January transfer news LIVE: Liverpool seal Cody Gakpo signing as Arsenal target Joao Felix and Chelsea chase Enzo Fernandez

Klopp on Liverpool’s 3-1 Villa win and Gakpo signing

The Premier League transfer window is set to open on 1 January and already there are completed deals to ensure some of England’s top teams will see their squads boosted as early as possible.

Chelsea added Ivorian forward David Datro Fofana to their ranks on Wednesday, signing him from Molde, while Liverpoolcompleted the £35m deal for Cody Gakpo from PSV the same evening, one of the stars of the recent World Cup.

Elsewhere Arsenal are being linked with moves for two big-money attackers, Shakhtar’s Mykhaylo Mudryk and Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, while Chelsea are interested in Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is currently with Benfica. Man United boss Erik ten Hag has also hinted at wanting a forward to replace the departed Cristiano Ronaldo.

Follow all the latest January transfer rumours and confirmed news below:

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Ingle extends Chelsea contract

Sophie Ingle has signed a new contract with Chelsea Women to remain at the club until the summer of 2025.

The midfielder has made 15 appearances for the Blues in all competitions this season and has signed a two-year contract at the Women’s Super League leaders.

“I’m really delighted to sign for Chelsea again.” Ingle said on Chelsea’s club website, “I feel like this club is home away from home. I’ve settled in from the very first moment that I signed about five years ago.

“I’m really delighted to continue this journey with this amazing club.”

Michael Jones29 December 2022 10:15

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Giroud signing new deal with AC Milan

World Cup winner Olivier Giroud will extend his stay in Italy after his contract runs out in June 2023 says transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The 36-year-old forward is said to have reached a new deal with Milan and will sign an extension in the next couple of weeks.

Michael Jones29 December 2022 10:08

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Cody Gakpo fills an immediate need for Liverpool but could be Jurgen Klopp’s next long-term central project

Cody Gakpo is in, the latest Liverpool addition and the third part of a renewal of the front line which, for most of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, had been dominated by the triumvirate of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

Only the latter now remains an immovable part of the Anfield attack, Mane departed and Firmino both injured and approaching the end of his contract. As such, the regeneration has come on apace across 2022, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez added to the mix before Gakpo now joins too.

In the short term, he’s an obvious stop-gap addition: Diaz is sidelined, Diogo Jota too, while Nunez is needed centrally due to Firmino’s own injury absence. That leaves the left wing spot up for grabs, at least on a temporary basis.

Michael Jones29 December 2022 09:59

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Maddison leaving Leicester City?

During the summer there were rumours that Leicester City playmaker James Maddison would be leaving the midlands side and moving on to pastures new although nothing concrete materialised.

However, Maddison has started the season brilliantly and has notched up seven goals and four assists in 13 Premier League appearances giving rise to the rumours of him potentially leaving the struggling outfit.

The newly minted Newcastle United have been linked with Maddison with manager Eddie Howe impressed by the midfielder’s skills and work ethic.

Maddison missed Leicester’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle on Boxing Day with Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers saying that he had suffered a “reoccurrence” of the knee issue he sustained ahead of the World Cup however he absence gave rise to more rumours of a potential transfer in January.

“He’s a huge miss for us. He’s a real catalyst for the team and without him, we lacked quality at certain times,” Rodgers said after Monday’s home defeat.

“We’re hoping he can get back soon but we’re not sure when that will be yet. (It’s a) reoccurrence of his knee coming back (from the World Cup). We’ll wait to hear from the medical team when that will be.”

Michael Jones29 December 2022 09:48

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Where will Enzo Fernandez end up?

Another star of the recent World Cup, Enzo Fernandez, has been rumoured to make the move to the Premier League in January.

Liverpool were heavily linked to the Argentina midfielder but that interest has cooled since the signing of Cody Gakpo earlier this week.

According to Standard Sport Chelsea are seriously interested in bringing Fernandez to Stamford Bridge and The Sun are claiming that the London club have told Benfica they will pay the 21-year-old’s huge £105m release clause.

Talks between Chelsea and the player’s agent to discuss terms are set to be going ahead as well.

(Getty Images)

Michael Jones29 December 2022 09:38

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Ten Hag wants a new striker

Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, says the club is in the market for a new forward after letting Cristiano Ronaldo go at the start of the World Cup but they would only bring in a player that fits the playing style of the team.

Ten Hag conceded that any signing would have to make sense at both a sporting and financial level in order for the club’s higher ups to splash the cash in January.

When speaking after United’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, the manager told Prime Sport: “We are always in the market. But what you say, it has to match the sporting criteria but also the financial criteria.

“We’ll do what we can to bring that player in who we need.”

(PA)

Michael Jones29 December 2022 09:28

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More attacking reinforcements for the Gunners?

As well as targeting Joao Felix, Arsenal have reportedly made an initial offer worth up to €65million (£57m) for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

The deal is said to be worth around €40million up front with a further €25million in potential add-ons but is well short of the Ukranian club’s asking price. Shakhtar Donetsk have stated that they expect a bid of close to €100million (£88m) for the bright 21-year-old winger.

Director of football Darijo Srna said: “If somebody wants to have Mudryk in their team, they must pay. They must respect us.”

Michael Jones29 December 2022 09:18

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Arsenal set sights on Joao Felix

The Premier League leaders could hvae a busy month in January as they look set to secure new signings which would boost their chances of winning the title.

One big name on their radar is Portugal star Joao Felix who impressed during the World Cup and has been lighting up La Liga for Atletico Madrid.

The 23-year-old would fit into Mikel Arteta’s possession based style of play and has three goals and three assists this season in 12 appearances for the Spanish side.

(REUTERS)

Michael Jones29 December 2022 09:10

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Chelsea agree deal to sign striker David Datro Fofana from Molde

Chelsea have confirmed a deal to sign David Datro Fofana on a pre-contract agreement, with the striker joining in the new year.

The Molde forward, who turned 20 years old just before Christmas day, will join on a long-term deal to give Graham Potter an extra option in the final third, following the season-ending ACL injury to Blues forward Armando Broja.

Fofana scored 15 times in 24 Eliteserien matches for the Norwegian side in 2022 as Molde claimed the title, with the club acknowledging he now wanted to “follow in the footsteps of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.”

In a post on their website wishing him well for the future, Molde’s statement added “the Premier League was his big dream. Now the dream is coming true for the youngster”.

Karl Matchett29 December 2022 08:47

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Cody Gakpo joins Liverpool from PSV in initial £35m transfer

Liverpool have signed Cody Gakpo for an initial fee of €40m (£35m) subject to a work permit, with the Netherlands forward agreeing a five-and-a-half-year contract at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp has been a long-time admirer of the 23-year-old but Liverpool accelerated their interest in him when injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, who could both be out until March, left him short of fit attackers.

Liverpool acted swiftly to prevent the Manchester United target going elsewhere, sealing a deal that could rise to €50m (£44m).

Director of football Julian Ward had three days of talks with PSV on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day while owners Fenway Sports Group chose to sanction the move, even though they may soon sell the club.

Klopp had considered a move for Gakpo last summer but Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho and renewed Mohamed Salah’s contract, but Gakpo’s subsequent form and injuries at Anfield prompted them to bid for him.

Karl Matchett29 December 2022 08:46