Transfer news live: Chelsea bid £73m for former Coventry striker, Man Utd target Barcelona defender plus Arsenal latest | OneFootball

Ten Hag addresses Sancho's departure to Dortmund with frank response

The January transfer window has been slow to get going this month but may be starting to heat up as clubs try to bolster their squads for the second half of the season.

This month, Arsenal and Chelsea are expected to be two of the teams trying to bring in at least one player each, with Ivan Toney a name on both clubs’ wishlists. Brighton striker Evan Ferguson has also been linked with the Blues, although the Seagulls value the teenager at more than £100m. Given the strictness of financial fair play rules, any signings might depend on sales though.

Tottenham and Liverpool could look to bring in reinforcements to deal with the likes of Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah being absent at mid-season international tournaments. Spurs have completed the signing of Genoa’s Radu Dragusin to improve their defence and added Timo Werner to their attack, while Chelsea eye Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, but could face competition from Real Madrid as they also target Kylian Mbappe.

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The disaster of Antony: Erik ten Hag’s flagship failure casts a long shadow

Erik ten Hag was considering the problems of a winger who cost Manchester United a fortune. “He caused them, so he has to sort them out,” he said.

He was not discussing Jadon Sancho, exiled first to train with the Under-18s and now on loan to Borussia Dortmund with a perfunctory message from the United manager. “I hope he is doing well. I wish him the best of good luck,” Ten Hag said.

Instead, he was pondering the plight of another winger with no goals and assists for United this season. Antony has played 21 times to Sancho’s three August appearances, but with the same end product; or lack of it.

Mike Jones17 January 2024 07:00

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Spurs join race for Olise

Tottenham are the latest Premier League club to have registered an interest in Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise. Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are all in the race to sign the Eagles winger this summer.

Olise is expected to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season but he is yet to decide where his future lies. The ‘Big Six’ are all keen, plus Newcastle.

HITC report that Olise has a release clause, believed to be in excess of £50m, that becomes active in the summer and there are already rumours of a potential swap deal involving United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Mike Jones17 January 2024 06:00

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Arteta to knock back Palace’s move for Nketiah

This was a move that made sense.

Crystal Palace wanted to bring in Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah either permanently or on loan but the Gunners manager Mikel Arteta is unwilling to let the striker go.

The Daily Express claims that Palace were willing to pay around £30m for Nketiah which would have released funds for the Gunners to reinvest and strengthen in much needed areas.

Arteta has been vocal in the past with praising Nketiah and does not feel the time is right to sell him, particularly midway through the season.

The 24-year-old has started only one league game since November but has featured in all-but one of Arsenal’s Premier League games. He has five goals.

Mike Jones17 January 2024 04:00

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Holmes heading to Luton

Luton are set to sign Tom Holmes from Reading after the defender completed his medical on Monday. The 23-year-old was missing from Reading’s team to play Port Vale on Saturday as speculation about his future Holmes was rife.

Holmes’ move is understood to have contributed to the pitch invasion and protest from Reading fans that forced the match to be postponed.

Reading boss Ruben Selles admitted “the club have accepted proposals for two of our players” – the other being Nelson Abbey. Holmes is set to become Luton’s first addition of the January window.

Mike Jones17 January 2024 03:00

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Frank backs Toney to regain form

Brentford manager Thomas Frank is confident Ivan Toney will be playing at his best level when the striker returns following a ban for breaching betting rules.

Toney’s eight-month suspension ends this week and he is set to make his comeback in Saturday’s clash against Nottingham Forest.

Frank is increasingly confident Toney will remain with the Bees until the end of the season, despite interest in the forward from Arsenal and Chelsea.

He said: “I hope we prepared him that well that he’ll hit the ground running. He’s been training and is fit and ready to go. I’m not saying it can’t take a little time to hit the max, but I’m pretty sure he’ll come in on a high level.”

Mike Jones17 January 2024 01:00

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Sarina Wiegman ends doubt over England future with contract extension to 2027 World Cup

Sarina Wiegman will stay as England manager until the 2027 Women’s World Cup after signing a contract extension with the Football Association.

Wiegman’s contract had been due to end in 2025, leading to speculation over her future following defeat by Spain in last year’s World Cup final, but has committed to two more major tournaments including next year’s European Championship, where England will be the defending champions.

Wiegman said: “I am so happy to have the chance to lead England through to 2027 after an incredible two and a half years. Looking forward, we have unfinished business and I know we are capable of even more, although nothing will come easy. Our game is becoming so competitive at the top level. I relish that opportunity and can’t wait to start the EURO qualifiers, followed by the World Cup.”

Mike Jones17 January 2024 00:00

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Nuno tells Forest players to ignore points deduction

Nuno Espirito Santo says he will tell his Nottingham Forest players to forget about the threat of a Premier League points deduction.

Forest have been referred to an independent commission over an alleged breach of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR).

The league have started the next steps in the process to decide what punishment the club will face, which could include a points deduction and fines.

“Today we will train and we know the players know the situation but I’ll tell them the same thing that I am telling you — let’s forget about it and focus on our job. Our job is the game against Blackpool,” said Nuno.

“We are all concerned within the club but me as a coach, it’s nothing I have to think about or to deal with. My job is clear, it is to prepare the team and that’s what we’re focused with.

“All the conversations and meetings we have are private. I understand that this is the news but at the same time, it’s not my concern. I have to focus, I have to wait until the decision comes and when it does we’re here to deal with that.

“My job is to work, work, work and then work even more. This is all I think about.”