Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are stepping up their transfer plans as January approaches, with a host of big names linked with moves. Arsenal are reportedly tracking Barcelona wonderkid Xavi Espart while continuing their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez. Kim Min-jae, Antonio Nusa, Nicolo Tresoldi and Kevin Schade are also said to be on their radar, while Viktor Gyokeres is rumoured to be considering an exit from the Emirates.
Arsenal and Chelsea Target Big Names
Former Arsenal player Gilles Grimandi believes Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a dream signing for Mikel Arteta. Grimandi told Goal.com: “This guy is special. He’s special because he’s always good in the big games and last season, every time when the competition was getting close to the end, he was getting better and better.”
“He has fantastic commitment; he’s running, he’s defending, and when he gets the ball in the final third, he’s very efficient. For me, he’s a special guy,” Grimandi added. “He looks like he’s choosing his games because so far this season he hasn’t played too many, but he just knows that he wants to be prepared for the spring time and that’s his target. He knows that big games will come.”
Grimandi continued: “He can play for any team in Europe, of course he can play for Arsenal. For me, he’s one of the best players in his position.” He added: “I don’t think they will do it. Now it’s complicated when the guy plays in Paris because they have a huge salary and they do not need any money so it’s quite complicated to pick up one of the best players and bring him to another team except if there is a problem.”
Wirtz and Scott Updates
Florian Wirtz won’t be joining Chelsea in a shock move any time soon, according to a report from TEAMtalk. The German playmaker has been tentatively linked with a reunion with former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge, but the report claims Wirtz has no desire to leave Anfield and Liverpool are not interested in parting ways with a player on whom they spent £116m last summer. Wirtz has a five-year contract at Liverpool valid until 2030.
Chelsea or Liverpool will have to pay a huge fee if they are to sign Alex Scott in the January transfer window. The race is on for the midfielder, who is currently sidelined with a quad injury suffered during the recent international break with England. Chelsea and Liverpool look to be going head to head for Scott, with one having made multiple offers during the summer and the other led by his former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. Bournemouth are likely to demand a massive fee in excess of £100m, according to Football Insider.
Man Utd and Liverpool Transfer Plans
Manchester United are said to be pondering a shock swoop for Troy Parrott. The striker has gone from strength to strength since leaving Spurs in 2024, first thriving for AZ Alkmaar and now starring for Real Betis as well as enjoying an incredible goalscoring run at international level for the Republic of Ireland. The Mirror cite reports from Spain claiming that Man Utd are closely watching Parrott amid serious interest from across the Premier League, and they are believed to have dispatched scouts to watch him play in LaLiga this term.
Manchester United are likely to make at least two new signings during the January transfer window. The struggling Red Devils have made their worst start to a league season for 40 years, piling pressure on manager Michael Carrick. Sky Sports report that Man Utd will target a new left-back and a new centre-back when the market re-opens. United are still said to be interested in Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and appear to have made Adrien Truffert of Bournemouth their new top left-back target after missing out on Newcastle’s Lewis Hall in the summer.
Liverpool could reportedly launch a shock swoop for Aston Villa star Johan Manzambi. The Swiss international midfielder is seriously impressing under Unai Emery this term, but only moved to Villa Park from Freiburg in a club-record transfer worth £59.5m in July. The Sun cite reports claiming that Liverpool are watching Manzambi’s progress closely with a view to making a move next summer.
Espart, Schade and Gabriel Latest
Arsenal are said to be watching Barcelona wonderkid Xavi Espart. The versatile full-back, 19, has developed a strong reputation at the Camp Nou and earlier this month signed a new four-year contract valid until the summer of 2030 with a release clause valued at €100m. CaughtOffside claim that Arsenal and Tottenham are both keeping close tabs on Espart, who plays for Spain at under-21 level. Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are also said to be interested.
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. 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.
The JJ Gabriel saga appears to be reaching an end. The 15-year-old sensation rocked Manchester United last month when he asked to leave the club with immediate effect, just days before he would have likely made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup. A host of major clubs have since been chasing his signature, most notably Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. Diario Sport in Spain now claim that Gabriel’s next club will be confirmed soon, with Barca and Madrid the clear frontrunners as things stand.
