Transfer news LIVE: City sign midfielder as Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea eye Newcastle striker, Mbappe contract | OneFootball

Claudio Echeverri has joined Manchester City from River Plate

(AP)

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

Callum Wilson is reported to be on the market as Newcastle United look to balance the books, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all alerted to the availability of a proven Premier League goalscorer. Kalvin Phillips is on the verge of completing his loan move to West Ham United, as the Hammers look to bolster their midfield.

Chelsea are prepared to let striker Armando Broja leave, but only for a substantial fee of £50m, with Ivan Toney a key name on both the Blues’ and Arsenal’s wishlists. Brighton striker Evan Ferguson has also been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, although the Seagulls have put a high price on the forward, valuing the teenager as over £100m.

1706284832

DONE DEAL! Brentford bring in goalkeeper

Brentford have completed the signing of goalkeeper Hákon Valdimarsson from Elfsborg. The Iceland international boosts Thomas Frank’s options between the sticks and arrives on a long-term deal having impressed in the Allsvenskan last season.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said: “I’m very, very happy that we’ve managed to sign Hákon; there was competition from a lot of other clubs, including some in the Premier League. We are growing as a club, and we have proven that we make players better.

“Hákon is an exciting keeper. He is good at dominating his box, claiming crosses from set-pieces and in open play. His distribution is also at a high level. He fits the way we want to play, which is very important.”

Harry Latham-Coyle26 January 2024 16:00

1706283032

Newcastle United are the world’s richest football club – so why can’t they spend any money?

Jurgen Klopp has been vindicated in many a way this season but one of his comments has not aged well. “There are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially,” he said in October 2022. No names were proffered but the sense, including at the Etihad Stadium, was that he meant Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United.

On Tyneside, they must rather wish that was true. Newcastle have deep pockets and vaunting ambition. They also have constraints that mean they are unable to access most of their wealth. Their transfer window has brought no expenditure thus far, not through a lack of willingness but a lack of leeway within financial parameters. For clubs such as Klopp’s Liverpool and Tottenham, who have long looked to break even and for sustainable models, it may prove that Financial Fair Play is financially working. Others may see it as the established order’s glass ceiling holding firm, preventing Newcastle from vaulting upwards.

Newcastle United have maxed out the credit card, and the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules mean they are suddenly not hunters but prey in the transfer market

Richard Jolly26 January 2024 15:30

1706282132

Highly-rated Antonio Nusa to leave Club Brugge in the summer

A number of top European clubs, including Tottenham and Chelsea, have Club Brugge youngster Antonio Nusa on their radar. The Belgian side are not keen to part with the 18-year-old Norway international, but recognise the realities of the situation, with manager Ronny Deila confirming that Nusa is all but certain to leave in the summer even if he remains at the club this January.

“If it doesn’t happen now, it will be this summer,” Deila said.

“The most important thing is that he stays focused and wants to get better. I think he is handling [the speculation] well, because he is still young.

“Now, a decision has to be made and he has to do the best he can for us. I hope and think we will keep him until June. And then, he will be even more ready to leave.”

Harry Latham-Coyle26 January 2024 15:15

1706280332

Erik ten Hag confirms Manchester United transfer plans

Erik ten Hag says financial fair play restrictions will prevent Manchester United from acting in the January transfer window to fill the “gap” in attack left by Anthony Martial’s extended absence.

This has been a quiet month across the board and the Red Devils have focused on streamlining the squad rather than bolstering it.

Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek and Hannibal Mejbri are among those to have left on loan, with United always expected to do little to nothing in terms of signings.

And not even the fact that Martial has been ruled out until April after undergoing surgery on a groin injury is likely to change things due to Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

“I looked but there is no space,” United boss Ten Hag said. “No space on FFP to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position.

“Of course, we have (Marcus) Rashford who can play as a striker, I think also we have some other alternatives, creative.

“It’s clear now Anthony is out for a couple of months. It’s a gap in our squad. Clear.”

Harry Latham-Coyle26 January 2024 14:45