Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are stepping up their recruitment plans with just over two months until the January transfer window opens. Arsenal are reportedly interested in Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, Atletico Madrid midfielder Alex Baena and Eintracht Frankfurt talent Can Uzun. Nicolo Tresoldi, Antonio Nusa, Xavi Espart, Kim Min-jae and Gustavo Varela have also been linked with Mikel Arteta’s side.
Clubs Circle for Key Targets
Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly competing for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, while Manchester United are considering defensive reinforcements, including Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, Rennes’ Adrien Truffert and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. United are also assessing potential managerial alternatives as pressure mounts on Michael Carrick, with Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe and Unai Emery among the names linked. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has also emerged as a reported candidate.
Liverpool are said to be monitoring Kylian Mbappe’s situation and considering a move for former defender Trent Alexander-Arnold. Mexican youngster Gilberto Mora and Chelsea’s Malo Gusto are also reportedly on their radar. Tottenham, meanwhile, are prioritising a new striker, with Real Madrid forward Endrick linked as speculation intensifies ahead of January.
Arsenal and Liverpool in £60m Kevin Schade Fight
Arsenal could fight Liverpool for the signing of Kevin Schade, reports claim. The German forward continues to go from strength to strength at high-flying Brentford, attracting plenty of interest from elsewhere in the Premier League. According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal and Liverpool are both keen on a deal for Schade, who has scored three goals for the Bees so far this season. Brentford would apparently demand a fee in excess of £60m for the 24-year-old.
Carrick Faces Man Utd Sack Decision
Manchester United are reportedly considering three potential managerial replacements as pressure mounts on Michael Carrick following a difficult run of results. According to reports, Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have emerged as candidates. Howe is viewed as a strong contender, while Nagelsmann and Conte offer alternative options as United assess their next move. Carrick’s immediate future could depend on upcoming results, with United facing a crucial decision over whether to maintain their current course or appoint a new manager to revive their season.
Arsenal Receive Eli Junior Kroupi Boost
Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi after the youngster returned to first-team training ahead of the January transfer window. According to football.london, Kroupi remains on Arsenal’s radar as Mikel Arteta considers strengthening his attacking options. The 20-year-old scored 13 Premier League goals last season, establishing himself as one of the division’s most promising young forwards. Arsenal also explored a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez during the summer, but a deal failed to materialise. Bournemouth are reluctant to sell Kroupi in January and are understood to value the Frenchman at around £90m-£100m.
Flashscore claims that Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are following Chelsea's Malo Gusto. Chelsea have started searching for a new right-back as they assess the 23-year-old's long-term future, and are also reassessing Gusto's previous €80million valuation ahead of the upcoming transfer windows. Si Phillips claims that Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has approved a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold as he targets a reunion with the defender, with Malo Gusto expected to leave the club next summer.
New Chelsea Transfer Plan Explained
Gus Poyet believes Chelsea’s recruitment strategy changed because the owners realised “what the fans want”, writes Dom Smith. The former Chelsea midfielder has also praised the club’s owners for their highest-profile signings, claiming all three players purchased under BlueCo that cost north of £100m have proven shrewd investments. Chelsea’s most expensive signings since Roman Abramovich’s May 2022 sale of the club have been Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for £106.8m, Moises Caicedo from Brighton for £115m, and the July arrival of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a club-record £117m. They sold Fernandez to Manchester City this summer for £125m.
