January transfer news LIVE: Chelsea rival Arsenal for Mykhailo Mudryk and resume Enzo Fernandez talks

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

Chelsea look poised to make serious moves in the Premier League transfer window as Todd Boehly prepares to spark life into the Graham Potter era at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have already signed Ivorian forward David Datro Fofana to their ranks, and have been heavily linked with Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

But a late hijack for Arsenal target and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhailo Mudryk could also be in the works.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have completed the £35m deal for Cody Gakpo from PSV but could now move for a midfielder after more troubling signs in the loss to Brentford and the Gunners could capitalise on the situation surrounding Atletico Madrid and Portuguese forward Joao Felix, with a possible loan deal.

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

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Archer to join Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have agreed a deal with Aston Villa to sign Cameron Archer on loan.

The 21-year-old striker is due to undergo a medical today, having spent last season on loan at fellow Championship club Preston, scoring seven goals.

Michael Jones4 January 2023 15:10

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Spurs and Napoli hijacking Ounahi deal

Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi seriously impressed during the World Cup and looks to have secured a move to either the Premier League or Serie A after helping guide his national side to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Leicester had appeared to be in pole position to land the 22-year-old after making an official bid to Ligue 1 club, Angers, but the French side are hoping to spark a bidding war for a final fee of around £35million.

Ounahi has interest from several European clubs including Italy’s Napoli with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, claiming the club have received a green light to begin talks after getting a ‘yes’ from Ounahi’s camp.

That report also states that Tottenham are ‘meddling’ to try and hijack any deal that would take him to Italy after stepping up their interest in signing the midfielder.

Michael Jones4 January 2023 15:00

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De Gea confident Man Utd talks will ‘end in a good way’

The goalkeeper’s current deal expires in the summer and he is already able to discuss a move on a free transfer to foreign clubs.

He is in discussions with United about a new deal but, so far, the club have opted not to trigger a one-year extension on De Gea’s current huge salary. But while he would probably have to take a sizeable pay cut to stay, the Spaniard said he is keen to remain at Old Trafford.

“I’m very relaxed, [I] just focus on training and perform as best as I can. But, for sure, it’s going to end in a good way,” he said.

Asked he if wants to spend the rest of his career at United, the 32-year-old added: “I hope so. I was saying this is my club, I’ve been here many, many years and it’s a huge honour to be here and I’m so happy here.”

Michael Jones4 January 2023 14:53

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Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid confident of securing teenage star’s signature

Real Madrid are pitching the club to Jude Bellingham as the “best place for young talent in Europe”, with the European champions increasingly confident they can win the signature of the 19-year-old in one of 2023’s biggest moves.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is expected to be the latest revelation to leave the Bundesliga this summer, with virtually every top club in Europe attempting to sign him. Liverpool have long been seen as the best-placed Premier League club, but Madrid are following the strategy that has been persuasive in building one of the best young squads in world football.

Their hierarchy are pointing to the signings of Vinicius Junior, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Eder Militao and most recently Endrick as to how they represent the future of the game, and the best possible place for Bellingham’s talent.

While nothing has yet been officially agreed, the growing feeling at the Bernabeu is that they are leading the chase.

Michael Jones4 January 2023 14:45

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Graham Potter opts to ‘dodge’ transfer talk as Chelsea boss looks for ‘steps forward’ against Man City

Chelsea boss Graham Potter does not want to fuel transfer rumours by commenting on reported targets.

The Blues have been linked with several players in the January transfer window as they try and get their Premier League top-four hopes back on track after a poor first half of the season.

Ivory Coast international David Datro Fofana is already through the door following his move from Molde but Potter would not be drawn on any of that speculation ahead of Thursday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.

Michael Jones4 January 2023 14:38

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Marcus Rashford scores again as Man Utd cruise to win over Bournemouth

If the Theatre of Dreams had appeared misnamed at times in recent years, at least as far as its major characters were concerned, now it is starting to stage the same sort of drama time and again: a Manchester United win.

A seventh consecutive home victory in all competitions and a fourth in a row in the Premier League without conceding was scarcely a spectacular outcome but United can welcome that. Goals from Casemiro, Luke Shaw and, inevitably, Marcus Rashford dispatched Bournemouth and if there was a routine feel to the result, United may savour that.

In the previous four seasons, they had barely won a majority of home league games, just 39 of 76, never with more than 10 in a campaign. Erik ten Hag’s reign began with defeat here to Brighton.

Since then, however, they have shown signs of turning Old Trafford back into a fortress. Their reward is a five-point cushion in fourth place and a round of fixtures where Liverpool have lost, Newcastle have drawn and Chelsea have to face Manchester City is taking on a productive look for United.

Michael Jones4 January 2023 14:30

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Tottenham in talks for Sporting duo

Tottenham have targeted a January move for Pedro Porro and remain in talks with Sporting Lisbon for the Spanish right-back.

The Mail also report that Spurs are keen to bring back Marcus Edwards back to the club.

Michael Jones4 January 2023 14:22

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Manchester United prepared to sell Wan-Bissaka

Manchester United could sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka in January, report The Athletic.

The right-back has impressed lately with back-to-back clean sheets as the Red Devils continue their revival under Erik ten Hag.

But, after struggling since his £50m move from Crystal Palace in 2019, the Athletic report “several clubs have expressed interest” in the player and United are willing to let his leave for the right deal.

Doing so would probably see the Red Devils enter the market for cover but they can fall back on Brandon Williams if needs be.

Michael Jones4 January 2023 14:15

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David Gold: West Ham chairman passes away at age of 86 following illness

West Ham joint-chairman David Gold has died at the age of 86 following a short illness.

A statement from West Ham read: “It is with deep sadness that West Ham United FC confirm that our beloved Joint-Chairman David Gold passed away on Wednesday morning following a short illness.

“David Gold, 86, died peacefully with his devoted daughters, Jacqueline and Vanessa, and his fiancée Lesley, by his side.”

Michael Jones4 January 2023 14:08

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Chelsea locked in Benfica talks over Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea appear reluctant to meet Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez’s €120m euro (£105.8m) release clause.

The 21-year-old shone for Argentina at the Qatar World Cup, proiding Lionel Scaloni with a midfield cornerstone as Lionel Messi and co. triumphed in Doha.

But the Portuguese side want the buyout clause paid in full, with the Telegraph reporting the Blues are unwilling to do so, which is complicating a potential deal this month.

Elsewhere reports are saying that the Blues are willing to spend up to £112m (a fee which extends the release clause) to secure the services of the midfielder.

Michael Jones4 January 2023 14:00