Arsenal only getting ‘stronger and stronger’ – Guardiola
Liverpool are thought to have thrown a late spanner into the works of the Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City deal, just when Pep Guardiola’s side looked set to complete the transfer of the Bournemouth star as the January transfer window heats up.
Semenyo looked to be on the verge of a move to the Etihad Stadium, with a medical said to be booked, but Jamie Redknapp has predicted a “little twist” in the saga. Elsewhere, both Liverpool and City received a transfer blow with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner suggesting sought-after defender Marc Guehi will stay at the club in this window.
Arsenal have reignited their summer interest in Rennes wonderkid Jeremy Jacquet but face a tug of war for his signature with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid also said to be interested, while the Gunners are also eyeing a stunning £86m move for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who is wanted by United and Tottenham. Mikel Arteta’s side are also potentially prepared to loan out Ethan Nwaneri for more game-time, with Bournemouth the current favourites as they aim to replace Semenyo.
The managerial merry-go-round has also been at full tilt over the past few days with Ruben Amorim dismissed by Man United less than 24 hours after his extraordinary rant following United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds. The likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are now in the frame for the interim role but, as one manager left, another arrived with Chelsea confirming Liam Rosenior as their new head coach following the controversial departure of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below:
January transfer window latest updatesVinicius Jr to Chelsea rumours rubbished
There were shock reports form Spain earlier this week that Chelsea were plotting a stunning £125m move for Real Madrid’s disgruntled Vinicius Jr.
However, Fabrizio Romano has quashed these claims and labelled them “completely wide of the mark”.
There have been no talks and no bid, with the Brazilian completely focussed on Real and his contract situation at the Bernabeu will be assessed in due course.
Yesterday, Real boss Xabi Alonso spoke of ensuring the forward was happy at the club, saying: “Vini Jr is going to be important. We need him at his best, enjoying himself on the pitch. When he does, he gives us that edge. We have to find him. He’s fundamental for us.”
(AP)
Luke Baker8 January 2026 09:14
Arsenal set for bonus windfall
Arsenal could be in line for a bonus transfer windfall this month with former defender Nuno Tavares potentially leaving Lazio
Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport are reporting that the 25-year-old has been linked with a possible exit just a few months since joining the Serie A side permanently.
Tavares had loan spells with Marseille, Nottingham Forest and Lazio themselves before joining the latter permanently from Arsenal last summer and the Gunners are thought to have included a 25 per cent sell-on clause in his deal, which could provide a boost to their transfer kitty should the Portuguese international indeed leave the Stadio Olimpico this month
Nuno Tavares could be leaving Lazio (Getty Images)
Luke Baker8 January 2026 09:01
Crystal Palace ready to enter race for Jorgen Strand Larsen
Crystal Palace are willing to rival West Ham and Nottingham Forest for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, according to the Daily Mail.
Wolves rejected a £60m bid for the Norwegian in the summer from Newcastle, a fact that may prove to be a stumbling block, though his value will be thought to have dropped after a poor first half of the season to around the £40m mark – a price that is still putting off West Ham but Forest are said to be more amenable to.
Raheem Sterling could be a last resort in attack if Palace fail to sign other targets.
Jorgen Strand Larsen is interesting Crystal Palace (Getty Images)
Luke Baker8 January 2026 08:43
Liverpool and Tottenham join Carlos Baleba race
Liverpool and Tottenham have joined Manchester United in the race for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to TeamTalk.
The two Premier League sides are believed to be the latest sides keeping tabs on the 22-year-old, who was heavily linked with a move to the Red Devils in the summer.
However, a realistic move may need to wait until the summer, with the Seagulls unlikely to consider any offers below £80m.
Carlos Baleba could leave Brighton (Reuters)
Luke Baker8 January 2026 08:31
Semenyo set for Man City medical this morning
Despite Jamie Redknapp suggesting Liverpool will provide a late twist in the Antoine Semenyo saga, Sky Sports are reporting that the Bournemouth winger will begin his medical with Man City this morning.
Semenyo arrived in Manchester overnight following his late winner against Spurs and the final steps of his £65m move may be about to be completed.
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker8 January 2026 08:19
Liverpool and Man City face Marc Guehi blow
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has dealt a major blow to Liverpool and Man City by stating that much sought-after defender Marc Guehi will stay at Selhurst Park in this transfer window.
The Palace captain is into the final six months of his contract and came agonisingly close to joining Liverpool in the summer window before the deal fell through on deadline day.
The Reds remain interested in Guehi along with Man City, who are enduring a defensive injury crisis, but Glasner poured some cold water on their hopes.
“I think Marc will stay,” said Glasner after Crystal Palace’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. “But if Marc says ‘I want to leave’, and a club pays massive money – with five months left of a contract – every player will leave if you’re playing for a club like Crystal Palace.
“I’m pretty sure our chairman will ask for a very high price for him and then let’s see. I don’t know if Marc wants to leave.
“Right now, when I see him playing, when I see him training, when I see his commitment and when we are talking quite often together, then I think the fans can be really be calm but you never know what will happen in football.”
Marc Guehi may now be staying at Palace (PA Wire)
Luke Baker8 January 2026 08:15
Arsenal in tug of war for Rennes wonderkid
Arsenal have reignited their summer interest in Jeremy Jacquet but face a tug of war if they want to sign the Rennes wonderkid.
The Gunners bolstered their backline with Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie over the summer but were strongly interested in Jacquet and TeamTalk are reporting that they’re still in the running to sign the 20-year-old centre-back.
However, they face a tug of war to get a deal done with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid all said to be eyeing the youngster.
Jacquet has played 16 times for Rennes in Ligue 1 this season and signed a contract until 2029 back in May 2025 to ensure the club would get a good fee for him.
And offer between £25m and £35m may be enough to prise him away
Jeremy Jacquet has impressed for Rennes (AFP via Getty Images)
Luke Baker8 January 2026 08:07
Arsenal told to stump up £86m for Yan Diomande
Arsenal will have to break the bank to sign highly sought-after RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande as they continue to consider a move, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners are reportedly monitoring the 19-year-old’s situation, although any deal would need to take place in the summer, with the Bundesliga side unwilling to let him go this month.
Arsenal join north London rivals Tottenham and Manchester United in the race for the Ivorian, who has starred at Afcon.
(AP)
Luke Baker8 January 2026 08:02
Bournemouth eye Ethan Nwaneri loan move to bolster attack
Bournemouth are interested in Arsenal‘s Ethan Nwaneri, and open to a loan until the end of the season, but the 18-year-old’s preference is to stay in north London until at least the end of the campaign
The south-coast club are keen to reshape their attack amid the pending sale of Antoine Semenyo and there has been a feeling that a temporary deal for Nwaneri might make sense for all parties since he has found himself sidelined for Arsenal.
The Gunners do not want to sell the player due to his obvious talent, but do want to ensure he gets regular football.
Read the latest from Miguel Delaney:
Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer8 January 2026 07:49
Guardiola refuses to offer confirmation of Semenyo deal
Semenyo had been expected to undergo a medical at Man City on Thursday after Pep Guardiola’s side met his £65m release clause but that may now be in doubt.
Certainly Guardiola was typically reticent to offer confirmation of an impending move after City’s 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Asked if City were poised to sign a winger, Guardiola said: “I don’t know. I don’t know what is going to happen in the transfer window.”
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker8 January 2026 07:47