We are entering the final days of the January transfer window as business inevitably heats up with the deadline fast approaching. Arsenal are still searching for fresh recruits to boost their Premier League title bid, with their plan to beat Manchester United to the signing of Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee now said to be in action as they also pursue Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.
Chelsea are believed to be eyeing a deal for Alphonso Davies at Bayern Munich, while they are rumoured to be the chosen next destination for Victor Osimhen. Michael Olise would apparently prefer to head to Man Utd rather than return to Chelsea, while Tottenham have been hijacked by Brentford in the battle for Antonio Nusa and may now have to deal with Barcelona interest in Pape Matar Sarr.
Liverpool could face a battle with Bayern Munich in their bid to name Xabi Alonso as the successor to Jurgen Klopp, while Barca are also now beginning their search for a new manager after Xavi confirmed that he would be stepping down at the end of the season. Follow all the latest news, rumours and gossip with Standard Sport’s live transfer centre below!
Brentford field Onyeka interest
Brentford are weighing up multiple approaches for Frank Onyeka but will not let the midfielder leave on loan for a Premier League rival, writes Nizaar Kinsella.
Girona, who are part of the City Football Group with Manchester City, have joined Everton and Fulham in the race for the Nigeria international, who is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Reims have also joined the race to sign Onyeka on loan until the end of the season amid a push to qualify for Europe in the French top flight.
Fulham and Everton are also interested, but Brentford are unwilling to help a domestic rival by allowing a cut-price loan deal while just six points above the relegation zone themselves.
No West Ham move for Ibrahim Osman
It seems that Ibrahim Osman is unlikely to be following Kalvin Phillips to West Ham before Thursday night’s January transfer deadline.
The Hammers have been pursuing a deal for the Ghanaian winger, who has caught the eye playing in Denmark with FC Nordsjælland.
However, The Guardian now report that the move is not happening as things stand due to the Danish club demanding too high a fee for the 19-year-old.
Summer battle for Roberto De Zerbi
Liverpool will have to fight hard if they are to secure one of their top managerial targets this summer.
With Jurgen Klopp announcing he will leave the club at the end of the current season, the focus has shifted to who will replace him.
The Telegraph report that Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi is on the wishlist, but Manchester United are also interested in him, should Erik ten Hag be sacked, and Barcelona are also keen.
Xabi Alonso, flying at Bayer Leverkusen, won’t come easy either, as Bayern Munich keep tabs on him.
Antonio Nusa travelling to complete Brentford switch
Antonio Nusa will now travel to England in order to complete his shock move to Brentford.
That is according to Sacha Tavolieri, who says that the player will indeed remain at Club Brugge on loan for the rest of the season.
Nusa has apparently been offered a long-term contract until 2030 in west London, with a promise of guaranteed playing time apparently seeing Brentford trump Tottenham’s bid.
We’ll see if there are any more late twists in this transfer tale to come…
Brentford agree £25m deal for Tottenham target Antonio Nusa
Fabrizio Romano is also now reporting on the Antonio Nusa to Brentford hijack.
The transfer guru claims that a package worth in excess of €30m (£25.6m) has now been agreed with Club Brugge by the Bees.
Crucially, Romano adds that Nusa has also green-lit the move to agree personal terms.
The 18-year-old will stay at Brugge for the rest of the season before moving to Brentford in the summer. Wow!
Brentford hijack Tottenham move for Antonio Nusa
Speaking of Mr Tavolieri, he now has a very interesting fresh update on the Antonio Nusa front.
Tottenham have been pushing hard to sign Club Brugge’s highly-rated teenage winger before the transfer deadline on Thursday night.
But now it’s claimed that Brentford have jumped ahead of their London rivals in the race for Nusa, seeing a bid worth €30m for his services accepted by the Belgian outfit.
How will Spurs respond?
Victor Osimhen chooses Chelsea as next club
Victor Osimhen has reportedly chosen Chelsea as his next destination.
The Nigerian striker is widely expected to depart Napoli at the end of the season for a big-money move elsewhere in Europe.
Chelsea have long been considered as among the leading contenders for Osimhen, who is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the player has now decided to move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Arsenal leading race for Kaoru Mitoma
Arsenal are leading the race to sign Kaoru Mitoma, reports suggest.
The Japan international has been sublime for Brighton over recent seasons and is now being targeted for a high-profile transfer elsewhere in the Premier League.
Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that Arsenal have now stolen a march on both Manchester United and Manchester City in the battle for Mitoma.
Bayern Munich complete Sacha Boey deal
Sacha Boey will not be moving to Arsenal.
The French right-back had been strongly linked with the Gunners in the past, but is now firmly off Mikel Arteta’s transfer radar after leaving Galatasaray.
Boey has officially now joined Bayern Munich in a deal worth around €35m, signing a four-and-a-half year contract until the summer of 2028.
“This is a dream come true for me. It’s an honour for me to get to play for such a big club like Bayern,” he said.
Liverpool face Bayern Munich battle over Xabi Alonso
Liverpool appear to face a potentially serious threat to their hopes of appointing Xabi Alonso as their next manager.
The former long-serving Anfield midfielder is believed to be at the very top of the early shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp, who announced his shock decision to step down at the end of the season on Friday.
However, the Sunday Telegraph now report that Bayern Munich could also move for current Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso if they decide to part company with Thomas Tuchel during a difficult season at the Allianz Arena so far by their usual lofty standards.
