Arsenal are reportedly targeting Barcelona wonderkid Xavi Espart as the January transfer window approaches, while Manchester United are pondering a shock move for former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott. Chelsea have learned how much it will take to sign Alex Scott as they continue to battle Liverpool, who could look at Felix Nmecha, Lamine Camara and Manu Kone as potential alternatives.
Arsenal and Tottenham track Espart
Arsenal are said to be watching Barcelona wonderkid Xavi Espart. The versatile full-back, 19, has already developed a strong reputation at the Camp Nou and earlier this month signed a new four-year contract valid until the summer of 2030 that is said to contain a release clause valued at €100m.
CaughtOffside claim that north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are both keeping close tabs on Espart, who plays for Spain at under-21 level. Aston Villa are also said to be interested in Espart, who can also operate in midfield, along with Borussia Dortmund and Juventus.
Man Utd eye shock Parrott move and defensive targets
Manchester United are believed to be pondering a shock swoop for former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott as they also target multiple defensive additions amid sustained interest in Jarrad Branthwaite and Adrien Truffert. The struggling Red Devils have made their worst start to a league season for 40 years to already pile massive pressure on manager Michael Carrick, whose cause has certainly not been helped by the Lisandro Martinez saga this week.
The lack of defensive strengthening has been a glaring weakness during that dreadful opening to the campaign, with Sky Sports reporting that Man Utd will target a new left-back and a new centre-back when the market re-opens for business. 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.
Chelsea and Liverpool chase Scott and Schade
Marco Rose has delivered a positive update on Alex Scott, following Bournemouth’s U-turn on selling the midfielder amid links to Chelsea and Liverpool. Chelsea showed a strong interest in Scott during the summer transfer window but saw an offer of £64million rejected by Bournemouth, who insisted the 23-year-old was not for sale. However, ahead of the January transfer window, that stance has softened to put the Blues - and Liverpool - on alert as both clubs seek to bolster their midfield options.
As reported by Standard Sport, Bournemouth are now open to selling Scott - but only materialise if certain conditions are met. Meanwhile, 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.
Other key updates
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 the team they beat in last season’s Europa League final - Freiburg - in a club-record transfer worth £59.5m in July. He is already being linked with an exit, with The Sun citing reports claiming that Liverpool are watching Manzambi’s progress closely this season with a view to making a move next summer.
Barcelona are monitoring Lisandro Martinez’s situation at Manchester United, with his future said to be in doubt after he criticised the club’s board in an interview this week. The Argentine is out of contract in the summer, and Barcelona could offer him a fresh start. Per reports in Spain, they might even swoop to sign him at a cut price in January.
Daniel Farke has reached an agreement in principle to extend his Leeds contract to 2029. The German has had the club in fine form and on a constant upward trajectory since he took over in 2023. His current contract expires in the summer. Per reports in The Athletic, his new deal has been verbally agreed and is now simply down to the formalities.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has agreed a new five-year contract. That is according to AS, who claim the 23-year-old will receive improved terms after talks began towards the end of last season. The England international's current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2029, but he now looks set to extend his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2031.
Xabi Alonso has confirmed Chelsea will not panic buy in January despite the fact Reece James is facing three months out after undergoing knee surgery. It was confirmed on Friday that James had gone under the knife to correct an injury picked up in training before Chelsea’s five-goal rout of Bournemouth last weekend. Alonso said at the time that the injury was only minor, but James is now not expected to return until late January, a period which could see him miss as many as 22 matches. Speaking on James’ injury, Alonso said the club as a whole was disappointed to lose its captain, but confirmed his absence will not push the club back into the transfer market in January.
