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All the latest news, gossip and rumours from the January transfer window
Luke Baker Saturday 24 January 2026 17:02 GMT- Bookmark
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Clubs across Europe are entering the home straight of the January transfer window as they look to make final additions before the business end of the season.
Tottenham have produced perhaps the shock of the window so far after it emerged that they were plotting a move for Liverpool stalwart Andy Robertson, whose contract is up at the end of the season. The Scotland captain has been at Anfield since 2017 and has won everything there is to win, but has lost his starting spot this term following the arrival of Milos Kerkez.
Elsewhere, Premier League leaders Arsenal are plotting a bid for Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez, after Ethan Nwaneri completed his loan move to Marseille, while Chelsea are reportedly targeting a loan move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Douglas Luiz alongside trying to seal a deal for promising French defender Jeremy Jacquet.
However, Liverpool may also have entered the race for Jacquet, with the Reds tracking several centre-back targets, including Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven as well as Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck. Further forward, Arne Slot’s side are being linked with RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast star Yan Diomande, while Manchester United are tracking several midfield targets, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek among those linked after the news that Casemiro will be leaving at the end of the season.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
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Transfer news - live updates
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- Man Utd targeting midfielders after Casemiro announces exit
- Chelsea want Douglas Luiz on loan
Alexander-Arnold NOT told to leave Real Madrid
Reports in Spain suggested that Trent Alexander-Arnold had been told by new boss Alvaro Arbelao to find a new club in the summer but the Daily Mail are reporting that is NOT the case.
The 27-year-old has had an underwhelming, injury-interrupted campaign at the Bernabeu so far but retained the backing of ex-manager Xabi Alonso.
Spanish outlet El Nacional claimed that had changed under Arbeloa, who saw the ex-Liverpool full-back as surplus to requirements, but the Mail is adamant there’s no truth in that claim
Injuries have marred Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut campaign in Madrid (AFP via Getty Images)Luke Baker24 January 2026 17:02Bayern chasing Cody Gakpo
Slightly out of left field, this one, but Bayern Munich are planning to raid Liverpool for another winger, in the form of Cody Gakpo.
Bayern signed Luis Diaz for £65m, including add-ons last summer and, according to Bayern Space, the German heavyweights are planning a move for the same amount to sign Gakpo.
This has been prompted by another target, Yan Diomande, reportedly preferring a move to Liverpool rather than the Munich-based side.
Bayern are supposedly interested in Cody Gakpo (AP)Luke Baker24 January 2026 16:42Farke: I won't roll out the red carpet for Buonanotte
Facundo Buonanotte has been told by Leeds boss Daniel Farke that there will be no easy route into his starting line-up.
Leeds' summer move for the Brighton midfielder was hijacked by Chelsea, but his loan spell at Stamford Bridge was cut short earlier this month to allow him to join Leeds for the rest of the season.
Farke said: "Facundo is a very young, very talented player, otherwise you don't earn caps for Argentina's national team. He's a very skilful player, who has this special creativity that is quite rare at the top level.
"There are many reasons we wanted him because he has several skills we were missing a little bit. But I'm tempted not to praise him too much because he'll think he's already Lionel Messi.
"There are also challenges in his game where he has to be there. In the last few months he has not played too much football.
"I won't roll the red carpet for a new signing. It's up to him to deliver. It's not an easy route (into the starting line-up). He's in the challenging role and has to stand up to this challenge, earn his place and show he's capable of shining."
Will Castle24 January 2026 16:25Masuaku set for loan to high-flying Lens
Sunderland defender Arthur Masuaku is close to completing a loan move to Ligue 1 Lens for the remainder of the season.
It’s understood an agreement between the two clubs is in place and that the 32-year-old DR Congo international is due to travel to France to seal the switch.
Former West Ham and Besiktas full-back Masuaku joined the Black Cats on a free transfer last summer as head coach Regis Le Bris reshaped his squad for life in the Premier League, but he has made only four senior appearances for the club to date.
He returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he started twice as his country went out to Algeria in the last 16, desperate for regular football and will now hope to play his part in high-flying Lens' push to deny Paris St Germain a fifth successive league title.
Will Castle24 January 2026 16:02Palace targeting Acheampong
Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong is a target for Crystal Palace this month, according to Sky Sports.
The Eagles are looking to fill the void left by former captain Marc Guehi, and Chelsea’s versatile 19-year-old defender is one of the names being discussed.
However, no formal conversations are understood to have taken place yet.
Josh Acheampong is interesting Crystal Palace (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Luke Baker24 January 2026 15:43Man Utd add Nmecha to midfield targets?
Manchester United are tracking Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha as they consider a number of midfield targets, reports German outlet Bild.
The reports claims that Dortmund would ask for €60m in order to sign the 25-year-old, though it is unlikely a deal will be done this month.
Felix Nmecha is on Man United’s interest list (Getty Images)Luke Baker24 January 2026 15:22Donnarumma would move back to Italy, says agent
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s agent Enzo Raiola has sensationally suggested that the Manchester City goalkeeper would accept a return to Italy, should it be offered.
Donnarumma has not played in Italy since leaving AC Milan in 2021. “Today at Manchester City he is finding serenity with the team and the environment, and he likes the project very much,” Raiola told Italian outlet Rai.
“He is also starting to understand the English championship. The other day he told me jokingly that playing five or six years there is an adventure, but it was a joke.”
Gianluigi Donnarumma could return to Italy (Getty Images)Luke Baker24 January 2026 15:01Chelsea far from agreeing deal for Jacquet
Chelsea appear far apart with Rennes in their valuation of defender Jeremy Jacquet, with the French side holding out on a fee in the region of £55m, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues are known to be looking for defensive reinforcements but there is no guarantee tbey will make a signing this month.
Liverpool are among the other clubs interested in Jacquet, with the youngster widely regarded as one of France’s best emerging talents.
Jeremy Jacquet is wanted by Chelsea (AFP via Getty Images)Luke Baker24 January 2026 14:40Michael Carrick outlines stance over Man United decisions after Casemiro exit confirmed
Michael Carrick has vowed to put Manchester United’s long-term interests first – even as he only has a short-term contract to the end of the season.
Carrick has the task of trying to take United into the Champions League while they search for their next head coach.
And, after confirming Casemiro will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, the club face another decision with Harry Maguire, whose deal is up in the summer.
Carrick outlines stance over Man United decisions after Casemiro exit confirmed
The interim Man United boss has discussed how he will operate after inspiring a ‘big uplift’ following victory in the derby over Man City last weekLuke Baker24 January 2026 14:23Tottenham complete signing of highly-rated left-back Souza: ‘It’s a childhood dream’
Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of highly-rated left-back Souza in a deal valued at €15 million (£13m).
The 19-year-old, who joined the north London side on a long-term contract, said he had realised a childhood dream by making the move.
Souza told the club’s website: “It’s an incredible feeling to join a really big club in Spurs.
“I grew up watching the Premier League so this is a childhood dream for me and I can’t wait to get going.”
Tottenham complete signing of highly-rated left-back Souza: ‘It’s a childhood dream’
The Brazilian, 19, moves to the north London club on a long-term deal from SantosLuke Baker24 January 2026 14:02Newer1 / 2OlderMore about
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