Manchester United and Arsenal transfer blow as clubs 'miss out' on teenage sensation ahead of January window

Coventry City teenager George Shepherd reportedly rejected interest from Manchester City and Arsenal to sign a professional contract with his club.

The 17-year-old midfielder has not yet featured in a game for Coventry this season, but he was named on the bench against Blackburn Rovers in October.

Boss Frank Lampard has guided the Sky Blues to first place in the Championship, with his side 12 points in front of third-placed Preston North End, and having the teenager part of the team for a potential Premier League campaign in 2026-27 could be vital.

Despite having not played a minute of senior football, Shepherd was already linked with moves to the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, who have been keen on reinforcing their youth ranks in recent seasons.

However, the teenager has signed his first professional contract with Coventry, and The Daily Mail claim that Lampard was instrumental in the midfielder's decision to stay.

Manchester United transfer plans: What does Ruben Amorim need?

Ruben Amorim's side were held to a 4-4 stalemate by Bournemouth on Monday in their 16th Premier League game of the campaign, their fourth draw in their last seven matches.

The Red Devils only won twice in that period, with the team struggling to control opponents in the middle of the pitch.

Given Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro have struggled to cover ground and build out from the back, it is not surprising that the club have been linked to Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba, as well as Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace maestro Adam Wharton.

Convincing any of those clubs to sell in January may be difficult, but signing them could give Amorim the boost he needs to secure Champions League football.

Arsenal transfer plans: What does Mikel Arteta need?

Arsenal lead the way at the summit of the Premier League, but their 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend was concerning given they needed two own goals to beat a side with just two points.

Striker Viktor Gyokeres was signed in the summer, but Mikel Arteta has failed to consistently get the best out of the Swede, with the forward having scored once in his last 10 top-flight games.

Kai Havertz is expected to return to the squad in the coming months, so he may help alleviate some of the team's problems in the final third, but perhaps the Gunners should look to add extra cover in defence.

Centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have often picked up injuries, and while Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera have performed admirably, neither are at the level of their counterparts.