Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are all continuing to push for new signings as the January transfer window approaches. Arsenal have received a boost over Julian Alvarez after Barcelona's sporting director Deco admitted their pursuit of the striker is over, while the Gunners remain linked with Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Mikel Arteta's assistant Miguel Molina has also shed light on their attempts to sign Vinicius Jr.
Manchester United have confirmed the signing of David Eze as part of a triple deal this week, following the arrivals of Isaac Konde and Karim Cassim, and they could move for Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde in January. Chelsea are expected to move again for Alex Scott soon, and they are also said to have a shock interest in Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Arsenal target Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool and Arsenal are among several clubs showing interest in Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold. According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City and Chelsea have also made moves ahead of the January transfer window. However, the report states that the right-back is not contemplating a return to England just yet, remaining focused on his career at Real Madrid and not considering a January exit.
Arsenal assistant coach Miguel Molina has confirmed that the club tried to sign Vinicius Jr during the summer transfer window. With the Gunners looking to upgrade their attack and make a marquee signing on the left wing, Vinicius Jr emerged as a shock target. Arsenal felt the uncertainty over the Brazilian superstar's contract situation at Real Madrid opened up an opportunity, and there was a genuine belief that a blockbuster deal was possible.
Man Utd sign Isaac Konde in triple transfer swoop
Manchester United have clinched the signing of Isaac Konde from rivals Liverpool. The Red Devils are poised to formally announce the 16-year-old winger's move from Anfield to Old Trafford, with Liverpool due a compensation fee in return. According to The Athletic, Konde will sign an initial one-year scholarship deal with Man Utd before putting pen to paper on a long-term professional contract when he turns 17, valid for a further five years.
This follows United confirming the arrival of 17-year-old Karim Cassim on Thursday after his departure from Manchester City, with fellow midfielder David Eze following the same path from the Etihad Stadium. Konde is expected to go straight into Darren Fletcher's Under-18s squad and is another significant loss from the youth ranks for Liverpool, who saw England U16s striker Vincent Joseph join Arsenal last week.
Liverpool eye Branthwaite and Chelsea plot Scott bid
Liverpool are being linked with Jarrad Branthwaite. Former Manchester United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the Everton and England defender was on the transfer radar at Anfield as they seek a long-term successor to captain Virgil van Dijk. However, TEAMtalk now report that Everton have no interest in selling Branthwaite to rivals Liverpool or any other club.
Chelsea are also expected to launch another move for Alex Scott. The Blues saw multiple bids for Bournemouth's England midfielder rejected during the summer transfer window, but they retain their interest. According to the Daily Mail, they will be first in the queue for his signature in January. Chelsea also have a shock interest in Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, with CaughtOffside insisting the Blues are one of four Premier League clubs monitoring the Uzbekistan international's situation ahead of January.
Arsenal handed Julian Alvarez boost
Arsenal look to have been handed a huge new boost over Julian Alvarez. The Gunners tried to pull off a blockbuster deal for Atletico Madrid's wantaway Argentine striker during the final weeks of the summer transfer window, but could not get it over the line. Alvarez was very public in his desire to complete a move to Barcelona, but it seems that a switch to the Camp Nou is no longer an option.
"The idea has always been to bring in a forward with good movement and the ability to link up with others, and Julian (Alvarez) was one such player," Barcelona's sporting director Deco told the Portugal Football Summit this week. "It hasn't been possible; we made an offer... the club has always said they wouldn't sell him, so we have to look for other solutions. Julian is in the past; we have to look ahead, and we're happy. I hope he's doing well too, that he's helping his club."
Meanwhile, England midfielder James Garner says he is "more than happy that I left" Manchester United to join Everton. Garner's bright start to the season with Everton has seen him recalled to the England squad for the first time since his debut call-up in March. England head coach Thomas Tuchel had said in May that he was close to making his 26-man squad for the World Cup. Garner spent nine years in United's academy from 2009 until 2018, when he briefly broke into the first team at Old Trafford.
