The January transfer window is heating up as clubs across Europe look to make final additions ahead of the business end of the season.
While Manchester City look to have completed their business for the month with the signings of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, Liverpool continue their hunt for a centre-back, with the Reds linked to Spurs star Micky Van de Ven. Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck are also said to be under consideration at Anfield.
Their Premier League rivals will also look to strengthen this month with the battle for Champions League football set to intensify, with Chelsea having opened talks to sign star Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet. But could a former Chelsea midfielder be on his way back to the Premier League? Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been linked with a number of clubs, including Manchester United, as the club target several midfielders to bolster the squad available to interim boss Michael Carrick.
Elsewhere, Premier League leaders Arsenal will likely focus on outgoings for the rest of this month, with Mikel Arteta seemingly happy with his squad for now and star youth talent Ethan Nwaneri on his way to seal a loan deal at Marseille.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
Transfer news live
- Liverpool eyeing Micky van de Ven as well as Bastoni and Schlotterbeck
- Nwaneri on verge of Marseille loan
- Mateta informs Palace he wants to leave
- Chelsea and Barcelona tracking Alvarez
- Loftus-Cheek linked with Premier League return
Chelsea open talks over Jacquet deal
12:38 , Mike JonesChelsea are eager to sign Rennes wonderkid Jeremy Jacquet to boost their defence during this window.
BBC Sport are reporting that talks have taken place between the two clubs, although the Blues are currently being quoted more than £60m to secure a deal this month.
The 20-year-old Jacquet – who previously caught the eye of Arsenal – would solve Chelsea’s left-sided centre-back woes, after Levi Colwill’s long-term injury, with the likes of Como’s Jacabo Ramon and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi also being considered as alternatives.
Thomas Frank to take pre-match press conference ahead of Burnley clash
12:24 , Mike JonesTottenham have confirmed that under-pressure boss Thomas Frank will take Thursday’s press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Burnley.
The Dane’s position remains under heavy scrutiny with last weekend’s loss to West Ham nearly proving breaking point, though a much-needed win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday may have spared him for at least the next few days.
He will speak to the media at 3pm GMT on Thursday.
Nwaneri on Marseille move
12:08 , Mike JonesFabrizio Romano is reporting that Ethan Nwaneri has spoken about his possible loan to Marseille.
omano posting a picture of Nwaneri with a Marseille scarf accompanied by the following quotes:
“William Saliba told me OM [Olympique de Marseille] is one of the best clubs in the world.
“[Marseille boss] Roberto De Zerbi is also one of the best coaches in the world.”
💙🤍👋🏾 Ethan Nwaneri arrives in Marseille as planned: “William Saliba told me OM is one of the best clubs in the world”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 21, 2026
“Roberto De Zerbi is also one of the best coaches in the world”.
📸 @MassiliaZone pic.twitter.com/5PXpxIDyzE
Cole Palmer wants return to Manchester?
11:56 , Mike JonesCole Palmer is rumoured to want to return to Manchester but not in a move back to Man City.
The Express report that the Chelsea playmaker is willing to move to Manchester United in the hopes of returning to his home city.
Palmer moved from City to Chelsea in 2023 for £42.5m but has had his season curtailed by injuries this year.
His contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2033 so there is no reason for Chelsea to sell him unless a big offer is made.
Vinicius Jr squashes Real Madrid exit rumours
11:40 , Mike Jones“I want to stay here for a long time,” Vinicius Jr said amid talk of his contract talks stalling.
“There’s a lot of talk about renewal, yes, but I have another year left. We’re very calm. I trust the president and he trusts me.
“We have a very good relationship and, when the time comes, we’ll sort things out. We’re in no rush.”
Aston Villa recall Bailey from Roma loan
11:25 , Mike JonesAston Villa have recalled Leon Bailey from his loan at Roma, the club have confirmed.
Bailey made just 11 appearances in all competitions and returns to Villa Park from the Italian capital after Donyell Malen went the other way.
Elliott's futrue is uncertain
11:11 , Mike JonesSky Sports’ Chris Reidy says that the future of Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott is uncertain.
Elliott moved to Aston Villa at the start of the season on loan from Liverpool but has fallen down the pecking order and isn’t getting gametime in Unai Emery’s side.
Reidy explained why this move is a strange one as: "Once he plays a certain amount of games, the transfer becomes permanent. Unai has basically said they don't want that to happen. Arne Slot has come out and said he's an Aston Villa player.”
Should Elliott hit the target games Villa would have to pay £35m for a permanent move and they seem reluctant to do so. At the minute Elliott is stuck in limbo with neither Villa nor Liverpool wanting him in their teams.
Wrexham to challenge Palace for striker
11:09 , Mike JonesPete O’Rouke of Football Insider says that Wrexham are preparing a bid of up to £19m for Angers striker Sidiki Cherif.
Crystal Palace are also hopeful of signing the forward but it would be a big coup for Wrexham should they get the deal done first.
Keep an eye on this one.
Wrexham have made an offer worth up to £19million for Angers striker Sidiki Cherif as they look to beat Crystal Palace in the race for his signature. #WxmAFC #CPFC #Angers pic.twitter.com/juUO0v81l9
— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) January 22, 2026
Arteta on Nwaneri's move
10:55 , Mike JonesAsked about intensifying talk linking Ethan Nwaneri to a loan move away from the Emirates, Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports: "I don't know we'll have discussion, this week.
"He's not having the minutes that he probably deserves and that he needs at this age so we'll address the situation and see what is best.
"We have to sit down and see how we want to discuss and move that one forward."
Bournemouth set to sign Brazilian star Rayan
10:43 , Mike JonesBournemouth are closing in on another January signing after hashing out a £30.6m deal to sign Vasco da Gama star Rayan, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Brazilian teenager is said to be seen as the long-term replacement for Antoine Semenyo, who joined Manchester City this month in a £64m deal.
After intense discussions in the past 24 hours, documents are being checked and exchanged today with a medical expected later this week.
Chelsea and Barcelona tracking Alvarez
10:28 , Mike JonesChelsea have joined the race for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, according to the Daily Mail.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be long-term admirers of the Argentine, who joined Atleti in the summer of 2024 from Man City.
He has been in flying form since his big money move from the Etihad, scoring 40 goals in 84 appearances for the club.
Jones to Spurs in sensational swap?
10:15 , Mike JonesLiverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has been attracting interest from Tottenham, according to The Times.
The Englishman has become an increasingly important cog to Arne Slot’s side this season but Spurs are said to be keen on luring him away, having already signed Conor Gallagher to reinforce options in the centre of the park this month.
It comes amid reported interest from Liverpool in Spurs centre-back Micky van de Ven. Could a sensational swap deal be on the cards with the Liverpool midfielder moving one way and the Tottenham defender the other?
It is unlikely but crazier things have happened in the January transfer window.
Ter Stegen makes surprise loan move
10:06 , Mike JonesBarcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made something of a surprise loan move last night as he joined Girona until the end of the season.
The German has been number one at the Blaugrana for much of the past decade, but a long-term injury combined with dropping performances has led to him being usurped by Joan Garcia.
👋 BENVINGUT TER STEGEN
— Girona FC (@GironaFC) January 20, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/cS7FBBhmDY pic.twitter.com/FBDM2vOvDx
Ethan Nwaneri set for Marseille move
09:50 , Sports StaffConfirmation should come today of Ethan Nwaneri’s loan move to Marseille. Arsenal have been prepared to part with the teenager, who has been short of playing time in a competitive fight for places in Mikel Arteta’s forward line.
Liverpool set sights on Guehi alternative
09:42 , Mike JonesAfter missing out on Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, Liverpool have switched their focus to Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni.
The Reds almost signed Guehi last summer, before Crystal Palace kiboshed the move, and have now missed out on the England international as he prepares to seal a £20m move to the Etihad with just six months left on his contract.
Teamtalk are reporting that Arne Slot now wants Bastoni as an alternative at centre-back and the Italian international would be open to leaving the San Siro. Liverpool were reportedly plotting an £87m move towards the back end of the year.
There are also reports that Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is being considered, while in a more audacious move, the Reds are said to hold a legitimate interest in Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven, with Real Madrid also thought to be keen.
Liam Rosenior gives Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi update after Chelsea exile
09:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleChelsea manager Liam Rosenior has revealed the club are “in conversations” with Raheem Sterling about his future, but fellow exiled teammate Axel Disasi has returned to first-team training.
“We're in conversations with Raheem at the moment about different things going on in his career,” Rosenior said.
“Hopefully that will be clearer in the next couple of days.”
Speaking on Disasi, Rosenior added: “My decision on Axel: I had a really good meeting with him a couple of days ago.
“I said to the players when I came in that it's a clean slate for everybody so it was only right for me to chat with him. He's behind in terms of his fitness, his match fitness and we'll work with him.”
Liam Rosenior gives Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi update after Chelsea exile
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior stresses Enzo Fernandez’s importance amid speculation
09:25 , Will CastleChelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has pinned his team’s hopes for success on Enzo Fernandez following speculation he is wanted by Real Madrid.
Of the rumours that another club could swoop for the 25-year-old, Rosenior said: “It means nothing to me. When you’re a world-class player there’s always going to be speculation that you can’t control.
“He’s a Chelsea player. He’s very important to me. I think we’re going to have a really good, hopefully winning relationship in the short term and the long term.”
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior stresses Enzo Fernandez’s importance amid speculation
Ruben Neves pursuit hots up
09:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleRuben Neves appears a target for just about every club in Europe with the former Wolves midfielder looking for a move away from Al Hilal. Manchester United have been most strongly mentioned of late, but Spanish outlet AS are reporting that Real Madrid are considering an offer, too.
The transfer miscalculation that saw Liverpool lose Marc Guehi to Man City
09:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleCrystal Palace have already lost their club captain in this window, of course. Richard Jolly explains how Marc Guehi has ended up at Manchester City rather than Liverpool.
The transfer miscalculation that saw Liverpool lose Marc Guehi to Man City
Jean-Philippe Mateta nears Crystal Palace exit
08:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleAccording to widespread reports yesterday, Jean-Philippe Mateta has informed Crystal Palace of his desire to leave the club this January. Oliver Glasner admitted last week that offers would be considered for the French striker - although the manager’s future appears somewhat uncertain, too....
Tottenham target another West Ham winger
08:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleTottenham lured Mohammed Kudus across London from West Ham in the summer, and the Daily Mail believe that Spurs could now test their rivals’ resolve to keep Crysencio Summerville, who has been in good recent form. Thomas Frank is eyeing a new wide forward after letting Brennan Johnson leave.
Aston Villa target striker swoop
08:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleAston Villa have also been linked with a new striker in Youssef En-Nesyri, who has been connected with Everton, too. Fabrizio Romano suggests that the Morocco striker, currently with Fenerbahce, will decide his future soon.
Man United and Villa eye Loftus-Cheek swoop
08:28 , Jack RathbornManchester United will contend with Aston Villa for former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Talk Sport reports that the AC Milan midfielder is under consideration for a return to the Premier League.
And while Villa have been strongly linked with the 29-year-old, to replace the injured Boubacar Kamara, United are also monitoring the situation.
