The January transfer window is in full swing, with a major defensive move setting the tone for a frantic period. Manchester City have completed the signing of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for a fee of £20 million, beating competition from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich.
City's Defensive Coup and Spending Spree
Pep Guardiola's side moved decisively to secure the England international, opting to pay now rather than wait for his contract to expire in the summer. Guehi has signed a five-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium and could make his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday. This acquisition takes Manchester City's spending since the start of 2025 to a staggering £430 million, edging the club's total outlay close to the half-a-billion-pound mark.
Liverpool's Search for a Centre-Back
Having missed out on Guehi, Liverpool manager Arne Slot is now actively pursuing alternatives to bolster his defence. The Reds are reportedly showing strong interest in Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven, with Real Madrid also keen on the Dutch defender. Other names on Liverpool's radar include Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni and Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck. The future of Ibrahima Konate at Anfield is also said to be uncertain, prompting the urgent search.
Chelsea and Arsenal's Window Activity
Across London, Chelsea have opened talks to sign Rennes wonderkid Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old defender, previously monitored by Arsenal, is seen as a solution to Chelsea's left-sided defensive issues following Levi Colwill's long-term injury. However, the French club are demanding more than £60 million for a January sale. Meanwhile, Arsenal have agreed to loan Oleksandr Zinchenko to Ajax for the rest of the season, following his unsuccessful spell at Nottingham Forest.
In other Premier League news, the managerial sack race continues to simmer. Following the dismissals of Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca, Thomas Frank's position at Tottenham is under serious threat after a dismal defeat to West Ham United. Similarly, Crystal Palace are considering the future of Oliver Glasner after his extraordinary public criticism of the club.
Manchester United are also busy, identifying targets to strengthen their squad before the window closes. Their midfield shortlist includes Joao Gomes, Carlos Baleba, Marcos Llorente, and Elliot Anderson—the latter also attracting interest from Manchester City. In defence, Nottingham Forest's Murillo is a target, while the club has rejected multiple offers for the out-of-contract Harry Maguire. United are also admirers of Sunderland's 21-year-old midfielder Noah Sadiki.
Finally, West Ham United face a battle to keep Lucas Paqueta, with reports from Brazil suggesting the midfielder would prefer a return to his homeland, although a move to another European club remains possible.
