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Arteta transfer boost? Key target reportedly set to reject advances from rivals
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F01%2Fmikel-arteta.jpg "Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on January 1, 2025")
Arsenal target Matheus Cunha has reportedly prioritised a move to the Emirates from Wolverhampton Wanderers over other Premier League rivals such as Manchester United.
The Gunners narrowly defeated Wolves away from home on Saturday afternoon, overcoming Myles Lewis-Skelly's controversial sending off in the first half to win 1-0.
Mikel Arteta ensured that the gap to league-leaders Liverpool remained six points, but with key attackers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus set to miss out on action for months, reinforcing in January could be essential in order to stay in the title race.
The likes of Alexander Isak have been linked to the club, but Newcastle United are reportedly set to offer the striker a new long-term deal in a bid to fend off interest.
Will Kimmich stay? Midfielder's options assessed as European giant linked
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F48%2Fjoshua-kimmich.jpg "Joshua Kimmich for Bayern Munich on November 26, 2024")
Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich has reportedly opened preliminary negotiations with Real Madrid, and the Spanish giants are said to be interested in signing him in the summer upon the expiry of his contract.
The Bavarians are first in the Bundesliga with 48 points, six points ahead of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, and boss Vincent Kompany looks like he has a strong chance to help the German side reclaim the title.
It also appears that left-back Alphonso Davies will sign a new contract with Bayern and reject interest from Real Madrid, and the news will come as a welcome boost given the defender has been consistently linked with a move away.
The Bundesliga club could have a busy few months ahead, with Leroy Sane set to leave the club for free at the end of 2024-25 unless he reaches an agreement on new terms, while others like Mathys Tel have been linked with a transfer to teams such as Chelsea.
Blues to land forward? Can Maresca help Palmer and get the team back on track?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fenzo-maresca.jpg "Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca in November 2024.")
Chelsea have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel, whose situation in Germany will be assessed in the next days.
The Blues were beaten 3-1 by Manchester City on Saturday evening in the Premier League, succumbing to their fifth defeat of the league season.
Manager Enzo Maresca has come under criticism in recent weeks, with his side dropping points in six of their last seven games in the league.
Cole Palmer has scored three goals in his last eight matches in the Premier League, while striker Nicolas Jackson has not scored in his last seven.
Amorim addresses Garnacho future with Napoli, Chelsea 'battling' for Man United forward
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F03%2Falejandri-garnacho.jpg "Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho on January 16, 2025")
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted that he 'does not know' whether Alejandro Garnacho will be leaving the club before the end of the January transfer window.
There is currently a host of speculation surrounding the 20-year-old's future at Old Trafford, with Napoli and Chelsea both keen to sign him in the latter stages of the winter market.
Napoli have confirmed their interest in the forward, and it is understood that the Italian side have already had an offer in the region of £40m turned down for his services.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are allegedly preparing to meet with Man United to discuss a possible switch to Stamford Bridge in the latter stages of the January window.
"I will not change" - Amorim issues damning Rashford verdict
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F51%2Fmarcus-rashford_1.jpg "Marcus Rashford of Manchester United during his side's Premier League match against Everton at Old Trafford, December 1, 2024")
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has explained why Marcus Rashford is still being overlooked, claiming that he would rather put his goalkeeping coach on the bench instead of a player who does not give 100%.
Rashford was again absent for Man United's Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday evening, with the forward not making the trip down to London with his teammates.
The 27-year-old has not represented the Red Devils since December 12 due to poor performances in training and his general demeanour around the club.
Amorim was asked about the Englishman's ongoing absence after the 1-0 win over Fulham, and the Portuguese said that "it is the same situation".
"Got to be logical" - Man Utd handed Dorgu boost by Lecce chief?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F36%2Fpatrick-dorgu.jpg "Patrick Dorgu of Denmark on September 5, 2024")
Manchester United have been warned by Lecce president Sticchi Damiani that the Italian club will try to keep hold of left-back Patrick Dorgu this month.
After conceding defeat in their efforts to sign the likes of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez, Man United have apparently earmarked Dorgu as their number one left-back target.
The Red Devils are already believed to have failed with one official offer for the Denmark international, but it was reported earlier on Sunday that they had made significant progress in talks.
The two clubs are now only believed to be around £4m apart in their valuation of Dorgu, whom Lecce want £29.5m for in guaranteed money without performance-related add-ons.
"Don't believe everything you read" - Southampton receive Andre Garcia update
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fandre-garcia.jpg "Reading's Andre Garcia on November 26, 2024")
Southampton have received an update in their pursuit of Reading teenager Andre Garcia.
The Saints are planning for the future in the winter window as they look destined for relegation to the Championship, especially following Saturday afternoon's 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United.
Garcia is said to be on the radar of Southampton after bursting onto the League One scene for Reading at the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
The 17-year-old has featured in 20 third-tier contests for the cash-strapped Royals so far, starting 12 games and totalling 1098 minutes of league football.
No starts, no problem? Liverpool midfielder 'in line' for contract extension
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fharven.jpg "Liverpool's Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo pictured on April 11, 2024")
Liverpool are reportedly set to hold imminent contract discussions with midfielder Harvey Elliott, who is still seen as a key part of Arne Slot's future plans.
The former Fulham protege has seen his future called into question of late due to his lack of minutes in the Premier League in particular, as he is still waiting for his first top-flight start of the season.
Elliott was only a second-half substitute in Saturday's 4-1 crushing of Ipswich Town, the ninth time this season that he has been brought off the bench in the Premier League, totalling just 75 minutes in the process.
The 21-year-old's only starts this term have come in the FA Cup and EFL Cup, and he previously missed two months of the campaign with a broken foot, which was recently referenced by Slot when he was quizzed on Elliott's lack of playing time.
Garnacho replacement? Man United 'considering' bid for £55m wonderkid
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Falejandro-garnacho_1.jpg "Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United during his side's match against Southampton, on January 16, 2025")
Manchester United are reportedly interested in making a move for Southampton prodigy Tyler Dibling before the end of the winter window.
The 18-year-old has burst onto the Premier League scene for the Saints during 2024-25, attracting attention from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig.
Dibling suffered an ankle injury earlier this month and has since missed back-to-back defeats in the top flight at the hands of Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.
The winger has featured in 20 Premier League contests under the stewardship of Russell Martin and most recently Ivan Juric, finding the net on two occasions.
If the price is right: European giant 'approaches' Southampton for Walker-Peters
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F38%2Fkyle-walker-peters.jpg "Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters during the Premier League match on September 14, 2024")
Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters has reportedly attracted interest from Turkish side Galatasaray this month.
The 27-year-old is said to be wanted by a number of clubs around Europe, including Premier League sides Everton and relegation-threatened Leicester City.
However, the Toffees and the Foxes have supposedly been put off a move for Walker-Peters in the winter window due to Southampton's asking price for the talent.
The full-back started his 21st top-flight contest of the campaign on Saturday afternoon, when Alexander Isak stole the show for Newcastle United in a 3-1 success on the South coast.
Cherry picking: Chelsea 'really appreciate' Bournemouth star as release clause 'revealed'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Fdean-huijsen.jpg "Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen with Milos Kerkez on December 5, 2024")
Chelsea reportedly 'really appreciate' Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, who has a release clause written into his contract with the Cherries.
The 19-year-old has seamlessly slotted into the Bournemouth backline since joining in a £12.8m switch from Juventus last summer, shining alongside Ilya Zabarnyi in the heart of defence.
Huijsen initially had to be patient for his opportunity over Marcos Senesi, but he has now started each of Bournemouth's last 10 top-flight games, including Saturday's 5-0 thumping of title outsiders Nottingham Forest.
The former Roma man has notched two goals in that time, and Andoni Iraola's men have astonishingly not lost any of those 10 matches, a remarkable run that has propelled them up to seventh place in the Premier League table.
Chelsea 'scouting' South Korean talent: Latest transfer news and rumours today
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fsemih-kilicsoy.jpg "Besiktas' Semih Kilicsoy celebrates on November 24, 2024")
Aston Villa have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Besiktas attacker Semih Kilicsoy before the January transfer window closes for business.
The Lions allowed Jaden Philogene to move to Ipswich Town on a permanent deal earlier this month, and despite already bringing Donyell Malen to the club, Football Insider claims that Kilicsoy has been earmarked as another ideal addition.
The 19-year-old worked his way up the Besiktas youth ranks before being officially promoted to their first team in 2023, and he has already made 67 senior appearances for the Turkish giants.
Kilicsoy has contributed 14 goals and nine assists in that time, including two strikes and six assists from 28 appearances in all competitions during the 2024-25 season, where he has operated both out wide and through the middle.
Dorgu update: Man United 'make significant progress' in left-back pursuit
Manchester United and Lecce are reportedly only "€5m (£4m) apart" when it comes to their respective valuations of Patrick Dorgu, suggesting that a deal is likely to go through before the end of the January transfer window.
The Red Devils have allegedly earmarked Dorgu as their number one target in the latter stages of the winter market, with the club determined to bring in a left-sided wing-back due to their issues in that area of the field.
There have been suggestions that Man United could activate their buy-back option on Benfica's Alvaro Fernandez, with the 21-year-old potentially returning to Old Trafford for £15m.
However, the 20-time English champions will reportedly only explore that route if a deal for Dorgu collapses.
Napoli confirm Garnacho stance ahead of 'transfer talks' with Chelsea
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has confirmed that his club are interested in signing Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho before the winter transfer window closes for business.
The Serie A giants have money to spend following the sale of of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain, so a high-profile forward is expected to arrive in Naples before the end of the January market.
Napoli are believed to have recently had a £40m offer for Garnacho turned down, while Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi is also currently being heavily linked with a move to the Italian side.
Manna has confirmed that both attackers are targets, but Napoli will not pay over the odds for either.
Latest January transfer news and rumours including Brobbey to West Ham
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fbrian-brobbey.jpg "Ajax's Brian Brobbey pictured on January 11, 2025")
West Ham United have reportedly been in touch with Ajax to discuss a possible deal for Brian Brobbey.
The Hammers are determined to boost their forward options before the end of the January transfer window, and the capital giants are also being heavily linked with RB Leipzig's Andre Silva.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Brobbey is also a target, with the Netherlands international having huge admirers at the London Stadium, but a number of other clubs are also believed to be in the race.
Ajax are allegedly not prepared to let the forward leave on loan before the end of the transfer window unless there is an obligation to buy this summer, while a permanent exit this month is also seen as a possibility.
Two options on the table: Which left-back will Man United sign before January deadline?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Falvaro-fernandez.jpg "Benfica left-back Alvaro Fernandez pictured on August 24, 2024")
Manchester United are reportedly giving serious consideration to re-signing Alvaro Fernandez from Benfica in the latter stages of the January transfer window, as Lecce battle to keep hold of Patrick Dorgu.
The Red Devils are determined to sign a new left-sided defender before the end of the winter market due to their ongoing issues in that area of the field, with Luke Shaw only making three appearances this season due to injury.
Tyrell Malacia has battled his way back from a long-term knee problem, but his future at the club is unclear, while Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui continue to look unconvincing in that area of the field.
Man United have allegedly had two offers for Dorgu turned down by Lecce - the latest of those being £28m - and the club are now considering their next course of action.
Unsettled Rashford 'ready to take drastic action' to secure 'dream January move'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F50%2Fmarcus-rashford_1.jpg "Manchester United's Marcus Rashford on December 7, 2024")
Marcus Rashford is reportedly willing to take a pay cut in order to secure a move to Barcelona before the end of the January transfer window.
The Englishman has not played for Manchester United since December 12, with Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim overlooking him due to underwhelming performances in training and his general demeanour around the club.
Amorim recently admitted that he 'did not know' whether the 27-year-old would be on the move before the end of the winter market.
"I don't know. I really don't know," Amorim told reporters when asked whether Rashford could stay at Old Trafford.
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