his first signing of the January window.
Arsenal and England midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles is his target, according to the Daily Mirror.
The 24-year-old is keen for more regular football and could swap Arsenal for Roma to get it if Mourinho gets his wish.
Jamie Braidwood31 December 2021 14:30
Transfer news live: Lukaku advises Lautaro to snub Chelsea interest
Romelu Lukaku has joked that he would not advise Lautaro Martinez to join him at Chelsea – telling his former teammate that he would prefer to reunite at Inter Milan.
Lukaku and Martinez formed a deadly strike partnership as they fired Inter Milan to the Serie A title last season, and the Argentina international has been linked with a move to England, with Chelsea and Tottenham interested.
Lukaku said: “I miss Lautaro Martinez, I could die on the pitch for him since day one I met him.
“Lautaro Martinez coming here with me at Chelsea in the future? No… Lautaro, you can stay in Milan, I’ll be back there [laughs].”
Jamie Braidwood31 December 2021 14:15