The focus shifts to Liverpool and the hunt for a new centre-back after Manchester City completed the signing of Crystal Palace defender, and captain, Marc Guehi, for £20m. Guehi had been garnering interest from other clubs such as the Reds, Arsenal and Bayern Munich but Pep Guardiola’s side have won the race for the centre-back by paying a fee in this window rather than waiting for his contract to expire in the summer.
Arne Slot is now looking at alternatives to Guehi, with Spurs star Micky Van de Ven linked, while Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck have also been mentioned, while Chelsea have opened talks to sign star Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, and are also reportedly interested in Lucas Paqueta. Reports from Brazil say the West Ham midfielder prefers to return to his home country but a switch to another European club hasn’t been ruled out.
In a month that has already seen Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca lose their jobs, there could yet be more high-profile sackings on the horizon with Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham under serious threat. Spurs fans turned on the Dane after suffering a dismal defeat to relegation contenders West Ham on Tuesday. Oliver Glasner’s job at Crystal Palace is also under consideration after the Austrian claimed he had been “abandoned” by the club in an extraordinary outburst following the Eagles’ loss at Sunderland.
Manchester United are looking to strengthen before the January transfer window closes. In midfield they have lined up Joao Gomes, Carlos Baleba, Marcos Llorente and Elliot Anderson as targets – Man City are also said to be interested in Anderson – while Nottingham Forest defender Murillo is being looked at to reinforce the defence. The club have also rejected several offers for defender Harry Maguire whose contract is expiring.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
Read MoreThe transfer miscalculation that saw Liverpool lose Marc Guehi to Man City
Marc Guehi outlines motivation behind joining Man City after completing £20m transfer
Arne Slot reveals Liverpool open to January sales ahead of Mohamed Salah return
Transfer news, rumours and latest gossip
- Liverpool now eyeing Inter's Bastoni and Dortmund’s Schlotterbeck
- Liverpool also linked with Spurs star Van de Ven
- Guehi completes Man City move for £20m
- Chelsea open talks for Rennes wonderkid Jacquet
- Zinchenko set for Arsenal exit
Juventus end Mateta interest
10:33 , Chris WilsonJuventus have ended their interest in Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, reports The Athletic.
It is claimed that the Serie A giants do not want to pay the £34.7m that Palace are demanding for the Frenchman, who turns 29 this summer and is out of contract in 2027.
Mateta was reportedly open to the move but the Italian giants were put off by the costs, including a high agent’s fee.
Sky in Italy recently reported that Palace had rejected an offer from Juve for Mateta.
Bournemouth looking to keep Senesi
10:19 , Chris WilsonBournemouth are planning on resisting any bids for Marcos Senesi during this month’s window, according to talkSport.
The Argentine has turned down multiple offers to extend his contract – which expires in the summer – and Juventus and Barcelona have shown interest in the defender.
While both clubs know gt ahead of rivals by trying to sign Senesi in January, the Cherries will do everything they can to keep their key defender this month.
Fulham in talks to sign Bobb
10:02 , Chris WilsonFabrizio Romano has exclusively revealed that Fulham are in talks with Man City over a permanent deal to sign Oscar Bobb.
The proposal is said to be “around £35m”, with negotiations now underway.
Borussia Dortmund remain interested and will decide on whether to enter the race soon, adds Romano.
🚨🇳🇴 EXCLUSIVE: Fulham in talks to sign Oscar Bobb on permanent deal from Man City.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 20, 2026
Proposal around £35m on the table and being negotiated with #MCFC.
Borussia Dortmund remain keen since December, set to decide about bidding or not soon. 👀
🎥 https://t.co/STrEbt7Db8 pic.twitter.com/HssBUfNJfj
Gunners monitoring Madrid talent
09:52 , Chris WilsonArsenal are keeping tabs on Real Madrid youth talent Víctor Valdepeñas, according to Fabrizio Romano.
He remains on the Gunners’ list as a “potential investment”, though his future “remains in Real Madrid hands”, adds the Italian.
19-year-old Valdepenas can play as a left-back or centre-back and has made just one appearance for the senior side so far.
Jesus wanted by Brazilian giants
09:42 , Chris WilsonPalmeiras are keen on signing Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, according to Mail Sport.
The Brazilian is out of contract at the Emirates in 2027 and could make a return to his home country, though he will not be allowed to leave under any circumstances this month as the Gunners hut a first title since 2004.
The transfer miscalculation that saw Liverpool lose Marc Guehi to Man City
09:32 , Chris WilsonNothing, it seemed, became Marc Guehi quite like his leaving. On the last day of August, he scored a stunning goal against Aston Villa. This, it seemed, was his parting gift to Crystal Palace. He was off to Liverpool.
Except he wasn’t. Four and a half months on, some 27 appearances later, with a different destination and a fee that is £15m less, his departure has caused ructions at Palace and may bring regret at Liverpool. Oliver Glasner’s evident unhappiness at the loss of his captain threatens to bring his reign to a premature end.
It was a sign that Palace’s glorious 2025 is giving way to a more uncertain 2026. A transfer triangle can at least offer a reminder of historic feats. Palace have won two major trophies in their history. Guehi lifted both, in the same summer, after Wembley triumphs over Manchester City and Liverpool. They became his two principal suitors; his destination was almost Anfield at the start of September, until Palace pulled the plug on the move. Now it is the Etihad Stadium instead.
The transfer miscalculation that saw Liverpool lose Marc Guehi to Man City
Bournemouth sign Hungarian international
09:22 , Chris WilsonBournemouth boss Andoni Iraola confirmed last night that the club were close to completing a deal to sign Ferencvaros midfielder Alex Toth.
And that deal has now been completed according to Sky Sports, with the 20-year-old joining in a deal worth a £10.4m fixed fee plus £2.6m in add-ons.
West Ham and Villa battle for Feyenoord midfielder
09:10 , Jack RathbornWest Ham and Aston Villa will battle it out for Quinten Timber, reports the Mail.
Not included in the starting line-up for Feyenoord on Sunday, the Premier League duo will compete with French side Marseille for his signature.
OM have already made an offer for the 24-year-old.
Flamengo eager to revive Lucas Paqueta with West Ham
09:00 , Jack RathbornFlamengo are still keen on West Ham star Lucas Paqueta, reports Sky Sports.
The report adds that there has been no contact between the clubs since last week.
The 28-year-old Brazil international could return home ahead of the World Cup, with the Rio giants eager to build around him.
Though the Hammers’ current predicament would make a sale difficult as Nuno plots a great escape from relegation.
Arsenal youngster set for Marseille loan?
08:50 , Jack RathbornArsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri looks poised to leave this month, reports David Ornstein of The Athletic.
The youngster could leave on loan for rest of season to Marseille.
The deal would include a fee, but the Gunners will not sanction a buy option for the 18-year-old, the report adds.
Kobbie Mainoo to stay at United after positive start under Michael Carrick
08:40 , Jack RathbornIf Ugarte’s future is unclear, then one midfielder now staying is Kobbie Mainoo.
The Manchester United star had been struggling under Ruben Amorim, with minimal game time.
But interim boss Michael Carrick could hand the 20-year-old midfielder a new lease of life at Old Trafford, reports Fabrizio Romano, with a loan exit now off the table.
Man United consider Sunderland midfielder in swap move?
08:29 , Jack RathbornManchester United could hand Michael Carrick an early boost in his time in charge at Old Trafford, with Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki admired.
Give Me Sport reports that the 21-year-old could attract an offer from the Red Devils.
While Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte could be offered as part of a swap deal for the DR Congo international.
Marc Guehi outlines motivation behind joining Man City after completing £20m transfer
08:17 , Jack RathbornManchester City have clinched the signing of Marc Guehi for £20m.
The Crystal Palace captain, who almost joined Liverpool in the summer before a deadline-day move broke down, has agreed a five-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium after passing a medical.
Guehi takes City’s spending since the start of 2025 to around £430m, and he would have been available on a free transfer when his Palace contract was due to expire in the summer.
Marc Guehi outlines motivation behind joining Man City after completing £20m transfer
Chelsea open talks for Lyon wonderkid Jeremy Jacquet
08:17 , Jack RathbornChelsea are eager to sign Rennes wonderkid Jeremy Jacquet to boost their defence during this window.
BBC Sport are reporting that talks have taken place between the two clubs, although the Blues are currently being quoted more than £60m to secure a deal this month.
The 20-year-old Jacquet – who previously caught the eye of Arsenal – would solve Chelsea’s left-sided centre-back woes, after Levi Colwill’s long-term injury, with the likes of Como’s Jacabo Ramon and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi also being considered as alternatives.
Oleksandr Zinchenko set for Arsenal exit
08:16 , Jack RathbornOleksandr Zinchenko’s loan deal with Nottingham Forest did not really work out but the Arsenal man looks set for another temporary exit, this time to Dutch giants Ajax.
According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, the two clubs are finalising the finer details of a loan deal until the end of the season.
The 29-year-old has made just 10 appearances in all competitions while on loan at Forest and he will leave the City Ground imminently.
Liverpool eye Guehi alternatives
08:16 , Jack RathbornAfter missing out on Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, Liverpool have switched their focus to Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni.
The Reds almost signed Guehi last summer, before Crystal Palace kiboshed the move, and have now missed out on the England international as he prepares to seal a £20m move to the Etihad with just six months left on his contract.
Teamtalk are reporting that Arne Slot now wants Bastoni as an alternative at centre-back and the Italian international would be open to leaving the San Siro. Liverpool were reportedly plotting an £87m move towards the back end of the year.
Liverpool target Van de Ven to boost defence
08:16 , Jack RathbornLiverpool are looking for a new defender it seems.
After missing out on Marc Guehi and with Ibrahima Konate’s future uncertain, we can expect a big splash from the Reds either this month or in the summer.
On the more audacious side, Team Talk reports that the Reds hold a legitimate interest in Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven, with Real Madrid also thought to be keen.
